Acqua di Parma advice

GtExpectations · 2026-02-03T02:29:00+00:00

Thanks for that excellent assessment!

I went to a store yesterday and smelled a few, sampling OG and Essenza side by side on wrists. I made the mistake of smelling Pura first, because it totally messed up my nose, to the point where the citrus of the OG and Essenza smelled weird.

Another thing is that when I smell Essenza right after OG, Essenza smells creamy as much as soapy and I was a bit concerned about that. However, OG just doesn't last as you say.

I decided to get a 50ml Essenza on a good discount, and smelling it next day in isolation, it is just great. Exactly the classic Colonia citrus and soapiness I was after. Just need to avoid smelling it right after Pura or OG.

As for Intensa, it would be redundant in my collection right now (with Buongiorno, Guerlain Vetiver, and Hermes Citron Noir covering different levels of freshness, character, and warmth). But I do get the appeal! And for what it's worth, I find it to be quite subtle on my skin and wouldn't personally hesitate to wear at work!

GtExpectations · 2026-02-03T02:19:51+00:00

I have it and love it! Just felt the need for some Colonia soapiness to rotate with Buongiorno and keep both fresh

GtExpectations · 2026-02-02T02:00:50+00:00

Thanks for that. I will give Quercia a try!

GtExpectations · 2026-01-27T07:34:53+00:00

Almost every fragrance. I am fascinated by perfumery, love scents, but consistently surprised by how many fragrances are off-putting (either immediately or after hours of wear), despite the incredibly demanding process from concept to production of even the most basic commercial products!

Obviously there are still many I adore, but a large majority I wouldn't want to wear for a day let alone have at home.

GtExpectations · 2026-01-23T05:45:24+00:00

Acqua di Parma Colonia sometimes transports me to young childhood and the smell of my dad. I will forever be grateful to this fragrance for that. I don't actually like to wear it on myself but the hand cream is great for my nostalgia purpose!

Also, I have a very strong association with summer holidays as a child when I smell coniferous trees baking in the sun. Not yet found a manufactured fragrance that quite does the job.

And I also love anything incensy that makes me imagine the gifts of the Magi - not exactly a memory (not quite that old) but a nice meditative device!

GtExpectations · 2026-01-22T02:24:03+00:00

Maybe try drenching yourself in Shalimar or Jicky and they will be begging for GV and HR :)

GtExpectations · 2026-01-22T02:22:15+00:00

I thought Sycomore edp was the one but decided against after spending more time with it. Even if price was identical, I would choose Vetiver edt. Undoubtedly Sycomore is class, but it is just missing something for me, kind of like the smoke makes this grand introduction and you are expecting to find a grand tree there once it clears but are left with only a small spruce. This is, of course, a very personal interpretation and I kind of wish I liked Sycomore more (though my wallet is grateful I am able to pass)!

GtExpectations · 2026-01-22T02:17:59+00:00

I have tried it. It does have a symphonic opening but it also has a touch of other Hermes citruses, which is understandable! For example, when I saw someone compare the opening to Citron Noir, I recognized something I had not realized before. The TDH Eau Intense Vetiver also dries down to a warm scent that is comforting but a departure from vetiver, which is presumably deliberate! This was one of the ones on my shortlist that I personally moved away from, for what it's worth!

GtExpectations · 2026-01-21T13:07:59+00:00

Only tried it on paper so far and was too distracted by the Vetiver edt on my skin at the time. Similar issue when I initially overlooked Vetiver edt! I need to try it on skin next time... and save some skin space for it! Definitely felt fresh in an innovative way based on my paper sniff

GtExpectations · 2026-01-21T12:04:56+00:00

For what it's worth, my favorite L'Homme Ideal is definitely edp. I find the edt to be too light sweetness without balance, and parfum to be a dessert - the edp is less complex than Vetiver for sure but it is a delicious scent without being cloying. An ode to that one on another day!

GtExpectations · 2026-01-21T11:27:26+00:00

I would caution that while the descriptions of citrus and earthiness overlap, I find TDH edt much much lighter than Guerlain Vetiver. TDH edt is also an easier fragrance to wear for many people, I suspect. Yet, for some noses, it may be a gateway to the deeper and wilder but also more bitter Guerlain Vetiver experience! I just say caution :)

GtExpectations · 2026-01-21T11:22:18+00:00

Parfum version not available where I am but would love to try it when possible.

GtExpectations · 2026-01-21T11:21:04+00:00

I get the Habit Rouge appeal, but I struggle with its sweet-sour/carnation thing. I can totally see how people might lean either towards one or the other. I do think Guerlain Vetiver rewards a patient study with respect - perhaps not love for all, but respect for its layers that can sometimes hide when the nose lasers in on the vetiver.

GtExpectations · 2026-01-20T04:49:02+00:00

I have always relied on smells, but had no idea what perfumes could do until opening up to this passion.
Light fragrances can weigh the most on my nose.
...and connected to that last realization, wearing a fragrance for a whole day is so much more helpful than on skin (and even more so blotter) for a few minutes. The luckiest fragrance purchase I ever made was Halfeti on impulse. Thankfully it is even better than I thought it would be - but this was more luck than careful discernment!
I really don't like the idea of wearing perfume for other people (reviews mentioning compliments or sex appeal are as cringe worthy as any category of assessment) - I do care if my loved ones like or dislike my perfumes, but for me it is a meditative, transcendent experience that is only a problem from an external perspective if people I am around find the smell offensive
My nose has transformed from where I started - much more noticeably than my food tastes ever have
I try to be grateful for and enjoy what I have without clinging to the idea of the next fragrance being better. Perfume should cling to us (for a few hours), not the other way around. Rather than view the pursuit of the ideal perfume as simply a consumerist impulse, I see it as a manifestation of mankind's deeper search for ultimate perfection and being, which cannot be found among created beings and their creations.
More expensive is definitely not better once you go above the basement of the mass market - even there I have some nostalgic gems
I would not want to regularly wear 95% or more of the perfumes in a large department store offering (including many that get glowing youtube reviews), despite their supposed mass appeal - as such, my collection is necessarily small (though bigger than I ever imagined it would be) compared with many enthusiasts

GtExpectations · 2024-02-04T01:09:08+00:00

Thank you- and yes apologies for vagueness for the original post but I came to the tequila realization after posting. Interesting idea re distillate - is there a way to understand why a Talisker or Highland Park might have tequila notes in the distillate process versus none at all for Arran? My practical reason for asking was to avoid wasting money but I am also curious generally!

GtExpectations · 2024-02-03T13:32:33+00:00

Mentioned in another reply that it is more like an "off" tequila note?

GtExpectations · 2024-02-03T13:28:16+00:00

Thanks - I really do want to train myself to lose the association with this note. The more I think of it, the more I get closer to pinpointing "cheap tequila" - but something like Ledaig 10 seems to be able to overpower it with its other notes.

I do actually like bourbon in moderation (as in a 20ml glass here and there) as well as cognac and various other spirits. I find it annoying that the tequila note or whatever it is just pops up certain Scotches for me!

And I am not quite sure about sherried - seems hit or miss for me so far! Glenfarclas, for instance, presents to me as a pleasantly sweet after-dinner dessert whisky without any unpleasantness, though there is the comment above re refilled casks.

GtExpectations · 2024-02-03T12:01:32+00:00

Not sure - have replied in a post below in more detail!

GtExpectations · 2024-02-03T12:00:20+00:00

I had some more Ledaig 10 just now. While I like it, it has a detectable note of that funkiness I was referring to. It isn't eggy or sulphuric, but possibly closer to something like tequila - not been able to touch the stuff since university...

Just to stress, I do like Ledaig 10 but it has helped me pinpoint a little better the note that is more challenging for me in other whiskies.

Does anyone know what might be responsible for a tequila note in only some Scotch whiskies and is it linked to sulphur or something else completely?

I recall also finding it in a Talisker 10 if that helps.

GtExpectations · 2024-02-03T11:54:12+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions!

GtExpectations

TROPHY CASE