Damascus Gritti 2021

Sampling Maison Tahite Cacao in the Sun, and the name seems fitting, as it has a bit of a bright and fresh vibe, albeit with chocolate, perhaps a little chocolate. Cacao mixes with a medley of fruits (blackcurrant, lemon, raspberry), florals (rose, iris, orange blossom, lily of the valley), vanilla, and woods. It’s on par with the other cacao-named entries that I’ve tried, is the fruitiest of the bunch, while having a bit of a woody/floral vibe as well, but the rose is not prominent, with the floral character coming more from the iris and lily of the valley, in my estimation. I like it, though it leans a little feminine on my skin, despite being fairly pleasant and agreeable overall, with decent performance.

Cacao in the Sun is priced at $120 for 100ml in EDP concentration, the same as the rest of the line, very reasonable for niche perfumery in today’s market.

6 out of 10

I like the range from the Italian brand Maison Tahité. The creations include great fragrances with themes of cocoa, coffee & vanilla, thus leaning clearly towards the gourmand side. However, the scents are not too heavy and have a wonderful wearing experience. At €110 for 100ml, the RRP for niche is already quite low. Moreover, you can often find the fragrances between €50 and €65, making them cheaper than many designer options. Alongside Vicious Cacao and "Sel_Vanille | Maison Tahité," this is my third from this brand. I became aware of this Cacao In The Sun because of its great name. I like this twist of heavy notes and summer. However, if you expect a very clear cocoa note here, you are mistaken. Even though sweetness is very present, I do not perceive this clear cocoa note as extremely pronounced. Nevertheless, this is a great mix of fruit, freshness, creaminess, floral notes, and of course sweet-gourmand notes. Some here mention problems perceiving this scent and poor longevity. I do not feel that way, as this fragrance is very present in the first hours. A great choice if you enjoy sweetness in warmer months.

The fragrance comes, as usual, in this cardboard box that somewhat resembles the packaging of Essential Parfums. It looks great and can be easily disposed of in paper waste. The beautiful brown bottle also looks fantastic and matches the cozy-gourmand notes well.
Despite the name, the scent is not one where cocoa is in the foreground. It sounds intriguing, of course, as cocoa is a note that will appeal to many. Here, however, is a wonderful gourmand-sweet overall construct that is beautifully integrated into this sweet-fruity-floral creation. The fragrance has a creamy aspect that gives it a bit of that sunscreen touch. The top note is really lovely with the fruity-berry notes of raspberry and currant. The scent also has slight citrus notes, which are somewhat overshadowed by the fruit. Of course, there is also chocolate/cocoa in the creation, but it does not take center stage. This note adds a gourmand aspect to the creation and impresses with a wonderful warmth that fits perfectly with the summery notes and lightly evokes those sunscreen vibes. Floral notes of orange blossom and not too powdery iris provide gentle and fresh vibes with a touch of sensual charm. The base consists of great woods (specifically sandalwood), clean light musk with creamy nuances, and a bit of sweetness from vanilla. It is convincing and is 100% pleasing without reminding too much of designer sameness. Overall, a great fragrance that works well as a transitional scent between spring and summer or as a summer scent if you can't do without sweetness in summer. The scent is unisex, but due to the floral heart notes, it may be too feminine for some. I like it and wear it that way; it fits well with a polished style.
I don't find the performance as bad as some report; however, it is not spectacular either. With its moderate performance, it is a great scent to wear in between during summer. The sillage quickly becomes close to the skin, more like a cream.

Overall, a really great summery gourmand with delicious notes and also lovely gentle fruits & floral notes. Not a sillage beast, but I really like it.

Due to some positive reviews about the scent, longevity, etc., I eagerly treated myself to this blind buy. What did I expect? Something summery... wonderful.

First spray.... hm. Nothing to smell. Next spray,... ok I sense something.... which unfortunately vanished within a very short time.
The scent ended up in my drawer....

My second attempt with the perfume unfortunately went similarly.
Again sprayed multiple times, a small hint of fragrance that disappeared right away. I have also experienced this phenomenon with others in my circle.

Conclusion... expected a lot and received a hint of nothing :/ No more blind buys in the future ;)