Caprissimo
by Carthusia

As someone who grew up with Love's Baby Soft, there is something very pleasant about Caprissimo, which was originally a green chypre but is now a green floral aldehyde. It is powdery and reminiscent of violets and sorbet. In a world of gourmand scents, this has a candy-like yet medicinal quality found throughout the Carthusia line. The lemon leaf and myrrh accord fills your head and cools in the summer heat as effectively as a dip in the Mediterranean. Notes of osmanthus and blue jasmine are fruity, soft and indolic, lending Caprissimo a decidedly kittenish air. Grab a bottle if you find some!

10th June, 2011.

Carthusia Caprissimo

Carthusia makes two of my favorite scents in Carthusia Uomo and Numero Uno. Numero Uno is one of the better chypres out there, on me. I was very excited when I read Carthusia was re-issuing Caprissimo which was reportedly a former gem of a green chypre. I haven't been able to confirm whether this re-issue has any resemblance to the original but I do know that I like this version quite a bit. The top starts with a Mediterranean lemon accord mixed with green aspects. This is an opening that is bright and very common. For all of that familiarity I find it is one I like quite a bit. The heart of Carpissimo is a deep floral mix of jasmine, frangipani, and osmanthus. The green notes from the top stay in place to keep the floral heart from becoming too much the focus of Caprissimo. These three floral notes feel like they are made for each other as they create a heady floral bouquet. The base is a beautiful mix of cedar, sandalwood and myrrh. This mix of woods and myrrh make for a strong base that contrasts the green floral of the heart. Caprissimo feels like another take on a chypre without the oakmoss and the use of the myrrh works for me in that regard. If the original Caprissimo was indeed a green chypre it is my guess that this new incarnation is an attempt to stay true to that original while working within the new formulation guidelines. Caprissimo has average longevity on me and average sillage. Caprissimo is another winner for me from Carthusia.

26th September, 2009.