This was purchased for me as a gift. This review is written by someone who currently owns the original frag this was inspired by. Non-macerated, fresh out of the box.
Opening: The opening of Jazz Club smells like nosing an old fashioned: boozy, citrus hitting the nose, something cooling and bonding the whole thing together in a very **** back, seductive way. It's cold outside, you're the warmth.
Now this clone. I get the alcohol. I get the citrus. But immediately this isn't the same opening at all. Sharper alcohol and far less citrus, and the sweetness of the dark spirits is entirely missing. But it does project, and the major problem of Jazz Club is that the projection is short-lived after application. The sillage of this frag in comparison is boastful and fills the room you're in. Initial performance seems to be comparable against the standard 1hr/3 sprays. Immediately noticable and that's what you want, especially out of a clone. But the problem is that it's *mostly* alcohol. It's very deceptive as when I place the nozzle close to my nose, it's almost identical. But wow, it dries differently. Speaking of...
Drydown - Massive letdown. Practically MIA for most of the notes. The neroli, which tickles the nose after drydown disappears entirely, if it was ever detectable in the opening due to the overpowering alcohol. And just as you're feeling the notes settle, when you're expecting the tobacco leaf to come forward... Nothing. That quiet leather/suede adjacent scent that I detect isn't there either. Any subtle sweetness isn't present for me, even after 5 sprays and 2-3hr drydown. This is where the original shines, and this misses the mark by quite a margin. It feels as if the entire scent just fades evenly as opposed to changing and evolving over time as with the original; what you might call one-dimensional or consistent. The scent becomes skin after about that point (I'd say no more than 4-5 hours), after which reapplication is necessary.
Perhaps this isn't criticism that should be taken into account, but the original Jazz Club's juice is really dark... Like persimmon, deep orange. The juice in this bottle is near-transparent and pale yellow in comparison. I question the reality of the so-claimed EDP concentration, as it lasts just as long as the original as an EDT. At least the scent of the clary sage and vetiver is prominent on the skin, leaving you smelling inviting, though lacking in complexity.
All Palermo bottles have a standard bottle size and shape which are unmarked (other than the Brand) and require you to write or label the bottle to distinguish it from any others you might have. Good news though, this means the atomisers are all press fit and spray very evenly (non-pressurised), even with a half-spray.
All that to say, if I paid more than $35 for this bottle, I'd be very disappointed and give this review a lower score. Though, considering you get most of the way there with this clone, and the accessibility doesn't require you to pay over $150 for similar if not better performance, I can recommend this for those looking to buy something similar without the designer price tag. Just don't expect Jazz Club, and you'll be alright.
TL;DR
Booze-forward fragrance, shallow drydown. Non-existent tobacco. Use this as a booster for the original Jazz Club or layer with gourmand/winter/date night fragrances.
