Florence Roberto Cavalli 2017

Why do musk, amber, and patchouli always smell the same in Coty Prestige fragrances? That's the topic of "base notes." They are completely interchangeable (similar to the other Cavallis).

On my sample it says: "A modern addictive chypre." I don't understand why this scent is supposed to be addictive. I imagine a modern chypre differently.
I really don't see what makes this EdP a chypre. The nasty, scratchy patchouli in the base? It shows up after about 30 minutes. Unfortunately.
Because before that, "Florence" isn't so bad at all. The top notes, crucial for purchasing the perfume in the hectic Christmas season (most stressed individuals don’t wait for the base), are berry-gourmand.
I do like cassis a lot, which is probably why I enjoy the start. Then come a few synthetic orange blossoms - and after that follows the familiar base.
What does this mix have to do with Florence?
No idea, but "Roma" has already been used by Biagiotti, Bvlgari had something this year with "Roman Nights," and "Teatro alla Scala" would be too much Krizia and too intellectual.
"Venezia" has also long been taken... "Pisa" sounds too much like school stress and a leaning tower (but they didn’t want a crooked bottle, as they really put effort into the design!) - so FLORENCE. Not "Firenze" either, that’s too difficult, the Italian original, so an internationally understandable form. Or is it just a melodious women's name?
Be that as it may, it seems to me that Coty Prestige invested more brainpower in naming and bottle design than in the scent itself. This has become common practice. What a shame.

Update 2019: Now heavily discounted, it found its way into my collection in August, but only because of the bottle. I still can't resist, but I'm working on it. The scent is even worse for me this year than in 2017. Unwearable.