Scintilla Giardini di Toscana 2023

I have been sampling this one for the last week trying to figure out why exactly didn't it click on me, and the realization finally hit me: this is GdT's take on the Aventus DNA.

Some parts of the olfactive pyramid have been shuffled about but the main elements (opening and the final drydown) are very similar, and the heart has been changed to more powdery and floral notes, which in turn changes the vibe from a woodie freshie to more of a powdery, high-end beauty product one, which matches the general feeling of most GdT perfumes and their "quiet eco-luxury" vibe.

In particular, the introduction of iris and violet shifts the balance of the DNA and tames it into something more unisex and elegant yet slightly sterile. This is not the generous, ozonic kind of violet one is used to, nor a lipstick-smelling iris: they feel colder and sharper than usual, which may explain why some feel it "smells synthetic" (though I'd argue the apple and pineapple in the opening are also culprits, pineapple in general smells very plastic in the Aventus DNA).

If you like Aventus and perhaps find it too male-leaning and wanted a softer, more unisex take on the DNA at a reasonable price for a niche perfume then Scintilla was made just for you (sample it first though, don't expect insane nuclear performances like CDNIM Parfum or anything, I find longevity to be closer to Aventus itself and weaker to Cedrat Boise).

If you're like me and it's not really a DNA you appreciate then don't worry, the house has other very nice offerings and maybe one of them will click with you.

I appreciate the technical skill behind the fact that Ms. Martinelli managed to soften that DNA and make it unisex, but sadly, it's not for me (I'm sure it's gonna be loved by others though).

“Even a spark sheds light”
This fragrance plays easily with me: a fruity opening quickly leaves space to one of my favorite combinations: Iris and violet, made even softer by a barely noticeable jasmine, very pleasant.
The result is a creamy, soft and sensual fragrance.
So,did this spark fly? Definitely yes .
“Blue Iris” painted by Scott Davis.

This fragrance is like a mix between Celeste and Bianco Oro. Similar to Celeste, I got for a small while some sweet, airy accord. Unfortunately, it's mostly similar to Bianco Oro where I get a huge dose of synthetic, plasticky baby doll head topped with a weird fresh, fruity accord. As if a baby had started playing with their toy doll after having eaten a bunch of fruits with their unwashed hands. It's just so off-putting and it stays linear for a very long while. Drydown, the patchouli and woody notes struggle to break through the synthetic, plasticky accord and manage to peak out a little, but the horrible screechiness remains the star of this fragrance.

Very, definitely a not-entering-my-collection. Absolutely not.

After the first spray, I perceive a slightly sweet and herbal scent (like a faded memory of licorice).
The herbal impression intensifies in the following hours (I suspect it's the mix of pepper and various flowers?). Unfortunately, I don't particularly like this scent on paper or on my skin.

The big "but" comes for me after about 5-6 hours. The herbal notes completely fade away. What remains is the scent of a soft aftershave (just like I perceived it as a child with my father). It can also be compared to a much softer, weaker version of Baccarat Rouge (here I am really only referring to the "drydown" aspect of BR). Ambroxan in a subtle and far less artificial way.

The sillage is rather restrained. I sprayed cautiously during the skin test (since even a few sprays can be overwhelming with some scents), and after about 4 hours, I only perceive the scent up close.
The longevity itself is good; after about 8 hours, I can still perceive the scent (up close). For me, this is a plus, as I don't want a scent constantly in my nose, but prefer to get a little "whiff" now and then.

If Scintilla consisted only of the last "aftershave" part, it would be perfect for me.

The scent reminds me of a dentist's office. It is certainly recognizable, but definitely not a crowd-pleaser… It's a matter of taste. However, I must say that I love finding interesting fragrances that are challenging and not mainstream, so that's a clear plus point for it! Those who like clean scents with synthetic DNA might find a favorite here.