Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Vitae Cologne Forte

Mostly bright and zesty, like fresh orange or lemon peel. Underneath that, the general smell of flowers, without leaning sharp or sweet.

It opens on mandarin orange and bergamot, moves through floral notes and solar notes, and settles on musk and sandalwood.

• mandarin orange: sweet, soft citrus. Gentler and less biting than lemon
• bergamot: bright citrus peel, sharper and greener than orange. The note that makes Earl Grey tea smell the way it does

It lasts an average amount of time and sits close to the skin after the first hour.

Built from the note listing and the measured performance figures. We have not smelled this one.