Aqua Allegoria Forte Mandarine Basilic

A friend and I, while waiting for a flight, descended upon the duty free store and smelled basically every perfume they had in stock and we both really fell in love with the entire aqua allegoria collection. I ended up impulse buying this as mandarin orange has always been a favorite scent of mine and while the sample that I tried (the original non forte) smelled exactly like a freshly peeled orange, I bought the forte version (hoping for a longer lasting perfume) but was initially disappointed to find it doesn't smell as photorealistic as the original version (this was the first like. Real/expensive perfume I'd ever bought so I was flying kind of blind) However, I do still really love it!! Though the mandarin is only a single note working in tandem with others in this vs it being front and center in the original version, it creates a lovely harmony with the background floral/sweeter scents and prevents it from being floral/sweet in an irritating way, and as hoped it does last a pretty long time, until at least early evening. Different than what I thought I had bought, but a serendipitous purchase!

Very different from Mandarine Basilic EDT. You can tell that and the Forte are related but I would classify the EDT as a younger casual frag. The Forte is the more mature office/formal scent. The photorealistic mandarin note is sharper and more pronounced in the EDT - it smells like you're literally smelling freshly cut oranges that's been dunked in fresh cool water. The Forte, being an EDP, smells more blended. The mandarin note here is more of a bit player doing its part rather than being the star of the show. The mandarin is also not as photorealistic here but still beautifully orange-y and not synthetic smelling. UPDATE: An hour in, the mandarine has subsided and given way to basil. UPDATE 2: 2 hours in, the basil is still hanging in there but the scent of very grassy vetiver is starting to come into the fore. Same kind of grassy vetiver as in Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Intense EDP and Hermès Eau Intense Vetiver but not quite as strong. UPDATE 3: 3-4 hours in. Not the longest lasting frag. For an EDP it behaves more like an EDT. Will need a respray in the middle of the day to keep it going.

Mandarin Basilic Forte was a blind buy for me. Owning the original version for years and loving it so much but wanting more in terms of performance, I was sure I would adore the Forte version as much as the original. But the scent itself is not just more strong as expected, but it is slightly different, not as expected.. Turns out that Mandarin Basilic Forte is just a strong like. It is not an entirely different fragrance but it is quite different. This is more floral, more sweet, a touch spicy from anise. This has lost the freshness and greenness with a citrusy sweetness that the original had! The original was so unique without being a groundbreaking scent. What made the original special for me was the combination of basil, chamomile, green tea and clementine. And maybe the peony, I prefer every time peony over orange blossom. I will use my Forte bottle but I don’t think I will repurchase. But I will repurchase for sure, next summer, another bottle of the original Mandarin Basilic. Nothing is quite like that one for me!

The opening on this is a crisp, invigorating mandarin scent, almost reminiscent of pink grapefruit somehow. I never got the basil note at all. On my skin, I need two sprays on each wrist for the mandarin scent to prevail longer, but it certainly does. About 1-2 hours later depending on your chemistry or nose, it begins to die down as the floral notes begin to come through, but for me, it's still there. I think this is different for everyone, just as I am anosmic to Light Blue Intense although it smells to die for for about 20 minutes, but then it's just gone. For some reason, this is a great replacement for me because it just LASTS. NOT a safe blind buy - but if you want a nice citrus that's not too sweet that lasts, try this at least a few days in a row (that meant several trips to my local perfume shop) before turning it down or buying. LOVE IT!

Out of all the Mandarine Basilic versions — the EDT, Harvest, and this Forte — this one definitely leans the most feminine. The others sit comfortably in the gender-neutral zone, but Forte steps out a bit with a sweeter, richer presence. That said, I’m a cis guy with a masculine vibe and I still wear it with absolute ease. It’s fresh and zesty with a real burst of energy, but there’s also this polished orange blossom note in the dry-down that feels clean, smooth, and a touch sophisticated. Compared to the EDT, the EDP (Forte) is louder and more intense, so go easy on the sprayer unless you’re making a statement. Longevity is fantastic — it easily lasts the whole day. Thanks to the mandarin it’s a summer stunner, but those subtle hints of vanilla, green notes, and sandalwood makes it just as lovely in the cooler months too.

I remember years ago I tested a few Guerlain AA scents and didn’t apperciate them really. My taste has evolved since then (thank god). I think this is the best one from AA line. If I compare this to the edt version, it is more sparkly and not quite ripe mandarine yet. This one is really ripe mandarine, like one more day and it starts to taste funky. Like it doesn’t get any sweeter and delicious than this. Not a gourmand girl, but I have to make exception in front of a fragrance like this. One thing missing is the basil note, so please, if you know realistic basil fragrances, DM me kindly. Or else I have to snatch leaves from my basil plant and rub them on me to layer with this.

This is one of my favourite from the Aqua Allegoria line! I only ever had a sample of it, because last time when I decided to buy something from the line, I bought Bosca Vanilla. I'm not a huge fan of citrus scents because they can smell generic, but when it's done right, it smells so bright and uplifting. And this one is done right. I like that there's also a warmth from the base notes, and because mandarine smells sweeter than some other citrus notes. It's a perfect summer scent but I can also imagine wearing it in winter, because mandarine evokes memories of winter and christmas for me. Will definitely buy a full bottle.

I just visited the flagship store in Paris, that opened in 1914! It is stunnnning. A dream. If you get a chance, go! I got this perfume for myself because, even with all the quality choices of Guerlain, this sparkled. It opens so fresh and citrusy, and then other layers of white flowers and blossoms come as it warms. It’s so classy and feminine! I do wish it last longer, but it’s good for a few hours. I think it smells like spring, but is soft and warm enough to wear all seasons imo. The beehive bottle is classically perfect. They even engraved the bottle for me, and dusted it in gold dust!

I got tricked by most beautiful citrus, aldehydic, fizzy Fanta sparkle into thinking this could be a very fresh masculine scent. After a hour it turned into Bulgarian Rose feminine smell. I was hoping this could be my next signature. Not to take anything away from it, this is magnificent perfume. Three distinct stages that smell nothing alike. Fizzy citrus for up to an hour, thereafter flowery rose dominant scent, and powdery, soft musky drydown. I would kill for a fragrance that smells like this opening throughout it's life.

At last! Thanks for adding Mandarine Basilic Forte! This is the most delicious mandarin candy – perfect for the summertime, so much so that I have almost finished my bottle. The sillage is real strong for the first hour and then it settles down. Honestly, I can barely feel it after a while but my colleagues swear I leave a lovely trail behind. This fragrance partly reminds me of Gucci Flora Glorious Mandarin which I would wear when I was writing my dissertation – it must be that mandarin note does wonders for me.

This is AMAZING! I find it, like many Aqua Allegoria’s, to be unisex. The intense “forte” is no joke: It packs a punch! The longevity of this is over 12 hours on me - unheard of for my chemistry (and for most citrus scents). It’s fresh, and clean, and bright - and a total gem. Worth every penny! I don’t get a ton of basil, but there’s a green freshness to it that compliments the mandarin well. Not that you need to, but I think that this is simple enough that you could layer it with something woody and warm.

My skin has a way of bringing out the vanilla in any perfume, so I don’t get any green notes (which is good, mind you, as I struggle with herbality). To me, it opens a zesty mandarin fragrance and the mandarin persists throughout the dry-down. The dry-down is warm, vanillic and still has that mandarin hint which I love, as mandarin is one of my favorite notes. Overall, it lasts like 4-6hrs on my skin which isn’t super long but hey it’s not HORRIBLE and it could be worn anywhere on any day. Love it.

This is my happy scent. To me it smells like photorealistic fresh mandarines, a scent that evokes happy childhood memories and always lifts my mood. I even keep a back up as it is so dear to me. I recently smelled the harvest edition which is slightly sweeter and I considering getting that one too. I get a slight fresh note from the basil though only in the background, the dry down is slightly vanillic but not too sweet. If you love mandarines and their smell, you probably like this scent too.

This fragrance changed my life and my perspective on fragrance and cologne to begin with. This fragrance was personally recommended to me by a Guerlain associate after I gave him a notes profile of what I was looking for. He told me this is his personal favorite, and I didn't trust him. Later on, I smelt the sample he gave me before I threw it away and I drove back to the store less than an hour before they closed and bought my first bottle of this fragrance. By far one of my favorite scents.

Wow. I am taken aback by how much I loved this. Fresh orange juice on a hot summer day.. accompanied by a mild basil. God this smells like a perfect mojito. I kept smelling this on me and being so refreshed and relaxed. I put this on top of Phlur Strawberry Letter and the scents worked insanely good together. Delphine Jelk.... I’m starting to love you even more and more. Genuinely beautiful fragrance I wish it lasted longer and had more sillage though.

What a beautiful burst of colour. A very bright, smooth mandarine with a spicy base. The middle notes are giving off a slight clean-ish smell, which I don’t like, that sticks around on me for half an hour or so. I’m guessing it’s the orange blossom, that tends to do that to my nose. Luckily it disappears and turns into a smooth trace of the initial luscious mandarine on a soft honey base. Layer this on top of bal d’Afrique. I’ll say no more.

I've tested something else from the line, then I saw the name and my brain lit up like Christmas tree..mandarine and basil, it even tastes good. Anyway back to the juice - I find it very realistic and well blended, nothing screaming out to bother the nose, it wish it were a bit stronger, good for layering if you like to experiment, the 'original' is a bit different but also nice. I will definitely buy a backup bottle. Enjoy

Ohhhhh my godddd it works SO well with my skin. I love the smell of orange peels and this is that but in the most addicting way. It is a little on the simpler side with sweeter notes that drowns out the basil or anything greener, but I appreciate that because it allows me to layer this according to the vibe. Idk, just works so well with my skin, its been 2 years ive owned this, i plan on getting a refill.

To me this smells like the most perfect ”sparkling” citrus with a HINT of orange blossom. It is slightly green, however I do wish the basil note was slightly stronger or lasted lobger on my skin because I feel as though it fades quickly on me. Whenever I wear this it reminds me of eating oranges in the sun on holiday, and the scent of orange zest on your fingers after peeling it.

I love the original but I was afraid they would screw it up like Acqua Di Parma did when they extended the longevity with their Bergamotto flanker. I was VERY pleasantly suprised here. I love it. If you love wearing citrus fruit, this should be on your short list to try. ☆☆☆☆-☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ Fantastic execution by Guerlain. Scent 95/100 Performance 65/100