Blu Mediterraneo Fico di Amalfi (2006)
by Acqua di Parma

Let me just preface this by saying I love figs. I mean I REALLY love them. This stuff smells like sweet baby figs in a citrusy sauce. Basically I want to eat it. The citrus notes stop this being a one trick pony, whilst keeping the scent light and fresh. As others have noted (and as i've found with other AdP scents) it lasts less than an hour, which is a real shame.

This is an accomplished, fresh, extremely wearable fig with enough of a citrus-kick to pep up the hottest, muggiest day. Diptyque's fig scent is a more "pure" fig, if you like, but I do think there is room for both (unlike some have suggested below).

Fico di Amalfi body lotion is such a treat layered underneath too; absolutely mouthwatering, zingy and fresh. Completely unisex too, although on a man, I can see this scent being little less sweet and perhaps a tad more "humdrum".

A ray of sunshine for my 2007-08 winter. A very good fig scent, and I love the citrus that surround it. The scent is more complex than I expected it to be, but not long lasting enough. However, even when I go a little overboard with the quantity, I only get compliments. That could be the downside...

I wish the scent lasted longer. On a rather warm spring morning, I sprayed myself all over with this scent. I enjoyed the whole 20 minutes it lasted. The fig notes are not overpowering and only enhance the extremely brief citrus notes. This scent needs a stronger foundation to place it in the excellent category but for those looking for a very light spritz on a warm day, this does the trick.

To be used not only with moderation but also after seriously considering if this composition is truly what the wearer is looking for. Therefore i understand why so many people either love or hate this one- both attitudes are quite logical to me. After i tried it first, it smelled literally expensive, that kind of artisanal niche scent which seems to cry out loud : " i am not only costlier but also better than mainstream designer scents". Indeed, it does stand out from the mainstream, yet expresses also a somewhat strained situation how to combine Acqua di Parma's elitist appeal with ways to attract young consumers, who search daily digitally, interactively and virtually the newest, hyper-experimental, post-structural and post-postmodern synthetic lab scent?
Because this one smells clearly 2006 and has a faint memory of all mainstream ( and even mass market) fashion, fragrance trends of that year. What struck me first about this scent was, easy to guess, the sweetness and fruityness, however not as pronounced as in Mandorlo di Sicilia, but not that good to be seen by me as one of the notable ( and wearable ) exceptions that make fruity and sweet scents transcend beyond the quite profit-oriented limitations of this type of fragrance and smell that unique, distinguished, long-lasting or simply challenging almost up to the point of puzzling that none of their youthfulness, fruityness, commonplace appeal or avant-garde are an impediment. However this is not Fico di Amalfi's case, and either i can't value the certain warm, dry sweetness of fig or i have not just found the scent to make me reconsider the potential and achievements of this note. Still, this scent is legitimate and quite easygoing and inoffensive, without being, at least, as bad as Mandorlo ( a point where i totally agree with other reviewers dislike).

There comes a time in the life of every fragrance aficionado when you choose your prefered fig, just like your sandalwood, musk, patchouli or vetiver of choice. In fact I´d go as far as claiming that fig, or more correctly fig leaf, is the one note that has become a benchmark for numerous houses the last decade. Shortly, many houses feel they have to represent this increasingly popular ingredient in their ranges. And subsequently we have a lot to choose from: Diptyque´s Philosykos, L'Artisans Premier Figuier, Hermès´s mediterranean garden, Marc Jacobs for men, Davidoff's GoodLife, Salvatore Ferragamo's pour homme, Christian Dior's Dune for men - the list goes on. Therefore it´s fairly easy to compare within this category and find the individual merits of each fragrance. The Acqua di Parma people (like most of the time) certainly suceeded with their take. Immediately upon application you´ll sense that Fico di Amalfi is a tad more synthetic compared to Diptyque's and L'Artisan's juices, but definitely less artificial smelling then Hermès´s and Marc Jacobs dito. Overall this slightly synthetic touch doesn´t hurt the fragrance or it´s general feel. There is a bit of that same dryness as with most fig-leaf based scents, but FdA also adds a luscious sweetness of crushed fig pulp to the mix along with a sparkling touch of jasmin. Longevity is excellent although the fragrances is very linear, but I think this is the point with the entire Blu Mediterraneo series, simple, few-note, feel good fragrances at an affordable price. With FdA they continue the good vibe that started with their excellent roasted almond gourmand and the uplifting piney freshness of their Tuscan Cypress. To sum up the charateristics of Fico di Amalfi in comparison to it´s peers and competitors I´d say it´s less dry, mossy and green than Philosykos, lacking the milky almond note from Premier Figuier, completely absent of the acidity in Un Jardin en Mediterranée, avoiding the coconut-sun-tan-lotion bonanza of Marc Jacobs - but instead sporting a fleshy-fruit sweetness and a plesant cedar base balancing the composition very well. Also the staying power is probably the best within this genre. A big thumbs up, and just like Guerlains aqua Allegoria line, AdP have found a consequent and interesting aesthetic in this range - Blu Mediterraneo, that will hopefully and probably release more care-free, sunny and high quality fragrances in the future.