Well, some reviews here say the latest batches bear little resemblance to the original, and the rest of the reviews bear little resemblance to the sample I got, so, there you are.

What I got: a grape soda & bubblegum opening, except, much nicer than you’d think from hearing that. This is the first sweet fragrance I’ve liked, and the only one so far that I’d describe as restrained. The whole picture is nicely blended and it’s tough to pick out individual notes. Eventually, I do get a hint of that acrid tire-fire-in-the-distance smell that seems to haunt every sweet cologne, but in this case, so tamed down that it’s actually not objectionable — less a tire fire on the outskirts of town, more the classroom windows being open while fresh asphalt is being laid out the playground.

Underneath it all is a very nice base. Yes, vanilla eventually comes out, some cinnamon. The bit of spice helps keep the wisp of asphalt in check. Nice enough, the base punches above its price range. An impressive few hours later (as measured by a 3 hour nap a few hours after putting it on) it’s settled down to extremely mild florals. Someone somewhere said “fabric softener” and that’s not that far off the mark, although putting it that way carries cheap and disparaging connotations that this doesn’t deserve.

Overall this is very mild from start to finish. Scent is more a suggested than asserted, sillage is pretty intimate, although longevity at very close range is impressive enough.

I’m impressed there’s a sweet(ish) fragrance that doesn’t read to my nose like an unwearably horrid mess. I probably wouldn’t buy this, but only because there are so many fragrances I like more than this out there. If it was gifted to me I’m sure I’d keep it around to wear when the mood strikes. It’s on the better side of not bad.