Bottega Veneta Essence Aromatique

$100 for 50mL eau de cologne at Holt Renfrew and select Hudson’s Bay and Sephora stores

Dave Lackie Says The original Bottega Veneta fragrance for women remains one of the best modernday scents. It is understated and refined with a distinct point of view. I immediately smell some spicy coriander with really good quality bergamot. That’s the key here: the quality of the ingredients. This fragrance smells expensive. It’s got a fresh spicy kick off the top. I soon smell the rose and the sandalwood. A beautiful fragrance. ΩΩΩΩ

Nathalie Atkinson Says Classic eau de colognes tend to be bracing, loaded with citrus or lavender aromatics and meant to be refreshing in warm weather. This is a very nice, if liberal interpretation, of that traditional category. While it initially has the leafy mossy burst (mainly coriander), that dissipates quickly into a spicier fresh scent. Unlike its related heavier varieties, a light sandalwood from Australia lingers most, blooming warm on the skin without being cloying, while the rose, tonka and watery vanilla bean dissolve into sheer thin air. ΩΩΩ½