Aqua Sapphire

The time has come to talk about Aqua Sapphire by Boadicea the Victorious. One of the most expensive marine fragrances you can buy. It’s often described as a dupe of Megamare, and since Boadicea has a reputation in some circles as a “dupe house,” I approached this with a fair bit of skepticism. But judging by the note breakdown alone, there seemed to be more going on here. So let’s see what this one really brings to the table. The opening is immediately loud and intriguing. There is a slightly fruity, boozy sweetness rising from davana, rum, and pineapple. The davana is the standout in the first moments. On its own it already carries that rum soaked fruit character, so pairing it with an actual rum accord and a fruity nuance almost amplifies what it naturally does best. A soft saffron sweetness lingers in the background, slightly hay like and warm, giving the opening texture rather than sharpness. At first spray, I understood the Megamare comparisons, but it still felt very much like its own creation. That independence becomes more complicated about ten minutes in. Once the marine musk fully merges with the seaweed accord, the resemblance becomes undeniable. The salty, briny, mineralic quality pushes forward big time. It has that expansive, oceanic presence that fans of Megamare will instantly recognize. Roughly an hour into the wear, the composition begins to change. A soft rose note appears, and it does something important. It smooths the harsher edges of the salty seaweed musk and adds a gentle floral lift. The rose does not dominate or sweeten the fragrance in a traditional way. It refines and softens it. Even with that refinement, the Megamare DNA still sits firmly at the core. Around the three hour mark, moss and cypriol oil start to reveal themselves. The scent takes on a drier, earthier tone, almost reminiscent of vetiver. This stage gives the fragrance a grounded maturity and prevents the marine aspect from feeling one dimensional. By the fourth and fifth hour, sandalwood and a very subtle creamy musk emerge. There is a faint vanillic impression, but it reads more as smoothness than sweetness. It feels polished rather than gourmand. Performance is nothing short of extreme. This fragrance does not let go. I sprayed a single spray onto a tester strip, placed it inside a bag with other items, and threw it into an outdoor garbage bin. Weeks later, after multiple collections, the bin still carries a faint trace of Aqua Sapphire. That alone tells you what kind of longevity you are dealing with. If you work in an environment where you constantly wash your hands/wrists or even shower during the day, this is the kind of scent that will persist. What you get overall is an elegant, dressed up interpretation of Megamare. The sillage is slightly more controlled, and it is not as aggressively briny or sweaty. The quality of materials feels high, and the composition is smoother around the edges. It keeps the bold seaweed musk character but presents it in a smoother way. Now we have to talk about (you guessed it) the price. At nine hundred thirty five dollars retail, it is difficult to justify. Even if this were the best fragrance I had ever smelled, I would struggle to accept that number. If I am being brutally honest, I did not want to like this scent because of that price tag, yet I have to admit it is a beautifully executed and more polished evolution of the Megamare style. It is not a safe blind buy. Not even close. If you can find a ten milliliter decant for under one hundred dollars, it becomes far more reasonable, especially considering how long it lasts. A small amount of this fragrance will carry you a very long way. I genuinely love Aqua Sapphire for what it is. However, once my sample finally runs out, if it ever does, I will not be repurchasing at full retail. The price is simply too steep to justify. That said, if you truly appreciate that bold, briny, seaweed driven marine DNA and want it refined, elevated, and smoothed just enough to feel more composed, this may be exactly what you’re looking for and is worth experiencing at least once.

I really cannot understand how people can say that this is a Megamare dup. Megamare is a seaweed and dead-like fish chemical scent, instead Aqua Sapphire is a "scent of wet nature" true masterpiece. I was really not a fan of aquatic fragrances before trying BTV AS and I did not change my opinion at first when the clerk almost forcefully sprayed my wrist with this fragrance at Harrods. That scent stayed with me till evening and on my clothes till 2 days later, when I went back to Harrods for buying a full size. AS opening is like smelling what it feels like standing next to a river or a lake, deep in the wet nature. The scent is much more deep than Megamare as you can almost feel the scent of all the different trees next to that river that you are smelling. The difference I would say is that Megamare smells of what comes out of the sea once it's dead, AS smells like the alive nature around a water source (and not just the sea). As I mentioned this perfume is a real powerhouse and if you are not careful there is the real risk to cause hallucinations of water and wet nature also to who is around you. To make a comparison: my skin literally DRINKS perfume, it can destroy almost any fragrance within a single hour in most cases (or even minutes sometimes) and I am really not a sissy sprayer, but this one has stayed on me for 12+ hours. If you want a similar vibe and you have budget issues, then go for Megamare, but if it's not the case give a chance to AS

I've been testing this for several days and it's very good. Normally I would not lead off with performance talk because I think people (especially Americans) put too much focus on the desire for ridiculously strong fragrances, and it's slowly trickling in with many brands launching chemical laden extraits that are tacky, and smell like shit. Now I'll get off my soap box and tell you that this stuff is STRONG AF. I literally put one spray on my arm when I first got it and went swimming a few hours later, and it was still there. I took a shower a few hours later and it was still on my skin. It lasts 24 hours on my skin. 1 -2 sprays is enough for me. It's basically 2 fragrances. The first is davana, pineapple, saffron, and a knockout rose de mai. Smells incredible once it calms down. That's the first 2-4 hours. The next 20+ hours is Megamare but less fishy and more elegant imo. I didn't like Megamare but this is better. If you haven't tried Megamare, I can describe it as a salty, musky scent that smells like you are near the ocean. There's seaweed in this even though it's not listed on fragrantica, I confirmed it on the manufacturer website. -----------------------‐------------------------------ Conclusion: Megamare classed up and upgraded to probably as high is it can go. Great quality ingredients and performance that is even stronger than the legendary Megamare, which is insane. Scent 95/100 Performance 100/100

One of my favorite high heat go to's. This is a great fragrance especially used in moderation and by that I mean 1 or 2 sprays, anything beyond three and you're doing way too much seriously. This built for the outdoors, parties and exciting adventures. This monstrosity needs to breathe and by the way do NOT wear this to the office unless you want to be accused of drinking on the job (you've been warned and don't ask me how I know 😅). Cause its really boozy, its a perfectly made Mai Tai. The pineapple rum and davana dominate. It has aquatic facets but something like Megamere is more deep sea marine and musky. Aqua Sapphire isn't that. If you smell them both side by side sure you'll find similarities but you should find more differences. Aqua Sapphire is by far one of the most beastmode and long lasting fragrances I've ever put my nose on. Wardrobe wise it doesn't really fit but I like enough to not part with it. I don't really care for those types of "Mr in your face try hard" scents. I never want nor need for my fragrance to announce me before I have a chance to do so. Seriously I actually like for my scent to disappear after a while I don't need to smell anything 12+ hours or the next day or on clothes after they've been washed lol. But I digress because it seems as though I'm complaining. Beside Aqua Sapphire can't help that its beautiful, deep AND obnoxious.

Just blind bought this..the only way to buy of course ( @taleb ) lol. Will update once it arrives and I get some wearings. Incredible. Not your typical summer, beach frag. This is fresh with a backbone. Almost reminds me of a summery Almas. Really surprised there is no oud note listed. Very powerful, I sprayed once on my hand to test and I work in the operating room - it’s all I can smell! I got two compliments already with one spray on my hand lol. I did buy this retail and I feel like my fragrances hit differently when They are bought retail, as opposed to second hand - FB, eBay etc. More thoughts to come as I just received this bottle. More thoughts: this may be the best fragrance I’ve gotten my nose on in the past two or so years..absolute beast in every category with the grace and beauty of a princess..incredible. I also don’t get a huge aquatic vibe. This is much more oud based and again reminds me of a perfect summer Almas!

Finally they put this on here. I've had it for about 5 months now and it's an amazing aquatic. There's a sea weed note that really gives it an island vibe. The fruits, florals, and musk give this such a unique character. In the base the amber, which I asked the perfumer is compromised of labdanum, vanilla (not the cloying one) and some Ambergris(which is not listed) I also asked about the concentration and the perfumer stated it's 40 PERCENT CONCENTRATION. I can fully attest to this because this lasts forever on my horrible skin. This is a winner in every sense of the word! Try it, if you don't like it @me Also this guy underneath me is clueless. All the Boadicea perfumes have the same bottle. Most likely that other crap has the same bottle as Boadicea

Acqua Sapphire opens with boozy davana, rich rum, and juicy pineapple, creating a vibrant, exotic burst. It then shifts to reveal a salty sea breeze wrapped around subtle rose before settling into a fusion of light cypriol and glowing amber woods. This isn't your typical aquatic. The contrast between fresh marine accords, dark woods, and subtle gourmand nuances gives it a character that feels bold, distinctive, and unmistakably niche. Performance is every bit as remarkable as the scent itself. Projection is immense, creating an impressive scent trail. Longevity is exceptional, easily lasting well into the next day on clothing, making just one or two sprays more than enough for most people - but I'm perfectly happy wearing 5 to 6.

My good gracious God! This is so beautiful! It transports me to the most tranquil moment in my life! Peaceful, quiet, and calm with smooth wind caressing my face! The colour that pops in my mind is blue. Not dark blue. It lasts 3 days so far and keeps going after 2 sprays on my terracota diffuser. I placed the terracota in front of my monitor during work and it calms my mind during work. Interestingly I sprayed once to test on my lower arm. I could tell that people enjoy the smell by being around me. REMEMBER: 2 sprays are more than enough.

@Taleb I wonder how you calculated that similarity. What exactly make this particular scent similar to another, please expand your thought. All your reviews are just saying that scent is similar to another without any details,if that's all you can say trust me no one will take your reviews or claims seriously.

I have both and have used both. In my opinion, BTV Aqua Sapphire is a bit more on the fruity side, which makes it feel a little bit sweeter and overpowered. But it won't bother you. Whereas the Orto Parisi Megamare is very balanced, and every note doesn't push its limits or doesn't feel overpowered.

This is an absolute Gem a beauty of a fragrance I own 4 from boadicea amd this is my favourite glad the sun is finally coming out so I can rock this banger straight fire I have had Lattafa atlas and sold it because it made me nose blind this one thankfully I smell from start to finish love it.

Amazing!!! This is Megamare with a twist - toned done catalone (sharp note), slight sweetness and rum note to create a very addictive fragrance with above average performance. Apply with care since the catalone note can be polarising. Try before you buy. Shukran Habibi!

OooK. I get it now. Just received a sample of this and this is my first time ever smelling a boadicea fragrance. Immediately the quality is evident. It is very aquatic but also has some fruitiness and a little sweet. Now I have to explore this house more.

I can just confirm that the longetivity of this perfume is amazing! I feel it all day on me and on my clothes even after 3 days...Also the projection is really good, it slowly diffuses into the people's nose and I got more compliments even on the street.

Great scent no doubt, But exact copy of Megamare which was launched in 2019, I would even go as far as saying it a dupe. Nonetheless a good scent but redundant if you own Megmare, and Megamare has more depth.

Gorgeous, Beautiful fragrance, what a masterpiece, beastly performance . One of the best from BTV

Sweet & playful but still fresh. Heavy hitter for me. Very addictive. Chicks love it.

Intoxicating due to its musky + aromatic profile. Strong and elegant.

Lattafa Atlas is a really good affordable clone of this fragrance.

Simply the best from Boadicea the victorious AMAZING !

I'm a big fan of Boadicea and own several from the sapphire range. My review is based off a 2ml sample I purchased from an excellent store in Marbella. However, I first tried Aqua Sapphire in-store at Harrods. I didn't particularly like it at first, but I found the 'fishy' opening interesting and intriguing so I decided to get the sample. After spraying it a few times it has grown on me more and more, and yesterday I gave it a full wearing. The 'fishy' opening included a nice burst of fruitiness; however, the opening was short lived and the fragrance soon settled into a salty/seaweed heart where it pretty much stayed for the full duration. The performance was good - very loud upon first spray and the fragrance lingered around for a solid 8 hours. In terms of creativity and uniqueness, I've never smelled anything quite like this and it is the most realistic aquatic fragrance I've gotten my nose on. However, the fragrance didn't 'wow' me and if I am to pay £645 on a fragrance I need to be blown away. Admittedly, aquatics are not my favourite fragrance genre and this may be why my socks were not blown off. In my view, Aqua Sapphire is lacking x-factor and I found it to be quite linear. It is a good fragrance but not one I will be purchasing a full bottle of anytime soon. Having seen the rating and read the reviews I really wanted to love this one. Unfortunately, I was left feeling slightly unfulfilled.

Ah, Boadicea. You are a step above Xerjoff. Take it how you wanna take it. Segue: if you're gonna sell bottles starting at roughly $400, you shouldn't have like 150 varieties in your lineup. Seriously. Screw them for that. Boadicea takes pride in being uncollectible, unless you're the son of an oil baron. The good news is that this stuff is hardly worth collecting. There's a few good offerings from the house, and this is mehhh...not really one of them. Subjectively, anyway. Objectively, I have to leave a favorable review for the sheer power of this fragrance, which is on par with Megamare. In fact, kudos to every picking from the Sapphire series for being indomitably strong. Three sprays and flowers start wilting away. House pets shutter under the bed and are stricken dumb. This stuff smells like something a rich T-REX would wear in that old show, Dinosaurs. Or like a T-REX CEO in the Flinstones or something. Has redeeming qualities, in that I can detect some elements of a Muay Thai. Rum, that is. And a quality vanillac musk. Unfortunately, this all boils down to a gnarly perfume as it dries down. Pass! But not a hard pass.

Being an owner of Megamare, Giardini Blu Mare, Atlante etc, and based on current reviews, I obviously approached this with caution! Yup, that Briney aromachemical used in them is apparent here too, but that's getting ahead of myself. The initial spray reveals some fruity pineapple combined with saffron, a hint of greenness and a very, very slight sweetness. All good stuff. Then, swiftly, the salted seaweed starts to wash over it with the speed of a riptide. This all too common accord/note is combined with a relatively clean and slightly powdery musk, and to be fair, the perfumer has managed to reign in quite how bombastic it can be, which means this is actually more wearable than Megamare and even Blue Mare. This is based off three sprays from the 10ml version, which seem to be half the amount of a regular atomiser. In fact I'm sat at my desk at work, 6 hours after applying, and really enjoying what I'm experiencing. And no-one has yet walked in complaining about "SeaSkank"!

This is a tiny bit smoother version of Megamare. It last forever just like Megamare and you don't need to spray much or you will kill your nose and everyone's around you. I really like Megamare and this I enjoy as well. Not an everyday wear, but when I am in the mood for an aqua scent. I love strong powerful long lasting perfumes. If you don't this isn't for you. It stayed on my skin for more than a day, and after showering and putting other perfume on. In my opinion if you have Megamare you really don't need this. It is crazy overpriced. Patchouli For All by Hemel Paris is an even cheaper alternative. Not as long lasting or strong, but still strong. Atlas from Lattafa is another even cheaper option that has similar DNA.

Interesting but a bit queasy aromatic aquatic which repeats a typical Provenzano formula with a heavy dose of ozonic calone musk notes. The perfume opens with notes of saffron, pineapple, davana and a boozy accord before quickly moving to the calone loaded heart. As the perfume dries, one gets notes of rose, seaweed, amber, sandalwood and cypriol. The heavy calone may be off putting for some but the perfume eventually settles into a powdery aroma. The slight masculine leaning scent has moderate to strong sillage and excellent longevity. Although the scent is somewhat novel, it is extremely overpriced for what is being offered. Enjoy!

The major difference between Aqua Sapphire and Megamare is on the dry down. Initially they smell 95% similar however Aqua Sapphire dry down keep the fresh and aquatic feel. For me I cannot stand Megamare dry down the next day it feels totally different perfume.

Starts off a quite interesting aquatic and musky scent, but as time goes on it becomes less interesting and too animalic in my opinion. If you enjoy a more screechy or animalic ambergris and musk then you may like this. Wasn't for me

Very sour. A much better version than Megamare - less dark, slightly sweeter and uplifting. Lacks the artistic side, hence worth the price.

I normally don't mind when a niche house takes a pre-existing DNA, twists it, and increases performance and quality. Many houses do this. In this case, I don't care for it at all. I've tried several times, with many different takes on the megamare DNA and I still can not stomach it. So I say this, if you do not like Megamare, you will not like this. Samples are expensive so I would skip it if the DNA never worked for you. If you live by a Neiman's that stocks BTV then give it a shot (for free). It has the same performance as everything megamare, it's a certified nuke. I sprayed 7 cards with high-end fragrances at Neiman's and left them on the living room table. I came back the next day and this was overpowering them all.

The opening, as in the first 10 seconds, of this fragrance is absolutely nasty. I physically recoiled upon smelling it at first. I don't even know how to describe it. But as it dried down, this fragrance definitely got more bearable, until it arrived at a rather boring and nondescript aquatic musky scent. Maybe my nose is not mature/developed enough to appreciate the apparent beauty of this fragrance, but I really don't get what the rest of these reviews are talking about. Nasty and then just okay for me (and for an absurd price). Also, maybe it was just the specific tester bottle, but the atomizer was god awful. 4.5/10

How anybody could possibly love this is beyond me. It's not an exact copy, but it's strongly reminiscent of Orto Parisi's Megamare - which, by the way, is an utterly disgusting fragrance - in terms of overall smell, projection, sillage, and longevity. Do yourself a favour and spend a fifth of the price of Aqua Sapphire on Megamare instead. Another poor release from an uninspired, unabashed copycat house.

Agree with the review below for the most part. This opening is unbearable. But for me it doesn’t get any better. It’s so synthetically sharp. Hard to describe really. Had to scrub and couldn’t even get the shit off of me. It definitely has some staying power and sillage so I’ll give it that.

Synthetic and sharp, only thing this fragrance has going for it is that it is very strong. It does not leave the skin when applied.

Aqua Sapphire I’m quickly coming to understand with BTV that the perfumer has such a story to tell with each fragrance (while also insisting on a high percentage of naturals) that the first 15 minutes will always be a bold statement. It’s almost as if the passion and excitement needs to subside before we can get to the intended purpose. After the initial blast you start to see the notes unfold. A touch of sweetness from pineapple and vanilla keep this from going too far into deep sea animalic territory. That sweetness also keeps it from becoming something loosely akin to green olive brine. Yes you read that right. However, it walks the tightrope extraordinarily well. On the other side of the spectrum, the white musk and Cypriol oil specifically keep the sweetness from pulling this out of aquatic territory. What I found fascinating was that from a simplistic olfactive standpoint this isn’t too far off of what some department store aquatics are trying to achieve. Yet let me be clear. This is the first one that has done this style without cutting a single corner or using some aroma chemical that truly annoys my nose. Lastly, looking at the notes, nothing screams “aquatic” and yet, the depth takes you to a part of the ocean where life on land is easily forgotten. The layers are meticulously layered and the accords even more intentionally chosen. While this is not my typical style of aqua, I cant help but admire the balancing act and the story it tells.

Christian Provenzano waves a wand to open a portal & takes you instantly to the beach where theres the salty sea breeze and a bit of vegetation thats drifted ashore. There is a nice floral and mild animalic vibe. Overall a nice aquatic scent. The scent of the sea is so uplifting, inviting and alluring. Omar Sharif once famously said its great to be surrounded by fans but it's even better to go to the beach, walk alone, watch the sunset and contemplate all alone. This perfume is "beach bottled" and the scent of a sea loving rich man on a super luxury ship. However this turns bit more animalic if oversprayed in warm weather. Try a sample. For - A superb floral aquatic long lasting scent. Lasts for days on clothes Against - Price !! What else? Thanks Yulia (Boadicea, London) for recommending this sample.

@Taleb Agree with you 99.99 percent about this being 99.99 percent similar to megamare. I wish I had read your review before ordering a sample. After blind buying Megamare, had come to the conclusion that I absolutely hate anything having ambergris in it. And strangely ambergris is not listed in the notes of blue sapphire.... But both give me that rotten egg smell that I hate so much. First I thought its probably my skin chemistry. But no, it gives me the same kind of nausea even on the testing strip... So I would recommend never to blindbuy anything with something that doesn't agree with everyone. Learned it the hard way. Thank God, it was only a sample... In fact 2...😔... Yes, I am greedy and hasty when it comes to perfumes...😊

Note to @executer92 Couldn't care less what other people see legitimately in me; I've been in the fragrance game(niche/designer) for so long, especially with Boadicea, and I note down if a fragrance is similar to another just to give advice...especially to the blind buyers, because I have sampled Aqua sapphire so you or anybody else don't waste money or-believe it or not- time . I'm confident If anybody still went ahead to purchase a sample or a full bottle-specifically who is into this hobby and has an expereinced nose- will agree with me; in the end it's up to you whether you purchase it or not. And about the 99.99%percentage?? Yeah it's a polite way of saying one fragrance is the exact copy of another..

Dear @dabearjew82 I am glad you enjoy the fragrance, however please don't label as 'crap' something you never heard of before. Byzance de Rochas is a truly grand, magnificent perfume issued back in 1987 and has a very similar bottle to the Boadicea collection. Just look it up in the Fragrantica database. You are right saying all Boadicea have the same bottle - just the colors and the patterns on the round metal plate are different - however it may very well be that they took inspiration from the Byzance bottle that was created decades before, when Boadicea was only a huge statue in the London city centre, and not yet a perfume maker. :-) Just for the sake of precision.

This is really strong. It does smell something like an expensive body wash, but if you can get over that, you will be shocked at how powerful it is. One spray and it filled up my house. Im thinking winter scent. People say it's great for summer, but it's so strong it will diffuse like crazy in the heat. It does smell clean, but it has a soapy musk. It's sweet, but not tart or sugary. It's a bit hard to describe. People are hyping this like crazy. But I would give it a 7/10. Maybe this aquatic style isn't for me, but i will give it a decent chance over time and come back later.

This is not similar to Megamare. Megamare is highly condensed chemical that smells more fishy than oceanic. The name itself also references dead bodies floating at sea. Aqua Sapphire is in my opinion a much more natural scent. It smells like a thick bed of seaweed, wet musk, underwater florals and (unlisted) ambergris. It is deep, aquatic, sparkling, animalic, and a little bit fishy too but nothing unbearable. I think this is wayyy more pleasant than Megamare (and that in no way is an attack on Megamare, whose thematic purpose was something entirely different).

Way too strong. There seems to be a really good scent profile beneath that nuclear blast furnace, but the whole experience is blown sky high. The notes make for a good scent profile in my opinion. With respect to performance, the legendary perfumer Edmond Roudnitska said every scent has its point of olfactory efficiency, whatever that exactly means. But I'm pretty sure he meant not every scent should have the force of a solar wind. And I'm pretty sure this Aqua Sapphire would be a good example of this principle.

There’s something super off-putting about. I like 90% of the fragrance but that 10% makes it a scrubber for me personally. The quality is clearly there but because I can’t “love” it I wouldn’t buy it, especially at the price Edit: Whatever was off-putting has gone away. There was a prominent salty note that I didn’t like but the fragrance smells a lot smoother after a few months of sitting. This went from a like to a really like, maybe in the future it’ll become a love

The very first second when I sniffed it was obvious for me that it is identical to Orto Parisi Megamare (2019) what I like much and I own as well. I respect the unique art of Alessandro Gualtieri and I dislike dupes what ruins art and others buisness. Megamare is a totally unique sea scent, I would say more an ocean scent. (and it is way cheaper then Aqua Sapphire...)

'It's s Statement.' - Project Pat Classic marine opening but with the high steepness to it, oily galore, further turns up real real cushy along the Pineapple Vanilla florals mid on the 6°C stroll.

Slightly different at the top but smoother more refined posh version of Megamare, strong silage and performance but for the price it’s not worth it, it might be even redundant if you own megamare

I have Glorious and vetiver imperial which are excellent. This starts out great but smells like Dawn dish liquid in the dry down on me.

Damn this is good and it gets better each time I wear it. Haven’t gone one wearing without a compliment. This is a sleeper

Gate keeping. Anyone saying performance and sillage are moderate are insane. This is a 2 spray nuke

99.999999% similar to Orto Parisi's Megamare. You do the math when it comes down to cost.

Beautiful musky aquatic masterpiece beastly performance . Best from the house.