CASAMORATI
MEFISTO

2009

Grapefruit
Bergamot
Lemon

Lavender
Iris
Rose

Musk
Sandalwood
Cedarwood
Amber

I believe Mefisto was launched when the Casamorati brand was more explicitly attached to Xerjoff, back in 2009. I’ve enjoyed Casamorati a lot so far, with Lira, Dama Bianca, Bouquet Ideale and 1888 being my favorites, but Mefisto is nice as well.

Mefisto opens with a strong, almost metallic citrus. The citrus is quite acidic and smells really nice and refreshing. It’s supported by lavender and iris and although I do get a floral nuance, it’s not a strong lavender. It gives it a hint of a masculine barbershop style scent, but not more than a hint. The citrus fruitiness is overpowering and I really like that. Mefisto is often said to be similar to Creed Silver Mountain Water.

To my nose, it takes me back to being poolside, so maybe a chlorined water, because of that metallic tinge. The citrus doesn’t fade straight away, which is a plus. It’s a grapefruit-y scent, but leaning towards lemon; it doesn’t have the sweetness or the richness of a ripe grapefruit, but rather the brighter, sourish scent. I also get the slightest hint of green in this fragrance.

Overall, it’s just a really pleasing bright refreshing citrus, that leans to the masculine side. This will be great in high heat and even though it’s not going to last you all day, it seems to perform pretty well for the type of scent in my sampling experience. It’s not the most complex fragrance, but it has as much, if not more to offer than many other citrus forward fragrances.