On Friday, July 26th, I left the office, marking the start of my long-awaited summer holiday. My destination? Tuscany, Italy—my homeland. After a seven-year break from vacationing there, I was eager to return to my roots, reconnect with friends and family, and soak in the beauty of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Tuscany's coastal towns have a unique vibe where everyone seems effortlessly stylish, from their clothes to their fragrances. The pressure to look and smell great was on, so I went through my collection, selecting scents that would suit the warm weather and enhance my presence. While I brought along a few trusted favorites from Claudio Zucca and Lorenzo Pazzaglia, it was the lesser-known Black Sea from Pazzaglia that intrigued me. My colleague Brent had spoken highly of it, so I decided to give it a try.

Upon reuniting with family, I chose Black Sea for our casual evening. The scent opened with fresh, salty, and aquatic notes, immediately evoking memories of the sea. Unlike other "blue" fragrances, it didn’t remind me of Bleu de Chanel or Prada Luna Rossa Ocean—it captured the essence of the sea itself.

As the evening went on, the compliments rolled in. My brother and nephew both noticed and admired the fragrance from a distance, commenting on how incredible it smelled even hours later. The next day, as I prepared for another night out, Black Sea was still on my mind—and still lingering on my clothes. I decided to wear it again for an evening stroll along the boulevard. The scent trail it left behind was noticeable, drawing positive attention from those around me, including a saleswoman who was blown away by its charm.

Throughout the summer, Black Sea became my go-to fragrance. The compliments I received far exceeded those from any other scent I’ve worn in recent years. It felt like I was carrying a piece of the Tyrrhenian Sea with me every evening, and it perfectly matched the hot summer nights. While I had other great fragrances with me, nothing could rival Black Sea for those evenings. It outshone even beloved names like Aventus, Tygar, and Vibrato.

Conclusion

It’s no surprise that Black Sea has earned a spot in my top 20 fragrances, and quite possibly, my top 5. While it hasn’t yet overtaken my number one, Red Tobacco, or my second favorite, Nishane Nefs, there’s a strong chance it could in the future. For now, I’m placing Black Sea firmly at number 3, edging ever closer to the number 2 spot.

Rating:

• Projection: 10
• Sillage: 10
• Longevity: 10
• Complexity: 8.5
• Uniqueness: 9
• Likability by others: 9
• Personal preference: 9
• Overall rating: 9.4