I'm in Florence wanting to take home a memento. I thought I had decided on Acqua di Parma Colonia but I just stoppped by the Farmacia Santa Maria Novella (a must-see for anyone on this forum who visits Florence) and noticed that they have a "Spanish Leather" scent (I think it's actually callled P'eau Espagna or something like that) and a "Russian Leather" scent (can't remember the name but I think it had Russa in it). Has anyone here ever tried either of these SMN scents? Any thoughts?
SMN Spanish Leather or Russian Leather (or AdP Colonia)
- Thread starter jwilock
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Peau d'Espagne is one of my favorite leathers. You'll have to learn tolerate a Tabasco note.
They also have a Russa which isn't a leather scent. It is a Russian interpretation of the classic Eau de Cologne formula. I'd make sure it lasts before buying.
They also have a Russa which isn't a leather scent. It is a Russian interpretation of the classic Eau de Cologne formula. I'd make sure it lasts before buying.
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- #3
Spot on with these descriptions. I just went back there to try them.
The Russa is quite nice,but very light even afer the initial spritz and therefore largely gone in a few hours. The P'Eau Espagna was the exact opposite. She spritzed it on my wrist and I imeediately wished my arms were twice as long. Overpowering to say the least. Whiich might have been almost OK if I liked it. But, and I say this fully understanding that scent is veyr much a YMMV thing, it smelled really bad. Leather? Yes. But kind of like wet leather left to stand for a few days in a barn full of dirty ashtrays. I went home and tried to wash it off. I mean I used a lot of soap and hot water. Even after that it still smells much stronger than the Russa. Too bad the Russa is fading so quickly because it;s really nice.
Yes, Henry is spot on as usual. In fact - he ruined Peau for me as all I can smell is tobasco when I sniff it now...
It's a very dry, rough leather unlike anything else out there. The Colonia Russa is dull and fleeting. I think I'd stick with Acqua di Parma Colonia of the three choices you're presenting here.
SMN scents are all fairly unique and interesting. If you're tobacco scent inclined, you should step back in and give Tabacco Toscano (sweet, vanillic tobacco) and Acqua di Cuba (raw and slightly sour cigar/cigarette style tobacco) a try.
It's a very dry, rough leather unlike anything else out there. The Colonia Russa is dull and fleeting. I think I'd stick with Acqua di Parma Colonia of the three choices you're presenting here.
SMN scents are all fairly unique and interesting. If you're tobacco scent inclined, you should step back in and give Tabacco Toscano (sweet, vanillic tobacco) and Acqua di Cuba (raw and slightly sour cigar/cigarette style tobacco) a try.
Too bad Paeu d'Espagne wasn't good for you. It's one of the best scents I've tried so far. If you have the chance try Acqua di colonia by Lorenzo Villoresi while you are there. You should be able to find it in Florence.
Contrary to the above, I do pick up a light leather in Colonia Russa, but it's not in your face. The style stays true to an Eau and is citrus dominant but as it dries down (and quickly) I pick up a light leather, subtle enough to leave the citrus and herbal notes intact.
Peau d'Espagne however is very different - different enough from just about any leather out there. It is dry and herbal and although I do not pick up a Tabasco note (vinegar?) it is very strong and unusual. It is one of my favorite leather fragrances ever made and is a very true rendition of the Spanish leather variety - heavy on the birch.
If you get a chance, try their Estrato Triplo (triple extracts), especially the PdE.
Peau d'Espagne however is very different - different enough from just about any leather out there. It is dry and herbal and although I do not pick up a Tabasco note (vinegar?) it is very strong and unusual. It is one of my favorite leather fragrances ever made and is a very true rendition of the Spanish leather variety - heavy on the birch.
If you get a chance, try their Estrato Triplo (triple extracts), especially the PdE.
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Thanks for the recommeddation. I'll try to find it before I commit to the AdP.
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- #8
Just for the record, it is now about 9 to 10 hours since I had each wrist spritzed - one with the P'Eau E and one with Russa. Not sure when I could not longer smell the Russa but it must have been a few hours ago. As I mentioned above, about half hour or so after the spritzing I tried to wash off the Espagna with lots of soap and hot water. It's still there and still going strong Don't think I've encountered anything with the strength and staying power of this one. If only it tickled my olfactory receptors, or those of my significant other who was more than happy when I told her I was going to try to wash it off.
I do like English Leather and Drakkar Noir and even the Trumpers Spanish Leather. So it's not a general distaste for leather scents, but as others have noted, this one is really unique. It might wel be a love-it or hate-it kind of scent.
I do like English Leather and Drakkar Noir and even the Trumpers Spanish Leather. So it's not a general distaste for leather scents, but as others have noted, this one is really unique. It might wel be a love-it or hate-it kind of scent.
Sorry. Try it again though. I took a couple of years off and enjoy it again.
Haha, it's ok. I liked it, but didn't looooooove it, so it wasn't a significant loss. I have come back to it a time or two in the past year or so and the tabasco note is just too prominent. It does fade away in the dry down, so maybe I should put it on and hold my nose for a few hours.
While the SMN Russian does have a birch tar base (hence the Russian name), its a lighter cologne with a fair amount of bergamot in it and not really a leather. If you like the Russian cologne try the bath soap and/or bath oil, pure decadant luxury.
Peau de E'spagna ( 'Spanish skin, ie Spanish Leather ) is am aggressive pungent, very long lasting (as you discovered) leather scent. It contains Linaloe, an exotic resin from Brazil in it's base that's often mistaken for tobacco. It's an old style Leather with an astringent lavandine top end that you don't find these days. A bit abrasive, but intoxicating IMHO.
Peau de E'spagna ( 'Spanish skin, ie Spanish Leather ) is am aggressive pungent, very long lasting (as you discovered) leather scent. It contains Linaloe, an exotic resin from Brazil in it's base that's often mistaken for tobacco. It's an old style Leather with an astringent lavandine top end that you don't find these days. A bit abrasive, but intoxicating IMHO.
I've just recently gotten hold of a decant of Colonia Russa, and I would say that you're better off with AdP Colonia. The Russa's longevity is just too poor in my opinion to justify a purchase.
wait there is a frag that smells a bit like Tobasco and i'm just hearing about it?Time to add some sriracha to my secret homemade frags!
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