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.

First time I'm wearing sample. I was generous with spritzes because it seemed so light to me. Well, I've been stopped TWICE today, once by man, shopping for his wife and again by a young female. Both said they smell it and that it smells pretty and fresh. I'm shocked, because I really don't smell it much. I think spraying it on clothes is helping its longevity. Apparently my perfume trail is good. Sillage - I'm guessing is within arm's distance. Because of the compliments, I'm seriously reconsidering the purchase. When I can smell it, it smells fresh, clean, green, pretty, floral. UPDATE: Bought a large bottle and love it. No regrets. Wrote a new review in Dec. 2014.

A lot of people rate this fragrance as light and refreshing for spring/summer wear, but to me this is rich and cozy for winter and early spring. The coriander is strongest, and it is spicy and warm. The bergamot balances it out so it's not too warm, but to me it gives it a breezy aspect, not so much citrus. Something about the rest of it smells powdery to me, but not in the typical way. This is not feminine, nor is it masculine, which I assume is why they named it "essence aromatique"; it's an aromatic, not a typical skin perfume. The vanilla/Tonka peak through after a while, but they're so subtle that it makes me question if it's my own perfume or something else.

Essence aromatique is a spicy citrus-vanilla perfume reminiscent of a scented candle or surfwax. The vanilla here isn't the rich gourmand kind but light and watery, almost like coconut, and helps to create that aformentioned waxy texture suited for summer. This is a great example where the prominent coriander gives the perfume a charming edge and helps to create an overall sophisticated feeling lacking in so many lighthearted summer scents. While I agree that the lasting power is disappointing, it's nothing that a generous application can't solve. EA is a solid option for those looking for something other than tiare or coconut for their beachy fix.

Oh my. To me this smells green. This one is a win for me since it was a blind buy. The coriander stands out, but the whole experience is chameleon-like and also genderless, very natural and hard to pin down. At one point I thought I caught a whiff of marijuana, then woody masculine vibes, then make-up powder. Special and all seasons/occasions but more of a personal journey/scent to keep my nose happy all day since it evolves and I don’t go nose blind to it like many of my other fragrances. I think Loki would smell like this when he’s chilling. I love it.

Even though this is marketed as female scent in my country, it could easily pass as unisex. Mind you, I usually stay away from unisex fragrances but this is different. A rather complex, edgy, yet still smooth and the drydown is very pleasant with leather notes to my nose. It makes me feel like a strong, independent woman who gives zero damns about the traditional image of femininity. Too bad it has almost no projection and turns into skin scent after about 20 minutes on me. Lasts longer on clothes though.

My absolute favourite fragrance ever. Upon initial spray it smells very generic and quite harsh. After around 30min it mellows down to its base tones of patchouli and sandalwood. Such an incredibly warm, spicy fragrance. It has really good longevity and every time I catch a whiff of it throughout the day it makes me feel that nose-hungry feeling you get where you just want to bury your face in it. It's wonderfully unisex too and suitable for day-to-day use.

something bitter, something sour, something mossy, something foul .... Don't get me wrong! This is a very interesting unisex eau, with nothing sweet, whatsoever! It reminds me a bit of the sexy -though slightly skanky- smell of Eau D'Hermes. And it lasts at least 8 hours almost unchanged, it just settles quietly as time flies... Impressively unusual cologne.. Really interesting, reminiscent of eaus in the 70s!

I smell cannabis and baby powder. It’s awesome, and the dry down last forever, gets deeply woody ...putting this on in the evening, I woke in the middle of the night and it was enveloped in a green woody smoky sent with a light dusting of baby powder all around me. I find this very unique and unlike anything else I own. This really walks the line of unisex, and is a whole vibe honestly!!

This is definitely my cup of tea. Fresh, herbal but not to cool unisex scent. It opens up with the minty freshness of Herba Fresca, then it starts to remind me of Bvlgari au the vert and it's tea-like natural smell. In the drydown it gets more warm and sunny, more like Aqua Allegoria Pampelune. Interesting and well balanced fragrance for unisex lovers. Well done Bottega Veneta.

A lady handing out fragrance samples at Neiman Marcus handed this to me as I was swiftly moving through the cosmetic department, I took a smell of the strip of paper and it stopped me dead in my tracks. I circled back and asked to be sprayed. I sat in my car smelling my arm........powdery, feminine, clean, different. I had to have it......it's absolutely beautiful!

I was given 2 samples of this at my store (Lord & Taylor) even though our particular location doesn't sell Bottega scents for women, but I am really pleased with this scent! It does have sort of a masculine vibe to it at first spray, but I catch more of a citrusy, aromatic feel to it once it's dried down. I like it and hopefully I will buy it eventually:)

Sometimes I just want a fresh green almost masculine scent and this is it. It's not too strong or citrus and it reminds me of the O de Lancome that I used to have. To me it is in the same scent family as Vitabath Green bubble bath but not as pine. This one is for the days when I need a little reset from the warm spice or floral scents I usually love.

"Aromatique" brings to mind lightness and effervescence, belying the fact that this stuff packs a serious punch. Buttressed by a leathery heft reminiscent of the eponymous BV, it's classed as an EDC but performs like EDP even on my bone-dry, scent-sucking skin. Pensive brunet sibling of cheery blond Eau d'Ikar -- yeah, they're both boys.

I absolutely love this essence, it's fresh, it's spicy, it's androgynous. It is true that this fragrance is a unisex, fresh and aromatic smell that every gender can wear. A sexy scent for spring, summer, day and night if you ask me. I like to layer this one as it pairs perfectly with floral/fresh scents.

wow, this is so pretty. it opens with coriander and bergamot with tonka/vanilla in the background. i love eau de shalimar, and this does smell quite a bit like it, though this is maybe a bit more aromatic and less sweet/no iris.