Mandorla Limited Edition 2023

A strong sweet almond, lightly boozy, embraces pulsating and warm heliotrope, maintaining an equilibrium between sweet and bitter almond essence. Hawtorn flowers and a light floral touch embellish the blend creating a light doll head effect; they fade on a base of sweet and powdery vanilla, with some tonka and lightly balsamic amber. This new version of Mandorla has a more alchoolic opening, the previous one was floral and oily in consistence, extra warm. The new one is more sweet, in line with the modern taste, the old one had a well defined bitter almond, that was really reminiscent of the glue called "Coccoina", used for children projects, a tad medicinal and play doh. Also the nuts were more "toasted" in the old edition. The new formula has a boozy element that the old one lacked, yet manages to stay away from proper amaretto territory, so it is more balanced. The dry down is the same powdery heaven, and the overall doll head - play doh effect is preserved. Previous formula had more tonka (which was undeclared in the notes) and a little bitter woody touch, probably the very same almond wood. With the old one it was as if you were intimately knowing every part of the almond tree (its flowers, its berries, its wood, its oil, its green parts). Now the sweet elements have more space, or maybe it is just a matter of maceration. The old formulation lasted and projected better probably due to the more oily consistence. This one lasts for about 5 hours on me, dry down lingers a bit more and projects moderately. It is possible that the bottles just put on sale have to macerate a bit...this was a very anticipated return for the brand so maybe they rushed a bit? Because they swear it is the same, no reformulation they say. I will update with a more in depth review soon! In the meantime I can say that it is still a love for me. It's perfect for layering and if you want a pure almond detached from the usual cherry or strong boozy notes. EDIT: New version has this notes declared on packaging: -Bergamot, Hawtorn flowers -Almond flowers, Heliotrope Flowers -Vanilla This piramid seem to be different from the one declared on Fragrantica for the old formulation. I am still very happy with my bottle, new version is even more powdery, but less balsam and bitter.

I think the old version was better. It had that unmistakable Coccoina glue scent: more intense, nutty and bitter almond, less sweet and floral. Still, I'm glad they’ve brought something similar to that perfume back into production. As long as Erbolario continues to produce Mandorla, I’ll happily keep repurchasing it! I always need a mandorla perfume!

An almond that smells nutty rather than bitter and alcoholic. Like an almond dessert rather than amaretto. Beautiful!

I like it in combination with 5th Avenue for a night out