Cortigiana

"Courtesan": heh! Got to like the name. Scent is fruity and confection-like, but considering it's all that, I don't mind it much. Just enough almond-cookie-dough and dried-fruit notes to make it friendly to me. Dries down to a marshmallowy vanilla, with some air-freshener fresh-floral, though not too bad. Not over-strong, either way; average longevity.

There's something sharp here, a tart and aldehylic opening. Has me wondering if these cherries aren't ripe and I'm having difficulty smelling individual notes. It isn't sweet and I can't find the cherries, vanilla or almonds. There's a vague floral floating around, and again, not particularly sweet. I'm hoping in an hour some of these gourmand notes will come forward. I almost blind bought a FB and I'm happy I found a sample instead. I love gourmands and this ain't it. I'm wearing Rouge Smoking on the other arm, and the cherry and vanilla are swirling together in a gourmand cloud of heliotrope and powder. Cortigiana is sitting in the corner, sour smirk on her face, holding some wilted daisies, smelling more like a scented water. If some miracle occurs I'll report back but so far this is a big disappointment.

I became intrigued when I saw this perfume voted similar to one of my favorites— La Danza delle Libellule by Nobile 1942– but Cortigiana is nothing like it. I agree with the reviewer directly below mine describing the opening as “tart and aldehylic” with “a vague floral floating around” and I must agree, that Cortigiana is a big, synthetic disappointment. I try and keep an open mind when I sample perfume but my thoughts went straight to fruity dryer sheets. My partner came into the room I was in about 30 minutes after I applied, scrunched up his nose and confirmed my assessment without a prompt. Had to wash this one off.

This 'courtesan' is hardly notorious. The fragrance should be classified as fruity-oriental-gourmand. Think of something like Amouage Sunshine, only replace apricots with sweet cherries. Add some almond a la Hypnotic Poison, and finish it off with loads of sugary vanilla. This is not something that I would personally wear, but I can see how it would appeal to gourmand lovers. Projection and longevity are average.