BVLGARI
Aqva Amara

2014

PERFUMER
Jacques Cavallier

mandarin
neroli

aquatic notes
mineral notes

frankincense
patchouli

I remember well how hyped up Aqva Amara was when I entered the fragrance community in 2019-2020. As with most discontinued fragrances, people claimed this to be better than many of its siblings that are still on the market. I finally got my nose on it via a miniature.

To be frank, I often don’t buy into hype with discontinued scents, so I didn’t have particularly high expectations for this. I must say, I was thoroughly impressed and I will cherish the 5ml I have.

This is a bitter, tart (mandarin) orange. Almost grapefruit-esque. I mostly just enjoy the scent of the fruitiness here; it’s bitter as mentioned, a bit green a bit soapy, but it really captures a fresh, washed/watered outside of a mandarin really well for me.

Performance was pretty good on my first wearing, although I probably overdid it with the little splash bottle. What I like was the longevity of the freshness; there is a aftershave-ish traditionally masculine base adding to the sharpness, but you won’t get an earthy patchouli or overly noticeable incense here; it’s all Sunny and zesty.

If anything there’s a bit of warmth later on in the wear, but in a way that adds to the warm sun-on-skin vibe the scent gives off.

Absolutely one of the better Summer freshies that I’ve tried recently and a nice (although as advertised by the hype train) surprise in my book. Prices for bottles have about doubled, but are somewhat manageable for a 50ml, so perhaps I’ll get a bottle one day.