Ithaque by Memo Paris

Top citrus fragrance, easy to wear and noticeable, contrary to what others say. It opens with bitter, juicy, fresh citrus notes packed with plenty of pepper; it’s like a super realistic lemonade. After 5-10 minutes, a subtle sweet touch emerges from the jasmine and blackcurrant, maintaining that bitter-sweet orange and tangerine character with a very light woody base. The pepper remains, giving it a spiced note without falling into the exaggeration of oriental scents; it’s a perfectly seasoned citrus. Today it is one of the best citrus options, far removed from the profile handled by Memo Paris and niche houses. Some say it smells designer, perhaps it does, but because it smells good, something that annoys certain purists (how ridiculous). It is citrus, fresh, realistic and of extremely high quality, reminding me a bit of Aventus for how it stands out and for that smoky sensation the pepper gives. Note, price is not its strong point: very high for just 75ml. Scent: 9.5/10, Longevity: 8/10, Projection: 7/10, Bottle: 7/10, Price: 3.5/10

Dispensable. It adds nothing new. The blackcurrant dominates everything. It smells exactly like a perfume from Mercadona but costs 30 times more.

What a fantastic fragrance, opens with spectacular citrus thanks to the bergamot and tangerine; I feel it super refreshing, ideal for hot weather, spring or even the start of autumn. I perfectly detect the blackcurrant and, as it settles, it gives way to a floral base from the jasmine and wood. It is very different from everything I’ve heard in niche citrus perfumery, it’s spectacular and you can tell the extremely high quality and realism of the ingredients. Very good projection and a longevity on my skin of between 7 and 8 hours; a total success in this purchase, I recommend it wholeheartedly.

A citrus scent with muuuuuuuuuuch pepper. Nothing more. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been smelling a lot of very similar perfume for a month. But honestly, when I heard this Ithaque, I felt colder than your ex’s heart. It was a proper ‘meh’. I expected something much more special. It’s good and the longevity is very good, but with so many in this family, it’s not a fragrance I would consider buying.

I agree with Samuel: it’s dispensable and smells like a generic designer fragrance. The first five seconds are refreshing and juicy, but then it turns bitter, spicy, and very common, like scents you’ve heard in any perfumery. The price per millilitre is excessive for a mediocre perfume. Does it smell good? Yes, but in a normal way (read: with a look of dissatisfaction).

Memo Paris’s latest release, tested at the launch event in Spain alongside Zante (the latter was neither here nor there). With low expectations, I tried Ithaque and… damn, what a wonderful fragrance. It’s a citrus in all its glory: initially, a radiant green bergamot peel, unripe, that verdant yellow-green hue. It’s a photorealistic sensation of pricking your finger on a green lemon. It creates a bitter, acidic, sparkling burst that splashes you and even stings the eyelids; such a natural and refreshing feeling. Within seconds, a festival of pepper and a hint of bitter orange emerge; the pepper is very perceptible to underscore the spiced citrus character. The heart is dominated by pepper, with citrus notes sticking to the skin like a tick, strange and surprising, not so volatile here. A semi-sweet sensation and a woody base accompany the final phase in a perfume that completely captivated me. Extraordinary longevity for its profile, a presentation of 10, and a design that places it in my top Memo bottles. To date, without fear of being wrong, it is my favourite citrus fragrance in this long niche journey I’ve been on. Bravo Memo, exactly like this.