Z9

The Verdict

Look, Greenwich Village is expensive. Z9 by Zakat gets you close enough for everyday wear without breaking the bank. Is it a perfect dupe? No. The quality of ingredients isn’t the same. But if you’re after that fruity-floral-gourmand vibe and don’t want to drop hundreds, this is a solid budget option. For 1/10th of the price, it's a smart choice for casual wear. Save the original for special occasions, and let Z9 handle the daily grind.

How it Smells

Z9 opens bright, a juicy blast of litchi and mandarin, pretty similar to Greenwich Village, maybe 85% there. The original has a smoother, more refined cassis note; Z9’s has a slight synthetic tang. The heart is where the differences widen. The peony and water lily are present, but feel thinner, less plush than Bond No. 9's blend. As it dries down, the praline and vanilla emerge, sweetened by ambroxan. It's pleasant, and certainly wearable, but the ambroxan is more prominent here, giving it a slightly harsher, less rounded finish.

Projection Power

Longevity is surprisingly decent. I get about 5-6 hours on my skin. Projection is moderate for the first hour, then settles closer to the skin. Not a beast, but certainly present. you can't complain too much.