Reviews of Virgilio (1990)
by Diptyque

Virgilio breeds either adamant supporters or indignant detractors, with few responses in between. I fall in the former camp, and hold Virgilio alongside Eau Lente as one of my favorites from this house. In fact, it's one of my favorites among green fragrances.

The first thing I notice in Virgilio is a very fresh cut grass note, with just a touch of sharp citrus and a subdued floral note. It's a vibrant, verdant opening that evokes a moist early spring breeze.

The citrus note grows stronger and sharper as it goes, until it threatens to overwhelm the scent completely. Just before it can, honey, hay, and a minty-sweet basil note move in and blend into a refreshing sweet herbal heart. The heart accord is familiar and evocative to me, but I can't easily pin down the associations. Could it be chervil in a garden? Or perhaps a blend of parsley and tarragon? At any rate, the accord is potent and naturalistic. Once it settles in it continues without much more development, as do so many Diptyque fragrances. When the drydown arrives it presents soft honey and woods that persist for a few hours. A great scent if you can live with honey, hay, and mint.

I find Virgilio to be more of a hay-like scent rather than “green.” Admittedly there is a very green opening, like freshly cut grass. Then some lovely, fresh and attractive herbal notes emerge. What comes to dominate is what I think is a tarragon note which accounts for the hay-like quality. There may be light thyme and sage here, the basil is rather low-key in my opinion. I don’t get any cedar. This reminds me of Bronnley’s English Fern, but it is better. Not so sweet, and without the irritating almond nut aspect. But both have a strong and somewhat sweet hay character which is distinctive and is probably an acquired taste. In Virgilio, the hay burns off eventually and one is left with a pleasant pastoral scent. I like it, but I like Eau Trois better.

In my attempt to round out my fragrance wardrobe, I needed to add an herbal and a green potion. Virgillio perfectly fills both needs. Quite bold and wonderful with its full on Mediterranean ingredients, I find it to be the perfect summer in Provence fantasy frag. I wear it when I feel the need to be uplifted. Is it for work or weekends? If you have to ask, don't even bother!

The greenest scent I've ever smelled. Basil, herbs, cedar and not the slightest hint of sweetness. Not very complex and not much of a development, but long-lasting, fresh and very distinctive. One of the best fragrances Diptyque has ever made.

Michael Edwards says the heart note is mint.

Very, very green, with a strong basil note. Can be harsh if overapplied. Better suited to casual wear than the office, as the strong herbs may overpower in a closed environment. But just about perfect for a clear, sunny early spring day.

This is a nice green scent that starts out very herbal, almost medicinal. It mellows out later, but keeps its fresh character. Lasts a long time too.

A typical Diptyque herbal scent with a very strong green topnote. Ideal for weekend wear and perfect for a walk in the country.