Acqua Dell’ Elba Arcipelago Uomo and Acqua Dell’ Elba Arcipelago Donna Reviews + Tuscan Sea Draw

 Count of Monte Cristo wikipedia

“There are two ways of seeing: with the body and with the soul. The body's sight can sometimes forget, but the soul remembers forever.”  Alexandre Dumas – the Count of Monte Cristo

Between the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas, off the western coast of Italy, the seven islands of the Tuscan Archipelago gleam in the bright Mediterranean sun. These arid, sunny islands are graced with a variety of flowering plants, strawberry trees, myrtles, junipers and agaves.  Dolphins and sperm whales frolic in the rich, brilliant blue coastal waters. The names Elba, Monte Cristo, Pianosos, Capraia, Giglio, Gorgona and Giannutri, evoke a number of historic, literary and mythical figures.  When I envision these islands I can't help but imagine the legendary gorgon for one, Napoleon's 300 day exile in Portaferrio on Elba for another and of course Alexandre Dumas' tale of adventure, injustice and revenge – The Count of Monte Cristo. 

Cannelle Beach Giglio Island via wiki

The seven major islands, as well as many of the archipelago's numerous islets and rocky skerries, are protected under the aegis of the Arcipelago Toscano National Park. Even though I have never had the pleasure of visiting the Tuscan Archipelago, I have lived and vacationed on many other islands during my lifetime. Acqua Dell' Elba's Archipelago pair of fragrances – Acqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Uomo and Acqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Donna – are just what my soul remembers and what I fancy island perfumes should be, offering freshness from the open sea, dry, resinous, wild floral sweetness from the land and the scents of local orchards and gardens.

Napoleon’s House in the town Portoferraio on Elba 

The perfumery, Acqua Dell' Elba, created in the late 1990s by three family members, Fabio Murzi, Chiara Murzi and Marco Turoni, is dedicated to creating perfumes that reflect the atmosphere of the Tuscan Archipelago and the perfumes of the flowers, trees and sea air that define Elba, their island home.

Photo collage for  Acqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Uomo by Gail©

Acqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Uomo first presents me with a bouquet of fresh herbs and cool white flowers. The rich camphoraceous qualities of sage and the smooth balsamic green of rosemary are complimented by nuances of sweet iced tea, an ethereal peachy jasmine and the wet waxen aldehydic breath of lily of the valley. This vibrant garland is lifted with hints of sharp black pepper. Arcipelago Uomo continues to energize as the delicate woody aroma of cedarwood shavings and the spiced medicinal qualities of what I perceive to be myrtle lend a brisk, crisp and slightly rough impression of freshness, recalling the wind off a sunlit, choppy ocean. 

“Lagoon on Second Street” 2001 painting by Gail Gross©️ as seen through a bottle of Acqua Dell’ Elba Arcipelago Uomo©

As Acqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Uomo dries down, resinous cypress evokes an effect of smoky ambergris, green balsam and a touch of something like licorice. After a good eight hours, Arcipelago Uomo settles in and leaves my skin refreshed and alive with the scent of a fair wind and a following sea. Notes: Sage, pepper and rosemary, lily of the valley and jasmine, Mediterranean shrub woods, cedarwood and cypress.

Photo collage for Donna by Gail©

Aqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Donna takes me from the bright seas to both the wild scrubby woods and the well-tended vineyards and gardens of the Tuscan Archipelago. Like a basket of fruit, freshly picked from island orchards, Acqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Donna first wafts scents of the tangy tart pith of tangerines and the bright effervescence of lemon zest.  The sparkling opening is rounded with the velvet-sweet, buttery richness of apricot. Exotic fruits and flowers from the islands' wild Strawberry Trees  – Arbutus unedo – (from unum edo – I only eat one, and for good reason) add color, texture and nuances of fig, peach, licorice and honey to the cultivated citrus and stone fruits. Acacia blossoms provide powdered, violet like warmth and earthy undertones to the intense, edgy sweetness of green orange flower. Together with the dry hay and honeyed aromas of helichrysum, Acqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Donna gives me an olfactory glimpse of the sunny landscapes of the Tuscan Archipelago. Delicate balsamic notes of cedarwood and the dry earthiness of oak moss ground and center my experience of Acqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Donna for at least ten hours, binding my soul to the sunshine and the winds of these arid and airily magical islands.  Notes: Lemon, tangerine, apricot, jasmine, helichrysum, acacia, orange flowers, cedarwood, strawberry tree and moss.

Disclaimer:  I would like to thank ADE imports for the perfect 15 ml travel size duo of Acqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Uomo and Acqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Donna.  My opinions are my own.

Gail Gross – Senior Editor

Follow us on Instagram @Cafleurebon, @acquadellelba and @azarsmith7

Photo of my two travel size bottles of Acqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Acqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Uomo and Acqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Donna                   

Thanks to the generosity of ADE Imports, the U.S.A. distributor of Acqua Dell Elba, we have a one travel size set of the Acqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Acqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Uomo and Acqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Donna available for one registered reader in the US only.  Please register or your comment will not count. Or you may choose the EDT of either, be sure to leave that in your comment. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what appeals to you about Acqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Uomo or Acqua Dell' Elba Arcipelago Donna based on Gail’s reviews. Draw closes January 17, 2019

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like ÇaFleureBon and use our Blog feed…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.  

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20 comments

  • INYA says:

    All those shades of blue and green! Simply lovely. I’m interested in Acqua Dell’ Elba Arcipelago Donna. It sounds like a wonderful fruity delight. USA

  • Symbian Pandora says:

    What a great review by Gail, takes me back to my days in Italy!
    Uomo for me!
    I am in the USA
    Thanks to all for the opportunity!!

  • patrick_348 says:

    I would be eager to smell how the various notes described come together. The descriptions sound summery without being bland. I am in the UA and would take the Uomo version.

  • Taryne says:

    I’m enamoured with the description of, and most curious about Uomo. It hits all my sweet spots of fragrance triggers; sage, pepper, rosemary, lily of the valley, jasmine. I imagine picking up a sun-bleached seashell and inhailing the aroma of a mossy, salty, driftwoody, grassy, tangy wildness of an untamed ocean. The images Gail evokes transport me to the edge of that choppy, fragrant Mediterranean paradise.

  • roxhas1cat says:

    I just love the idea of the basis of these fragrances, a beautiful Italian island. Everything that is good about Italy, plus a lush island with ocean breezes. I love the color of the juice. This fantastic article makes me wish that winter was over! I’d love to try this. Thanks Gail for the great article. USA.

  • susie q says:

    Thanks ADE and Acqua Dell Elba for the gifts of 2 beautifully described scents by Gail Thank-You Gail I once again can almost smell Arcipelago Uomo and Donna from this writing and great photos. I can’t choose I want them both fr the herbs to fruit to white flower and woods to the sea blue gorge colored liquid.

  • Diana D says:

    I love the scent of Lily of the Valley. I am really drawn to the notes of Acqua Dell’ Elba Arcipelago Uomo but I’d love to with the travel set.
    I live in the USA

  • BetsyG says:

    Uomo sounds particularly interesting because of Gail’s review. I love herbaceous scents, and sage and rosemary are some of my favorites. I live in an area of the U.S. that’s very like Tuscany, actually. Thanks for the review and the draw!

  • Grandiflora says:

    “The Count of Monte Cristo” is one of my favorites! What appeals to me about Acqua Dell’ Elba Arcipelago Uomo and Acqua Dell’ Elba Arcipelago Donna based on Gail’s reviews is that they “reflect the atmosphere of the Tuscan Archipelago and the perfumes of the flowers, trees and sea air that define Elba”. Both of them sound amazing! I’m in the U.S.

  • Cynthia says:

    It’s freezing where I am so these beautiful images look so appealing! I love your collages, Gail! And the perfume juice looks like sea water! I think Donna would appeal more to me, and the acacia sounds interesting. Thank you for the review. USA

  • doveskylark says:

    This review made me think of how much I love walking along the beach line, the coastal areas where wild plants grow. I love the smell of the sea air, the herbs, the flowers. I would love to visit these islands in Italy.
    I would choose the travel set.
    I live in the USA.

  • NiceVULady says:

    Acqua Dell’ Elba Arcipelago Donna sounds like it takes you to a place of sunshine and flowers, and yet Uomo’s herbaceous notes grab me as well. I’d love the travel set. Thanks for a lovely review and a great draw. I’m in the USA

  • tooka81 says:

    I love Gail’s review of Uomo and Donna, both sound lovely but I reallly love the fruity, warm earthyness of Acqua Dell Elba Arcipelago Donnaif I had to choose! Gail’s description and brief history of the Islands and how the family members of the house of Acqua Dell Elba created these fragrances really intrigued me, I may never get to Italy but maybe I can aleast get a sense of what it is like through Acqua dell Elba Arcipelago Donna! I live in the USA.

  • cressit says:

    What a great read, Gail. I’m happy to learn more about this house and their approach to perfumery. I am so interested in perfumers whose work reflects their home geography and botany. (not entering draw – just wanted to to thank you for the reviews.)

  • Hasib says:

    First time hearing of these fragrances an I’m liking the colors. Fragrances sound good and I’d like to check out how they are. Would like the Uomo or travel set. Thanks U.S

  • Zibbyz says:

    these both sound so lovely, and I love the story behind the scents and that they are to reflect Elba. I have not been to the coast of Italy, but I love the beach and both these scents sound wonderful. I would prefer the Archipelago Donna should I win. thank you for the lovely review and the generous draw – so I can visit Italy when I wear their EdT! I’m in the US

  • jeremyn87 says:

    Acqua Dell’ Elba Arcipelago Uomo sounds like it has some fresh aspects to it, but it doesnt sound like an aquatic at all. Seems very complex. I’d love to get the edt of that if I win

    Im in IL in the US. Thanks for the draw

  • roblexky says:

    Although I am land-locked slap in the middle of the US, reading the fragrance descriptions above transport me to exotic islands, far away from the hustle and bustle of life, momentarily forgetting about our govt shutdown. Both sound lovely but Uomo speaks to me most.