MICALLEF
SENSUAL

2016

PERFUMER
Jean-Claude Astier

Lemon
Nutmeg
Galbanum
Grapefruit

Orange Blossom
Jasmine

Vanilla
Musk
Sandalwood

Sensual feels like a brighter, more playful take on a (sweet) rose-oud at first, even though both of those notes aren’t in this fragrance. Instead Sensual utilizes a non-indolic jasmine and sandalwood, so it’s a sweet floral, with a smooth woody base.

There is some citrus up top, vanilla coming through and a leather-esque touch, but more prominently is a spicy element. A couple of hours in, this has started to turn rather masculine leaning, which I didn’t expect based on the opening minutes; something to note if you sample Sensual in store or on paper.

Sidenote: I believe this is one the heaviest bottles I’ve encountered; both the cage-design bottle and the cap are a weighty metal and feel extremely sturdy. It’s easy for extravagant bottles like this to become a bit kitschy (and M. Micallef is guilty of that with some of theirs in my opinion), but not with this collection. And a plus for the pressurized atomizer.