Crystal Rain by Renier Perfumes

Crystal Rain doesn’t need much thinking about: it smells exquisite, yet it’s impossible not to associate it with the Aventus DNA. It had all the potential to stand out from the mainstream with a rich opening, but it settles into the fruity, woody, and leathery chords we already know. The apple and citrus shine at the start, and the woody leather notes are elegant, until everything ‘settles’ into the expected. Among famous perfumes, it resembles Vibrant Leather but with better performance. It’s versatile, suitable for all weather and occasions. It smells rich, but there are other Renier options that are worth more. Rating: 6.5/10. Sample at Cruz & Valencia, Chile.

In my city, it’s been over 40°C from May to October, so finding a perfume that can withstand those conditions is a blessing. Crystal Rain is a summer fragrance that comforts and refreshes. Its combination of notes smells like freshly rain-soaked earth, with green, citrus, and fresh tones. The opening is crisp green apple with a touch of freshly cut thyme. In the heart, there are flowers and soft wood, balanced by a high-quality ambergris that gives it a sexy touch. It’s a clean, fresh, crystal-clear, and elegant scent. It’s the perfect fragrance for hot days, both formal and informal. All-rounder for summer. Forget about comparing it to Aventus; it’s a nuisance and a lack of respect to master Daniel Josier, who brought this gem out of the park. It activates with the heat, which is why it’s so valued. Rating 9/10. Renier is doing very well; I love the concept of linking paintings with perfumes. Working with great perfumers, Renier Mendez puts the final touch, bringing the paintings to life with fragrances. A house worth getting to know.

I share the same opinion as my colleagues: the clean opening, with a crisp, acidic green apple that you’re dying to bite into, along with flashes of bergamot, is the best part of this fragrance and I wish it lasted until the end. Delicate white flowers of orange blossom and jasmine add elegance to that freshness. Cypress and cedar give it a herbal, balsamic, and woody touch. Freshness in fruits, flowers, herbs, and woods. In the base, ambergris and leather blend both fragrances; they are darker and more prominent in Black Rain, but here they become more subtle and light, adding their own personality. After some time, I was amazed to detect a smell of turpentine and oils on my arm, as if I had walked past a paint studio. I don’t know if it’s a nod to the paintings it inspires or a blend of notes. I love that smell of brushes soaked in turpentine! Crystal and Black Rain are two sides of the same coin. A soft, fruity, and woody fragrance for spring and summer. It’s not the classic summer cologne; it has more nuances. If Black Rain seemed very masculine to me, this is clearly unisex, although I would like to feel more of it on a man. Its longevity on my skin is about 7 hours and the sillage is moderate to soft. Crystal Rain is a shower of freshness that washes away the bad vibes and fills you with confidence and serenity. This rain penetrates, but you close the umbrella, jump in the puddles, and look at the sky while an arc of rainbow opens between the clouds. It cleanses, heals, renews, and fills you with vigour. Let the drops slide down your skin while the sun’s rays give you a bit of warmth.

Crystal Rain is a very peculiar perfume, fresh, with one of the most beautiful openings I have smelled in fresh fragrances. The orange blossom, bergamot, thyme, and green apple, in just the right measure, create a wonderful melody. Then it gives way to a very green, aquatic cypress, exquisite, which mixes with personal tones of leather and cedar. From here on, that is, after 4 hours, it starts to fade and is still felt but very close to the skin, giving a very subtle sensation of cleanliness. I think these base notes could be improved; they could be made long-lasting. The trail is moderate, leaning towards discreet. The performance is acceptable, but we would love to feel that wonderful scent for much longer. For these hot days, it works as a very distinct, characterful fresh perfume. The presence of green apple and bergamot gives a slight resemblance to Creed Aventus but barely; IT IS NOT AN AVENTUS COPY, I would never say that. It is a more resinous fragrance, without smoke or pineapple. I recommend it to wear with white clothing and go out to enjoy the summer at semi-formal venues. I rate it 7.9.

I agree with you, Aruni. Of course, they are different perfumes even though they have similarities. Aventus itself, which I know well, is quite different between its batches, and the current one where they changed the atomiser shows much less birch and leather; in fact, everything is noticeably less present, including the apple which has been significantly ‘diluted’… I think Oscarsh86 is critiquing that similarity a bit because he knows other perfumes by Daniel Josier to which that resemblance can be applied: ‘Tuscan Leather’ resembles ‘Tom Ford Tuscan Leather’, ‘Ambre Tabac’ to ‘Ambre Narguilé’, ‘Golden Vetiver’ has elements of ‘Terre d’Hermès’, and ‘Black Orchid’… You guessed it. If I understand correctly, someone feels it seeks that Aventus style, even if it’s not a copy, of course. Perception is very subjective. Anyway, it is a very pleasant perfume. I recommend Oscarsh86 tries Interdit Absente, also by Daniel Josier, as I don’t find that one similar to any perfume I know.

Generally, I prefer oriental perfumes, the heavy hitters. Fresh ones are not my thing! Obviously, Drakecito, there are similarities. But that is not the same as saying they are copies, as many Chinese brands do, copying via chromatography with synthetic materials and then, of course, they can cost just 10 euros. Crystal Rain is a perfume and Creed Aventus is another. What is true is that, as you said, we would like them to last much longer. I share that view. There are many perfumes from big brands using amber and patchouli that look very similar, but they are not copies. Even one thing was the Creed Aventus 2010 edition and another is this perfume from 2014.

Let’s talk about that crystal-clear, very sunny rain. It’s curious that my friend Gelo999 thought it reminded him of Jean-Claude Ellena, because he hit the nail on the head. I know D. Josier’s trajectory; he is Ellena’s disciple and has original works with clear reminiscences, such as Ambre Tabac or Golden Vetiver. Crystal Rain’s opening is spectacular: acidic, realistic, and striking bergamot, paired with a green apple that perhaps deserved more prominence. That green apple, whether alone or with citrus, is always a favourite of mine, as in D&G Light Blue or Aventus. Gradually, an undefined floral accord appears, along with soft leather and woods with an amber trail. I felt the whole time as if I’d heard it before. It reminds me a lot of Atelier Cologne’s Musc Imperial: a citrus and acidic opening, but with fig instead of apple and a sweeter profile. The dry-down is similar, with more white musk in the Atelier version, although Musc Imperial keeps the citrus-fruity character longer, as if it has higher concentration. This similarity inevitably leads me to relate it to Creed’s Aventus, which opens with acidic pineapple and a more marked, present leather, while turning more masculine with birch. At this point, the fragrance doesn’t quite convince me: it becomes very familiar, the leather with citrus is strange, and I feel like I’m waiting for something that never arrives. It’s hard to explain. The citrus and apple are sensational, but I’d like them to last longer. Within Josier’s style, personally, I’d stick with Interdit Absente, for its original treatment of citrus and fennel. Longevity is moderate, decent for its style, lasting over 5-6 hours with a trail sticking to the skin. In short, it’s a nice fragrance with a spectacular opening that makes us wish it would last longer, perhaps for that reason it falls short. It smells good, is versatile and comfortable, totally unisex in my opinion, although it resembles many other fragrances and perhaps has less success.

Clean and fresh opening where green apple and bergamot dominate. Within minutes, orange blossom appears subtly, lasting the whole hour like a handful of freshly cut orange flowers. Half an hour later, jasmine joins with a slight leather and cedar note. Hours afterwards, ambergris takes centre stage, pushing the floral and woody notes into the background. It’s a pleasant fragrance with which you identify and feel comfortable. Suitable for any time and weather. At first, it vaguely recalls Bond No.9 Scent of Peace: it conveys peace, freshness, and the smell of clean clothes dried in the sun. I consider it unisex, a plus because I’m fed up with 100% feminine perfumes with intense gourmand and white floral notes. I’m enjoying it immensely.

Clean and fresh opening where green apple and bergamot take the lead. Within minutes, the orange blossom emerges discreetly, like a handful of freshly picked flowers from the tree, accompanying you throughout. Half an hour in, jasmine joins with a very light touch of leather and cedar. Hours later, ambergris takes over, pushing the floral and woody notes into the background. It is a very agreeable fragrance with which you can identify and feel comfortable. Wear it at any time of day or in any weather. At first, it vaguely reminds me of Bond No. 9’s Scent of Peace because it conveys exactly that: peace, freshness, an outdoor walk with clean clothes dried in the sun. I consider it unisex (a plus, as I am tired of 100% feminine fragrances with intense gourmand notes and heavy white florals). I am enjoying it immensely.