Sorriso
Profumum (2014)

Sorriso opens with a blast of cocoa-flavored wax, quite similar to the scent of the Vaseline cocoa butter lotion. This is cast over what smells to me like a sharp, almost soapy white musk but realize later must be the vanilla (vanillin). There are hints of coconut tanning oil, minty Carmex lip balm, a soft and incredibly fleeting orange note, and even a waft of Aveeno. It is nice, if a little dull.

I don't know why the idea of a full-bodied, true chocolate fragrance (dark chocolate shavings, unsweetened cocoa powder, melted chocolate, brownies, etc.) is so attractive to me, when I know full well that it is (a) rarely found - as in this case, most cocoa-themed fragrances actually smell more like cocoa-scented grooming products and lotions than actual chocolate, and (b) real dark chocolate, especially when melted, has rather off-putting notes, like metal, blood, or spoiled milk, so not entirely sure if a perfume that truly smells of chocolate is something I want.

Still, when I read a notes list like this, my damn stupid heart starts pounding once again for the idea of smelling like a Terry's Chocolate Orange. I should note that my sample is quite old, so there is a brief moment at the start when the perfume smells a little like one of those 'special' edition flavors of Baileys that they do at Christmas, like caramel or toffee. I am not totally opposed to this (whore for Baileys that I am), but alas, the moment passes very quickly, and anyway, I can't guarantee that it's not a feature of the aged-ness of my sample.

Mostly chocolate on me, powdery vanillic like ChocoMusk, but with soft undertones that keep it in perfume territory instead of food. It's like brown velvet. I love this one.

Sorriso by Profumum Roma has quickly become one of my favorite gourmand fragrances. It opens with a hint of orange blossom and plenty of cocoa butter. The orange note is not bright nor acidic and it is blended seamlessly with the composition. The drydown reveals a creamy, intoxicating chocolate supported by vanilla and musc. The result is both creamy and powdery, sweet and snuggly. This simple note list (dark chocolate, vanilla, exotic woods, and bitter orange) results in a truly addictive, slightly woody, chocolate musc that smells rich and gourmand, but somehow feels slightly summery with the cocoa butter lotion aspect. IMO this could be worn all year, as long as one doesn't over spray during the warmer months. The quality of this fragrance is excellent–one spray will last for the entire day. Given that Sorriso is so rich, smoothly blended, decadent, and long lasting, I think it is worth the price point. I realize that Sorriso is a little simple; if you are looking for something complex, original, or groundbreaking, this might not be for you; but, if you are looking for a high quality, easy to wear chocolate perfume, then this might hit the spot.

4/5

When I apply this on the back of my hand, I get a vanilla waft as I'm sitting on my desk typing on a keyboard, and a strong acetone/chemical facet if I bring my nose close to my skin. To me, this is Profumum's vanilla offering. I get no chocolate and no orange. It's a nice vanilla, though, as long as you resist the urge to sniff your skin where you applied it.

A blend of chocolate and vanilla with a soft, cushiony, fluffy feeling. It wears like one's ensconced in a cloud. As is the usual case with Profumum Roma, the ingredients are obviously of a very good quality--rich and robust despite being used in a simple manner. Furthermore, Sorriso is impressively, and almost dangerously, strong. While wearing just about two and a half light sprays I filled the room I was working in. I knew I was choking out anyone around me with a gigantic gourmand cloud that followed my every move. I ran home during lunch to wash some of it off me it was so strong. And even after scrubbing and rinsing myself in warm, soapy water the fragrance is still very present. In fact I received 3 comments AFTER I washed myself off, none of which were negative, and one of which was a compliment. So that may tell you a little bit about how it wears. If something can be both "soft" and bombastic, this is the one. As mentioned before, Sorriso blends chocolate and vanilla, and for the most part I don't smell (or care to smell) anything else. If there are a couple of other notes there, they're not too important. I have one chocolate scent--this is it. It's my holy grail chocolate. When the rare mood strikes me and I need a cocoa fix, Sorriso's the one. While not especially masculine, it's not particularly feminine either, and seems to hover right in the middle of the gender scale. A great quality fragrance of exceptional strength and impressive longevity, my final rating is a 9/10.

Gorgeous caramel, beautiful chocolate, nice smoke, cute orange, powdery vanilla.

Love.