Viride by Orto Parisi

To talk about Viride, you have to compare it to a classic still hanging in my father’s wardrobe, bought in giant bottles decades ago. The opening is basically absinthe, slightly alcoholic but very green. Then, as it dries down, that absinthe scent disappears to give way to everything that gives it body: conifers like pine and juniper. It all forms a blend of green, woody, and earthy notes. Honestly, I think it carries vetiver; it reminds me a lot of classic Aramis. In the end, even after 12 hours, those conifer forest tones remain with an earthy base smelling of pipe tobacco. What I like most is that the trail lasts from the dry-down until the very end; initially, it’s a bit of a bomb, but then it settles to the bare minimum so you can smell yourself and those close by notice it without having to press their nose right up against your neck. A formal and mature fragrance, ideal for someone who always keeps their blazer perfectly pressed. Suitable for all year round and for daytime, but without overdoing it. Perfect for serious events; it gives a centred presence that feels like a return to form. In short: the classic of 40 years ago, but now.

To talk about Viride, let’s compare it to a classic of my father’s, those he used to buy in 5-litre bottles for who knows how many pesetas, and he still has some left. Its opening is basically absinthe, something alcoholic but very green. Then that absinthe disappears to give way to conifers: pine and juniper. It all forms a green, woody, and earthy mass. I think it carries vetiver; it reminds me of classic Aramis. At the end, which can last 12 hours, the conifer forest tones continue with a pipe tobacco earthy base. The best part is that the sillage lasts from when it dries until the very end: a strong opening, but once dry, it stays at the bare minimum: you smell yourself, and whoever comes close has to press their nose. A formal and mature perfume, a good signature for someone wearing a tailored blazer. Suitable for all year and day, without going overboard. Perfect for serious events, giving a centred and mature presence. In short: the classic of 40 years ago, but now.

A niche version of Zino Davidoff.

Smells like an 80s green fragrance in the style of Polo Green, with oakmoss, pine, and tobacco.

Undeniably an Orto Parisi DNA fragrance… with many shadows. Green, earthy, and woody. A fragrance that doesn’t smell bad, but tells me little and hardly invites me to wear it. It works well for semi-cold days and performs, but I’m not attracted to it at all. For now, it’s the first Orto Parisi I don’t consider buying, not even in the slightest.

Sometimes very vulgar, other times very elegant, depending on the aroma wave that hits you. At times it smells like bathroom cleaner; at others, it has an alpha male imprint that blows your mind. It commands enormous respect, so much so that before applying it you think about it five times and look in the mirror five more to see if it works; with this I mean it has 0.5 versatility… It has lots of moss, lots of musk, perhaps pine camouflaged with a mountain of green notes, maybe cypress? Fir? Grass? The truth is, I’m not entirely sure what else is in this completely linear and rigid composition… Definitely not for everyone; at times it doesn’t seem worth the price asked, other times it seems of very good quality. It’s a ‘rare’ perfume if we can call it that. Anyway, I must say I like it quite a bit and enjoy it very much.

The fougère of the line: if you are expecting a beast in projection (as the brand is used to), you will be disappointed, although its performance is

Viride by Orto Parisi: Ever since I heard about the collection, this particular green caught my attention. It was the first one I tried. At 6:30 am, after a shower, I applied 4 sprays (2 on the neck, one on each forearm). Herbal notes at the start, perhaps dry eucalyptus and a hint of mint; these are the freshest minutes. As it dries, dried grass, cloves, a trace of lavender, and woods emerge. Finally, a potent yet pleasant earthy vetiver, without being invasive. Some call it a classic grandfather’s fougère, but in my opinion, it is a modern fougère with a unique style, nothing like the 80s barbershop smell. I wore it all day, even with a mask. By 5 pm, I was still enveloped in it. Age: 30+. 90% masculine. Spring and autumn. Work and leisure. Scent: 8/10. (Try in decants). Sprays: 4-5. Longevity: 10/10 (12h). Sillage: 7/10. Projection: 8/10. Versatility: 8/10. Value for money: 7/10. Final score: 8/10. Thanks.

Green and more green to move away from conifers. A crunchy, dry, and bitter green, the kind that fills your nose when mowing the lawn. The drydown is less green and more woody: pines and conifers with a balsamic resin touch. I admit I love it, but it gives me an extreme vintage feeling; my grandfather would wear it perfectly. I won’t rule out buying it, although the price puts me off.

When fireflies come out onto the street in summer, they shine in the darkness with a green glow, a cold light from bioluminescence. A process that left me speechless since childhood. I find Viride equally intriguing and magical. It is light but has a dark side: a woody balsamic accord. Unlike Gualtieri’s provocative scents, Viride is calm and serene, perceptible without shouting. It dances with three themes: one is pastoral, rural, bucolic green, without excessive peaks; another is powdery and coumarinic; the third is slightly incense-like woods, soft, more noticeable towards the end (a good long finish). Fresh and dark at the same time, it fuses relaxing green notes, soft pale woods, and a powdery touch that makes the scent fly in the spring breeze, full of new sap, sprouting leaves, and revitalised earth after winter. It is comfortable and enveloping. Worth trying if you are a fan of green. (Courtesy of Rafasant).