The latest fragrance release from Santa Maria Novella is Toscano and, like its two most recent predecessors, Città di Kyoto and Angels of Florence, it is much lighter than the rich, syrupy, “fuel-like” Santa Maria Novella scents I love: Fieno (Hay), Sandalwood, Peau d’Espagne and the dry-as-bone (and mace-y) Marescialla Cologne (La Maréchale or Marshal’s Wife). Change is in the air at Santa Maria Novella; there seems to be a Modernizing Trend at work — the new creations are not in the piquant, artisanal style I associate with the company.
Though Toscano bears an evocative name (its creation was inspired by the famed Toscano cigars of Lucca, Italy) and comes in the old-fashioned Santa Maria Novella bottles, it smells more “American” than Tuscan to me…