Fragrance Reviews: The Ladies of TOCCA + Choose Your Muse Draw

Every so often a random sample comes with a purchase, from a company you haven’t ever heard of yet, and you fall head-over-heels and the rest (as they say) is history. This is what happened to me when I received a TOCCA sample. The sheer beauty of the flacon, the plain yet elegant class of the packaging and the beautiful fragrances they contain all impressed me more than any other designer fragrances had in years. All of their scents contain beautiful blends and have amazing inspirations.

This company started in fashion in 1994 and released a wildly popular sari dress. They continue to produce fashion but it is their fragrances, more than their clothes, which speak to me. Their name sounds Italian, but the company is American and strives to combine an old world aesthetic to a more modern audience with the same finesse and grace. Gold leaf adorned boxes hold heavy high-quality Murano glass bottles capped with charming bird-and-leaves motif decorating their metal caps. The company motto: “Love Yourself” is inscribed inside every box lid.

Stella (2006) is a breathtaking perfume. An opening of blood orange and creamy lily is sweet, but never too heavy. It segues into a floral heart of smooth freesia and white diamond orchids. It’s smooth and sexy, bawdy but never tacky. Despite the litany of ultra-femme florals it contains, this perfume veers towards unisex with a finish of dry sandalwood and sheer musk but manages to stay just this side of feminine, giving it a sexy and impetuous charm.  Blood oranges originated in 17th century Sicily and this scent hints at the intrigue and beauty of Renaissance Italy. Sillage: good. Longevity: above average.

Artist: Lori Baluk

Florence (2006), whose name means “blooming”, is a superbly green floral scent. An astounding opening of bergamot, pear and grapefruit leaves gives a glowing and vibrant green aura to the beautiful “old fashioned” rose heart draped with jasmine, gardenia and violet garlands and sprinkled with a pinch of tuberose. Without smelling like a flower shop this perfume captures the sophistication and elegance of maturity while managing to keep it lively and enticing. As it dries down, a stunning iris note adds the silken beauty of the blooms to the sharp green of its leaves and draws it into a clean woody freshness. Sillage: great. Longevity: very good.

Cleopatra (2007) has inspired and been immortalized in many perfumes. A well-balanced opening of tart grapefruit and sharp cassis is smoothed by lush greens giving it an immediate intensity as powerful as it is regal. A sultry heart of jasmine and tuberose is made even richer and sweeter with peach nectar, yet it is never too indolic or saccharine. Rich and full patchouli blends its dark charm with dry golden amber  as they swirl into a vanilla musk that makes any other “Egyptian Musk” I have smelled seem cheap and tacky. This is truly a perfume fit for a Queen. Sillage: very good. Longevity: excellent.

Brigitte (2008) was inspired by the chic glamorous and care-free spirit of Brigitte Bardot. A unique opening of sweet papaya and tart rhubarb is dusted with ginger and saffron, resulting in a spicy and fruity delight. The contrast of these accords creates something at once warm and exceedingly fresh, just like Ms. Bardot herself. This interplay of opposites continues throughout as full and romantic Moroccan rose is offset by steely iris root and dry aromatic sandalwood is softened with clean white musk while a scent of warm pannetone bread adds a slightly gourmand feel. Sillage: great. Longevity: very good.

Giulietta (2009) is named for Giulietta Masina, the wife and life-long love of Italian director Federico Fellini and was inspired by their holidays on the island of Corsica. This begins with a delicious green apple aroma, sweet and crisp, surrounded by the soft ephemeral scent of pink tulips and sheer roses. As the heart opens, ylang ylang adds a sun-drenched floral fullness to more classic powdery notes, like lilac and heliotrope. Hints of soft vanilla kisses and beachy breezes follow until the warm sunset over the sea is discernible in the close of cedar, musk, amber and sandalwood. This is like a perfume portrait of a perfect day, spent with someone you love. Sillage: average. Longevity: good.

Bianca (2010) is Italian for white, and was inspired by a seaside café in southern Italy. It is predominately a green tea scent (and an amazingly true one at that). The opening of lemon Orpur with bergamot and lavender create a brilliance that is neither too “clean” nor too astringent. These notes accentuate the soft beauty of the tea leaves and magnify them. Dry jasmine touched with roses adds a teasing hint of sensuality. I can imagine drinking jasmine green tea and looking out over the Mediterranean while delicate winds scented with flowers growing nearby gently touch my skin. A bit of sugar added to the tea makes it even more delicious and musk adds just the right amount of “wow”. Sillage: average. Longevity: average.

Colette (2010) was what made me fall in love with this house. Inspired by the French libertine and writer of the same name, this was meant to capture her romantic writings and liaisons and be reminiscent of the scent of a lover that lingers, the morning after, on the pillow. Perhaps the most “male friendly” scent in the collection, this takes juniper, bergamot and pink pepper and fuses them to violet leaves, jasmine and pine needles. The result is something absolutely genderless and exceedingly soft, yet aromatic and tantalizing. Sheer incense adds a touch of mystique to this tryst as musk amber and woods create a sexy and soft, but not overly oriental, finish. Gentle and passionate meet sweet and soft-spoken. Sillage: below average. Longevity: slightly above average.

Graciella (2011) pays homage to the immortal Grace Kelly. Ever the statuesque and classic beauty, she was loved the world over and captured the heart of a real live Prince and this perfume unfolds like a fairy tale. Bitter orange meets sweet juicy apricots and crisp pear in the top as a royal bouquet of rose, iris and Casablanca lily blooms. Without any of the trite trappings of the typical “fruity floral” this perfume manages to be both, and yet remain classy and poised. Even though this comes off rich and opulent, its base of benzoin and musk makes it easy to love. Sillage: very good. Longevity: above average.

 

Violette (2012) tells the tale of a U.S. soldier on leave falling in love with a sales clerk at a fragrance counter in Paris in the 1940’s and their whirlwind romance. His dashing good looks are illustrated with nuances of bergamot, coriander and ginger, while her demure feminine beauty is brought to life with African violets, Bulgarian rose and black currants. All these notes combine into a blend of soul-stirring beauty the way their hearts must have when they first locked eyes and just “knew”. The depth and strength of their love is captured in mighty cedar and warm embrace of benzoin. Velvety cashmere musk mirrors their soft touches and the heat of their passion. Their time together may have been short-lived, but the beauty of that love will live forever. Sillage: very good. Longevity: good.

This house has managed to capture aspects of love and timeless beauty in fragrances and has done so at a very modest price. It is not too often you find such elegance and beauty in a perfume bottle for around 70 US dollars.

Disclosure: Reviews based on samples and bottles sent to me by TOCCA through Lexamedia.

Thanks to TOCCA we have a draw for a reader’s choice of a 50mL bottle of whichever one of the above reviewed fragrances you would like best. To be eligible leave a comment and choose your muse from these fragrances. We will draw one winner on November 16, 2012.

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

-John Reasinger, Editor

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66 comments

  • I once had a sniff of Cleopatra and loved it, it would be great to get a sample. Thanks for the draw!

  • The bottles themselves are very classy and are appealing for one to be interested in the contents, all things equal. I would like to try Violette, as it is the newest to see the direction they are moving in. Thanks for the draw.

  • Wonderful draw!
    I love gourmand scents and the notes in Brigitte sound wonderful! Would love to try it!

  • I love Tocca as a brand, so thank you for reviewing them John. I have been on the hunt for the almost non-existent Tocca Touch. My search has so far been unsuccessful. Boo hoo!

    From the available range, my favourite is Tocca Brigitte. I love the rhubarb note in this fragrance,

    Thanks for this fabulous draw!

  • I’ve only smelled their Stella, but I fell in love with it. The others sound so lovely as well. And gorgeous bottles!

  • I haven’t smelled any of these, but I’d love to sniff Brigitte — lol. Thanks for the draw! Great collection of muses. 🙂

  • Thanks so much for an overview of the entire line. The company gets kudos from me for offering a selection of testers for a very reasonable price. My muse would be Colette.

  • I have always been a fan of Stella. She is my favorite. I am a sucker for blood oranges. Mmm delicious:) Thank you for the opportunity!

  • My muse would be Giulietta. Giulietta’s Gelsomina in the film “La Strada” is heart-wrenching; one can never forget her face. What an extraordinary actor!

  • Bianca and Colette both called to me from these descriptions. I love perfume that transports me to another place–Bianca sounds lovely in that regard, drinking jasmine tea while looking over the Mediterranean….but Colette seems like it would agree with my chemistry and sensibilities, as well as colder weather..,, hmm…

    I would choose Colette. Thank you for these lovely, evocative reviews, and for the draw!

  • I have been wanting to try these for quite some time now. Stella calls to me louder than the rest and I love the name too! Thank you for the draw and lovely review!!

  • Are these available in Europe?You made me so curious to try them all!But for now,Stella would be my choice,thank you for this!Love the photo of the great Giulietta Masina!

  • I had a full bottle of Brigitte and a mini of Florence and they were both lovely..needless to say they are empty now 🙁 so I would not mind another full bottle 🙂 As usual, John, your fantastic writing sold me on Bianca “drinking jasmine green tea and looking out over the Mediterranean:…. thanks for the draw!

  • just breathe says:

    My mother, who is my mentor when it comes to perfume, rarely buys perfume blind but she bought a bottle of Brigitte (it happens to be her name) three years ago and it smells fantastic (I am sniffing the empty bottle now). I would love a full bottle of Brigitte for myself :)!
    And by the way, the bottles themselves are gorgeous…very heavy glass with an ornate top..perfect to decorate your dresser.
    thanks for the draw,cafleurebon!

  • How have I never tried these? Cleopatra, especially, sounds like a scent I could fall in love with.

  • I think Bianca would be for me, many thanks! So far I´ve tried Cleopatra but it didn´t impress me much.

  • Thanks for turning my head toward these! I’d love to try all of them but my choice would be Cleopatra. Thanks!

  • Weeh, I own the limited edition discovery set from the photo number two! Lovely, lovely scents. Think Stella is my favorite from the ones I own, but I’d love to try Brigitte as it sounds just beautiful!

  • I have long admired this line and their gorgeous bottles. A bottle of Colette would slay a lemming! Thanks for the beautiful reviews and the draw.

  • Stella, Cleopatra bad Graciella each sound lovely to me…I think I’m most curious about Cleopatra. I’m so thankful to read about Tocca, I’ve been curious about them for a while.

  • I was always mesmerized by the beauty and richness of Egypt’s culture, therefore Cleopatra. Thanks!

  • I agree the bottles are splendid and the perfumes very nice. I own Violette and small bottles of some of the others from this house.

    Should I be lucky enough to win I’ll choose Brigitte! Thanks for these reviews and this draw, John! (-;

  • I am not a very «floral» person, so I think Colette would be my best pick!
    I never had a chance to smell Tocca perfumes, thanks for you lovely reviews and for the generous draw!

  • Giulietta! Like beautful Giulietta Masina, great actress and wife of the Master, Federico Fellini, son of my land, Emilia Romagna in Italy!

  • Of those muses, I’d certainly go with Bardot, but of the perfumes the one that seems most interesting is Cleopatra. I wouldn’t want to get near the Egyptian queen, but her perfume is the one I’d like to win.

  • Good grief, John! Your copy made me fall in love with every single one of these! I think I would love Stella best, though!

    Thanks for taking the time to write this extremely engaging post!

    xoxoA

  • Cleopatra is the only Tocca fragrance I have tried and I found it complex and extremely well made. I also think the flacons are simply beautiful. Based on all the lovely descriptions, Giulietta sounds like my scent soul mate. Thanks for the draw!

  • They all sound delicious, but Colette sounds the most ‘me’. Thanks for drawing my attention to this house, it hadn’t been on my radar before!

  • My favourite muse is Violette. The notes sound lovely. And lovely is the story behind it.

    Thanks!

  • It’s been difficult to choose one of them, but according to the notes I pick Bianca. I think that green tea and lavender could be a good combination.

  • The newest one, Violette, is the one I haven’t yet had the pleasure to try, so that’s my choice.

  • I have always admired those lovely bottles – so old world. I’m intrigued the most by Colette, though the descriptions all sound lovely.

  • Cleopatra sounds fantastic. I love reading about her, and am drawn to the idea of any scent inspired by her. Thanks!

  • I love the blood orange note in fragrance! I would love Stella for that reason and that my late grandmother’s name was Stella.

  • This is the best review of Tocca I have ever read. Thank you for putting into words what I have always known but not had the expertise to explain. My parents and I searched soho for hours in 1996 looking for their shop and finally found it- not to be disappointed! Touch eau de Parfum will never be forgotten! My last drops are treasured for sure. Happy now to know the tuberose is in Cleo and Florence! They are all amazing.

  • Shan Willliams says:

    Tocca perfumes the best but I can not decide which one I like best. I spend ages trying the testers and am always completely torn. Definitely my faviourite perfumes by a country mile.