I was really excited to sample Lubin’s Itasca, the scent that was designed to represent the North American Forest.  Itasca is named after Lake Itasca in Minnesota, my home state.  My father was actually born not far from Itasca State Park, where the Mississippi River gives birth.  So as a native son, I was trying to see if this scent represented what I think of Minnesota.  Unlike my last review of 1828 by Histoires de Parfums where I loved the opening of the scent, but did not like the dry down; this is pretty much the opposite.  The dry down is lovely and the opening is nice, but considering the fact that with most scents you live with the dry down for the most part, I couldn’t have been happier.  Itasca opens with a fresh blast of grapefruit and pine.  It’s fresh, green and clean. It’s also very soothing and smooth.  Pine can sometimes get sharp, this does not.  In the end, Itasca evens out into what I would say is a floral scent, with just a hint of powder.  Itasca overall is a cool, clean and refreshing scent.  I think Lubin did a wonderful job of representing my home state.

From the Lubin website:

Top Notes:  neroli, marigold, mandarin, juniper berry, grapefruit

Middle Notes:  clove, tonka bean, clary sage, nutmeg, geranium flower

Base Notes:  Itasca Red Pine, Java Vetiver, Texas Cedar, Partak Incense, Ethiopian Myrrh, amber, Canadian Fir Balsam

• Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
• Classification: Masculine
• Expense: $110 for 75ml, EDT