Our take
What does Acqua di Scandola smell like?
Marc-Antoine Corticchiato, founder of Parfum d'Empire, released Acqua di Scandola in 2018 as part of the L'Héritage Corse collection. The name refers to the Scandola peninsula, a UNESCO-listed reserve on Corsica's west coast that you can only reach by sea. He wanted a different way to smell the sea. Instead of the usual aquatic molecules he worked with a natural algae extract. The opening is lemony and aldehydic, lifted by basil and artemisia. Then the seaweed arrives with iodine and salt, alongside juniper and geranium. You can smell the scrubland running down to the water. The base is the surprise. Immortelle brings its curry and honey tone. Oakmoss and patchouli recall warm rock, and hyraceum adds an animal edge. Acqua di Giò remains the archetype of the 1990s marine. Acqua di Scandola is more mineral and saltier, and far less clean. That's the point.
When to wear it
A summer scent for days outdoors and the drive home from the beach. Two or three sprays on still warm skin will do.
It belongs to the Aquatic, Aromatic family. Acqua di Scandola is one of 7 creations by Parfum d'Empire in our encyclopedia.
