Acqua di Biella, like Carthusia, is an Italian niche fragrance line using "old recipes created in convents that date to the 1700's" (via luckyscent). Janca was released last September and has only recently made it to the US. According to Women's Wear Daily, Janca was inspired by a river near the northern Italian textile region of Biella. It features notes of florentine iris, peach, tamarind, mandarin, linden, osmanthus, magnolia, cardamom, musk, cedar, and patchouli.
The top notes are fruity, sweet, and heavy on the cardamom and linden. The cardamom fades quickly, leaving a fruity osmanthus with just the tiniest touch of spice. As it dries down, the magnolia intensifies. It stays sweet, but not overly so — it is very bright, and the fruit notes are not at all overdone. It has a nice musky base; the cedar is very subdued, and I cannot make out any patchouli at all.
Janca is a lovely, spring-like fragrance, and it is always a treat to find a fruity floral that doesn't immediately bring to mind Kool-Aid or Jolly Rancher candies. I do like it very much, but despite the fact that it contains many of my favorite fragrance notes (linden, osmanthus & cardamom) I am not yet sure that I love it to the tune of over $100 for 100 ml. I will give it a few more tries before I decide whether or not it is full bottle worthy.
For buying information, see the listing for Acqua di Biella under Perfume Houses.
Thank you Robin for the review. I look forward to sampling this one since I am searching for another wonderful spring floral. Hmmm – then again there is that Rosine you mentioned.
Hi Robin-
Cavewoman and I were discussing this one last night. It is on my list for must sniffs in the spring. I am looking forward to seeing what the drydown is like. The notes sound so lovely.
Thanks for all the info. Wish I had checked your blog before going to Rome. BTW – they did not have any of the Acca Kappa Calycanthus that my friend from LA – Robin (mreenymo) raves about. Well next time or till I see it in Paris/London.
F, I will be curious to hear what you think of it. It is really nice but so far I don't adore it as much as I expected to. Perhaps it will grow on me
N, I am expecting a sample of the Acca Kappa soon & can't wait. Mreenymo & I have several loves in common (especially Delrae Debut) so I am expecting to love it.
I'll put this on my must-sniff list. I too am always on the search for fruity florals that are not generic sweet concoctions (what I call tutti-fruttis). My favorite in this category is Keiko Mecheri Grenades.
And I need to try Grenades on my next trip to Barneys! I really like some of the KMs very much.
R-
I was thinking that it might resemble La Base! I will be smitten with Janca if it does. I just finished my first La Base bottle. I plan to buy a refill in the spring!
Thanks for posting about this one. Too bad the patchouli is undetectable. I think I'm going to have to try it anyway! Love the blog, Robin, and I check here everyday for “the news”.
K, I am really so glad you like the blog
Let me know when you try the Janca, I'll be curious to know if a patchouli fan can smell it in the base. I am not a patchouli fan so I was happy that I couldn't detect it.
Oh I remember trying both of the Acqua Di Biellas at Tak last Fall, and I do remember liking one of them really well, but now I don't remember which one. I really look forward to trying these again, especially with John Henry at my side!
Patti, I know I tried one too. It was sort of citrusy and looking at luckyscent now, I think it was the No. 1 for men. I think Janca came out later, but it would be funny if we all tried it and it made no impression on us whatsoever.
I remember the containers and the labels! LOL! I can't wait to hit that rack at Tak and find out which one I liked! By the time we get there I am pretty well sniffed out, but this time I will 'save some nose' for the Tak Experience!