Smeraldo Sylvaine Delacourte 2016

I had to test Smeraldo 3 times before I started to like it. Initially, the stark contrast between the top note and the heart note confused and almost repelled me; the first impression was very feminine, sweet, and candy-like gourmand, which then shifted into a green-herbaceous direction, only to ultimately reveal itself as a spicy, green cloud of delight. The gender classification is not clear; it is almost a shimmering mythical creature. But that is precisely what makes it so interesting and lovable. While I even attributed a licorice note to it, it managed to never come close to any scent I know. Smeraldo is what it is: not really sweet, not to be called green, not floral at all, no "safer" musk scent, far from anything oud-like, no wood in sight. What remains? Simply an incredibly soft, gentle, cocoon-like warmth that surrounds me like an unearthly sparkle.