NEW: JAVANESE PATCHOULI FROM ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA

London, September 2021 – ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA introduces the newest ZEGNA ESSENZE EAU DE PARFUM, JAVANESE PATCHOULI. In a hand-crafted exaltation of intense and earthy contrasts, Perfumer Frank Voelkl of Firmenich explores the depths of the eponymous ingredient and presents a fragrance that is at once mysterious and familiar.

Unclear to me at this stage is whether this is any different to the discontinued version that was one of 5 fragrances in the "Elements of Man" line. That was last seen in around Spring 2019. Same name, slightly different packaging (this one comes in custom colour Honeyed Gold) and from what I remember sampling the last JAVANESE PATCHOULI, same wonderful blend. 

The Bottle 

The Zegna Essenze Eau de Parfum bottles express the power and sophistication of modern Italian design. Finely crafted in luxuriously weighted smoked glass, the bottles feature the classic black magnetic cap balanced by a deep base. All bottles sized for travel convenience. 

First impressions

This new fragrance is all about the texture. You can almost stroke the notes like you can thumb back the bristles on a toothbrush. It's resinous warm and rich. It has all the regret of a closing summer, and all the early promise of Autumn, similar to that first fallen leaf that crunches so soothingly underfoot. 

It has a creamy spectrum that flourishes throughout the opening of Italian Bergamot and dove tails nicely into the cedarwood and moss that bookends the dry down. 

The  notes of Moss support a master-blend of Patchouli and Clearwood® beaming with creamy amber and radiant woods.

The result is a fragrance that uniquely layers with the rest of the Zegna Essenze wardrobe. With an exceptional purity and vigour, Javanese Patchouli is able to enhance all the ancillary scents giving it a wondrous complexity and dimensionalising (that a word?) the fragrance as a whole. 

Where it takes me

The overall effect over and over again is compellingly, yet ethereal and transportive. Sits close to the skin so perfect for office wear. Last of the Indian summer days hiking up Primrose hill. Date nights with sideways glances. Diary notes with love hearts. Lingering smiles over the coffee cups which she clasps with both hands. She wears your old shirts and you don't mind. It all comes rushing back. 

Official notes from the press release

JAVANESE PATCHOULI Zegna’s exclusive Italian Bergamot, spicy Pink Pepper and aromatic Basil leaf sway between dry and balmy, hot and cool, like the island of Java itself. Cistus Absolute adds resinous warmth and rich, enigmatic texture as upcycled Cedarwood and notes of Moss support a master-blend of Patchouli and Clearwood®.