Recently, I’ve come across many articles online and in magazines informing me that the scents men fancy most are (in no particular order): vanilla, cinnamon, licorice and pie (apple and pumpkin being favorites). Though I will happily eat a cinnamon roll, a slice of apple pie and/or a scoop (or two) of vanilla ice cream, I avoid sweet-foody room fragrance products that smell of cake icing, lemon sorbet, or crème brûlée. (The gist — dessert on a plate: GOOD; ‘dessert’ in a bottle or candle: BAD.) So when I received Antica Farmacista's Vaniglia, Mandarino e Bourbon room spray as a Christmas present, I was tempted to leave the box sealed and regift it or exchange it for another of the company's fragrances. Curiosity and post-holiday laziness kept me from doing either: I unwrapped, I sprayed.
Antica Farmacista (English translation: “Ancient” “Chemist/Pharmacist”) is a 25-year-old U.S.-based company; it claims to use the "finest essential oils and natural ingredients" in its products (home fragrance, perfume, body moisturizer, and bath/shower wash). Vaniglia, Mandarino e Bourbon's rich vanilla core is tempered by aromatic (and slightly acidic) mandarin juice and peel, and a sharp bourbon essence. No single note dominates the composition and the overall character of the scent is resinous, not foody. Vaniglia, Mandarino e Bourbon’s simplicity is refreshing, not dull or ordinary. Just a few sprays scent a large room and the lasting power is good. The beautiful jewel-like orange color makes me wary of using it as a linen spray but I have sprayed it in my car on especially dank and dark Northwest days to brighten my mood (and commute).
Vaniglia, Mandarino e Bourbon is available in room spray (100 ml for $28) or reed diffuser (150 ml for $56). For buying information, see the listing for Antica Farmacista under Perfume Houses.
I like this line, very nice!
Yes, quite a few of AF's fragrances appealed to me. As I look at the photo I realize I need to try a reed diffuser at some point….K
Love this scent as a room fragrance and as an EDT (or is it EDP?). I suppose that, since you don't like foody room smells, you would be even less inclined to wear them, but this one is so lovely. Instant winter holiday for me
Hmmm. There are exceptions to the no-food rule: teas, mint, citrus on the dry side! K
I like this line as well – my local Nordstrom carries it and I went in to see if they had the new Casablanca perfume – all they had was the room fragrance at the time, but it was VERY good, as were the other fragrances, especially the Melagrano – yum! Very zesty, not too sweet at all.