Riflesso by Trussardi

Yes, it opens like La Nuit de L’Homme, but soon blends with the house specialty: leather. Much like Lapidus’s Poker Face, it’s a variant of that YSL scent but with iris; this is its leather alternative (both are successes). It’s not a sharp leather at 100%, but a leather-based perfume mixed with those declared mid-notes, especially soft vetiver, lavender, and violets. It starts luminous and becomes more serious; it would please leather fans and those who enjoy versatile, daytime, masculine aromas. I think given the price, it’s a good option, standing apart from sweet youthful scents or the usual ‘blue’ fragrances in commercial perfumery. Lasting power is correct, around six hours; it shines more in moderate climates, as it can fade in the cold; suitable for both casual and more formal occasions. Italian house Trussardi, with a certain, little-mentioned or not-so-well-known track record, at least with this fragrance that shows its Italian perfumery imprint, offering quality versus accessible price, at least here in South America. Give it a try.

I bought it looking for something to replace the overused Hugo Boss Bottled. It has a light air, but it’s a fragrance on a different wavelength. Basically, it brings sweet tonka bean over a subtle body with a very striking green apple opening. It projects well for 60-90 minutes and is quite liked by those around you. After this time, it gradually settles and accompanies you through a workday without issue. It has a warmth that invites a hug.

With Riflesso, I detect the green apple note more in the opening than the grapefruit listed. It has a lovely opening where it makes a presence. The dry-down feels slightly sweet, which is where the tonka bean and leather notes settle; the latter is very subtle, I’d say. It’s not a monstrous leather. I haven’t tried YSL’s La Nuit de L’homme so I cannot compare it, but it gives me a vibe similar to Boss Bottled; it’s not the same, but it’s of that style, though I find Trussardi Riflesso more refined than Hugo Boss. Lasting power is very weak; it projects for an hour with a lot of luck. Afterwards, it becomes a personal bubble close to the skin and needs reapplication, like almost all perfumes nowadays.

Trussardi’s Riflesso, I consider, is a men’s fragrance, modern, for daily use during autumn-winter. Its opening is characterised by a mutual agreement between apples and citrus, the latter providing a sparkling bias perfectly matched with the sweetness of the first fruit mentioned. The evaporation is so slow and controlled that the transition to lavender and geranium, announced in bursts, is at least a precise testimony of what a fragrance’s heart should be; it also hints that this is for men. This fragrance never breaks; it’s a continuous compendium of modernity, quality, and execution. It crowns with the well-known leather of the house, here smeared with tar, forming an accord with tonka and vetiver that is more than pleasant. Prominent, a decree of elegance.

My wife smelled it on my skin and said it ‘smells like a grandfather’s bar soap’. After that, I can’t contribute much.

I tried it because a sample arrived and I thought it was very good. It’s a well-executed classic ‘Woody Oriental’. Just what is necessary. I feel it’s made to withstand almost any scenario. I love how citrusy it is, but as it mixes with flowers and leather at the same time. I’m not much of a fan of these fragrances, but I like this one. I would use it if gifted, as I said, for me it resists almost any scenario. The only downside is that perhaps many sprays are needed; the opening is super strong but I feel it fades quite quickly with the hours. That’s the only con I see.

Trussardi’s Riflesso is a quite pleasant fragrance, its aroma is very rich. In the opening, citrus, the acidity of the apple, and floral notes are felt intensely, mainly geranium and lavender; also from the start, tonka and leather notes appear, but in the background. After five minutes, the fruity notes fade away, although bursts of the apple note arrive from time to time, but the geranium note remains intense alongside the sweetness of the tonka bean. In this fragrance, the leather note is more complementary; it is perceived but never as the main note. The fragrance seems to reach a good degree of versatility, as despite having some warm notes, the fruity notes add freshness, making it suitable for both day and night; I also feel it has a touch of sensuality. The times I’ve tried it, its longevity has been medium, say around 6-8 hours, without much projection, except for the first hour where it is more noticeable. Its aroma reminds me of portions of fragrances like L’Homme and La Nuit de L’Homme from YSL, and due to this fruity-warm style, I also think it could be placed in the group of fragrances like Boss Bottled or Chanel’s Allure Homme. In any case, Riflesso is a more affordable fragrance than any of the previously mentioned ones. The bottle also deserves a separate mention; it has a somewhat ‘vintage’ style; I read that the bottle’s designer was inspired by a car radiator to achieve that design.

I had high expectations for this Riflesso, which were matched by a very good opening for about five minutes, but from then on, it was all disappointment. I smell cheap deodorant. The good thing in my opinion (bad for those who like it) is that it doesn’t have a very long duration nor much projection.

I consider it the best launch of 2017 (though I discovered it in 2018): tonka in the style of YSL Nuit with a fine leather base. Exquisite and with a brutal projection that sometimes gets lost, but it remains there. I don’t understand the comparisons with Prada Amber; the only thing they share is the target audience. It would be more of a flanker for Nuit with a natural leather (not that rubber they used in Intense), thanks Trussardi.

I received a sample from the Idesa consortium in Spain, which distributes Trussardi, and honestly, I found it an exquisite fragrance that in certain touches resembles the acclaimed Prada Amber Pour Homme, but with a more woody note. I hope it reaches retail outlets in Latin America, as not all references are destined for our market.