Moresque is a new Italian niche brand inspired by Moorish civilization and architecture. For some reason I was in a gourmand mood and couldn’t wait to try Diadema, a perfume inspired by Kurat al milh, Arabic for “sweet ball of salt” AKA caramel.

Diadema opens with cherries and those gummy orange slices. And then it starts to remind me of the citrus in Guerlain Shalimar. It’s like bergamot and motor oil with burnt sugar. The heart is like creamy florals with caramel. The rose is jammy and dusted in powder sugar. Diadema dries down to a delicious vanilla bourbon with caramel-y sweet benzoin. As far as sweet bases go, I love this one. It’s a high quality vanilla with an incense powder benzoin.

Diadema has more going on than I expected. Yes, it’s a caramel gourmand but it also has nice dose of florals and citrus that keeps it from being too juvenile. This theme has been done by designer brands but Diadema does smell like a “step up” from these.

Notes listed include cherry, bergamot, orange, ylang-ylang, may rose, jasmine, caramel, Madagascar vanilla, benzoin and patchouli. Launched in 2015. PERFUMER – Andrea Thero

Give Diadema a try if you like sweet floral ambers or gourmands. Or if you like perfumes like Prada Candy, Etat Libre d’Orange Bendelirious, Nez a Nez Bouche Baie, Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy and/or Guerlain Shalimar Parfum Initial.

Projection is average. Longevity is above average.

The 1.7 oz retails for $275 at Osswald. 

Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Caramel and creamy florals with a lovely dose of benzoin. I don’t see myself wearing something like this too frequently even though I do like a good gourmand every now and then. However, I see Diadema as the perfect perfume for anyone that wears designer stuff like stuff like Prada Candy (or any other caramel-y gourmand) but is looking for a major “upgrade”.

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*Sample provided by Osswald. Product pic from Fragrantica. Isa Miranda from www.fanpix.net.