Year: 2010
Notes: cocoa powder, orange blossom, myrrh, vanilla
Where Profumum has already released some marvellous gourmands, with their interpretations of vanilla being especially impressive, Battito d'Ali is their chocolate gourmand offering that's both alluring and disappointing in equal measure.
Admittedly, the composition is both inviting and silky smooth, with an opening that's very reminiscent of Santa Maria Novella's Vaniglia but with far less emphasis on the florals. Instead, some soft cocoa powder serves to fill the void and, together with the myrrh and vanilla, the end result is a milky, ethereal and sensual aroma.
As expected, the accords are well-blended but with the vanilla surprisingly more in the background – almost to the point where its presence is noticeably sparse. Instead, the amalgamation of myrrh and cocoa intensifies as it further develops, with the myrrh occasionally revealing an underlying plastic note before slowly subsiding and allowing the cocoa more prominence.
Remaining faithful to continuity, the drydown is just as mellow and reserved. Needless to say, Battito d'Ali isn't as tenacious as Vanitas and nor is it as powdery as Dulcis in Fundo. However, its fragile or angelic demeanour (which resides at the very heart of its olfactory concept) isn't as compelling as Soavissima. Being a skin scent, while boasting very good longevity, there's an insubstantial degree of satisfaction with this creation – especially for something that's very expensive.
With its execution being far closer to that of Oxiana or Acquae Nobilis than this house's earlier releases, one is hoping that Profumum isn't deliberately toning down the intensity of its fragrances, for the sake of appealing to a wider audience. It would be such a shame if this turns out to be the case.
Admittedly, the composition is both inviting and silky smooth, with an opening that's very reminiscent of Santa Maria Novella's Vaniglia but with far less emphasis on the florals. Instead, some soft cocoa powder serves to fill the void and, together with the myrrh and vanilla, the end result is a milky, ethereal and sensual aroma.
As expected, the accords are well-blended but with the vanilla surprisingly more in the background – almost to the point where its presence is noticeably sparse. Instead, the amalgamation of myrrh and cocoa intensifies as it further develops, with the myrrh occasionally revealing an underlying plastic note before slowly subsiding and allowing the cocoa more prominence.
Remaining faithful to continuity, the drydown is just as mellow and reserved. Needless to say, Battito d'Ali isn't as tenacious as Vanitas and nor is it as powdery as Dulcis in Fundo. However, its fragile or angelic demeanour (which resides at the very heart of its olfactory concept) isn't as compelling as Soavissima. Being a skin scent, while boasting very good longevity, there's an insubstantial degree of satisfaction with this creation – especially for something that's very expensive.
With its execution being far closer to that of Oxiana or Acquae Nobilis than this house's earlier releases, one is hoping that Profumum isn't deliberately toning down the intensity of its fragrances, for the sake of appealing to a wider audience. It would be such a shame if this turns out to be the case.
