Armani Code Ultimate pour Femme Giorgio Armani 2014

A fragrance that has been accompanying me for almost a year now and has already been put to the test quite often. Moreover, it is a perfume that I no longer want to miss in my collection.
Last year, I was in the mood for something bold, preferably with vanilla, woods, and orange blossom; that's when I thought of Armani Code pour femme. That would be perfect! So I tested it again in the store and let it sink in... Well, somehow I remembered it differently. Was it always this immensely sweet? Yes, and almost squeaky? That can't be! I was disappointed; had my perception changed so much, or had it been 'improved' in a bad way? In any case, it was no longer a scent that moved me or made it into my collection. Then I saw the new version, a darker bottle and also Ultimate, testing it certainly wouldn't hurt. Besides, there was something about coffee in the pyramid, which definitely sounds interesting. After wearing both in parallel, I quickly took it with me; it hit like a bomb, pure enthusiasm, finally a worthy flanker. That's why I took my time with my comment; with such beloved fragrances, I owe it to myself to approach the matter with passion.

The opening is actually almost identical, initially mild citrus, accompanied by gentle, exotic sharpness. Almost lemony, transitioning from lime to juicy, sunny orange, slightly salty neroli flickers through, a delicate scent web, very dynamic and stimulating. A hint of freshness at the beginning, similar to a burning wick, before the big fireworks begin.
Sunny, Mediterranean, and juicy come to mind, but somehow also spicy and festive, cozy and intoxicating.
Opulent orange blossom gives the fragrance its typically feminine Code refinement, playfully manipulative, sensual and fiery, cooing and caressing, though less loud than the original.
Fine, accentuated, subtle, dark, mysterious, and spectacular with a greedy sillage. Glowing warmth, dark golden and swirling around, yet not hectic, but gradually racing.

After the rather fruity, spicy opening, with a latent salty freshness, the fragrance turns up its volume, though nonchalantly and with lazy arrogance. Ha! You have no idea what I have to offer, it whispers to me slightly arrogantly in my ears. Rich jasmine, powdery, sensual, encompassing, decadently elegant, and in such a naturally feminine way, flanked by powdery coffee, fine roasted notes, almost chocolatey, yet it doesn't brutally push the other notes aside but acts as the necessary salt in the soup. It takes away any playful or light-footedness from the vanilla, entering into a wonderful symbiosis with dry, aromatic woods.
The fragrance feels so flowing and caressing, elevating the wearer onto a pedestal and giving off a magnetic aura.
Muted and elegant sweetness, narcotic floral abundance that initially feigns harmlessness and gradually increases its enchanting effect. The coffee cascades into the orange-vanilla cream, the woods provide depth and somehow also dignity.

Compared to the original, it is a very dark and intense fragrance. The former is the lively, sexy It-girl, radiant, a sun girl who attracts all eyes.
The Ultimate flanker represents the vamp in its dark urge, not at all blatant; she is only a lady at first glance because she is to be approached with caution. She seduces, she envelops, she is a woman with charisma, turning every simple gesture into fascination, yet everything happens from a dark impulse; she radiates something sinister that is excitingly unsettling and hard to categorize. On one hand, you want to get to know her, but on the other hand, you also fear the abysses that may await there, and yet she captivates the other person with her dark power.

A flanker that I like far better than the original, as it feels more mysterious and deeper. I almost have the impression that the fragrance shows a 3D effect in its own way because the timid freshness, the floral warmth, the creamy, woody vanilla, and the strong, cocoa-heavy coffee continually alternate in intensity and then merge, beautifully confusing, ambivalent, and lively overall.

Longevity and sillage are more than pleasing; you collect compliments like a world champion, whether in the office or at the club, a sharp ally.
In summer, I only wore it at night; now, with cooler temperatures, I enjoy it anytime, as I feel so good with the "aura enhancer," sounds silly, but it really is...

The dark side of the force is strong here; the potential to take dark paths is great, yet through its very feminine touch, the fragrance preserves the best of both worlds without being bitterly evil or heartless. A magnificent, wintry gourmand, pleasantly heavy without being leaden, oriental and precisely spiced with feeling, seasoned with fine vanilla, it has the potential to be a signature scent.
Dare to step into the dark side; there's more than just cookies there ;)