NEROLI PORTOFINO FORTE               by TOM FORD

The neroli of the original version, together with an orangey sideline and amply lathered with the traditional bergamot in the opening blast - again the theme is a summery and refreshing set of top notes, but brighter and more upliftingly fresh than the original.

The drydown shifts gear into a floral-herbal direction, with lavender and basil dominant, although touches of thyme and galbanum are also evident; the latter continues along the lines established by long lines of olfactory tradition.

The base adds a nonspecific woodsy notes together with additional elements that are mainly constituted of white musks that are not particularly sweet.

I get moderate sillage, good projection and six hours of longevity on my skin.

This flanker is refreshing and uplifting again, but a bit more intensive and a lasting a tad longer that the original. The base is a disappointment and too generic at the best of times, but the rest is done nicely in a traditional sense. Based on the slightly better performance this one - just - makes it into the positive realm. 3/5