Blu Mediterraneo Sicilian Almond / Mandorlo di Sicilia (1999)
by Acqua di Parma

This is a grower on me and definitely one that depends on your mood.

It is a delicious smell but a little confusing, what i get:

Imagine biting into one of those fancy chocolates you can buy, the outer coating is milk chocolate, a really amooth and milky chocolate, that is just the coating. The filling is a creamy vanilla ooze, vanilla with hints of fruit, a very peachy mandarin, not a citrus mandarin. This chocolate came from the alcoholic chocolate box though, there is definitely hints of Amaretto in there. Amaretto with a strong almond taste, not as if biting into a solid almond but very almondy amaretto.

So to summarise, chocolate coating with a vanilla flavoured centre with hints of peach, mandarin and very almond flavoured amaretto.

You have to like gourmand fragrances to enjoy AdP MSA. I only occasionally like this type scent, because they tend to give me a headache after a couple hours wear.

AdP MSA is mostly almond and vanilla, with a hints of rum and a slight citrus zest. If it were a cake, I'd gladly tuck into a large slice. However, there's just enough of a rum or liquor note to make me think of an amaretto coffee with a shot and ton of creme. If you're into the gourmands, you'll like it. If not, pass it by. Neutral for me.

One of the most gourmandy of gourmands, and the first of the Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo line that I've actually tried, Mandorlo di Sicilia is a very pleasant and sweet mix of almond, anise, and vanilla. I liken it to liquors and liqueurs, perhaps being the closest expression to amaretto as I've smelled in a fragrance. It doesn't involve much evolution, as it's only slightly more acidic at its opening as it is in its drydown, but that's certainly fine since it's not unbearable at its start. The main top notes are almond and anise, which work surprisingly well, with a base of vanilla and cedar, among other more subservient notes.

Projection and longevity are both good, and I see this working as a year-round day fragrance as it's refreshingly sweet but not so heavy or light, and is fun, not serious.

Bottom line, this is only for fans of gourmands. Comparisons to root beer and other beverages are valid, and this certainly primarily reminds of sweet food/drink above all else. I found it a little too liquor-ish on my skin to probably buy, but this is good to try if for no other reason to indulge your curiosity, given how distinct it is from some of the Blu Mediterraneo line, which are generally on the fresh/fruity side.

7 out of 10

A sweet yet delicate gourmand. Almond and vanilla notes are predominant here. I don't agree with the "bubblegum" vibe but I can see what people mean. It does smell of coffee and sugar a little to me but very much in a delicate way. I find it a very pleasant fragrance and those who like this kind of gourmand will enjoy it very much.

A unique fragrance that smells like a cross between orange and sun-tan lotion. Nice in a strange way, but invokes memories of being on holiday and good times. Slightly more feminine than masculine, but is very nice none-the-less.