No.246 Mandarino Di Amalfi

No.246 takes its inspiration from Tom Ford's Mandarino di Amalfi, a fragrance celebrated for capturing the sensation of peeling a fresh mandarin in the Italian sun. It opens with a vivid burst of lemon and grapefruit, sharpened by basil and a touch of blackcurrant, before softening into a green, aromatic heart of orange blossom, jasmine and clary sage. The base is kept light and clean, built around musk, vetiver and amber rather than anything heavy or resinous. Reviewers who know the designer version say this rendition nails the crucial part, that photorealistic citrus opening, convincingly, and the green floral heart holds up well through the first couple of hours. True to the original's own reputation, though, the drydown here is quiet and doesn't project much once the citrus fades, so don't expect all-day presence. It's best reached for on warm days or in the office where a fresh, understated citrus scent is welcome, and it's a sensible way to try Mandarino di Amalfi's distinctive character without the Private Blend price tag.