Crimson Mineral

Crimson Mineral opens with a bright bergamot quickly wrapped in warm spice - cardamom and ginger setting the inviting, slightly fiery tone of Magenta Tanzanite. The heart turns richer: cinnamon adds sensual warmth, dark roasted coffee lends character without tipping into dessert, and a thread of myrrh brings a resinous, meditative quality. A smooth base of tobacco, vanilla and tonka bean rounds it into a creamy, dry-sweet finish. Against the Armani Prive original the dupe reads a touch flatter and sweeter, the sophisticated balance of dry spice, coffee and resin simplified, and the impressive longevity trimmed. It wears as a warm, cuddly spicy amber built for cool weather, evenings and dressier occasions - unisex and quietly luxurious in feel. Projection is modest and longevity skin-close after the opening hours, the usual budget trade against the long-lasting, well-projecting original. As a smell-alike it captures the coffee-spice-tobacco signature of Magenta Tanzanite while losing some of the depth and tenacity.