Aqva Amara Bvlgari 2014 Eau de Toilette

I am not usually one for uninspiring aquatics- I don't care for Aqua de Gio much, but heavy watery frags like the original Bvlgari Aqva are enjoyable to me. I like the deep sea feel and dark aquatic notes that make it stand out.

This Aqva Amara is not at all like the original Aqva, however. This is almost the opposite of that heavy blue aquatic- this feels light, but the resins and maybe the intense orange actually give it some weight and substance. Even still, it dances around gracefully, leaving beatutiful wafts of aquatic orange with a slight resin to it, and occasionally the mineral note that is recognizable from the original. Perhaps perfectly planned, but these mineral notes only are apparent when the temperature really heats up, and helps keep it feeling light and airy. The aquatic mineral note lasts forever on clothes, and the performance is about whats expected for a fragrance in this category.

This is ideal for those looking for an aquatic thats different from the usual and a real delight to wear. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I don't know how anyone could think this smells bad. It is just such a pleasant orange aquatic that is different enough to be noticed and appreciated.

I love it. I have a decent, but not huge collection, but I've been thinking/reaching for this one the most since I got it. I will be buying a bigger bottle, and maybe a backup as well.

I also look forward to wearing this in the cooler months, I think the scent is versatile enough for it.
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Guys and gals, I totally get the rotten eggs analogy; and for a long time, I was in the same boat. Everyone raves about the performance of this sucker, but it's probably because this is a neroli incense BOMB. BITTER orange? Ahhhhh YEAH - because of the patchouli and incense. And for some reason, my skin don't do incense. Nuh-uh. It turns sour and can easily remind me of rotten eggs. But there's more...

You know that trademark Aqva backbone? It's in here, and with the neroli, it makes this stuff grown up and sexy. The incense just provides some spiciness in the sillage. Just make sure not to get in too close - that was my biggest mistake - it's not one of those scents. It's more of an outdoor beast when you need the performance. The scent itself is simple. It goes from an authentic dark mandarin incense, into a neroli incense - and goes on and on and on. I'll say this - it smells of quality and kudos to Bvlgari for making a fragrance that is absolutely true to its notes.

Jeremy's description of this is the "brutal strength of the ocean", but I think a more apt depiction would be the emotions he expresses when making that statement. Notice the grimace and the unmistakable urge to punch something. That's it. Why? Because it's how Amara makes you feel. That initial blast of incense can be off-putting, putrid and can make one act out violently. Hahaha. But believe me, it's MUCH BETTER at a distance - intriguing, unique and even alluring. Give it a few wearings and you'll see what I mean. Cheers.

If you know me well enough or happen you read any of my reviews, you know that I don't believe the hype and instead test and review any scents by myself. Amara is the best Aqva spin-off I've ever got, I didn't expect to love it, but I do. After liking and wearing the original Aqva pour Homme, which in my opinion was one of the best marine and aqueous scent out there, I got a bit harassed by Aqva pour Homme Marine. I have fallen in love initially, but then since there were too much synthetic seaweed, marine grass, and salty things in there, and purposely did buy neither the two Toniq flankers nor the most recent Atlantique. It is not that bad per se yet too much closely akin to Dior Sauvage that I've got in many shapes and dupes, no need for another one in my wardrobe.
But Aqva Amara is a different story. It is a must-have summer fragrance, a nice one with no more seaweed, yet sourer and interestingly flavored. The master perfumer Jacques Cavallier did a great job here, and I like the way it has been conceived, it doesn't feel like an ordinary aquatic at all. Quite weird to say, Aqva Amara has been stored in my closet for more than three years now, it miserably never took part in the summer rotation, but this year it deserved it.

Hence, this morning I woke up feeling like wearing it, and here you're my first impression. Allegedly made with just five main notes, namely tangerine, neroli, water accord, incense, and patchouli, the initial burst is made of bright and salty citrus, Aqva Amara, or Bitter Water, is the proper name of it. It is full and fresh citrus peels with a light neroli and a hint of patchouli from the base, which creates that pleasant minty vibe. It's notably pleasing at least to my nose and smells like an orange sprinkled with salt. Very powerful, with somewhat of an ocean and salty, watery accord, but it is not aquatic. I'd say more like fresh saltwater drenched in citrus and white sands vibe. Marvelous and vigorous.

The heart is all about orange blossom, or neroli, with a musty, salty mineral note, so wet and ozonic without being too aquatic. The neroli note here is bitter, slightly green, and not as sweet as in other scents with a dominant indolic white flower tone. The synthetic molecules meant to reproduce the watery accord create an evanescent coolness akin to spring water in summer.

On the dry-down, I do get hints of the typical seaweed accord as in the original Bvlgari Aqva, yet not dominant, mixed with smoky frankincense and modern patchouli. But the great thing about this fragrance is that the tart orange note lasts throughout the whole life of the scent, and the olibanum in the base balances the oceanic citrus exceptionally well.

When it comes to performance, the sillage is stable, while longevity is above average, about over 8 hours. The durability far exceeds the original Aqva and is one of the strongest for a citrus-based cologne. Overall this is a beautiful iteration of the orange and neroli note, mixed with an aquatic ambiance that is rare, try to imagine Terre d'Hermés in its watery shape, Eau d'Hermés with wet seawater in place of mineral pepper. A unique summer gem, in my opinion. The strength of the ocean. I'd dare to say it's currently one of the best summer fragrances for men. Long-Lasting, compliment getter, unique smelling, and is best suited for mega high heat daytime casual, as well as office wear.

-Elysium

This is a really nice one. A creation by the master perfumer Jacques Cavallier, this one is great. I do love the way it has been done. Done in such a way that it doesn't feel like a typical aquatic. With bitter orange, patchouli and possibly some cardamom and herbs, this is a good one. I would happily wear it. It reminds me of the beach and sea, and warm skin. I think it's a masterful fragrance, and really clever for it's genre. With another perfumer this could've been a very generic scent, but with Jacques Cavallier it became something unique and intriguing. I think this is definitely one to try for summer nights and hot, beach vacations. Really well done and it surprised me in a good way.

Well, another excellent perfume that has inexplicably become discontinued.
Its output is very sharp, with a predominant bitter orange, which little by little softens and mixes with aquatic and, above all, floral notes, which once dry gives a fresh and clean sensation that is maintained until the end.
A daytime perfume, ideal for spring/summer, different from what most wear. Its duration and sillage are remarkable, above average for this type of "fresh" perfume.
I read here that it has a similarity to Terre D'Hermes, and the truth is that at the start they do have a certain similarity (especially due to the bitter orange), but after a while they go their separate ways. For me a very good option