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Now that we got this off our chest, let's concentrate on the gorgeous fragrances themselves!
La via del Profumo, an authentically artisanal line of exquisitely crafted fragrances, composed by natural perfumer Abdes Salaam Attar (Dominique Dubrana) in Italy, is proud to present the new "Italian Series," an homage to five great Italian cities (Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome and Naples) and the Italian country as a whole.
MILANO CAFFE
A sybarite fragrance needs the proper mind-frame to work and Italy with its languid climate and smooth contours of land naturally lends itself to it. The pervading and intoxicating scent of freshly ground coffee is one small part of this luxury of letting time slip by. The mingling of chocolate in the composition of Milano Caffé recalls the dusting of cocoa powder on the white "caplet" of a hearty and filling cappuccino, drunk leisurely with a view of the impressive Duomo before taking a stroll down the Via Montenapoleone for some serious window shopping. The Milanese are nothing if not sticklers for detail, from their dog's collar to their impeccable shoes, and I can feel in Milano Caffé the vibrancy of the elegant woody and spicy background which hums underneath the culinary notes of the top. Coffee is naturally a complex smell, comprised of caramelized & smoky/acrid facets on one end, of woody, like freshly sharpened pencils, on the other.
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The dry quality of the fragrance despite the tonka bean and ambery richness elevates the composition into classic resinous-balsamic level; one mistakes smelling Milano Caffé for a full-bodied vintage that peels layer after layer after layer. In fact, what is most surprising is finding a hint of the cocoa-facet of orris and something which reminds me of the fluff, the flou quality of the resin opoponax, amidst the proceedings. This caress under the dark and bitterish flavor of coffee only serves to consolidate the infiltrating appeal of that highly prized bean, that elixir of life, the coffea arabica, cutting its slightly acidic character. Although the spicy woodiness might make Milano Caffé more conventionally masculine in direction, its richness and cuddly chocolate note makes it a great choice for the woman who doesn't follow trends but rather sets them herself. After all, it is no accident that coffee and coffee shops were seen as the nursery of revolution and of anarchy, and that both Ottoman Turkey in the 17th century and the Ethiopian church banned the exotic bean's secular consumption; it's that stimulating!
VENEZIA GIARDINI SECRETI
Venezia Giardini Secreti is inspired by the small "pockets" within Venice and the tales of the very popular in Italy Corto Maltese cartoon books, specifically "Favola di Venezia" ("Tale of Venice"). Venice is also the abode of Chevalier de Seingalt, more commonly known as the greatest womanizer of them all...
The solace of the shady gardens breeds flights of fancy and the escape of the intrigue of the political world: "When the Venetians are tired of the constituted authorities, they hid in these three secret places, these doors at the bottom of the secret passages opening to beautiful places and other stories ..." Whatever the story is, Venezia Giardini Secreti is redolent of the sweetly intoxicating scent of blooming jasmine and of rose blossoming in the summertime, allied to the mysticism and the marine signature of ambergris, an emblem of the naval tradition of "La Republicca Marinara".
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In a way there is a kinship between Tawaf, La Via del Profumo's jasmine fragrance from the Arabian Series, which is redolent of the jasmine sambac variety, rich, heady, like an aching pleasure and a call of beauty, and the latest offering in the Italian Series. And yet in Venezia Giardini Segreti the direction veers into less of a resinous floriental, with the anchoring of the base providing the softest pungency, an animalic hint more than a mysterious, apocryphal rite. For all the secrecy of the passages under the canals—which lead to gardens of a hundred delights and of the erotically charged tales of Casanova—the elegance and grace of Venezia Giardini Segreti is manifested in a touch of soft leather, a hint of motherly milk, a whiff of salty sea ...
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What a great giveaway, thanks for the opportunity! These both sound fabulous, but Milano Caffe is going on my sample list right away. Good coffee scents are so hard to find.
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in this fantastic giveaway and draw! These two new creations by La Via del Profumo are for sure quite spectacular! Many thanks! Madalina
ReplyDeleteseems to be yummy scents! Thanks for the chance. Radmila, rada76@Mail.ru
ReplyDeleteseems to be yummy scents! Thanks for the chance. Radmila, rada76@Mail.ru
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMmmmm coffee and perfume! I read about these last week, they sound so promising. Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaways! Both fragrance sounds yummy - would love to try them. :D
ReplyDeleteOops, didn't mean to submit this as Anonymous.
ReplyDeleteThey sound wonderful! Thanks for the chance to own!
ReplyDeleteHave loved & worn perfume since childhood. Perfume Shrine is heaven for this information/product starved citizen of a very small Southern town.
ReplyDeleteThese both sound amazing. Thanks for the draw and for writing about them. Makes me want to be in Italy NOW!
ReplyDelete- spring_pansy
Dear E,
ReplyDeleteI visited both Venice and Milan with my husband and three boys a few years ago. So many beautiful and crazy memories! These fragrances would be sublime reminders of that precious voyage.
All the very best,
Natalia
These both sound great, especially Milano Caffe!!!
ReplyDeleteIs this limited to USians or can we mere Europeans take part as well? If yes, count me in the draw.
ReplyDelete(I'd rather want Florence but, well.)
This is a spectacular giveaway, I am going to Venice in August and can almost smell the secret gardens already!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me into this draw as I would love to have an added sense to when I close my eyes and remember beautiful Italy.
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway. Have never tried this house so it would be a pleasure to sniff .
ReplyDeletelje17@outlook.com
I love VENICE and FLORENCE and MILANO!!!This is the most amazing givaway!!!First of all, I have always wanted to try some perfumes of This UNIQUE perfumery...Pherormones are calling my name also (ANOTHER STORY)... Wish so much to win these masterpieces...
ReplyDeletePlease enter me to the draw!!!
How wonderful Would love to be entered in the draw.
ReplyDeleteWhat I love about Abdes Salaam's perfumes is that they are so heartfelt and individual. These two new perfumes sound very interesting indeed. Thank you for this opportunity!
ReplyDeleteInteresting notes. I like both coffee and jasmine in perfumes and would be excited to win any one of these. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSounds like it smells absolutely AHMAZING!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely gesture - thank you to all involved for this generous draw!
ReplyDeletePlease count me in:-)
cheerio, Anna in Edinburgh
Dominique Dubrana's creations speak a whole different language due to his use of superb materials: visceral and almost ritualistic perfumes. His use of networking and his level of taste make for intriguing perfumes and I cannot wait to smell his two interpretations of Italian coties and how he makes the ingredients sing accordingly( jasmine, ambergris, coffee: nirvana).. Thank you for this amazing draw!!
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful -- I love Via del Profumo fragrances. Thanks for the draw.
ReplyDeleteoh goodness, these sound wonderful! Thank you so very much for the draw. I'm dying to try this line.
ReplyDeleteCoffee seems to be universally liked to revolution - it certainly was the case in 18th century Europe and America.
Sounds interesting, tbat perfumer is a marvel at creating scent after scent.
ReplyDeleteIf I won, I would like the coffee one, and let somebody else have the floral :)
I would love to compare the Venice perfume to my beloved Tawaf! Thanks for the draw : )
ReplyDeleteThese sound wonderful! I'm sitting here drinking my coffee as I read this. Do not have a coffee scent, however.Floral and soft leather also sounds great, too. Thanks for the draw.
ReplyDeleteThose sound lovely. Especially the description of small pockets in Venice - how I'd love to be there right now!
ReplyDeleteI would love to finaly try some of Dubranos creations, thanks for this generous draw!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to try these fragrances. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing giveaway, thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds a great opportunity to get to know more of La Via del Profumo. Thanks for the draw.
ReplyDeleteHelg, Thank you as always for the beautiful blog. This is a really generous giveaway-thank you to Via Del Profumo for their generosity.
ReplyDeleteI am wearing and loving Tawaf this summer-it's been horribly rainy and cold here, so I deserve this lovely ribbon of jasmine and oppanox.
Both fragrances sound very intriguing. I read descriptions about Sharif and could not comprehend how it would all combine. Then I smelt it, and it was so beautiful.
Have a good afternoon,
Carole MacLeod
I am fascinated with La Via del Profumo's line. These scents both sound so wonderful, please include me in the drawing!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a thrill! I am longing to explore Via des Profumo's line for quite a while now, and those two new scents sound incredible. Thanks a million for this generous draw!
ReplyDeleteElena - thanks for this fab giveaway . I have always wanted to try Profumo's line properly. I read Octavian's review too for Venezia and super excited about it. Thanks again !
ReplyDeleteThank you for yet another great giveaway and for keeping this amazing fragrant shrine for us to visit to our content!
ReplyDeleteooooh...please do enter me in the drawing. i'm especially intrigued by "giardini secreti"...mille grazie!
ReplyDeleteThese both sound wonderful! Please enter me in this generous draw!
ReplyDeleteI wish I have the chance to try these wonderful new fragrances
ReplyDeleteGreat givaway ! Thank you
Phanie
YES!!! PLEASE!?????
ReplyDeleteRight up my alley.
YES!
Dying to try the coffee/tonka combination. It sounds delightful. I am curious about coffee scents, is coffee such a dominant note that it will smell of little else, or will be very carefully balanced? The only Jo Malone I'm interested by is the vetiver/coffee cologne, though it has limited lasting power..
ReplyDeleteThese sound wonderful, and I can't make my mind up of which sounds better. Please include me in the raffle.
ReplyDeleteMarjorie (marjorie.young@gmail.com)
These sound wonderful. Milano Caffe seems to be my cup of tea for sure. Please enter me in the draw and many thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteNew coffee scents are always exciting! Thank you for the drawing.
ReplyDeleteThese sound lovely. I have never tried this line. Thank you for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a generous giveaway! Both fragrances sound very unique.
ReplyDeleteThey both sound amazing. Thank you for the draw!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the draw! I actually have a sample of Milano Caffe No.3- his work in progress. I'd love to smell the finished product.
ReplyDeleteI would love to give these a try--they sound wonderful! Please enter me in the draw, and, as always, thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow Milano Carte sounds wonderful and brings back memories. Would love to be included in the drawing. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMilano Caffe's woody and spicy background sounds enticing not to mention my addiction with coffee in any way shape or form.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the giveaway. I'd be happy to try any of these!
Wow, what a generous giveaway! These both sound gorgeous, but I have to say that although anything that even hints at gourmand usually has me running for the hills, Milano Caffe sounds really intriguing. The fact that it may be considered masculine, dry, and balsamic sounds like it takes the coffee-chocolate notes to a whole other level...yum!
ReplyDeleteOh my these sound lovely, I am just getting into niche perfumes and would love to win even just one!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great opportunity! These both sound interesting, though Milano Caffe sounds especially delicious. I plan on trying it soon one way or another!
ReplyDeleteI'm having a cashew granita right now that I've made with coconut, agave and vanilla essence, and now I think I need to add COFFEE to it. Yum! I'd love to win the coffee fragrance. I loved Sharif. thanks!
ReplyDeleteThey both sound fascinating. I am always fascinated by how Venice manages to be both famous & much-visited, yet so secret...
ReplyDeleteWould love to try either of these. Looking for something unique. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThese both sound great! I think I would like Venezia Giardini Secreti more but I also love coffee in scents so I may be wrong. Thank you for this generous daw.
ReplyDeleteWhat a generous draw, thank you for the opportunity! :-)
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful. Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteDagney S
Thank you for this exciting opportunity! Xx
ReplyDeleteMilano Caffe has everything I love! I love Milan, the fashion capital of Italy! I can see myself sitting outside a cafe, sipping an espresso with Milano Caffe wafting and filling the surrounding area!
ReplyDeleteI got samples of MC and VGS in my recent Profum order and they are SPECTACULAR. These reviews and Octavian's are very accurate. They are truly special fragrances. I'd love to enter the draw!
ReplyDeleteI'm searching out the Milano Caffe as a sample immediately. What a great description!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great giveaway! please count me in. Your descriptions are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteFreebies, count me in, thank you. Particularly in view of the fact that Via del Profumo's samples are quite pricey (too big for adventurous sampling, perhaps).
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, by the way. I've spent many, many hours scouring your voluminous archives and I like your lively sense of wit. If I may be so bold, I'd like you to address the DSH Special Formula X and Evolution Musk. I'm a neophyte for musks, but a keen one.
Robert
Both of these new scents sound marvelous! Wish his scents were more easily obtainable =P
ReplyDeleteHow exciting, E. I've been enjoying many of the fragrances in this line, including the stupendous Sharif and Tawaz and Balsamo della Mecca. Please enter me in the draw!
ReplyDeleteI have and own Balsamo della Mecca and am really curious what are these two new like. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great giveaway! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteLaura
Ltrittipoe(at)yahoo(dot)com
La via del Profumo,you have created the MILANO CAFFE just for me. I must have it. In fact I would love to try all of your beautiful brilliant offerings. Thank you for the opportunity
ReplyDeleteHow exciting. They sound divine and I would love to try them.
ReplyDeleteBeing a neophyte to the world of fragrance just this year, I'm so excited to read all that you pour out. Thank you for the opportunity to
ReplyDeleteenter in this drawing.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited about this drawing; I couldn't resist commenting...Ever since I became interested in perfume over 10 years ago, I've been obsessed with the idea of finding a fragrance that captures the intoxicating, addicting, rich smell of coffee. Ideally, in my imagination, this undercurrent would be prevalent in the perfume, but it wouldn't smell simply like a reproduction of an actual cup of coffee (a scent that I love but which would put the perfume in the "food smell" category). Thanks for the opportunity to possibly find this "holy grail"! Fingers crossed I get lucky this time!
ReplyDeletewow! this giveaway is so exciting. i've never joined one and these two scents sound very intriguing. wikity3@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful draw! These both sound gorgeous and different.
ReplyDeleteOho! I love the sound of the series, and especially Milan, as I adore the smell of coffe in perfumes.
ReplyDeleteNow we just have to see how lucky I am... ;)
Such beautiful bottles and the scents sound wonderful too!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the draw!
ReplyDeleteLove the inspiration behind the scents and the visuals you chose!
Thank you for the review, the giveaway sounds very generous!
ReplyDeleteI'm really curious about a cofee fragance with the name of Milano as I'm going to visit this city soon! It sounds yummy, I looove italian coffee!
ReplyDeleteThe most interesting garden in Venice is Eden - the biggest secluded garden on Giudecca. Fascinating story, mind blowing entrance. Closed for many years. Nobody can enter it. You can only look from the opposite quay. You can read about it here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fictionalcities.co.uk/gardenofeden.htm
Would like to participate in the drawing. Very intriguing descriptions and I love the bottles.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Coffee and chocolate? Sounds like a yummy Vietnamese coffee!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful opportunity, thank you! They both sound gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWonderful review,you created such a lemming fir Milano Caffe,if I don't win,I 'll have to blind order!Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the giveaway
ReplyDeletethe scents sound wonderful.
Thank you
Bobby
WOW these sound incredible.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing giveaway :D interesting fragrances
ReplyDeleteThese sound wonderful, and I would love to hear more about the others in the series, particularly the one for Rome.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, they both sound lovely. Thank you for the opportunity.
ReplyDelete--Mal L.
I love Tawaf!
ReplyDeleteI also think Venezian giardini will be great for the hot Greek summer nighs!
Thanks Vasiliki
"Venezia Giardini Segreti the direction veers into less of a resinous floriental, with the anchoring of the base providing the softest pungency..." That one especially sounds beautiful! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity! Both scents sound amazing - would love the chance to experience both of them!
ReplyDeleteTwo poles in a rather heavenly place.
ReplyDeleteAm I dreaming...Thank you for the opportunity.
Both sound delicious! I love Tawaf, so have high hopes for both of these. Thank you for the drawing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic prize! I have only read about this perfumer recently, he sounds a fascinating character! Thanks for the draw.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great giveaway!! I would like to smell the milk leather of the Venecia Secret Garden!! yummy!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to try a perfume from La Via del Profumo.
ReplyDeletenice giveaway.
Both of these include some of my all time favorite notes especially the jasmine, ambergris and coffee! I would love to win this giveaway- thank you for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteIndigo
azurestp@gmail.com
Thank you so much for the opportunity! What a fantastic give away :) I think both perfumes sound so amazing, but I am particularly curious about Milano Caffé.
ReplyDeleteThe bottles of these perfumes are simply gorgeous (*-*)
ReplyDeleteI would so love to try Venezia giardini segreti. I spent my honeymoon in Venice and remember finding hidden squares and byways, but not the secret gardens!
ReplyDeleteThe Giardini Secreti really speaks to me and I love the connection you made with Corto Malteze. Have you read the στορυ Corte sconta detta arcana (Η κρυφή αυλή του μυστηρίου)? It might add to the pleasure of the perfume.
ReplyDeletehello and thanks for that opportunity...especially good coffee scents are very hard to find, the ones around are usually just sweet lattes without the complexity of the material...very interesting!
ReplyDeleteI love the bottles!!! So often the stoppers or caps seem to be neglected in consideration of the overall design but these aren't. Thank you for the drawing.
ReplyDeleteThese sound great! I've been a longtime reader of your blog and really appreciate how articulate and well presented the articles are.
ReplyDeleteWasha
thank you for the giveaway! Last fall we took our daughter (age 5) on her first international vacation - to Italy! She got to see Trieste and Venice, and absolutely fell in love with Italy. Whenever we see an Italian flag she points it out. Anything that helps us remember that trip would be perfect. And the scents sound amazing as well! thanks!
ReplyDeleteWonderful reviews and thanks for the giveaways!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful review, as usual! And a great giveaway. Thank you so much for the chance at winning these!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited about the giveaway... I would love to win the perfume and LOVE this Blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great giveaway and for the review!Both fragrances sound wonderful and make me dream of a sunny afternoon in Venice,a dark, aromatic "espresso", Corto and me...
ReplyDeleteAglaia
Wow, what a great giveaway, and what wonderful sounding frags! Count me in.
ReplyDeleteThese both sound interesting. Thanks for the draw.
ReplyDeleteOoh, what sumptuous giveaways (especially the Milano Caffe)! Thank you for the draw! =D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful reviews, and the draw! These both sound gorgeous, but, oh my: "a touch of soft leather, a hint of motherly milk, a whiff of salty sea..." Venezia Giardini Segreti is after my own heart.
ReplyDeleteThey both sound gorgeous - thanks for the draw!
ReplyDeleteHope I manage to get in under the wire. The only Via del Profumo I've had a chance to sample is Sharif (very much liked).
ReplyDeleteThanks for the generous draw opportunity.
-- Lindaloo