Agrumi Amaria Di Sicilia by Bois 1920, 2005

An amazingly dull, inferior, overpriced and thus entirely superfluous citrus fragrance. While a fan of Sandalo e Thé, I've found the other BOIS 1920 scents to be well made but rather too conventional affairs, but this is simply bad. A grapefruit-centered top, that lacks the refreshing punch you expect from a fragrance called bitter citrus of Sicily. Neither petitgrain nor cumin help to give the lame pamplemousse a hard citric-orangy edge or some suggestive dirtyness. Instead, an irritating synthetic haze hovers above the fragrance, not too dissimilar from the little helpers that ruin the current incarnation of Farina Gegenüber. It would be nice to get some good jasmine and patchouli notes in the middle, but there is nothing of the sort in here, just the inchoate fruitiness of a thankfully brief drydown to cheap wood and musk notes that would make even Ulric de Varens cringe. It's embarassing to smell this besides Acqua di Parma or Eau de Patou or any quality Eau de Cologne. In fact, Monsieur Balmain, 100ml of which can be had for around 15 Euros online, is a vastly superior citrus fragrance. This BOIS 1920 rip-off ranges in quality with the recent abominations put out by 4711 as their new "Acqua Colonia" line. I didn't think one could be more audacious than to charge 35 Euros for 150ml of toilet-air-freshener-quality lavender, verveine and what have you scents, but Enzo Galardi takes the cake and truly, in the face of this achievement, he can stick his hand-turned precious-wood bottle cap where the Sicilian sun don't shine.

Detailed fragrance note list
Top: grapefruit, lemon, orange, mandarin, petitgrain, cumin
Mid: jasmine, patchouli, lime, lavender, sandalwood, cassis
Base: musk
I am of mixed mind about Agrumi Amaria di Sicilia. I like the concept of a Mediterranean hesperidium-inspired scent. I like its particular citrus notes; they are fresh, persistent (for such notes) and natural smelling. So whats the problem? Namely that this is an expensive, exclusive scent that merely (and mildly) delivers the same sort of lemony EDC vibe that R&Gs Extra Vielle, or even good old 4711, have been doing for centuries at a lower price and with more oomph and character. For this price, I expect either an outstandingly vibrant rendition of the basics, or a distinctive twist on that. Neither is in view here. AAdS has a lovely citrus opening, in particular the grapefruit is really appealing and evident. There is a hint of green (lime, lavender leaves) and the merest spice note. The scent has a slightly cool, airy quality; and it pretty much stays that way. I dont get the cassis berries. The patchouli is light (thankfully), so is the musk and sandalwood. This is a subtle, refreshing scent nothing wrong with it. But is it worth the price? In my opinion, no.