Delina Exclusif Parfums de Marly 2017

I have both Delina and Delina Exclusif and this is more subtle version of Delina. You definitely know it’s Delina, but it’s missing the rhubarb scent which I seem to have love and hate relationship. Sometimes it’s too much for me and the more powdery Delina Exclusif is the answer. It’s more of a winter choice and I use OG Delina in the summer. I have received many compliments wearing Delina Exclusif which is pretty strange since I own quite many popular niche perfumes and this is the only one that gets compliments. If I needed to choose only one Delina, I would go for Delina Exclusif.

Am I broad-sleeved, too generous, forgiving, and understanding if I give 10 out of 10 to this perfume? I don't think so, but let's see why together. I state that I have not yet tried Delina Eau de Parfum, and therefore I cannot compare the two. If you are looking for a comparative review, then this is not. But for sure, I can say that how Parfums de Marly has interpreted the rose in this perfume is sublime. We face a graceful, creamy, and powdery rose, but not like the well-known marriage with oud, with coffee, with patchouli, with incense, or with leather. Forget Montale, Mancera, Initio, or anything else of the Middle Eastern sort. Exclusive is a charming, seductive, creamy, and fruity rose to the umpteenth degree, with underlining woods and mosses. According to my knowledge, this floral rendition of Delina is unparalleled.

Although I have a handful of masculine or unisex targeted Parfums de Marly creations, such as Godolphin, Herod, Kalan, Layton, and Percival, Delina Exclusif is the very first feminine target I am adding to my collection and reviewing right now. It begins with a fruit opening, so luscious. Yes, it is rosy, but the first note I smell is that of pear, ripe and buttery, and soon the lychee kicks in with its sweet rosy nuance. There is just a tinge of bitter grapefruit, barely perceptible, which does not come out too loud, harsh, or citrus. As the overture unfolds, there is a captivating aura, so creamy and airy, with a floral and fruity powderiness. Besides, there is no trace of sourness on my skin.

In the heart, a bouquet of velvety roses, the Damascus variety, adds that floral touch, and the scent transforms into delicious gourmet lokum, a Turkish rose delight. Imagine a tray adorned with bunches of rose petals and soft, dusty, gelatinous pieces of lokum lying gracefully on top of this bed. Incense grains and vetiver root pair this dreamy aroma and give it a faintly smoky, dry, and leathery undertone; however, not all too churchy or earthy. Boy, oh boy, I can get lost in this fragrance more than Delina is Deliziosa! If you have a well-trained nose, you will catch a powdery and waxy violet, which makes the rose more unique. For clarity, it smells rosy, sweet, and powdery, though it is not a gourmand.

On the finish, earthy, dusty, and inedible vanilla notes emerge, together with clean and soapy white musk and a molecule that replaces oak moss with a softer scent. At the same time, the sweetness of the lychees and the dustiness of the rose petals I experienced at the beginning remain. Delina Exclusif is the rosiest, sweet, and powdery perfume imaginable. It's addictive and insanely delightful; honestly, I can't get enough of it. Perhaps among the woody notes, there is cedar, which I love in perfumes because it often gives the atmosphere of the wood shavings of the pencil. In this case, it does it very well, just enough to give it an interesting and exciting atmosphere with sweetness and rose jam.

Delina Exclusif is best suited to be worn during autumn, winter, and spring evenings and nights. If I spray it sparingly, as it can get cloying, I can wear it even on cool summer nights. It is ideally suited for special moments, cocktail parties, dinners, or dates. The projection is average, and it lasts for a long time. Delina Exclusif initially smells like a pear cocktail with a pink undertone. Then, the rose becomes creamy and ends with a hint of musky vanilla reminiscent of freshly cleansed skin, sprinkled with a generous veil of body milk.

I base my opinion and review on a bottle I have owned since October 2022.

-Elysium

I can't think of a single other perfume more dear to me. Intensely powdery, in the same way that powdered sugar is- saccharine and warm but never sickly, although it is probably the most potent perfume I own. Lasts for weeks on clothes and days on my skin, even though I always apply a maximum of two sprays.

It lacks the sour rhubarb and headache-inducing splash of ambroxan the original Delina has, instead replacing them with smooth amber and incense. If the original is silk then this is velvet- thick, heavy, and luxurious. The rose and fruits are enveloped in powdered sugar, while the woody notes give it depth. It is vaguely reminiscent of baby powder, but in a nostalgic way rather than being infantile- if anything, it feels like a commanding and head-turning presence. Fit for an empress draped in warm fabric and pearls. Definitely more of a winter scent, as the cold weather allows the fruit notes to bloom without being overshadowed by the sugary sweetness.

I really love Delina, I even wore it to my wedding reception. But there is one small downside: In my opinion the scent only blooms when it's at least slightly warm. I wouldn't wear it in winter, it doesn't smell bad when it's cold, but doesn't show its full beauty. As I live in relatively cool climate, that makes me wear Delina less often than I would like to.

Delina Exclusif is the perfect solution to this problem. It's the warmer, sweeter, deeper Delina that can be worn in spring, autumn and winter, maybe even on cold summer evenings.
Both have the same sweet, inviting rose and juicy litchi. They smell very pink and girly in the best possible way. Even though this one doesn't list the rhubarb note of the original, it also has the same refreshing tartness in the opening that makes me think of rhubarb. Maybe it's just the mix of grapefruit, rose and litchi. Both versions live from the contrast between sweet and sour, but Delina Exclusif leans a little sweeter because the vanilla note got amped up considerably and the dewy peony is missing. The creaminess that Delina has in the base is present right from the start in Exclusif. I also think the incense note is a little stronger, I did not get anything smokey from the original, but I get hints of it in this.

Such a gorgeous scent. I like it just as much as Delina. It's obviously quite expensive and similar to the pillar, so I'm not sure if I can justify a purchase anytime soon. If I had unlimited money and time to wear fragrances, I would add it to my collection immediately.
It's worth a try for those who loves Delina, but also for those who find it too sour, and for all lovers of sweet rose fragrances in general.

The rose is present from the very opening, quickly joined by a touch of nutmeg that fades rather swiftly, making way for vanilla. A powdered vanilla, as if lightly dusted with icing sugar, with a subtle undertone in the background that reminds me of suede.

It is the most different of the three Delinas; this Exclusif is far less fruity, less overtly rosy, and much more centered on vanilla - an oriental vanilla, gently sweet yet deepened by amber and that faintly spicy, suede-like nuance.

To me, the three Delinas together trace the course of a full day. Delina La Rosée, delicate, evokes the freshness of morning dew. Delina, with its softly sweet rose touched by incense and nutmeg, feels perfectly suited to daytime. And this Exclusif, richer in vanilla and deeper in tone, evokes nightfall.

A lovely trio.

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