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.

Mandarina Corsica is a sun-drenched orange in its entirety, its skin warm to the touch, ripe and bursting with syrupy sweetness. The opening glows—candied orange peel glistening in thick caramel, the scent of fruit left too long in the heat, its sugars deepening, thickening, turning almost molten. Rich but delectably airy, like the golden hour stretching lazily across rolling browned hills. There’s something intoxicating about the way the fruit hovers between ripe and overripe, its sugars deepening just before they turn. The immortelle seeps in after a little, bringing that unmistakable savory warmth—spiced, honeyed, reminiscent of an Indian kitchen simmered in the heat of something sinful. It tugs at the edges of the fragrance, though what I supposed would be a natural bridge did end up feeling slightly out of place, a little too of-its-own from the rest. A sweetness and a depth—but these notes just didn't quite lock hands. Still, it settles beautifully! The mandarin never fully fades, its brightness weaving through an ambered warmth that hums quietly on the skin. It’s golden, like late afternoon light, but with a flicker of something imperfect—like a memory softened by time, lovely even if a little unbalanced.

This is a surprisingly masculine scent on my skin. The best metaphor I can think of is Xerjoff Lira's wealthy androgynous uncle. It toes the line between gourmand and spicy. I primarily smell cinnamon with tonka and a citrusy undertone, I don't get any of the photorealism of the orange notes that others are getting. Maybe a dash of caramel but in a very non-sweet way. I do like it but can't see myself wearing it. On a man though? Probably phenomenal in an understated, high-class sort of way. Edit: How odd. I've seen some reviews state that scents from this brand smell different after the first few sprays or after some time marinating in the bottle. This one seems to have done exactly that. Now I get the same "candied orange" that others are getting. More feminine than my initial impressions. Could be a great warm weather perfume. I don't think the performance is all that great though, little to no projection.

Herbal immortelle-cinnamon mixture infused on extra bitter mandarin peels, with a handful of over-burned, not sweet caramel. Quite curious fragrance, I didn't smell anything similar - it's not in any way similar to L Lempicka, Cacharel Liberte or Atelier cologne citruses. Combintion of herbal almost medicinal syrup with sweetness and bitterness makes it quite unique. It sits quite close to skin, even when I do 3-4 sprays, not long lasting as well - around 3-4 hours. Obviously sounds well in cold weather but I'm very interested to wear it in warm, might bring nice surprises...

Very likeable scent. Strong nice mandarin smell in the opening, reminds me more of the peel, with a little bit of bitterness to it. The spiciness work really well here. The fragrance is not overly sweet, which in this case I like, despite I'm quite a fan of sweet fragrances, here I have a feeling, it would ruin the whole composition. In the background I smell some chocolate-y notes, even it's not listed. Reminds me of Angels' Share in the drydown, probably because the cinnamon comes out. If the performance what a bit better, I would consider whole bottle.

Mandarina Corsica is, as the name suggests, a realistic mandarin scent. I get a zesty, slightly bitter mandarin peel and a smoky caramel with floral nuances. I think it's a pretty scent, distantly related to Lira, Love & Crime and the like, just not as sweet and decadent. The immortelle reminds me of ELDO's Like This, which is another strangely addictive little gem. I doubt I will purchase it after finishing my decant, but it is pretty and quite wearable.

Mouthwatering but not addicting. Previous reviews nail it with the accurate mandarin profile, there's crystallised sugar in the foreground too. Zesty and sweet. I find myself wanting more depth to the wearing experience of this though, but at the same time I wouldn't call it simplistic. Beautiful as are so many L'artisan frags (long time fab here), but I couldn't see myself reaching for this one habitually.

It is a little disappointing to me. Realizing that all fragrances are personal, I was looking for a more fresh and bright scent. The caramel, vanilla and tonka bean in this fragrance to me occupy the center stage and take away the freshness I was hoping for. More of a fall or even winter fragrance for the cozy warmth. On my haunt again for a beautiful, simple, fresh summer fragrance.

Very true to the listed notes. This smells like literal mandarins, candied orange peels, and caramel brûlée. It smells too much like food to me, and I’m not a dessert person. Those who love juicy fruit and dense buttery caramel would likely love Mandarina Corsica. Edit: Actually as with almost all L’Artisans I love it now that I’ve had it longer. ❤️

This is the longest lasting orange perfume I have ever smelled. It's been five hours and it's still going strong. I have to put my wrist to my face to get the caramel and vanilla, the orange is the star of the show here. It reminds me very much of the orange in Orange Soleia. It definitely has that unisex, bordering on masculine vibe.

it begins with a fresh note of sweet mandarine orange that will remain for several hours, then appears a warm gourmet smell of bakery with caramel, tonka, vanilla, sandal that reminded me a mix of Bois farine of Artisan Parfumeur and Jeu de peau of Serge Lutens with the mandarine note on top.

I smelled the creamy desert from the first whiff. It's very sweet, candy-like, with loads of syrupy immortelle, tonka and bitter mandarin. It does not really evolve in something else, it remains mostly the same, sweet and bitter with mandarin and almond nuances. 6.5/10

This one is very interesting - it smells of Christmas cookies. I thought it is going to be a summer fragrance but it is way too sweet for me to wear in the summer. As always, great quality from L'Artisan but definitely not a blind buy.

I am nof a big fan of cinnamon in perfumes and there is quite a noticeable amount of it here. Really comes out on my skin. :(

I got a partial (80/100 ml) bottle for sale or swap in Eu, please pm me if interested! :)

reminds me the most of Diptyque L’eau de Tarocco. this is a juicy and realistic orange fragrance. peels, and pith and rind. it’s natural and fairly strong for a citrus, as most disappear in minutes, this lasts a few hours (2-3). this does not, however, smell of caramel or cinnamon on me. it’s only a very plain citrus-orange. I purchased directly from L’Artisan in 2022 just for reference. I ended up returning it.

Smells incredibly like a bitter orange note. This mixed with the warm and spicy notes really scream a winter scent to me. It reminds me a lot of a mulled wine. Personally, this is not my favourite as I prefer citrus scents to be cooler and more summer leaning. But I recommend this for those who prefer the bitter orange, herbal, warm, citrus notes.

Too sweet for me. First spritz and I thought: "oh yeah, this could be a competitor to Atelier Cologne Orange Sanguine". The initial mandarin blast is over after 30 min and you are left with gourmand toffee/vanilla, almost cloyeing. Sample first!

Spot on reviews about this being a gorgeous orange caramel dream, but staying quite linear in the dry down. I almost bought this after spraying my arm in duty free and sitting with it for over an hour. But alas as it dries down this is a cross between Lira (on the complexity) and Love and Crime (the orange as L&C leans more orange for me) - and I already have Lira! Infact, this is 80% Love and Crime - to my nose. A beautiful creation but no space for redundancy in my collection- perhaps I’ll venture here when my bottle’s done.

mandorina corsica. i do like it. i don’t love it. it is a very photorealistic mandarin orange. when i smell it, the moment you peel and squeeze and orange for fresh squeezed juice comes to mind. i love citrus + vanilla + caramel scents and am always on the hunt for great ones. but this one has much more citrus and much less gourmand than i think i was hoping for. in fact, other than some sweetness that seems to come from the citrus, i don’t get the gourmand notes much at all.

Er, Fragrantica, can I offer a bit of constructive criticism? Could please dispense with the Pro-Con thingy? It's annoying. I'm sure everybody can make up their own mind and don't need to be spoon-fed the characteristics of any given scent. It's just a suggestion so no need to get shirty. And of course, if the majority likes it stays.

This is such a delicious gourmand! Mouth wateringly good caramel! I often find caramel nauseating (too sweet) and unrealistic. But this! This is glorious! I can’t believe I missed the l’artisan sale on this 😭 might just pay retail, it’s that good (and that’s saying something because I hate paying retail 😂)

I have only tried on the paper: it reminded me of the opening of Baccarat Rouge 540. There is a plaisant contrast between mandarine and sweet notes. By the way, I am happy to find out that it is a work of Monsieur Bisch.

very odd combo of citrus and vanilla, not well blended.

The dry down is very similar to Lira