Mandarina Corsica

I think Mandarina Corsica is lovely, a real success for L'Artisan. I agree with the reviewer below me that it's not well blended, but I think that's rather the point: the combination of its separate sides is what makes this scent. StellaDiverFlynn describes this effect better than I ever could further along on this page, so I'll just say how well done both accords are - both sweet and delicious but not at all heavy. The orange note is particularly juicy, somewhere between a real mandarin orange with some of its peels still on, and the best quality orange soda. The caramel smells quite realistic, almost good enough to eat, but it's not at all overpowering (which is always a risk with this note). I love how it complements the juicy side without muddling it by blending in. All in all it makes for a very comfortable fragrance, especially perfect for early fall or late spring, I think. Longevity and especially projection could be a little stronger - it's not the kind of scent I notice much throughout the day, which is a shame since I like it so much. But it's not the worst either, and I'll happily spray a little extra with this one. I have a decant, but I have a feeling there's a full bottle of this one somewhere in my future as well!

Yes, L'Artisan Parfumeur did it again. This time the marvelous perfumer Quentin Bisch is responsible for a unique masterpiece. Like my other L'AP bottle Noir Exquis I was disappointed when I applied the first sprays. That one turned out to be absolutely wonderful after developing in the bottle. Mandarina Corsica opened as a flat, sauer mandarin smell with lots of maltol. Wanted to return the bottle immediately. But I love the box and bottle design so I kept it in the hope this one would open up after some maceration. And yes, it did! What a wonderful happiness in a bottle is this perfume. The concept is gorgeous, the more because the name Corsica is not about the mandarin but it's about the immortelle. This is such an unique pleasant blend of aromas that every time I apply this there is instant happiness. And I got really nice compliments. The blend of caramel with vanilla, cinnamon, tonka and a for me undetectable sandalwood in the base deliver a cosy experience. And the mandarin is noticeably through the whole duration that is for me 6 to 8 hours. I wonder how this jewel behaves in spring and summer.

FYI - I am not an expert and not great at describing scents. I am just hoping to share my experience with you guys :) I agree with psebi101 - but that is why I really love this fragrance. On my skin, it is an orange cake with caramel topping on top.I get these beautiful, sweet and a bit tart mandarin notes at first. Then caramel joins the citrus notes and it slowly changes to chocolate (tonka bean?) and vanilla. I am a huge fan of gourmand fragrances and this has become my new signature! I love freshness and uplifting mood I get from the top notes and I love how it changes to a warm and sweet scent. This fragrance's citrus notes last a bit longer than other citrus fragrances I tried - although its staying power is still quite weak for EDP.

Good substitute/expensive replica of L de Lolita Lempicka - same sweet blood orange with cinnamon and immortelle brew, same caramelly-cakey aftertaste, literally it is the same thing. I have Mandarina Corsica on my left arm (third time testing, not a brief test on a run) and on my right arm I have L de Lolita Lempicka that I own for ages. The difference is in the opening. Mandarina Corsica has this sweetly-tart smell of freshly peeled mandarines and then transforms into immortelle-cinnamon-caramel. Once L de Lolita Lempicka has less amount of orange in your face at the start and slightly less sweet in general. Cheeky cheeky Quentin Bisch! Maurice Roucel should tell him off!

It smells like new years to me because of cultural associations, so I wear it only in the winter. Very sweet, almost too ripe mandarins. I can feel caramel but it blends beautifully I do not notice it. It's pretty simple and straight forward but very addictive. I usually don't live orangy fragrances, especially when they don't smell fresh but rather like someone has already eaten an orange and the smell stayed in the air, but this one is everything. It stays for some time, not too long. L'artisian Parfumeur doesn't last on me much. For how strong and almost nauseating it can smell at times (especially fresh), it doesn't have much sillage.

I love it. Got a sample right when it got released & bought a full bottle after a week...I love wearing it. It’s a happy & joyous fragrance...sugary mandarins...it’s fun, young, naughty and irresistible. Works well in any weather, but it’s not my first choice if it’s too warm...or summer hot... Overall it’s a flirty and original scent that gets me always in a playful easy mood. Nice silage, but don’t expect it to last more that 6h on the skin...stays on clothes, but drops very close to the skin after 3h on me.

This has the most dazzling top citrus that I've ever smelled, and I've seen quite a lot! And that yummy sweetness that weaves in with citrus is just mind-blowing, it's sweet and bitter at the same time, it's fresh and gourmand at the same time, it holds L'Artisan Parfumeur's famous tension in balance, definitely one of their best, and yet another Bisch masterpiece. Also on performance: this isn't designed to project, it haunts the air like a spell you didn't know was cast on you. Can't love this enough! <3 <3

One of my most successful perfume layering experiments is Serge Lutens' Un Bois Vanille and Atelier Cologne's Orange Sanguine. The bittersweet, creamy woods play so perfectly against the bright, zesty orange sparkle. It wears like a fancy orange creamsicle on the skin. Mandarina Corsica is VERY reminiscent of this combination of citrus cologne and oriental woody perfume. It is so easy to wear and suitable for anyone, but I think it's best suited to crisp autumn days.

So, I was just casually testing fragrances at David Jones here in Sydney and came across this. I went planning to buy Timbuktu, but for some reason, when I tested it, I kept gravitating towards this. It transported me to somewhere in the French Riviera, it was a nice evening, and for some reason, I was having a caramel latte with Laetitia Casta holding hands with her and walking. That's when I knew I had to buy this. Such a sensual fragrance.

This is so. freaking. good. The mandarin is first out of the bottle and is exceptionally real and fresh, but don't be mistaken, this is not a fresh scent. A dilute vanillic caramel surrounds the mandarin but it is not too heavy or sweet due to the addition of bitter orange. A longlasting, sexy, mouthwatering treat that feels incredibly one of a kind and definitely mixed by a master. More of this please.

Huge crush on this one! The tangerine smell is so realistic that it feels like I peeled it myself. The brown sugar (as indicated on the official website) gives an impression of caramelization but the whole remains very delicate; there is nothing here that falls into an overdose of sugar thanks to this “juicy fruit” aspect which will last until the end. Mandarina Corsica is honestly adorable, I love it!

If you love something like Byredo Sundazed (one of my spring and summer faves), you'll probably like this. A beautiful combo of citrus and maltol, which gives an orange candy vibe (but not in a cheap way). I'm also a fan of immortelle, and that is something I definitely detect in this fragrance. Longevity is not what I was hoping for, but I don't care. A successful blind buy.

I just tried a sample of this. Its at least 3-4 years old. I love it! Such a realistic and beautiful orange scent. I have no clue how this is listed as a female fragrance, as its very unisex to me. Unfortunately its an extremely weak skin scent, and it doesnt last long. Good for days when you are home alone or with a partner

Mandarina Corsica smells like a sweet, juicy mandarin dipped in caramel sauce with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Yummy! This is a delicious cirtus gourmand fragrance, not too sweet and perfectly balanced; very comforting and cosy. So if you're a fan of citrus fragrances and a gourmand lover, you should check it out

Nice natural spicy mandarin opening with just a touch of bitterness. After a while the tonka and caramel takes over – still with a touch of soft, warm spice. It is not overly sweet or heavy but warm and autumnal. Unisex but feminine leaning. The sillage is quite strong but not overwhelming. Longevity is good.

A fresh caramel if there has ever existed one. I‘m 100% determined to make this my new signature. Incredibly beautiful, even somehow paradox, warm spicy bit still wearable for summer thanks to the mandarine‘s brightness. At the same time sensual and elegant. I‘m in love

I am so in love with this beauty! Is like taking mandarin peel and dip it into a sexy hot toffee caramel thing. Beautiful, beautiful scent with top quality ingredients and nice sillage. 8hrs on my skin. Oh and.... the pic on the table is mine hehe

Loving my sample. Super ripe and authentic mandarin. Or candied orange and caramel. Longevity and silage are not great on me unfortunately.

It's a real delight for spring to fall

On my skin, Mandarina Corsica is mostly a play-off between two competing accords, namely juicy mandarin and creamy caramel. The madarin scores first with not only its vividly realistic succulent pulps, but also its slightly bitter, even metallic pith, while the caramel looms around the edge. Then the caramel gathers force in the next two hours to gain equal footing with the mandarin. The caramel in Mandarina Corsica is thankfully not one-dimensional, saccarine syrupiness. Instead, it has a deliciously milky, unctuous texture mimicking the sensation when a cube of caramel starts to melt on the palate. Moreover, there is also a subtle smoky facet, probably borrowed from the immortelle, that enhances the natural feeling of the caramel note, while a delicate touch of tonka beans' powdery almond nuance rounds everything off. This middle phase of Mandarina Corsica is my favourite part, not only because the caramel note is well constructed and rich in nuances, but also because its juxtaposition with the juicy pulp and metallic pith of mandarin creates an intriguing tension as well as making the caramel appear less heavy. As a result, I'm reminded of Déliria also from L'Artisan, and Etat Libre d'Orange La Fin du Monde also signed by Quentin Bisch. Not because they smell any similar, but all three have this interesting contrast between various gourmand and metallic elements. I'm also sometimes reminded of Prada Candy at times, as both have an appetizingly unctuous yet not so heavy caramel note, but the mandarine note also plays a strong role in Mandarina Corsica. The dry down is predictably dominated by the caramel and tonka bean about 5 hours in. Sadly, without the enticing citrus to balance, the caramel and tonka bean tend to become more sugary and flat in the end. The sillage is moderate in general, while the longevity can reach to 10 hours. I initially dismissed Mandarina Corsica as uninteresting upon first sniff, having thought it's merely capitalzing the gourmand trend. But when the different nuances unfold themselves in the course of its development, I was pleasantly surprised. However, I'm still slightly disappointed by the safe and monotonous dry down, especially because of the potential shown by this surprising juxtapostion of two well realised accords. Nevertheless, I think it's worth at least sampling it, even if gourmand fragrances are not one's favourite genre and just for a fun olfactory experience.