Gracefully Madrid

Scent Breakdown

Gracefully Madrid begins with a promising citrus rush, like mandarin oranges left too long in the sun, verging on fermented. The grapefruit note is a fleeting whisper, soon overtaken by an assertive pink pepper that borders on medicinal. The heart introduces a vaguely church-like incense, but the tobacco reads more as dusty hay than cured leaf. A synthetic saffron attempts to add richness but falls flat. The base is where the separation from the inspiration widens. Instead of a nuanced oud, I get a sharp, chemical wood accord. The leather is plasticky, resembling a cheap pleather jacket. The amber is cloying, bordering on sickly sweet, and lacks the depth of true ambergris.

The Verdict

If Gracefully Madrid were a movie character, it would be a used car salesman wearing an imitation designer suit. Looks the part from afar, but up close, the cracks are visible.

The Performance Stats

On my skin, Gracefully Madrid lasts a moderate 5-6 hours. Projection is initially strong, filling a room for the first hour, before settling closer to the skin. I wore it during a cool evening walk and found it performed adequately. It's potent for the first little while, but then it fades quite considerably.