La Danza Delle Libellule Exceptional Edition

Gonna try and do this justice... Right out of the bottle, she’s sweet (and a hint tart) red apple, but in a warm way. Not an overly crisp, cold apple, but more like an apple that’s just been cut into after sitting on the counter and resting at room temperature. There’s a light creaminess to the apple at this opening stage, as well (vanilla). It must be the bergamot that twists in at the opening to weave a brightness into the sweetness that just...it creates such a waft of specialness. Can’t describe it better than this. The apple and bergamot continue to dance together as the minutes tick by, truly melding into one another to create a scent all its own; a sweet brightness that forces you to keep sniffing your arm. It’s non stop! The vanilla introduces a creaminess from the first spritz, and it continues to develop at each stage. That vanilla is a mainstay and is detectable, at varying levels, throughout the duration of the fragrance, which for me is about 8 hours. The cinnamon is very subtle, but adds to the overall dimension of the scent. But it’s the cedar, I think, that really grounds it and makes is something a bit different. Lastly, the cacao enters and this almost dusty chocolate is what I detect in the waning hours of wear. Fragrantica lists it as a coconut note, but this is a mistake. It actually should say cacao, not coconut. A look at the OG on the Nobile 1942 website confirms this. The overall composition of this fragrance is sweet, creamy, dreamy, slightly bright. She’s like nothing else I’ve ever smelled. I’m completely and totally taken by this one. She’s in a class all her own, and I’m in love 🦋

I'm reviewing the extrait, which is probably slightly different than this, but I really wanted to review this one because it has become one of my favorites. The apple in the extrait version lasts a really long time. Surprisingly long! And, it doesn't smell like a candle! It's light on the cinnamon and spices, which I think if they were more forward, would put it in candle territory. It is a creamy baked apple. I wouldn't say it's like apple pie, exactly. Maybe apple pie à la mode, because of the creamy vanilla and coconut. After several hours of wear, it is a sweet, lotion-y, slightly fruity skin scent that you will catch yourself sniffing again and again. Highly addictive! It leans autumnal, but could easily be worn year-round, day or night. It's sweet but not cloying. It's heavenly. I'm genuinely thrilled to have found an apple scent that lasts as long as it does. HUGE compliment getter, probably because it leans gourmand. You'll get so many "You smell amazing!" reactions, and people will track you down to find out what you're wearing. I can't believe how delicious and long-lasting this fragrance is. This has the presentation (such a beautiful box and bottle!) and performance of a niche that’s twice as expensive. I need to discover more from Nobile 1942.

I own the original and have tried this one, I have to say that I love both! They're not different enough to warrant owning both at the same time though, in my opinion. This one to me is the "fresher" version. The apple is turned up a bit more, vanilla is turned down. If you've tried Zoologist Cow, this gives me similar vibes. Cow is the "nature" and this is the "home" if that makes sense. Like running around the barn during the day is Cow and La Danza is baking in that evening. In terms of the original vs this one, it's like spring and summer (this) vs fall and winter (original). Both are well crafted and neither of them feel cheap or juvenile. I LIVED and BREATHED juvenile vanilla: Vanilla Bean Noel and Warm Vanilla Sugar were my jam! This isn't that. It just doesn't have any florals that so many people are used to associating with a "quality" fragrance. Also, side note, that coconut note is wrong, it's supposed to be cocoa!

This is the extract version, way thicker because of the higher concentration of ingredients than the regular dance of the dragonflies... The notes listed by Fragrantica are not correct...there is NO coconut....it’s Cocoa instead. Check on Nobile 1942 page.... Anyway this is a feel good scent. Very happy and lively. A blast of Bergamot & Apple that settles into cocoa & vanilla fairly quickly. The Cedar & Cinnamon prevents this from being a boring cheap girly fragrance. This is happy, but confident. If it was a women I would say Jessica Alba....the girl next door with a multimillion business. The Musky base linger for hours. The longevity is much much better than in the eau the parfum. They make the bottles red lately, but the cap is always wooden on the extract parfum. I love it and highly recommend it. Great for summer or murky days when you need a pick me up perfume.

Now THIS is what I am talking about as a niche fragrance! I am getting vanilla and that juicy apple with a whisper of cinnamon. I am not smelling the coconut directly, but this has a light creaminess I am guessing comes from the coconut. This is a perfect spring and fall scent, I will have to test more for summer, but this is exceptionally and beautifully unique, not like just another perfume. I love that it is clearly identifiable, not something the masses are likely to be wearing, and it is soft, nothing sharp about it. I am in love. This is a forever scent for me.