Z Zegna Milan by Ermenegildo Zegna

Nothing like Philosykos. The fig here is green, almost acidic, with more leaf than fruit. It dries quickly to sandalwood in the mid-stage. It’s much woodier than I expected. Potent: with Miyake Pulse of the Night on the other wrist, this one takes the lead. Reminds me of Givenchy Gentleman Casual Chic mixed with Fahrenheit. Edit: A marvel. Synthetic? Yes. Smell good? Also yes. Worth it? Definitely. Philosykos is more natural and sweet, but in my view, more linear and less effective. Being faithful doesn’t mean being better. A great surprise and, although discontinued, a must-buy. Super versatile: sport, day, evening, spring, summer… Call me a heretic.

A very original and complex fragrance, more so than the description suggests. The dry-down is fabulous: opens with a subtle, fruity fig, well-spiced, then I detect a lot of sandalwood. I recommend it, especially for the price, the pleasant and original scent, and its respectable longevity. Plus, the packaging for this price point is excellent. I love it.

I admit the opening may clash: fig leaves, strident and a bit synthetic. But the dry-down is another story. A creamy fruity wood sensation, excellent balance, with an almost imperceptible herbal base. It has more notes than declared; it is good, even delicious. Good development, good longevity, and an unusual scent. You can detect a touch of coconut cream, an herbal base, and the predominant fig that makes it unique. Ideal for summer and perhaps spring; it loses power in the cold. If you don’t like fig, test it first. Limited edition, hard to find, price rises. Don’t be alarmed, give it 15 minutes and you will see how good it is. Edit: definitely versatile, charming, good performance and compliments. Fruit, wood, intriguing simplicity, summer-spring sensation. Amidst copies of Invictus, Sauvage and Aventus, this stands out and makes you feel different. Scent 9, Longevity 8, Sillage 7, Price 8.

I like this version of Z Zegna, well classified as a fruity aromatic. The opening is interesting, with fig giving it personality; nothing generic, very close to the fruit’s natural scent. For the first 5 to 10 minutes it is herbal and fruity, then the fruitiness increases slightly with a touch of sweetness. After an hour and a half, it approaches the original Z Zegna with soft, pleasant woods. Z Zegna Milan is a good proposition, different from many recent fresh scents. The fig isn’t overplayed and adds originality. On me, it lasted over 8 hours with decent projection. Ideal for any occasion, light and fresh, though with less power in winter. I don’t recommend buying blindly, but it is worth trying.