Bleecker St Clones

"### Notes & Nuances Z25 by Zoghbi aims for Bond No. 9's Bleecker St, and gets...close. The opening is a blast of synthetic blueberry and violet leaf. It's recognizably Bleecker St-adjacent, maybe 89% there. The Cassis is muted. The heart leans heavily into cedar and cinnamon, almost Christmas-y. The jasmine is barely detectable. The drydown improves with a decent suede and patchouli base, but the oakmoss feels thin and scratchy. It lacks the original's creamy depth. Overall, it’s a simplified, slightly rougher version of the original. ### How Long Does it Last? Longevity is surprisingly good. I get 6-7 hours on skin, which is respectable. Projection is moderate for the first hour, then settles close. Don't expect room-filling performance. Re-application after 4 hours will boost the experience. the performance is acceptable. 9 price tag. It’s not a perfect clone, the synthetic edges are noticeable, and the complexity is missing. However, it captures enough of the essence to satisfy casual wearers. If you're extremely discerning or own Bleecker St, you likely won't be impressed. But if you want a decent, cheap, and cheerful daily driver with a similar scent profile, Z25 is worth a try. But for some, Z25 offers just enough, for far less."

"### To Buy or Not to Buy? If you love Bleecker St but can't stomach the Bond No. 9 price tag, Z25 is a worthy alternative. It's not a perfect dupe, the opening is a bit rough around the edges. However, the dry down is similar enough to scratch that itch. it's a great daily driver. But if you crave that extra 85% of refinement and smoothness, you know what to do. Otherwise, save your money and rock Z25. ### First Impressions & Dry Down Z25 comes on strong with a fruity blast, the blueberry and cassis trying to wrestle for dominance. It's got that violet leaf greenness underneath, but it’s definitely a bit more synthetic smelling than Bleecker St right off the bat. The original has a smoother, creamier opening. This is a touch sharper. As it dries down, the cedar and cinnamon peek through. The heart is where it gets closer to Bleecker St, but the jasmine is dialed down, making it a bit less floral and more woody-spicy. The base is a decent attempt at the oakmoss and suede combo, with a hint of patchouli adding some earthiness. It's about 85% there, lacking the luxurious smoothness of the original. ### The Performance Stats Longevity is surprisingly good. I get a solid 6-7 hours on my skin. Projection is moderate for the first hour or two, then it settles closer to the skin. It’s noticeable without being overpowering, making it office-appropriate."