New Perfume Review: M. Micallef Ananda Dolce + Peaches and Cream Draw

martine micallef and geoffrey nejman of m micallef

Martine Micallef and Geoffrey Nejman

Parfums M. Micallef is a favourite fragrance house of our esteemed editor-in-chief, Michelyn Camen. The newest offering, created by Geoffrey Nejman and Martine Micallef in collaboration with Jean Claude Astier is Ananda Dolce, which will be released March 2015. Designed to sit alongside the original fruity floral Ananda of 2005 and also the more sensual and dark Ananda Black, Ananda Dolce takes the name (translated from Sanskrit as 'bliss') and turns it into a fluffy cloud of sweetness. Featuring top notes of Almond, Peach and Almond Leaves, heart notes of Almond Blossom and White Flowers with a base of Amber, Tonka Bean and Musk, this is a Parisian dream in sugared almonds and peach parfait.

As I may have mentioned before, I am a gourmand fragrance lover to my core (and so are most of us at ÇaFleureBon; The Silver Fox and Michelyn are notorious for their love this genre). Alongside citrus scents, gourmands are my weakness and my greatest pleasure, but I'm quite specific in the notes that really do it for me. I tend to adore anything with an overdose of vanilla, Osmanthus and fig with their lactonic sweetness, heliotrope with its patisserie-like character and, of course, anything overtly fruity. I hadn't yet come across a sugar candy fragrance that was quite right, until I discovered Ananda Dolce. It is unashamedly sweet in character, yet also manages to be delicate and elegant.

ananda dolce micallef perfume

Ananda Dolce Peaches and Tulle

The opening few minutes are akin to tearing open a pink and white striped paper bag filled with confectionary. Pear drops, sugared almonds and nougat, served with pink lemonade on a breezy spring afternoon. Although the sugar rush kicks in from the very start, Ananda Dolce is by no means a hefty fragrance. Imagine a fashion model with elven features, dressed in a froth of tulle skirts and you may have a better picture. As the scent develops a more juicy peach note comes forth, cushioned with soft musks and an abundance of frilly white petals. The breezy, clean feeling that remains present throughout stops the fragrance from feeling too sticky, as other sweet gourmand perfumes can sometimes be.

a2-Tim Walker for British Vogue.

Tim Walker for British Vogue

Another charming characteristic of Ananda Dolce is how tenderly youthful it is seemingly lit from within in swirls of rose gold. I imagine this as the scent of a young woman, blushing and beautiful at her first grown-up party.  Gone are the ribbons and lollipops of her childhood but there lingers a delightful sweetness in her nature, a naivety that is at once endearing and disarming. She has little idea of the  sensual power she wields, she simply flutters about the room like a butterfly, enchanting all who meet her. Make no mistake this is not a perfume for teens, but for a person with confidence to wear an unabashedly yummy scent that in no way smells like a cupcake.

Gordon Parks- Life Magazine 1961.

Gordon Parks Life Magazine 1961

The warmth of amber and tonka bean in the drydown of Ananda Dolce turns the fragrance into a creamy, peachy dream. The initial sugar injection subsides and melts into the skin, leaving behind whispers of a day spent delicately eating peach parfait in the sunshine and  spring nights baring your shoulders in a fine spun filigree dress.

blumarine spring summer 2013 peach

Blumarine S/S 2013 peach gown editorial

Disclaimer- Sample gratefully received from M.Micallef. Opinions my own.

Susie Baird– Senior Contributor and editor of Epiphany.

Thanks to the generosity of Geoffrey Nejman, Martine Micallef and the team at Parfums M Micallef we have a 100ml bottle of Ananda Dolce to one reader worldwide. To be eligible please leave a comment with why you would like to win Ananda Dolce (180 Euros), if you have a favorite Pafums M.Micallef perfume and where you live. If you will be attending Esxence in Milan March 26-29, 2015 please stop by the M. Micallef booth 51. Draw closes March 25, 2015

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

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44 comments

  • I would love to win Ananda Dolce because I think that the bottles these fragrances come in are divine. As divine as the fragrances themselves. I am already a big fan of Ananada and the Mon Parfums. Every fragrance from the House of Micallef is fantastic with quality ingredients. It would also be a belated Birthday gift to myself 🙂 and by the sounds of it it will make the terrible cool and damp weather here more bearable until summer finally arrives. <3. My favorite Micallef perfumes are Ananda, Ylang, Note Ambre and Note Vanille (which I wish they would bring back please) and of course Nasreen and Mon Parfum Cristal are fabulous also. I am in the US the cold State of Wisconsin. Thank you for this fabulous draw.

  • Lillian Holloway says:

    Everything about it sounds yummy. I was introduced to gourmands for the first time this past year and have fallen deep into the rabbit hole. I am in the US.

  • I have been interested in this line for a while and intend to sample when in Europe later this year. I did buy Yellow Sea a few years ago…the richness suits the cooler weather.
    Ananda Dolce sounds really lovely, sweet but with not too much fruit. And almond, so delicious!
    I live in Australia

  • I love the smell of peaches. Peaches and nectarines are one of the best things about summer. I’d love to see how the peach is used in this perfume. I have not tried anything yet from M. Micallef.

    Thanks for the draw. I’m in Canada

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    I would like to try Ananda Dolce because it seems to strike a delicate balance between florals and orientals though it is gourmand…with special focus on Almond, it may appeal to those who love Lutens Rahat Loukoum or particularly Cartier’s original masterpiece panthere… thanks so much for the wonderful draw. i am in the US

  • ‘A creamy peachy dream” sounds delightful! I am a fan of the Micallef line. The quality and luxury is a theme carried throughout their line of scents. I own samples of most of the line and have bottles of Watch and Gardenia (older ones). The only one I haven’t tried is Ylang Ylang, whose bottle I covet! I very much like gourmand perfumes done with restraint. I don’t have a favorite with the peach note, however, and I think this could be the one! I am in the US. Thanks for a marvelous draw!

  • MikasMinion says:

    I love peach, I adore almond, and I have very few gourmands that are light and interesting enough to get much wear. I admit, I haven’t tried any of the M Micallef line yet but I think this may be a good starting point. I’m in the U.S. thank you for the draw!

  • I would love to have this beautiful bottle and the beautiful fragrance within it. I adore the Micallef house and there is nothing that disappoints in the entire line.

    I really love the original Ananda, and, because vanilla is one of my favorite notes, the masterpiece Note Vanillee is one of my favorite scents of all time.

    I am in the U.S.

  • ChanteusedesIles says:

    I love MDCI Peche Cardinal and by Kilian Liasons Dangereuse, so Ananda Dolce sounds like another peachy beauty i could fall for! I have never tried M. Micallef but I like that this has pear and almond candy in the top notes, and then juicy peaches with creamy tonka amber goodness. Yum, it sounds perfect, and I would love to get to try it. I live in Canada, Thanks for the great draw!

  • Gabriela Sanchez says:

    I love to win Amanda Dolce simply because reading the ingredients caught my attention , cushioned with soft musks and an abundance of frilly white petals. I believe this was just the perfect perfume that I need I need in my life it was meant for me. . Perfect combination.Love to try crossing fingers. Thank you for the opportunity. Follow on Instagram @chynna_gaby

  • I think Ananda Dolce would be a great gift for a close friend of mine who loves peaches. Looking at the notes, I can say that Ananda Dolce would be a serious challenger for her most beloved peach fragrance (the actual one being Peau de Peche).

    From M.Micallef my favourite has to be Royal Vintage. I only tested 2-3 or three from her, but Royal Vintage is the one that easily stands out.

    I am from EU. Thanks!

  • Interesting review. I like smell of tonka bean and peaches so I would like to win Ananda Dolce)
    My favorite M.Micallef perfume are Arabian Diamond and Vanille Orient.
    I’m in Russia. Thanks for the draw.

  • Wow, you’ve made Ananda Dolce sound so extremely enticing. I’m also a gourmand perfume lover and this sounds like something i could die for. I don’t yet have a favorite Micallef, and I’m in the US.

  • peaches, white flowers and almond.. Ananda dolce sounds delightful. My favorite Micallefs are Ananda Mon Parfum Gold. And aoud gourmet
    I love this bottle. Usa reader

  • i crave for gourmand perfumes so Ananda Dolce would be just perfect now 🙂
    my favourite M.Micaleff perfume is Gaiac (i’m on my second bottle…)

    thank you for the draw – i’m in the EU

  • Very nice review. I had never tried any of M.Micallef perfume. I would very like to win this perfume, because I very like the notes and I like this lovely bottle too. It looks fabulous.
    I live in Europe.

  • I’ve been craving peaches and their smell lately. It must be this interminable winter!! Tonka bean/peach sounds mmm-mmm good (as they used to say). Thanks for the generous draw. I’ve not got a fave Micallef just yet. In the US. . .cheers!

  • It just sounds so delicious, and in a light way that seems perfect for spring! Ananda Dolce’s gourmand peaches and tonka are what draws me in. I would love to try it!
    I am in the US. Thanks for the draw!

  • I’ve liked every M. Micallef perfume I’ve tried, including the original Ananda, but I think my favorite is Pomelos. (Still can’t get a sample of Vanille Aoud!) Peachy and sugary notes are ones I like when done well, and Micallef seems to do everything well. And those gorgeous bottles…. I’m in the US.

  • Count me among the unabashed gourmand lovers! This one sounds particularly lovely because I love peach notes. Black Sea is my favorite M. Micallef fragrance. Thanks for the drawing! I’m in the US.

  • Great review! The notes sound very intriguing, Thank you so much for the chance!
    My favorite Micallef is Royal Amber.
    US

  • Ananda Dolce seems to be tthe perfect perfume for the patisserie lover that I am..It sounds like a divine cloud of unabashed swwetness and gorgeous gourmandise you would never want to get off from…
    My favourite M.Micallef would definitely be the tropical bonanza that is Ylang in Gold.
    Thank you for this great draw..I live in France

  • This review really tempts me. Right now I feel like needing a perfume like this. Find peach and tonka lovely, but right now it’s also about the weather. Everything I think it’s finally going to be spring, it gets cold and windy, sometimes with a touch of snow. Something sweet and delicate and dreamy is just what I need to warm myself and keep me believing warmer seasons are soon to come.
    M.Micallef is another brand I have on my wishlist, but have yet to explore. I’m in Sweden.

  • Susie, WOW…. this was an incredibly descriptive of how you experienced this fragrance, great job and the art… superb. I consider myself a confident woman but still might lack the knowledge of the power I wield… I love M Micallef perfumes.. hard to name a favorite as I have many but since I just wore Aoud Gourmet last evening I’m going with it. It was appreciated by the person who shared my scent as well. I am in the US.

  • tati_gheller says:

    This review made me realize one thing. Namely that my collection, with its array of dark Orientals, mossy chypres, and icy aldehydic florals, bitterly lacks a great gourmand (or three). And peaches? Who, in their right mind, can say no to peaches?

    Thank you for yet another eloquent, evocative review, and for the generous draw. I’m in Russia.

  • Great review, Susie – thank you!
    My favorite summer fruits are peaches and raspberries, and while I have found raspberry-centered perfumes to soothe my craving in the colder times, I still haven’t found at least one peach-centered to satisfy my peach hunger in the winter. I imagine Ananda Dolce could be the one, though I am much more into the close-to-the-real thing fruit scents than into the usually overly sweeter variations on the theme. If I win, I will send you a feedback how the scent fits into my desire. Moreover, I already love one fruity awesomeness from M. Micallef that is Sous La Figuier – one of the best juicy figs on the fumie market these days! It’s a shame it is out of the limelight!
    I am in Bulgaria (EU). Thanks t CaFleurBon for the chance!

  • Roseinrose says:

    I am a gourmand fragrance lover too so this perfume has really gotten my attention since it has all the notes that I love like almond, peach, almond leaves, almond blossom, amber, tonka musk a sweet yet delicate and elegant smell and as dear Susie notes: “A perfume for a person with confidence to wear an unabashedly yummy scent that in no way smells like a cupcake”.
    For the above reason I would love to experience this perfume apart from the fact that it is a creation of the perfume house M. Micallef that dear Michelyn Camen favors and I trust her impeccable taste. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to experience any M. Micallef perfumes
    I live in EU and I thank you for this generous draw.

  • Ananda Dolce sounds like a lovely confection. If you sifted through my comment history I’m sure you’d find mention of my love of almond notes. 🙂 I would love to try this perfume because it smells really quite comforting without being insipid. I have not tried any perfumes from M. Micallef, though I’ve been tempted by Aoud Gourmand. I am in the US; thank you for the draw.

  • Wonderful review! Anything that even hints at peach catches my eye, my favorite fruit! I have yet to explore Micallef perfumes, but as A gourmand lover, this would be a great place to start! I”m in the USA.

  • I would love to try this – I love the scent of peaches, I could go stand out between my two peach trees in summer, smelling the ripe peaches. I love white flowers – it sounds so sensual yet elegant.
    I’m in the US, thanks for the draw!

  • I think peach scents on women are so feminine and girly, and I love them! This fragrance also has one of the nicest bottles I’ve seen in a while. This would make a great gift to my sister. The house of M. Micallef always produce very high quality juices.

    My fav from the line would be Gaiac. I love the wood mixed with the vanilla. The sweetness and elegance of it is outstanding!

    I’m in Canada and thank you for the draw!

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    I would like to win Ananda Dolce because of the variety of creamy almond notes – almond, almond leaves, almond blossoms. I have not yet had the pleasure of wearing a Pafums M.Micallef perfume. I live in the US.

  • Oh this whole piece caught my eye, the colours in the pictures, the bottle before I even read the article by which time I was transfixed. A gourmand scent that could be sensual and not sticky, sweet and not sickly a total dream as the seasons warm up. I have only been fortunate to try a small sample of Royal Amber which was beautiful. I am located in the UK. Thank you.

  • I’m usually cautious around gourmands, but peach and almond sound so delicious — I don’t think I could resist Ananda Dolce. I haven’t tried a Micallef perfume yet; I must get samples soon. I’m in the US; thank you for the draw.

  • There are many reason why I would like to win a bottle of this wonderful scent. First of all I love the bottle. It’s really very beautiful and shows, that the juice inside is something special.

    The second reason is that I love sweet gourmand perfumes. Almond, Peach, Amber, Tonka Bean and Musk are 5 of my favourite perfume notes.

    I like almost everything what Micallef have created in the last decades. Gaiac is my favourite scent of the brand.

    I’m in Germany.

    Thank you for this wonderful read and this amazing draw.

  • I am in the U.S. and would love to win Ananda Dolce as I love almond and peach notes. I haven’t tried many Micallef perfumes but I love Vanille Marine. Thanks for the draw!

  • I am in the US. Thank you so much for this opportunity! Micallef are always so generous! I am definitely drawn to this scent, for the gorgeous bottle as well as the fact that it is different from the current trends in my perfume wardrobe. I think this sweet, soft and musky fragrance would be a lovely addition. My favorite Micallef is Ylang in Gold.

  • Jennifer Witt says:

    I would love to try Ananda Dolce as the motes sound unique and gorgeous! I live in the US, and haven’t got a favorite Micallef.

  • I’ve not yet had the chance to try this line, what a beautiful-sounding fragrance (and gorgeous bottle!). It sounds like a very Italian take on peach with the addition of almond, I would love to try this! I am in New York.

  • The pear and almond really appeal to me in this new perfume. As always this M Micallef is in an absolutely gorgeous bottle. My favorite perfume from this house is Vanille Fleur. I am in the US.

  • Just the bottle alone has me in love with this perfume! Peaches are such pretty smelling, and fragrances that incorporate them always end up being so bright and fresh. My favorite from this house would have to be simply M. Micallef. I love the floral notes in it, I highly recommend! I’m in Canada and thanks!

  • This review is so poetic! I would love to win Ananda Dolce because I have a sweet spot for gourmand fragrances, and this: “Pear drops, sugared almonds and nougat, served with pink lemonade on a breezy spring afternoon.” Heart be still, springtime is here. My favorite Micallef is Aoud Gourmet. I’m in the U.S. Thanks so much!

  • I’m late for the draw, but I thought I’d chime in anyway. I love Micallef fragrances. Mon Parfum is one of my favs and I also like Mon Parfum Gold. They make beautiful perfumes and this Ananda sounds absolutely yummy! I’d love this one for sure. I also like how these 2 seems so much in love. that shows in their perfumes. 🙂
    in case I made it – I’m in the US.