Stunningly Venice

Is it Worth It?

If Stunningly Venice were a character, it would be that eager understudy, a bit rough around the edges, trying a little too hard to emulate the star, but ultimately delivers a decent performance in its own right.

Olfactory Experience

Stunningly Venice opens with a burst of juicy mandarin and grapefruit, but quickly leans into a medicinal pink pepper accord. It diverges early from its inspiration; the Widian fragrance boasts a smoother transition. Here, the heart barrels in abruptly: a potent incense note clashes a bit with a syrupy tobacco scent, like cherry cough syrup clinging to the back of your throat. The saffron peeks through, adding a metallic tang. The base is where it finds some redemption. The oud is restrained, thankfully avoiding barnyard territory, and settles into a pleasing, albeit slightly plasticky, amber and leather accord. This is where the resemblance strengthens, providing a warm and comforting conclusion, though with a synthetic acetone edge.

Performance Reality Check

I got a solid 6-7 hours of wear out of Stunningly Venice. Projection is moderate; it radiates about an arm's length for the first 2 hours, then sits closer to the skin. I wore it to a casual Friday at the office; it worked well enough, although the opening might be a bit loud for more conservative environments. I also tested it on a chilly evening walk. It performed respectably, cutting through the cold air.