Côte merges the bracing and oftentimes clean scent of lime with a litany of resins including opoponax and elemi, which are apparent even in the opening salvo. The geranium and rose floral core helps the lime merge with the latter elements, while the cumin adds an extra speck of sweat and dirt alongside a woody backbone. The sourness of leather and the banana-like musky floral tones of ylang-ylang also make Côte a more lurid tropical experience than some may be comfortable with, but I rather enjoy it. Simply put, this is the smell of life in the tropics, not a Disney Resort where armed security keeps the natives off their own beaches. Bright, sour and sweet in turns.

Another interesting note is this fragrance represents the first eau de toilette from the house, although you'd really never know it with how strong Côte actually is, penetrating like island heat with its sillage and lasting all through a day. Some of that is the lime merged with the potent resins, and some of that may just be the overall sharpness of the accord. Late in the wear, the banana-like ylang-ylang becomes a real star player, and the "Funky Cold Medina" that is the start of the scent finally subsibes, making this more Juicy Fruit and less gigolo sweat than in the beginning. Will that late-game switch be enough to assuage haters of animalic tones? Eh, probably not, but the final verdict is this scent rewards you for going out of the safety of your tourist areas and visiting the actual streets of the port town by being infintely more interesting than a gift shop. Thumbs up.
Varanis Ridari, Basenotes/The Scented Devil