Aqua Vitae

I’m wearing this as of writing and I shall be updating this review as the day goes on. FIRST HOUR: From the bottle, this is a beautiful, inoffensive, comforting perfume. This is perfectly unisex. First sniff, I already got a little bit of everything on the notes listed but most prominently the mandarin and woods. Upon spraying on my skin, I can already tell that it’s sitting pretty on my skin. The projection is the killer. I have to dig my nose to smell it again and I want to keep smelling it because this perfume’s got everything I love in fragrance: citruses, sandalwood, light florals, and tonka bean. I have A La Rose which is also an EDT just like this one but that one pulsates from my skin. It radiates like crazy. This one however is gentle but the sillage is great. I get whiffs of it as I move around. It’s definitely good for both summer and spring. FINAL VERDICT: This was a blind buy because I’m a fan of MFK so I felt safe but this was disappointing. Throughout the lifespan of this fragrance on my skin, it remained a skin scent with a light sillage with a lasting power up to 5-7hrs. To me, this is a very very beautiful fragrance but the performance is a killer. My previous MFK purchase before this was A La Rose and that had a surprisingly amazing performance for an EDT so this Aqua Vitae totally came from the left field for me. I’m yet to try the Forte version and I’m hoping that has better performance than this one.

'Aqua Vitae' opens with a sudden burst of Calabrian lemon and Sicilian mandarin. The effect is quite refreshing and is akin to gentle splash of cold water to the face, awakening to your senses. The vivid citrus notes are soon accompanied by the warm and embracing tonka bean and vanilla. It is here that the fragrance's sensual side is shown. Tonka bean with its coumarin qualities conjure up hints of warm tobacco and caramel overtones, melding deliciously with the included vanilla infusion. This vanilla is less gourmand and more seductive in tone. For me it evokes the feeling of dry, warm hay which has been baked by the sun. Throughout all of this, a shimmering effect is produced a synthetic note known as hedione. Its scent is vaguely familiar to jasmine, with a dense fatty floral odor. The outcome is as if sunlight is hitting a flower petal, producing a brilliant radiance and inner warmth. Guaiac wood anchors the base of the fragrance. It is a fitting finale to this fragrance opus, as one of its nicknames is "lignum vitae", meaning "wood of life". Guaiac wood's smokey facets are subtle but and a much needed to counterbalance the light and airy top notes. (Re review ) Read my in depth review at

Discretely fresh. This is not a grand experiment in perfumery, but it is commendable nonetheless for the suave with which it manages to pull off a run of the mill citrus. We are treated to a creamy citrus that always retains its citrus quality foremost. First, it is the guaiac that plays with the citrus and then it is an almost imperceptible whiff of slightly vanillic tonka. Under the direction of the guaiac note, the citrus is given a spicy yet distinctly creamy quality. As the guaiac fades the concoction becomes vaguely creamier. In the end, this seems to me for the most part a spicy fresh scent that doesn't take any risks (even smells very average and designer) but is nonetheless impeccably blended. The retail price MFK is charging for this is outrageous and the lack of uniqueness here makes me recommend you pass on it. That said, if you are looking for something that smells more sophisticated than a run of the mill designer citrus but not as outstandingly peculiar as a run of the mill niche fragrance this is a fantastic place to start. This fragrance is really only worth it if you are looking for a niche that plays it very safe and by the book.

This one introduce me to Maison Francis Kurkdjian as well as niche perfumes. The saleslady covered the bottle and wanted to surprise me when I told her that i need a versatile perfume. I already know the brand but i dont know we have a retailer in our country. My first impression was a really high quality unique type of perfume. Well blended that i could not determine the notes. My first impression to this perfume was creamy citrus carbonara. The sharp citrus notes is comforted by the softness of vanilla and the blunt gourmand smell of tonka bean. Well balanced. The subtle white floral will carry and lull the bluntness of tonka beans and the sharpness of citrus. Dont give this negative review just because you like heavy perfumes and this one is light. This is well blended and well refined. Definitely high quality. Worth owning. Smell this one and compare it to designer fragrances your mind will automatically categorize niche and designer scents.

Opens very brightly, with a fresh citrus accord. The addition of hedione gives a brilliant radiance to the fragrance, as if sunlight hitting a flower petal. Quickly things evolve, with the hesperidic opening quickly being replaced by the musky and denser guaiac wood and tonka bean in the base. The addition of vanilla here offers a creamy smoothness and sensual nature to the fragrance. Upon first impression, Aqua Vitae seemed strangely familiar to me. This similarity seemed to derive from Kurkdjian's Amyris Homme, which also includes both mandarin and tonka bean notes. I found the scent to be quite pleasing/satisfying, and can easily be enjoyed by both sexes. My only disappointment with this offering is in its very weak longevity and sillage. After an hour or two I found it nearly imperceptible. For those looking for an innocuous daytime scent for the office, this may fit the bill. (44)

Just when I was losing hope of finding a perfect blend I found Aqua Vitae. Here is the moment when the aria brings tears to your eyes, your heart sings, breathing suspended then exhausted deeply so the next intake will be full of flavor. Yes, it’s that good. The downside is that it’s fleeting as are all ephemeral, exquisite experiences, not sure if this is on purpose... Aqua Vitae opens with a sweet, soft citrus tiny sweet oranges and their blossoms wrapped in a soft guaze of musk. The balance is perfect, no hard edges, not too warm nor too cold. The entire composition is perceptible at the start, the perfect operatic olfactory overture, no Divas here, just the genius behind the curtain. Aqua Vitae is the the quintessence of harmony. I absolutely adore this scent. Genius.

I was searching for a fresher and lighter fragrance for summer, and the description intrigued me: this was a blind buy. Well, I don't regret it at all, even tho in my opinion this scent is leaning on the masculine side. The opening is strong and citrusy, while it's the drydown that makes the fragrance more interesting... It's light and surprisingly warm at the same time. It complements my skin very well, and I utterly enjoy wearing it. Sillage is skintight, and the lasting not fabulous, but I'll try to spray on clothes and see if it works better.

Beautiful citrus candied lemon dominate opening. Sweet vanilla and warm creamy tonka comes in next creating depth for the woody slightly smokey masculine guaiac to enter and dance with the smooth balancing jasmine that follows the lead of the guaiac. Master blended for ultimate smoothness and highest quality. It's very easy to wear and simple but it does a great job doing it. I would compare it the Chanel Edition Blanche but miles ahead in quality and more interesting with the heart notes and the way they dance.

This is a risky and revolutionary citrus vanilla tonka perfume and has a lot of personality. If you like generic citrus smell then this is not for you because this is a modern scent. Many will copy this one after years and if its already been publicized. This will be an instant classic of the contemporary perfume industry. The ingredients MFK used is risky but is well done. Revolutionary. A big thumbs up to no signs of cheap ingredient smell. It doesnt scream. It whispers sophistication.

Don't be afraid if you think this is a sharp citrus generic cologne like Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo line or CK scents. This has the hint of creamy sweetness. The citrus here is absolutely just a supporting note. The sharp citrus is already rounded by the blunt scent of guaiac wood and the sweetness of the tonka bean. The citrus here is unnoticeable. This is refined, rounded and elegant.

It is unique. Fresh and warm in the same time (if that is possible). Definitely a unisex fragrance but i think it has a multiple possibility of evolution on different skins. On me is more vanilla sweet, on my boyfriend is more lime fresh. It seems like 2 different fragrances and it 's addictive. Just love it!

Hold on.... I just sprayed it. Where did it go? You will spray 70ml in one month. These base notes should support this fragrance better than they do. Very fleeting hedione heavy frag with citrus and slightly sweet guiac wood. Rustic Italian countryside is what I imagine

Dreday below nailed it and is 100% correct. One thing I'll add is there is a slight animalic note just after the opening but it fades within half an hour. Stunning bright Fragrance done to perfection with longevity that'll surprise you. 10 hours on skin yesterday.

Aqua Vitae is a very bright and refreshing summer perfume. A fizzy, citrusy fragrance that gradually turns into a tender skin scent... and soon it's gone. Sillage and longevity are not too impressive.

This is definitely a high class scent. The base notes are all detectable and intertwined and delicious. especially the man and woman's variant..Very interesting...I love it!

I love this scent. It's fresh, interesting and suitable for many occasions. Works also in colder days as vanilla and tonka bring warmer tones and a bit spice in it, too.

I really enjoy this scent. It's citrusy fresh scent with a warm vanilla base, and a hint of spice. It sounds conflicting but it works really in hot-cool weather.

Squeaky clean soapy and polished, really loved the dry down here. Maybe not worth the pricetag to me, but non-offensive.

This is my favourite of all 6. The one i probably gonna get a full bottle once my travel spray is gone

I enjoy it its def has DNA of ck 1 but smells like a upscale better version of it def unisex and men can pull it off def summer spring scent i like it and would buy a full bottle so if you like ck1 then you will like this and prob like it more because its a better complex version of that in my opinion but with all scents its YOUR OPINION AND CHEMISTRY that count not mine or the next person or the next persons so as always say buy a decant or teat it at a store or soemthing before u buy a high end scent or any scent thats gonna cost you over 45-50$ ...i buy blind im guilty of it but i know me and have a keen sense of smell so i know the notes i like and dont and havent really struck out when. I done it there were a few ones i was like ehhhhh but eventually they grew on me and i liked them never gave a blind buy away or sold it so but yeah try it out get a sample before buying a 200$ bottle of this but if u want to blind buy its a safe blind buy due to the fact its like ck1 one of the safest least offensive scents of all time so

I am reminded of a mixture of Atelier Cologne Lemon Island and Acqua Universalis, aka a satisfying lemon and bergamot top note, albeit not very realistic it is quite bright and uplifting, drying down to a run of the mill woody vanilla coumarin mix. There really is not much to add to that description. Average longevity and projection. I like the fact that it is very ethereal and airy on a structural level, but on the other hand it is not very exciting overall, considering the hefty price tag. Once again a MFK scent I would happily wear if given to me as a present, but not something worth the money for me. Overall this is a genre, creamy bright woody scents, that are well represented in the market, see Chanel Edition Blanche for the obvious winner at half the price.

First of, I really like Kurdjian's work, it's like art to me. Nose art. However (and I probably have this issue with most citrus scents) as bright, sparkly and natural-Prozac this is, it truly does not last on skin/clothes for more than an hour, no matter how liberally I spray. For the short span of time that I can smell it, it really is as enjoyable as a hike in fresh mountain air. Bright, sparkly, zesty and all other positive words come to mind when applying this. After it settles it becomes slightly more jasmine/woodsy...and then it's gone. If there was a way this could be made a more tenacious scent, I would definitely not think twice about purchasing a bottle.

First spray of this and I think I'm in for another of MFK's citrus heavy and slightly edgy creations and I almost feel it's heading towards (dare I even whisper it) CKOne territory but the warmth of vanilla, tonka and jasmine speedily enter to warm things up and dispel any notions of that association. Not that the opening notes are at all unpleasant, they're lemony, fresh and quite lovely. And there is something eternally delightful (to me anyway) about the lemon and vanilla combo, it's fresh yet comforting. But this is a gentle, warm and sensual perfume, not remotely harsh, this is up close and personal on me and very unisex. Like it a lot.

I tested out this fragrance on a brutally hot day, looking for something fresh and refreshing. This one was pretty good! It is definitely fresh smelling, bitter/tart (not sweet). In my opinion this scent is perfectly unisex. Unfortunately it did not seem to have good longevity (although to be fair this was a brutally hot day that would be tough for any fragrance to hold up). Overall the scent seemed to me rather simple and light, a little tiny bit "musty/mature" but certainly pleasant. I definitely want to try this again in different weather! :)

Wow im probably gonna get some hate for this, but wearing this one again. I think I finally remembered what this one reminds me of.... the oldspice white water EDT that is no longer sold. Not saying they are clones per say, but quite similar. If you can somehow get lucky and try that one out.. somehow try it. I know they still sell some aftershave versions of it overseas, but no idea if its the same forumla as the old actual fragrance versions that existed years and years ago that is no longer sold.

Nice citrus scent but too soft and poor sillage. At the beginning it does smell as Aqua Universalis Forte but the last one has a beter sillage and the drydown is also nicer on my skin. Aqua Vitae also has a bit of Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche. After 15 minutes it changes, the smell is still nice but I have to put my nose against my backhand to smell it. Don't get me wrong Aqua Vitae smells really nice but if I have to choose between Aqua Vitae en Aqua Universalis Forte I would choose the second one.

A gentle wave of citrus floral goodness, A very tranquil scent with tart and juicy notes all of which is bunched together delicately bitter and sweet. Overall one of the best most proportionate openings you will ever smell! From the moment you spray it on the skin, the feeling of Aqua Vitae is very soft and smooth from the beginning!! As time goes by, the drydown evokes a smell of soft jasmine. A very, very nice and unique fragrance...

This is not the most creative scent in the world but for what it is, it is excellently executed. To me this is the sparkliest, freshest lemon and orange rooted in woody vanilla. It's bright and energizing, perfect for a day when you need to Get Shit Done. This is likely the highest quality citrus I've smelled and the fact that I can tell a difference is a little upsetting for my wallet.

Smells like a bright, clean white musk. Gives off a fresh pop of citrus, light uplifting white florals, and a touch of creamy vanilla. Very similar to Universalis with a bit more lemon and cream, like a lemon meringue. Also somewhat reminiscent of Chanel Allure Homme Edition Blanche and Xerjoff Uden. Minimal projection for <2hr, like its siblings, longevity 4-5hr.

Initial impression is that it smells like a weaker version of Moschino’s Cheap & Chic — so much so I tested them side by side to confirm. Yep, that same fancy bar soap scent, squeaky clean but elegant and expensive. The dry down becomes much woodier and a touch more masculine. This is a light, clean, inoffensive scent.

What starts with bitter citrus turns rapidly very sweet with vanilla and tonka, still maintaining a bit of the freshness from the opening. There is something dirty and floral, like jasmine, but at the same time the combination starts to feel synthetic. It doesn't do much for me, it's average at best. 6/10

Invigorating bitter citrus, some jasmine and a tiny bit of vanilla/tonka. I think this would be a good pick-me-up on a tiring, hot day. Hopefully sillage will be better then, too. Lasting power is like you would expect for a citrus-based scent.

The most versatile fragrance. And in a feast and in the world. The opening is very masculine, but then this masculine note turns into sweetness. When I don't know which perfume to use, I take this one. It's a white shirt among the perfume

I had a similar experience to csirip- bright, cheery citrus eventually giving way to men’s cologne. I could see this being a great casual scent for warmer weather if it only lasted longer.

This smells like expensive hotel soap or reed diffuser. Lemon and ginger and vanilla. Fresh, but comfortable. Almost warm in a way, with the smallest touch of spice.

This is the lighter more citrusy version of the two Aqua Vitae fragrances. I prefer the Forte. This one is lighter and more citrusy. It does have a little spice. -

Fresh, definitely with a strong citrusy vibe, aromatic, a little bit spicy. Quite sharp opening, which tones down a bit in the dry down. Definitely unisex.

Very delicate, light. Great work! In the beginning hit my nose yuzu! Silent citrus with well-balanced background. Unfortunately not long lasting.

Light, emphasis on the light, citrus perfume. Reminds me of a gin and tonic. Sillage is very sad for this one, I was hoping it could last longer

Omg! Okay. I realized that after the initial spray fades down.... This is D&G Light Blue with every single note amped up, and adult-ified.

یه عطر سَبُک و خوش بو و البته کار راه انداز با قیمت بالا ترکیب ای آشنا از روایح شیرین و پودری که وانیل مخملی و نرم به همراه یک وایب مُشکی به مشام می رسه که حس خاکی تونکا هم احساس میشه و البته روایح چوبی بسیار آرام و بی آزار هم در مسیر وانیل حرکت می کنند همه این ها در کنار یک یاس شیک و قدرتمند،ترکیب قشنگ ای رو رقم زده اند واقعا چیز خاص ای نداره و توی این سَبک رقیب خوش قیمت بسیار زیادی براش وجود داره اما کیفیت عطر بسیار بالاست *************** scent:7/10 longevity:7/10 sillage:6.5/10 purchase value:3/10 ******** overall:5.9/10

Very obviously MFK DNA, but lacking any particular character of its own. It's another of those weak yet too strong, pongy perfumes. It's quite an old-fashioned "perfumy" smell. The opening is fleeting and light, you can *just* smell some citrus - this is not a citrus frag, it's heavier, thicker, closer. I won't be buying this one despite being a fan of the house - Lumiere Noire is what this seems closest to but without the unique character of the rose. Some may like it, perhaps those newer to the house.

I tried this on my skin with it never occurring to me that this might be worn by a man. I considered this to be very feminine, even pretty. But I just don’t feel like it is ME at all. My sister wears jo Malone nectarine blossom and honey and this fragrance reminded me of that one, but I liked this even less honestly. I think this is more aquatic? It’s pretty strong. I had to wash it off after 20 minutes. That shoe just didn’t fit this Cinderella.

This is a woody citrus perfume. Think Light Blue. Not really my cup of tea but functions well as a gym fragrance. Bit too expensive for the purpose this fits for me, personally. However, if you love Light Blue, but would like a little bit more of a warm dry-down, then honestly I feel like you would love this. It is not a "bathroom cleaner" lemon scent, but really a good quality, fresh tangy lemon.

Nose Note #248 An ellusive fragrance. It's more of a cologne. The citruses are fleeting quickly - in seconds. What remains is a printscreen of the citruses, something a little bitter and spicy (like some indian spices, at least on my skin). There is some sweetness. And that's it. I find it hard to say much than that because honestly the sillage is so bad, it barely pushes off from skin.

Very clean, very fresh, very citrusy with a tiny bit of spice and sweetness. Could be perfect for a warm, sunny day. Aqua Vitae (in any form) just doesn't work well with my skin chemistry. Smells nice in the bottle, but when I spray it on, out of nowhere some generic male cologne/aftershave note appears which makes it unpleasant for me to wear.

Very easy to describe- strong citrus and jasmin/vanilla on the background. Another fresh CK/Escada-ish unisex. It`s a nice simple scent but shouldn`t be priced like that.

This barely projects but is a success in its own way as I have not had a citrus fragrance that smelled like soap covered in wood and regular dust before.

Lemon-y fresh. More masculine. I went anosmic right away, which is weird for a lemon scent. Unfortunately and especially, for this price it's a no-go.

On my skin it's like the scent of lemon cake.