Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo - Ginepro di Sardegna

This really is a masterpiece. A cologne for real cologne wearers. As others have mentioned - despite appearances (and the general sway of the Blu Mediterraneo range), this can be worn in the winter and works very well in colder conditions if you want something a bit more casual. That's not to say it doesn't work in the summer too. When it's hot, it's not a daytime stroll fragrance (like Arancia Di Capri for example), but works for the office or any time you're not just basking in the sun. The fresh, woody and almost bergamot opening adds a heavier, more complex tone compared to the other Blu Mediterraneo frags. It is heavier but it sits so perfectly. You're not going to choke out a room with it but it's strong and pronounced and rewards you, all day, when you sniff your wrist. Longevity is excellent (ridiculous for an EdT) on my skin the fragrance is still there and noticeable, after 12 hours. I get compliments and I feel immensely confident wearing this as I fail to see how anybody could dislike it. The heavier base adds formality in an otherwise light, fruity summer range and provided you stick to sensible (and strictly skin) application it works all year round. Get this and Arancia Di Capri to experience both ends of the spectrum of this amazing range of fragrances. All the rest are just something in between.

I received a sample of this yesterday along with a bunch of others from the Blu range. I had about 8 samples spaced out around my skin and came to this one last. It absolutely blew me away. I'd been experiencing all the different zests of the rest of the line before getting an absolute curve ball from this. I remember the transition from muted fruits of Mandorio di Sicilia to the aromatic cypress and pepper blast and fell immediately in love. It then turned out that getting hold of a 75ml bottle proved difficult so have settled with a 30ml plus a back up. I note some comparisons to Sauvage from others but to me this feels a lot more refined. Sillage is light and feels close, I can see myself preferring this in a warmer evening as I've too many other things to choose in the colder seasons. I went for a walk in the cool air with a fresh application and my partner couldn't really pick it up except directly from the skin. Needs a little warmth to help it lift. I can still detect it on my hand this morning though so seems to have around 8-10 hours as a skin scent. To me this leans more masculine but horses for courses in the frag world. With discontinuation what else is out there that leans in this direction from other perfumers as I don't want this fairytale to end!

I won't go through a huge note breakdown or dissecting each individual scent. But, to me this is clearly the best of the ADP Blu Med line in terms of versatility. There is a masculine crispness to this juice in the very opening that gives a lively feeling of gin & tonic with a smooth peppery lift. That initial blast stays for a few minutes and slowly subsides into a light sweet woods & green aromatic goodness. The opening is not completely gone as it hangs in there for a bit, it just becomes lighter through the wearing and is gone within 2-3 hours just leaving the aromatic wood sweetness. Just perfect to be quite honest. Anytime of year is perfect for this scent as it has the depth & longevity with good staying power for about 8-10 hours. Not a projection monster as it becomes fairly low key within 90 mins but, it has tenacity and sticks to one's skin for a nice close scent bubble for the work day. I was very fortunate to score a 5oz bottle on the "bay" for a great price. I can't believe ADP discontinued this gem. This can be one's signature scent truthfully. Cedro di Taormina is great & FICO is awesome for the spring & summer. But, Ginepro is the Don of the Mediterranean line, no doubt about it.... Catch one if you can. It will please.

I have bought bouth the shower gel and the EdT and as some others here have bought several types in this collection, I started testing others before the Ginepro. I have not written much about those others yet, but this one, oh yes, I will gladly share my joy about it. Firstly, it's supposed to be unisex. Right, I can't imagine a woman with this perfume on. To my nose, it's strictly male. You really smell the wood, the juniper. Very much so. I had the experience actually to cut down juniper trees, and guess what, I 'm like instantly there, the memory of warm summer afternoons filled with this scent. Talk about aroma therapy...Call me strange, but I have not met a woman yet, that would actually smell like juniper. Don't get me wrong, cause it may be a very good fit, it's just me not having the imagination. The spicy additional smell and a bit of flowery round smell is there to probably lower the sharpness of the scent. Yes, I love it and yes, it can be too much. The first 10 minutes are heavy, but then it goes away and after 30 minutes, it's only gently radiating. After 6 hours, it's still noticable to the skin, but for the public nose it's gone.

I have actually been pretty late in getting to the ADP Blu Mediterraneo series,focused more on the regular Colonia line. Finally picked up Ginepro, Mandorlo n Fico d amalfi. Ginepro de Sardegna or Sardinian Juniper I guess is quite lovely. Actually all 3 I have tried so far have been pretty good and I am kind of kicking myself for not trying them earlier as they are the type of frags that go really well with our warm Indian weather. Ginepro as the name suggests is mostly Juniper and woods with nuances of fresh citrus, hints of spice from the nutmeg and a touch of herbs from the clary sage. Expertly blended with the trademark ADP finesse and bracingly good smelling in warm weather. Projects well for the first couple of hours before settling a bit but has a pronounced scent cloud for most of its 6-8 hour life. Really shines in warm, dry weather. Humidity seems to sweat it off skin and cold weather kills off projection so spring and summer frag or year round for us here in the tropics. A really good freshie. 9/10