ACQUA DI PARMA
VANIGLIA
2019
Heliotrope
Neroli
Bergamot
mandarin
Vanilla
Jasmine Sambac
Cedarwood
Musk
‘Vaniglia is a sun-filled interpretation of vanilla’s intriguing and fascinating notes. The sweet essence of vanilla is extracted from the clove and combined with notes of bergamot, mandarin, neroli and jasmine sambac for an enveloping and warm composition. An artistic combination celebrating Madagascar’s precious essence.’ – Acqua di Parma
Vaniglia stood out during store visits multiple times, so I finally decided to get it. How is it now that I can properly wear it?
This is a really nice take on vanilla. The opening is most interesting, when the vanilla is there from the start, but you have a hint of the ‘Acqua di Parma’ citrus DNA for added freshness.
That brightness does not last long however, as Vaniglia quickly morphs into an unabashed sweeter fragrance. Powdery with heliotrope, and woody, with to my nose a slight nutty tinge. That nutty, almond-like facet remains prominent throughout.
I don’t get as much of the florals as a lot of other reviews remark on, nor do I find it to lean ‘feminine’ at all. About as unisex of a fragrance as I can imagine. I did see a comment from 2019 that this was reformulated, with the jasmine having been toned down, so perhaps that plays into that.
Vaniglia feels dry and powdery in texture for the most part, but like there’s a custard vanilla pudding underneath its surface.
Versatile and superbly balanced. It’s neither a delicate powdery vanilla like a Dior Bois D’Argent or Les Soeurs de Noe Mitsio Vanilla, it’s also more substantial than Diptyque Eau Duelle I think, but it’s not heavy or dark. To me, this is what Matiere Premiere Vanilla Powder failed to be.
You can wear this as a ‘sweet vanilla’ gourmand, but I could probably sneak it in my office rotation as well. It’s sweet, but not overly so and the more subtle performance and powderiness help in that regards.
Overall, I think this won’t make my top 3 vanillic fragrances or anything, but it’s a really nice addition to the collection.
