No 89 Floris for men

Not really crazy about this frag. It opens with a sharp bitter lemons kind of note, and stays bitter-citrus all the way through. Not much warmth here, so not quite suitable for winter, but in hot weather I'd imagine it would be sort of annoying. I don't care if James Bond wears it, it just doesn't work for me. Floris Santal, on the other hand, is a winner.

I was intrigued to hear that this is, allegedly, what James Bond would have worn. On further research, it appears that it was actually Ian Fleming's preferred cologne. It's difficult to source in Australia so I had my cousin, who was living in London, get me a bottle. Well, I am half way through my second bottle and I hope it's never discontinued. It's citrus and light florals with an enduring musk note base and is unlike anything I have smelled before. On a personal level, it evokes reading musty Ian Fleming Pan paperbacks on summer hols as 12 year old. But it is not strictly gender/age specific either; my 7 year old daughter has "played" with it a few times. It's a little different because of her skin but lovely nonetheless. I find that it's neither particularly "manly" or "girly", it just smells really good.

This is not a fragrance to write home about. The type of gentleman this was intended for would consider that vulgar. He's one who expects this fragrance to serve a clearly defined purpose: smell unobtrusively decent, as an English gentleman should. Fresh citrus on top for a morning perk up, settled before the Georgian door of his home snaps shut behind him. Subtle rose and soft spices for the office. Quietly stated quality, no surprises. Like the crisp white Sea Island cotton shirt by Turnbull & Asser and the pinstripe suit by Anderson & Shepherd he's wearing. From a bygone era, but nice to have around.