Parco Palladiano VI: Rosa Bottega Veneta 2016

A greenish-soapy note opens. From the floral corner, alongside a rather delicate rose, the typical peony sting quickly reveals itself. Peonies - we will need them later in a different context for longer! But for now, let's continue: It is initially fragrant and airy, but the innocence soon dissipates; a rough base forms and absorbs the clean impression of the opening. The rose now finds itself in a bit of a scent crisis (as opposed to a visual crisis) and requires some goodwill. The candy-like nuance, which might have been intended as a reinforcement for the grande dame, does not help here; it is too much of a sweet treat.

I pondered long over the floral-tinged clean note, and it took the help of my colleague, who pointed out that it doesn't smell directly soapy - more like laundry detergent. Yes! The aforementioned laundry detergent accompanies me through the morning, before gradually a pea-like throat lozenge sweetness emerges, which I can only partially reconcile with the descriptions. I am confused: Besides the expected sweetness and creaminess, there seems to be a (camouflage?)-leather note at play, and something sour even resonates in the background.

Nevertheless, it will essentially be sandalwood that concludes the scent over the course of the afternoon. A somewhat diffuse vanilla note nearly conceals that the remaining wood is likely not entirely cedar, but also sourced from the lab. Regardless, all this provides us with a conventional finish and inevitably leads to the following conclusion…

Uh, wait a minute! What is that? At the very back, creaminess, roughness, and rose merge in a completely new second approach. The fruit candy discovers its floral side and finally delivers rose with characterful punch. Who would have thought that after the anemic appearance from the front? And - perhaps I am going a bit overboard now - I even think I detect a labdanum-like indecent twist, not just friendly sandalwood. Thus, the most beautiful part of the fragrance hides itself in the evening. It saves a few points.

So, what do I make of the conclusion? I had wanted to write: The fragrance is quite nice. It is solid and conventional, perhaps a notch more feminine. Ultimately, the feeling arises that it appeals to people who don’t flinch at pharmacy prices for stylistically average offerings - as long as the brand aura is right. I find VI to be significantly overpriced for what is offered. The Touaregh, referenced by Yatagan (thank you very much for the sample!) as a benchmark for masculine roses, is stronger and costs half.

I must at least add a compliment regarding the ending. Unfortunately, it’s just too long a journey to get there. I therefore still suggest to the gentlemen to approach the Touaregh instead (caution - by no means a scent twin or even a relative!) and to use the saved money to buy an advanced tree peony for the garden instead.

With those things, a lot of patience is also necessary. I planted my specimen four or five years ago as a little stick, and it is (albeit admittedly in a less than optimal location) now about thirty to forty centimeters tall. I am curious if I will see three flowers this year; that would be a 50 percent increase. But iiiiiirgendwann it will be a pompous bush like from the catalog, I am confident.

I thank Yatagan for the sample.