Mefisto vs Mefisto gentiluomo

[n1che]

Has anyone tried both and can compare them? Are they similar or very different? Which is better?

 

[StylinLA]

I have the "regular" Mefisto and find it quite good. So haven't felt compelled to try the other version.
Don't know if that's helpful to you, but it feels a bit to me like either are cant miss if you like the Silver Mountain Water vibe.
Mefisto is a lot like Silver Mountain Water with better longevity. From a purists point of view, Mefisto has a little less "sharp edges" than Silver Mountain Water which may make it slightly less masculine (but that's getting fairly persnickety).

Will be interested in seeing if anyone who has tried both weighs in.

 

[mixerscent]

I tried the current version Mefisto a few months back, it's not the smooth version of SMW as it was previously. It's more of fresh fragrance with citrus overtones. Order a sample pack from Xerjoff Universe and they'll deduct the cost against your next purchase. Torino '21 is a good one to sample if you like mint and citrus notes.

 

[L'Homme Blanc Individuel]

I've tried them both. For me, the biggest difference is the base. The base of Mefisto is smooth, though I don't recall it being particularly memorable compared to the rest of the scent. I found the base of Mefisto Gentiluomo to be harshly synthetic. They list it as cedar, amber and musk, but to me, the base of Gentiluomo smells like badly fake vetiver. I couldn't wear it.

 

[hednic]

I've tried the original and for me it was just OK but nothing special.

 

[ThVH]

I have samples of both.

Mephisto OG is a good one, still I think Silver Mountain Water is MUCH better. Especially viontage SMW has an absolutely wonderful, salty base that you don‘t get in the Xerjoff, plus it has quite a huge longevity for such a scent (over 12h easily on me). So: Mephisto = a slighlty bubblier,. less inky, less floral SMW that smells quite good. Today‘s batches of SMW are probably atrociously weak in comparison to Mephisto.

The Gentiluomo I only wore once. The base is super artificial for me, with boatloads of Ambroxan or something the like. I find it extremely chemical smelling and didn‘t like it at all. Will retry though.

I have to add that although I tried only a little of Xerjoff‘s loineup, I find it quite underwhelming. Same goes for other entries from their lineup that I smelled on others.

 

[Schnitter]

I have 2016 batch Silver Mountain Water plus a backup. I love it and the inky note. Every review I've seen says it's SMW minus the inky note, so I don't know if it's even worth it for me to buy. I mean, I am not one of those that feels put off by the inky note on SMW, so why would I think Mefisto is better? Gentiluomo, though, is said to be different enough to warrant also having, so I might one day buy it.

Anyone here that loves old batches of SMW and feel Mefisto (or gentiluomo) isn't redundant? Sadly, its hard for me to get a sample, so I'd have to blind buy.

 

[L'Homme Blanc Individuel]

Anyone here that loves old batches of SMW and feel Mefisto (or gentiluomo) isn't redundant? Sadly, its hard for me to get a sample, so I'd have to blind buy.

I think if somebody absolutely adores SMW and wears it so often that they'd like to have a derivative to wear too, Mefisto could be complementary rather than redundant. For someone with a large wardrobe who only wears SMW occasionally, I think it would be redundant for sure.

As for samples... Luckyscent sells them. $5 for a sample of Mefisto, $6 for a sample of Mefisto Gentiluomo.

 

[N.CAL Fragrance Reviewer]

I prefer the original Mefisto.

 

[mixerscent]

I prefer the original Mefisto.

I completely agree if you're talking vintage Mefisto over vintage SMW.

 

[rum]

Looks like the conclusion here is that most prefer the original Mefisto, with Gentiluomo taking it on the chin for what most say is a synthetic base. Does anyone have good experience with Gentiluomo?

 

[gerbick]

Original Mefisto was my preference as well. A long lasting citrus with a musky dry down whereas Mefisto Gentiluomo starts similar but has a "hair spray" stage in the dry down that works well in high heat, but can be a bit screechy in cooler weather (think Spring).

 

[Buzzlepuff]

They tried to turn Gentiluomo into a "blue" aquatics version - a bit of mint also. Moderately successful transformation, but would never trade it for Afternoon Swim or even original Mephisto - its a different animal.