Bottega Veneta Essence Aromatique

This doesn't get much love anywhere and I know there's a single scathing review of it on basenotes. I wrote a lame review last year which explains little to nothing and I'm giving it another go because I think it's special and here's why: It's a citrus cologne that's creamy without relying (heavily) on vanilla or white florals. I own another perfume under guise of a "citrus cologne", Guerlain Cologne du 68, and that one fools you into thinking it's a refreshing herbal mediterranean thing until the vanilla creeps up on you and starts choking you by the neck. Essence Aromatique is linear by comparison; the thick, waxy texture is present from the beginning. I don't know how they managed to do it but it smells in equal parts like scented surf wax and a legitimate perfume. It conjures images of the beach without being too literal and let me assure you the marketing has nothing to do with it because I wasn't even aware of the beach ad until later. So some people are calling this light, others are calling it heavy, and it makes sense to me because it's both. Only the heaviness they speak of, that creamy thickness, is something I actually associate with the beach. I wouldn't choose to wear this in the winter. Meanwhile, the lightness and airiness associated with colognes is never lost due to the tonka, sandalwood and vanilla being kept perfectly in check. Coriander is certainly prominent but not overwhelming; it provides an interesting twist to the fresh bergamot. I have a hard time describing Essence Aromatique because it's simply so pleasant to my nose. It's easy and breezy while retaining an elegance that so few beach scents have. A wonderful creation by Michel Almairac that's definitely worth a try should you have the chance.

Bradenton, FL, USA. The beaches are nice. Wearing this, I am instantly transported back there. It's nice to go in the morning and be leaving around 11 am, before it gets too crowded and us pale people get too burned. So anyway, generally there are small parking lots strung along between the road and the beach. Pine trees are all around and the ground is covered in needles. This gives way to sand and then water. This perfume smells like standing next to the car as a teen, brushing as much sand as possible off of my feet, and getting ready to go home. There's sea air. Slightly sweaty body. Trees and pine resins. An undercurrent of sunscreen. A bit of bug spray from hours ago. Some leather from the seats of the car that have been heating up all morning. A little decaying earth. This is such a scent memory experience for me; I'm not sure I could ever wear it as a regular perfume. I do find it quite beautiful.

I just got this yesterday and when I tell you it brought tears to my eyes. I love it so so much! I feel like you need to have grown up in a really hot climate to fully appreciate this perfume/cologne. That first hit of Bergamot reminds me of Bien-Etre cologne. So refreshing! So nostalgic! Then it goes powdery. Soft, slightly sweet powder, like the talcum powder I suppose every Caribbean grandma pats on your chest and underarms when you're little, to absorb sweat and keep you feeling fresh and dry. After about 3 hours, it goes dry and woody. The notes breakdown here says patchouli, but I smell vetiver. Which prolongs that fresh feeling. This fragrance took me back to the happy carefree days of my childhood. To sunny days on that little Caribbean island, where everyone knew everyone. To the love and care of my grandma. It's a keeper for life. I need backups. Lots and lots of backups.

Essence Aromatique smells absolutely nothing like the original EdP. It stands out so much in the flankerline that I don't even understand WHY.... they put it out as a Bottega Veneta flanker?? Smelling it from the bottle can really fool you as it is so aromatic, it actually reminds me of bug spray...... BUT no no no, don't let that fool you!! This scent is absolutely stunning 🤩🤩🤩. Once you spray it on yourself, it's a completely different story. On the skin it's very much like a kind of boudoir scent. It's soft, it's powdery, clean, patchouli with the sandalwood (makes this unisex) plus the croiander that gives it an aromatic touch. This scent gives me a sense of vintagepowdery which is just soooo comforting. I'm in heaven 🧚

Since my favorite perfume is Bottega Veneta BV, I didn't think this could compare. I had a sample lying around for a month before I tried it. It was right before bed and I wanted to spray a towel so I could smell it in the morning, but I accidentally got some on me. I went upstairs, climbed into bed and couldn't stop smelling myself. Climbed back downstairs and sprayed myself good with it and went to bed. Here it is 3 days later and I've just placed an order for a full bottle. What a surprise to me! This is such a beautiful, medium-weight scent. The longevity last for 8+ hours but not sure how good sillage is. It's unlike anything else I've smelled so I have nothing to compare it to, but it is so gorgeous and delightful.