Italica (2021)

Xerjoff's Italica is an intensely gourmand fragrance centered around sweet almond, toffee, and vanilla, with a complex interplay of lactonic, milky, and spicy notes. The opening is a powerful, dense blend of almond, sweet milk, and saffron that feels almost medicinal or overtly synthetic to some, evoking cherries, cough syrup, or even a medicinal laboratory. Over time, this resolves into a creamy, sweet milk-and-toffee paste reminiscent of marzipan or macarons, with a persistent nutty sweetness. The dry down reveals a soft, skin-like musky vanilla and subtle sandalwood, making it a highly intimate scent that lingers for hours. Longevity is exceptional, often lasting over 12 hours, and it’s known to project strongly for up to three hours post-application. The scent is so dense and intimate that multiple sprays on clothing or in a room can create a lasting, distillate-like aroma. However, its intense sweetness and protracting nutty, lactonic profile make it divisive and not suited for casual wear in warm climates. Some find it repulsive or nauseating, particularly the moment some perceive its lactonic or almond notes as too concentrated or