Madonna of the Almonds Floris for women

I must say I was hoping for more from this scent, especially given this house. It was a lot of powdery sweet almonds in the start but they vanished rapidly and it became spices with a weird citrus twist. Not what I wanted from it at all, I will stick with Cinema for an almond scent.

I like the scent of almonds and the name was so promising, but to me the scent was disappointing. It goes into another citrusy and musky direction. I couldn't even detect almonds.

The oddest blend of brand-new fruity brightness mixed with the slow-clock past.

Sugary lime cordial, dilute orange squash, a touch of bergamot atop still stale water which gathers rings around a heavy crystal glass. Ornate blossoms with soured stems. Old dressing table drawers made from quality wood, dry, dusty slightly spicey, slightly musty containing metallic compacts & once mouldy, peeling drawer liners.

A heavy, tired jasmine is too slow to make the party & drifts around the background allowing the bitter almond to front the show, wallowing in a sweet, golden, fruity mist.

This is not a comfortable perfume for me & not one that I take to readily. In fact I was sorely disappointed by this offering - in my head it was a super scent! A signature scent!

Floris have created some beautiful floral fragrances & Bouquet de La Reine is a gorgeous grown-up floral-fruity that knocks Madonna into a cocked hat. There is a similarity in the sandalwood base, but where La Reine is joyful & vibrant Madonna is melancholic & disjointed - an aging starlet of excellent pedigree, living alone in a decaying mansion, drunk on cocktails, hair askew.

On paper it looks like heaven...to test it is fascinating & unusual, watery & dilute.....yet, for me, somehow very uncomfortable to wear.