Creed Erolfa

. . . A bit of a let down. I'm glad I got a chance to sample this ahead of the projected purchase-date that I had in mind (summer 2011). After reading some glowing reviews on EROLFA, I thought I was in for a very different kind of experience, but such was not the case.

It opens with a salty citrus lemon/lime blast, with emphasis on the lemon and salt - reminds me of a tequila shot without the booziness. This was my least favorite part. It's simple, rather uninteresting, and I've smelled it before in cheaper fragrances. In fact, it reminded me a little of the top of Incense Ultramarine, which can be had for $225 less than EROLFA.

After about 20 minutes, the salt and citrus transitions with sports yacht smoothness into a low-silage brininess, with vague hints of sea air, salt, and sand. This middle stage is short-lived, and by 45 minutes into the scent, everything has settled into a sandy/salty/wood note, very dry and light. Guess that's the "driftwood" accord that people talk about. It's okay, but not nearly as compelling as I had hoped. The fact that this hangs on as a skin scent doesn't improve matters.

EROLFA is pleasant enough, and I don't know if it had more personality in the '90s and this current version has been stripped down, but as it stands, the scent isn't worth the $$$. Try Silver Mountain Water instead.



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Top Notes: Citrus fruits and bergamot
Middle Notes: Herbal notes
Base Notes: Ambergris

The rainy citrus and bergamot gives this a more unisex smell. It smells great on me and has a fruity freshness. I like this one a little better than Silver Mountain Water since I like citrus more than berry but if you like berry more than citrus then SMW would more preferential. It does remind me a little of Millesime Imperiale though Imperiale has a stronger marine and citrus smell. Erolfa smells more like citrus rain and seems more feminine though keep in mind YMMV. It lasts the typical 4 hours. I would wear this in the spring and summer. I also find the drydown not as pleasant as Millesime Imperial.

Bottom Line: Get your wife to wear Erolfa and you wear Imperiale and go live near the sea.