When Patty wrote about Tom Ford’s Private Blend Fleur de Portofino not too long ago, my goofy old eyes glossed over the Fleur part of the name and somehow wound up reading it as the original Neroli Portofino. A scent which I enjoy, but I did wonder a bit why Patty was raving about it after all these years. But I figured that perhaps she had rediscovered it and was loving it anew.
But then as I read on, it dawned on me that she was talking about a completely new scent: ding-ding-ding – light bulb going off above my head! And so I made haste to get a sample of it, as bergamot, Sicilian lemon and magnolia made my mouth water, and the inclusion of osmanthus and acacia intrigued me. The honey, not so much, as honey and I often don’t seem to get on too well. However, I do adore acacia honey, so it was worth a try.
And I’m so glad I did. Ms. Patty was so, so right in loving this baby! (Thanks, dear, for the perfume jonesing you inspire.) The acacia, osmanthus, and yes, even the honey, take this beyond your typical citrus-based scent, adding complexity and depth even as it delivers a crisp, refreshing Mediterranean vibe. I even detect the magnolia in the mix, much to my delight.
I only have a sample of Fleur de Portofino and am going through it like a hot knife through butter (three days in a row!), so am seriously in need of a spray decant to go hog wild and make the gorgeousness last as long as possible. I would say it’s near-full bottle-worthy territory, but I can’t go there. Because as wonderful as FBs are, I just can’t seem to bring myself to buy them except on very rare occasions. But never say never — only time will tell.
Anyhoo, have any of you tried this new Fleur de Portofino? Or are there any new scents that you’re craving and wearing as much as possible lately?
Tom Ford Fleur de Portofino notes from Luckyscent: Calabrian bergamot, Sicilian lemon, tangerine, bitter orange leaf, syringa, white acacia, magnolia, orange blossom, Moroccan rose, jasmine, acacia honey, cistus absolute, vanilla absolute, tolu, civet, ambrette seed
Your post [and the fact that your friend and you both love it] makes me wanna try it real bad. I always love those citrus scents, and there’s honey too. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Ann, I have a decant of this one coming but haven’t sampled it yet. After I committed to the split I wished that I hadn’t, because I really don’t care for citrus scents at all, but your review makes me hopeful that I will like it after all. I have gone crazy lately for some old favorites that I haven’t worn for a while, and with the very hot weather lately I’ve flipped for the Malle room spray Un Gardenia la Nuit. Lovely clean milky gardenia of the sort that I wish for a bower of in hot weather. So I create a bower of them with a spritz, and some days I also wear it as a perfume. Have you ever smelled it?
Hi Ann, you’re description of Fleur de Portofino vividly brought to mind the magnolia I sniffed on my walk last evening. A neighbor has a magnolia tree which has been pruned and trained to grow tall but with very broad branches low to the ground. A blossom had just opened and was hanging above me as I walked by. The scent called me back, and I stood on the sidewalk sniffing for several minutes. It was heavenly. Love that blue bottle, but I’ll have to stick to fresh flowers for now.
Heya Ann,
It’s the price that gets me. Yes they are gorgeous, yes they have a lovely development and yes I really want some of these EdCs but that’s just it, they are EdC at Extrait prices.
I will love them in samples and spritz my Eau de Coq by Guerlain and a couple of other mid priced EdCs with gay abandon.
Portia xx
Portia, you are my EdC hero. Guerlain’s Eau de Cologne makes me smile every time.
I recently sampled JP Gaultier’s Fleur du Mâle. I don’t usually try scents meant for men, but was attracted by the all-white packaging and decided to give it a try. Very light, very wearable, very unisex – I was most pleasantly surprised.
Jennie, you have good taste — that is such a nice scent! I like it as well. In fact, I need to pull mine out and wear it (and get the hubs to try it, too).
I have tried it. Recall thinking it was very pleasant, but similar to a lot of other pretty, fresh florals. Must locate my sample and re-try.
Hi! I have oddball skin that sometimes amplifies some of the more minor notes, so maybe that’s why I enjoyed it so much. Glad you’ll give it another try, but if it still doesn’t thrill you, that’s OK. What’s floating your perfume boat so far this summer?
So far, Eau Premiere and light vanilla fragrances. Also, just got a boatload of samples from STC and finally got to try Neela Vermeire and am loooving Trayee and Mohur.