Blu Mediterraneo : Foglie di Basilico
Acqua di Parma (1999)

A quite well appointed take on the note of basil, in here introduced in all its herbal-aromatic-zesty brilliance. Yes a tonic take on basil, bergamot and bitter (minty-aromatic) herbs. I get spices, no flowers. Bergamot (green, fizzy, golden and minty) provides a typical mediterranean vibe, basil is quite herbal and licoricey (exotic in its radiant "projectful" greenness) while spices are well balanced, soothing (taming/mildening the herbal/hesperidic acidity) and somewhat restrained. An optimistic fragrance full of colonial (quite exotic) "brightness". Foglie di Basilico is a good versatile juice (best for a daring fashinating man) for the warmer southern seasons. I suppose Acqua di Parma is by now far better performing on these kinds of neo-classic "blu" experiments rather than on the rest of its more than pretentious line.

Strong basil, some liquorice and a hint of mintiness. Simple yet rewarding. Very glad I managed to track this long-discontinued gem down!

Fresh basil taken straight from the garden. That's all this is. The supporting notes are simply here to enhance the garden freshness of the basil. The whole experience is one of an old school tonic.

Another Blu Mediterraneo… this time basil is the honored note. When I first saw this, I thought that it might be a bit redundant because I find Blu Mediterraneo Cipresso quite herbal / green. Well, this one glorifies the basil. It is basil, basil, and basil but it is quite an interesting presentation of basil. This basil is smooth rather than sharp probably because it is a very true basil, as odysseusm says; it is softened – just softened – by other herbs / spice …sage and clove. Besides the basil, the bergamot is the other major player in the fragrance. The bergamot is citrus and calming within the otherwise lively accords. The whole feeling of Blu Mediterraneo Basil is one of freshness and cleanliness … and it does that very well. As with several of the other Blu Mediterraneos, it could use better longevity.

Notes: bergamot, basil, sage, clove.Blu Mediterraneo Basil is a bracing, citrus/herbal tonic. It is a great summer and daytime scent, with an attractive Mediterranean vibe. The bergamot is very citrusy. The basil has a licorice note, to be expected in true basil and rather nice. In fact, I'd say this is one of the most accurate and pleasing basil scents I know (I'm thinking of Baïme, Vigilo, even the very good Basile Uomo). Thankfully the sage and clove are restrained notes. This is a unisex scent, and because it doesn't have sweet or floral notes I consider it quite suitable for a man to wear.

I really enjoyed the salty, herbal quality of this now out of production scent. It was more of a "tonic" than cologne which was perfect for me on a summary weekend day. I have some left and regret that it has been discontinued. I think LVMH should have considered at least keeping the body creams etc if not the cologne.