Zanzibar Yachtsman for women and men

My favourite (along with Tobago) is to be defined as a spicey soap. First burst of hot spicies ('Zanzibar') within 10 or more minutes is rounded up with smooth soapy base (Olibanum with white creamy touch?) and that's what I really like. Actually, the pyramid here is quite revealing and let me initially make the right conclusions (partially distracted by some reviews, haha). More appropriate for women than Cabo.

very spicy and rather odd at first, but then it turns clean and soapy with a twist of spice lingering still.. definitely a very good fragrance :)

I agree with meece. Although I have never visited to Zanzibar but the fragrance pictures Zanzibar really well. When I first sniffed it I felt Zanzibar in my imagination. It also smells like an aromatic dessert, just beautiful. All in all, what I can say about the all four fragrances by yachtsman is that it's something like I had in my mind about the fragrances I really wanted to wear and it's here.

I was lucky enough to visit Zanzibar a few years back. I think it captures the island perfectly. I was immediately taken back to the visit to a spice farm, walking through a wooded area, and then the cinnamon and nutmeg. The sillage was good on me, predominately spices. My favourite Yachtsman fragrance so far.

Waited a while before reviewing this as I believe Zanzibar is better suited to men and I wanted to try it on my husband.

I agree with the reviews that comment on the vegetal smell but I mostly agree with the reviews that said it reminded them of a spiced soap or scented candle.

To me it does remind me of a Christmas spiced candle sitting on a bed of salad.
I think the combination of cloves, vanilla and woods mimics a soapy pine scent which my husband said reminds him of pine disinfectant.

I think this fragrance works best in warmer weather and on a man's skin as it brings out the spices better especially the cloves. On my skin it was mostly soapy and sweet though I am currently testing it in cool winter weather.

When I read the notes for this perfume I was curious but I could tell something about this perfume would be a bit wrong for me. I would have liked more citrus and probably only one or two spices.

The Yachtsman perfumes I like for me are
Tobago and Cabo. I also like Homeport but it is more Masculine.

I think Zanzibar has the weakest sillage of all the range but I think these perfumes were meant to be more like a cologne and the wearer is supposed to enjoy regular, refreshing reapplication.
If they were any stronger they would not appeal to the intended buyer.

Overall, Jon has succeeded in creating truly wearable and unique unisex fragrances.

I was fortunate enough to receive my Yachtsman samples in the mail today. Great customer service from John Verde! Zanzibar is unlike anything I've tested before and I find it intrigiung as it unfolds. Reading the reviews it seems that personal skin chemistry really influences the development of this fragrance.
For me, Zanzibar opened as gourmand with strong cucumber notes, combined with subtle spices, beautifully balanced. Very soon after that I get something else that resembles delicious moist soil or peat. Yet again, this is not overpowering and always balanced with the spices and vanilla. Drydown is a soft and fresh, staying close to the skin leaving me feeling calm and tranquil. Thank you John- Zanzibar has taken me to a lovely place!

I like the top notes of Zanzibar the most but unfortunately I can't smell them at all. Maybe just a little bit of cucumber. But where's my beloved jasmine? First I can smell all the spices in the middle notes and I feel that there's too much of everything. This one is not working for me like the three others of Yachtsman's first releases. I think it's too foreign for me. It's a total opposite to Home Port. But if you're looking for something new and exotic and not very safe you should give it a try.

The opening of Zanzibar is extremely green, like freshly cut grass times 2 :) Later some spicy notes appear making Zanzibar smell just like freshly pickled cucumbers on my skin till the very base.
I find Zanzibar more masculine than feminine.

As Jeca said - something very green like celery branches at the beggining and next, very quickly appears cold dark wood...(what an unexpected great couple!). All my later impression is cold air in dark wooden old church. Ya, despite of all spices used in, there is something very cold in this smell. Very very unique, unisex. This one surprised me the most, pity lasts not so long on me:(

Very Unique, this and Tobago are my favourite. I love the way the freshness and coolness contrasts with the warmth of the spices and woody notes.

My only problem with this scent is it's longevity. Just when i am really enjoying this scent it seems to disappear -leaving me wanting more.

This is the first of the 4 Yachtsman fragrances I intend to review (thanks for the samples Jon). The first thing I noticed when trying this fragrance was the potency: a small amount was easily detectable. For me there is a soapiness right from the start with this one, which is not unlike Paco Rabanne. This soapiness (which is complemented by a sweet spiciness), is not as sharp as with the Paco and subsides somewhat after a couple of minutes.

The spices are complex and well blended: it makes it quite hard for me to pinpoint what exactly I am smelling. The sweetness is not overdone and comes from the floral elements and in particular the jasmine.

The cucumber ensures that this is a smooth and refreshing fragrance and helps to 'tie' all the elements together in one exotic-smelling package.

The basenotes do not over-exert themselves and as a result the fragrance is well-balanced, pleasant and it keeps its character a long time. On me it has better that average longevity (and my skin tends to 'eat' fragrances).

When smelling this I can easily imagine balmy nights in the tropics.

Zanzibar completes the Yachtsman Fragrance experience. This is a spicy scent with an element of freshness, making it perfect for humid weather.

The fragrance opens strongly with the spicy and tangy citrus notes and clove. The cucumber envelops the spiciness the minute the top notes settle on the skin. Zanzibar is somewhat vegetal, like a refreshing salad with an exotic, tangy dressing.

This fragrance is perfectly unisex. It's neither too masculine nor too feminine. The heart of Zanzibar introduces a subtle sweetness, particularly with the cinnamon and vanilla notes. However when blended with the nutmeg, the scent transforms into a warm and complex oriental.

The drydown is soothing and earthy on the skin. Cedar and teak wood, although rather woodsy and musty in some scents, are soft and inoffensive in Zanzibar.

These fragrances are like a work of art, each and every one of them. Jon Verde has done an excellent job in creating something different, fresh and modern. Capturing it all in a simple bottle.

Spicy almost Christmas spice blend, drying down to a sweetly spiced blend not unlike an expensive candle. It's a great scent and fun to wear. Now the downside: It lasts about five minutes on me. I seldom have this problem with fragrance, but even with unscented cream underneath as a base, Zanzibar vanishes utterly on me so fast it makes the head spin. I would have to bathe in this to smell it for longer than five minutes. Very disappointing as I like what I smell for those brief moments.

Superinteresting, like all four Yachtman's! Indeed, the opening is veggie greenish - but absolutely wearable. And just like the others, I would love to smell it on somebody else (a man), it's just not everyday-me: which is actually kind of girly girl. But I'm really urging for the next ones to be released :D I'll definitly will follow Yachtman's developments from now on.

Oh and by the way, again there is that addictive kind of thingie going on here like in Cabo. I don't know what it is.

I love sweet, spicy fragrances and this is one of the best to come along in a long time. It is exotic, mysterious, and intimate. This is a scent to transport the senses to a romantic, tropical paradise.

Zanzibar smells like a bar of Door County cranberry spiced soap. I like this. There is a tart freshness, that is punctuated by lively spices. Zanzibar has a zingy, zesty feel that is so nice. Would also be wonderful as a room fragrance as well.

I received my Zanzibar today in the mail and when I first read the article and description knew this would be my fave of the 4 released so far and I was right...

Lemongrass is one of my favorite things; lovely fresh green bracing scent, delicious in thai food, a natural source of citronella and beautiful to look at. I use all natural kitchen cleanser and room spray with natural lemongrass in and it is the cleanest and freshest my home has smelled. The topnotes of this are aromatic and green without being bracing or too sharp and as jeca said fade quickly yet the cucumber softens the green and jasmine sweetens it while the lemongrass keeps the citric freshness throughout and even though the heart is spicy and warm it remains fresh. The nutmeg, cinnamon and clove should be spicy and in your face yet the vanilla smooths them all together in one of the best and comfortable mixes of recent years. The base is slightly incensy but not to smoky due to the prescence of the teak and cedar.

Most would consider this a mens fragrance due to the warmth and spices but the overall blend is so soft and even though when I smell my wrists (which I've been doing all day since applying it) I get spicy woody vanilla, as I go about my day and catch a whiff of this it is eternally fresh and clean.
This has a close sillage and lasts for a good long time, but is not like most colognes that radiate out and neither is it like an aromatic oil that only you and those you get close to can smell,it's absolutely balanced and feels a part of YOU. Great job, John.

Sillage: close but firmly there
Longevity: Above average
Overall: 4.5/5

This fragrance house is the next big thing, get 'em now before everyone realises how good they are and the price soars...The company really cares about its customers and is for fragrance lovers by a fellow fragrance lover. SWEET...

It's spicy, and I love it!!!! You can smell the nutmeg and the cinnamon in the first application, but then the cool cucumber appears. Good Job Jon!!!

The top of the fragrance is very interesting, rough green, even gourmand for those who likes green vegetables ;o) I love it and wish it lasts a little bit longer. After the first wave the composition becomes spicy-woody, cozy, light.

The idea of fragrance as adornment doesn't work here, Yachtsman fragrances are more like essential part of you. That's why I find them very modern.