KenzoAir (Kenzo)

By Dane

For some reason Kenzo opted on making Air extremely difficult to find, while bottles of the retched Tokyo can practically be had in corner vending machines. Created by the great Maurice Roucel, Air is a perfect "everyday" scent - light and fresh without being sporty or cheap.

Air comes across as an improved interpretation of Frederic Malle's Angeliques Sous La Pluis (something Malle's failed to do with French Lover). A chilled, peppered concoction of angelica and woods with opening notes of bergamot and anise to emphasize existing facets of the main player, vetiver. Vetiver-based fragrances are hardly something I'd put effort into tracking down (as I did with this bottle), but the supporting notes really temper what could have been a very dark, nutty scent. Air remains true to its name and is sheer and light, although the drydown gets a bit weighed down when the synthetic ambers start to dampen things (granted, it keeps the scent on your skin for quite some time).

The bottle looks more of a block of ice than whatever a bottle of air would look like (it was intended to look like a "window into the sky"). For some reason it appeared as though my bottle had already been about 40% used when I received it (still sealed), but perhaps that's where the "air" reference comes into play.

For those looking for something with a bit more punch, an "Intense" (EDP) version is also available, with emphasis placed on the angelica and the addition of a cumin note. (Declaration anyone?)

Year: 2003
Perfumer: Maurice Roucel
Notes: Star Anise, Bergamot, Vetiver, Amber Wood