• Tom Ford Private Blend Neroli Portofino EDP Perfume Review

    Date: 2010.07.22 | Category: fragrance | Tags: ,,,,,,,,

    Tom Ford Neroli Portofino EDP

    Tom Ford Neroli Portofino is the light and refreshing fragrance in the Private Blends Collection.It is described as “A modern intercontinental version of an iconic fragrance theme balances luminous citrus oils and floral notes with Amber undertones that awaken the senses and leave a splashy yet substantive impression”

    Mucha print

    Being a neroli fragrance, it has a bit of a light-weight cologne feel that makes it perfect for spring/summer wear (light florals and tart citrus). Don’t let this fool you. This is a Tom Ford Private Blend here. It has amazing wear. I did not know that there was a neroli scent in this world that wouldn’t evaporate from the skin in less than 40 minutes. I think I have finally found one that lasts. I’m talking 6+hours of wear in 70°+ weather. If you know me or have  read my blog, you know I love neroli/orange blossom scents but complain about their wear. My skin eats citrus blossom notes. I am so happy to have found this one. (OK, it wasn’t hard to find, I had to get through the other 11 Private Blends 1st because their descriptions were more interesting).

    The fragrance at first is very tart and almost spicy. It’s neroli! It then turns into something much more fruity and floral. The juice of an orange and delicate citrus blossoms. At this stage it smells very much like the orange blossom floral waters that I use in cooking. I love this aroma. It is so nostalgic and comforting. The dry down is still orange blossom; however, it has been mellowed out by amber. This means that it has a warm feel to the orange blossom. It isn’t sweet. It just reminds me of sea pebbles warmed by the sun. It adds that kind of warmth to the cool orange blossom. It’s like coast meets water. Neroli Portofino is a pleasant summer day by the water in a bottle: warm, sunny and light, breezy. It’s simple but that is why it is special.

    Overall, I really, really like this. This appears to be the orange blossom scent that I’ve been looking for. It is much more wearable than Creed Neroli Sauvage EDP and it is much more long-lasting than my other neroli fragrances including the high-end Kilian Prelude to Love EDP. I would really like to purchase a bottle, but there are a few more “high end” neroli fragrances that I haven’t tried yet. I need to keep playing the field. I’m going to use my samples and think about it some more, but I really am in love with Neroli Portofino. For a Tom Ford Private Blend this is surprisingly simple, but it is well thought out and executed. It’s simplicity is what makes it likable and special. I don’t want my “eau de cologne” to be too complex, but I would like for it to hang around longer. Neroli Portofino does. It also wears so nicely with my Bain de Soleil Orange Gelee Sunscreen. My dream is that I can wear Neroli Portofino and Bain de Soleil on a much needed holiday. I want these two scents mixed together to be my scent catalyst of happy memories. (Speaking of a much needed holiday, any suggestions of a warm place to travel? I’m traveling this winter and love to hear about locations to travel.)

    Give Neroli Portofino a try if you like neroli scents and especially if you are looking for a long-wearing neroli. Give it a try if you like Atelier Grand Neroli Cologne Absolu, Guerlain Imperial Cologne, Parfums de Nicolai Cologne Sologne, Serge Lutens Fleurs de Citronnier EDP, Le Labo Neroli EDP, Annick Goutal Neroli EDT, Kilian Prelude to Love EDP, and/or Parfums des Beaux Arts by DSH Eau de Fleurs d’Oranger du Roi EDP.

    The 1.7 oz bottle retails for $190 and the 8.4 oz for $450 (pictured bottle). It is available at Nordstrom and Selfridges (UK).

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