Silver Shadow by Davidoff

I picked this up recently in 50ml at a bargain price in my city; the owners surely didn’t realise what they had. I was convinced it was discontinued, given the vintage Davidoff typography and the reviews I’d read. In my opinion, it’s a good perfume: nothing revolutionary, but the scent is very pleasant. It smells very much like Boss Bottled EDT. I have a bottle from 2009 with about 15ml that smells sweeter, though you can still detect the cedar and citrus, albeit not the same ones. It also dries down similarly to my Puig Quorum Silver, but the opening is spicier due to the ginger. Ultimately, the Virginia cedar, amber and patchouli bind them together. Longevity and projection are moderate, making it ideal for work without being intrusive, but I wouldn’t wear it daily as it’s hard to find again; I’d reserve it for special occasions. Not recommended for heat, better suited to mild weather or autumn-spring. So far, Davidoff hasn’t disappointed me; all their fragrances have pleased me. If you see it, buy it blind.

I picked it up because of the good word-of-mouth in the groups, and finally I have it. First impression: rich and pleasant aroma. I was hugely surprised to notice it smells very much like Eternity Flame, something no one has mentioned, but for my nose, it’s true. It’s a wearable, warm and slightly serious scent, ideal for autumn, winter and crisp spring evenings. I’ll say more later about its longevity.

Just bought and tested. I’ll see if this comparison holds: it’s the younger brother of Rochas Moustache EDP (the one in the middle) and Bentley For Men Intense (the older one). All three share the benzoin, a sweet, amber and warm note with certain spices and woods. But this is a Moustache with citrus, therefore less sweet, or a Bentley without the rum note. I’m not saying they overlap, as all three can be worn without issues, though sometimes they suit the same scenario. Note: it’s not a citrus fragrance, even though everyone says bitter orange is the most prominent note. That’s all. The rest is the same: they are clean and elegant fragrances for people who want to project status. The mastermind behind this has jewels in Kilian, Tom Ford, among others. Want a serious and elegant perfume? Go for Amazon, it’s only $23 and you get a real gem.

I don’t know how many bottles I’ve used; it’s my signature. There’s no perfume for 18 euros that generates so many compliments and is so good. I know for a bit more you can get Bentley for Men Intense, but it’s not as easy to find. I’ve seen comments saying it lasts an hour and doesn’t project, but it must be my skin; I easily exceed 5-6 hours with projection to a metre without issues. For me, clearly a conquest.

It costs very little for everything it offers: for me, it’s the perfect one for the office, with just the right amount of sweetness and not overpowering. It smells wonderful. A cheap gem and suitable for blind buying. It can still be found at a good price in some online stores.

After wearing it daily for a week, I can now share my thoughts. Upon leaving, I clearly detect bitter orange (in my primary school there were many orange trees and we used to play with them, I remember the smell on our hands) along with coriander, cedar and a timid cinnamon, giving the sensation of slightly spiced orange marmalade. Over time, patchouli (resinous) and saffron gain strength, with a hint of clove, always accompanied by the bitter orange. Finally, oakmoss, amber and the benjoin remain, which had already made its entrance in the middle stage with its balsamic sweetness. It’s elegant, sensual, long-lasting and has good projection without being invasive. I believe that, as in music there is AOR, this fragrance would be an AOF (Adult Oriented Fragrance), which limits its sales and sadly led it to oblivion.

Discontinued fragrance but very well made, masculine, elegant and persistent. One of the best from the house. Highly recommended, a blend of scents that thrilled me.

I absolutely love it; it smells of caramelised oranges, it’s a delight and attracts compliments. Very masculine, elegant and sensual, it lasts all day. It endures for about eight hours; the trail is more of an aura that envelops you, noticeable up close but with a fresh quality, it feels distant. If you like sweet, daring and sexy scents without being cloying, it’s yours.

Smells like cotton candy, very sweet but saved by a sharp touch of orange. Half an hour in, the chocolate appears, melting into exquisite and cheerful cinnamon. It could be my party scent if I didn’t have the Jaipur, although this smells more gourmet and fruity than the other, which for me has the tender soul of almonds in February.

Exquisite; it brings back memories of the Jaipur by Boucheron. The amber adds warmth, the saffron intensity and the bitter orange freshness. Touches of oriental spices like cinnamon, clove and incense complete the picture. I bought this and the Black Stone by La Rive; they are identical, only the price varies.

Good, although it’s not identical to Miracle Homme in the notes, it has a similar impression and there you know it shares the same ‘Kurkdjian DNA’. The opening is singular: despite having cedar, it doesn’t smell very woody; coriander is noticeable and less so the bitter orange. The amber sensation appears almost from the start. At four hours, saffron and cinnamon stand out; it reminded me of parts of ST Dupont pour homme intense. At eight hours, patchouli, amber, a bit of benjoin and softer cinnamon emerge. It smells very well; it’s a younger Oriental Woody than Zino’s style from the same house. I recommend it for people over 30. The trail is moderate but on me it lasted over 12 hours, feeling clear throughout. I see it as good for winter and autumn, or for evening wear. Although in the office it could be good due to its moderate trail and Oriental elegance.

A friend from the forum, azuriiita, gifted it to me; she has exquisite taste in fragrances. Until late last year, the name Francis Kurkdjian didn’t ring a bell; I got to know him while reading about Narciso Rodriguez fragrances (including my favourite ‘for Him’ and the super sexy ‘for Her’), and then I learned he also created the famous Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male, although I didn’t like Custo Man at all. Azuriiita’s reviews of this creator put me on alert. The first thing I noticed (I told her on the phone) is that it breaks Davidoff’s usual style, yet remains unmistakably Davidoff; something I celebrate, just as with Victorinox. It’s not like Shiseido, where ‘Basala’ and ‘Tactics’ have nothing to do with each other and make me suspicious. Honestly, it won’t turn the world upside down, it’s not original, but it’s something you want to own and every collector should have if they like Davidoff. It’s a twist on the house’s sporty style, ideal for casual events and formal occasions, even serious offices. In terms of style, bottle and scent, it reminds me of the classic Lagerfeld (both are Oriental Woody). It’s not for heat, but for fresh weather (in my office the split is nearby, between 17 and 21 degrees). I’d wear it for those over 30. Azuriiita explained it brilliantly, so I can’t add much: its citrus touch is as bitter and dry as Terre d’Hermes, the cinnamon recalls Puig’s Sybaris, and the woods compete with almost anything from Mont Blanc. It might seem subjective because it was a gift, but I’m being sincere. Excellent, many thanks azuriiita and thanks Kurkdjian.

A gift from a forum friend, Azuriiita, who has good taste. Exquisite. I didn’t know who Kurkdjian was until this year; I discovered him reading about Narciso Rodriguez and then the Le Male by Gaultier. Several reviews of his work put me on alert. The first thing that caught my attention is that it breaks Davidoff’s usual style yet remains Davidoff, something I celebrate, as happens with Victorinox. It’s not the case with Shiseido, where two masculine fragrances have nothing to do with each other, which makes me suspicious. To be honest, it won’t change the axis of the Earth; it’s not original, but it’s a piece every collector should own if they like the house. It’s a twist on the sporty style of other scents from the house, ideal for casual and formal events, even the office (serious, I know). By style, bottle and aroma, it reminds me of the Lagerfeld (no coincidence, both are woody orientals). It’s not for heat, but for fresh weather; in my office I have the split just behind me and I’m between 17 and 21 degrees. I would place it for those over 30. Azuriiita brilliantly deepened the evolution; I can add little that contradicts what she said, only that her citrus touch is as bitter and dry as the Terre d’Hermès, the spices (cinnamon) remind me of the Sybaris by Puig, and the woods can compete with almost anything from Mont Blanc. You might think that being a gift makes it subjective, but I’m sincere; this is my opinion. Excellent, many thanks to Azuriiita and thanks to Monsieur Kurkdjian.