Aqua Manda by Goya, 1970

I can see that this vintage scent from the 1970's has pleasant associations for many. So much of a scent's appeal can be linked to memories. I bring no memories or associations to the table, I am simply reporting on what I've encountered. It starts as a spicy orange scent, and so far I like it. The orange notes are quite good, and are still vibrant after all these years. The spices are gentle, and they remind me of cinnamon, nutmeg and mace. Although this was marketed to women, at this point the scent seems dry enough to interest me. At this point, the scent is not heavy, and is smooth and quite attractive. Gradually, notes of benzoin and patchouli emerge, and the faintest hint of vanilla. The drydown gets rather powdery and ultimately too sweet for my rather austere tastes. Still, it is a pleasant scent and I feel that it is well constructed.

I'm going to try fothergills immediately - I've been reminiscing about Aqua Manda for years - it was the only perfume I ever had as a student in the late 60s/early 70s and I deeply regret its passing

A company in Hebden Bridge are now manufacturing the Goya Aqua Manda. I bought some for my mother and she absolutely loved it, said it was just as she remembered. You can buy it online also at feathergills.co.uk along with Black Rose by Goya, Californian Poppy and Mischief.

I have a very small collection of vintage Aqua Manda Fragrance - a couple of gift sets in the iconic William Morris type of decoration and some bottles of fragrance and the oatmeal soap. It is too much to expect them to smell just the same after all these years, but one of the eau de toilettes is almost right.

I would love to smell this fragrance again. My Mum used to wear it in the 70s and 80s. It was a lovely spicy orange but not too overpowering. I remember it being a very happy sunshine fragrance. She now wears Lush Karma from time to time which she says reminds her of this. Patchouli and Orange a go go! I would say Karma is sweeter and spicier with a harsher edge than aqua manda but it may be my memory playing tricks on me.

I am in my fifties and loved Aqua Manda when I was a teen in the 1970s. Please bring it back! After I these years, I can still imagine the smell of it and was pleased to see others remember it also.

Agreed, if anyone is listening, the revival of Aqua Manda, complete with it's original splendid Blue Glass bottle and Orange Talc shaker is long overdue. The only fragrance that drops a mere hint of this classic is Iskander....

Why, oh why, don't they revive it?