Isparta

I got a sample set for my mom and wanted to try this. We weren’t sure about the initial spray, but the drydown is gorgeous! I do get the comparisons to POAL. Whereas POAL is a majestic dry patch rose, Isparta is POAL’s warmer and sweeter baby sister. For me, on the initial spray, I got a dusty overripe berry note on the verge of rotting fruit (I assume this was the berry and patchouli combo), but after a few minutes, it blooms into this lush, warm spicy rose jam. Very sexy, great in cold weather. I like it on its own, but my mom likes to layer it with Chanel No 5.

I'm so sorry to be the dissenting voice here but this was sweet, cloying sweet and smelled like cheap perfume from a flea market. Yes, I got the sweet, juicy but it was simplistic, and too much at the same time. as POAL is a staple in my winter wardrobe I was so excited to adore this one. On top of the cloying sweetness as it dried down I smelled a metallic something much like pennies soaking in water. Sorry, but a complete miss. I can't think of a good thing to say about it. Try before you buy.

I think Dirtyboy's review nailed it perfectly. This perfume is perfect for both Catholic mass and seduction. You can take Isparta anywhere. Love it!

I LOVE this perfume! What a surprise this is. I love the opening-the crisp berries and rose, and the woodsy/spiciness of it. Everything is a 10 out of 10-from the opening to the drydown. It's not too sweet, but just right. Also, I wholeheartedly agree with Dirtyboy's review. This is my next full bottle purchase. It's simply delectable.

This one is sweet and chewy and when I am in the right mood, perfection. It is nothing like Portrait of a Lady to me. PoaL is rich, dark, mysterious; laden with a dark patchouli that comes in and out of prominence, along with the rose and the wood. Isparta is the best rose macaron you ever had. I love them both, but for entirely different reason. (I would never want to *eat* PoaL. Isparta makes me want to chew on my arm. (And I am not a gourmand lover normally.) It is a bit fleeting.

I agree with the previous reviewer that this has remarkable similarities with Portrait of a Lady, which I also adore. Isparta is much juicier, and reminds me of blackberries ripening past recognition in the sun on their vines, intermingled with the dark red roses and dry woody spices that nearly resemble POAL. I am in love with POAL's dryness and potency, but at exactly half the price, Isparta is definitely worth trying.

oh god i love isparta . 1st thing i thought was portrait of a lady but BETTER . my gripe with poal is that its so big and loud , the patchouli is so intense , rose is so dry but i still love it . i always wished that the rose in the malle perfume was moister and the red berries were sweeter . isparta is exactly , i mean like 100% exactly , what id wished for . the rose here is delicious , red , moist , very very jammy n sweet . its not powdery nor is it a light tea rose . this sh t is superb . the halfway point and drydown is a bit different from that delicious thick rose jam opening though . its more chouli/mild oud/rose with benzoin bein a lil more dominant . this is also where isparta greatly differs from portrait of a lady . isparta is waaaaaaaay better , imo . i cant enough of that delicious rose , its almost like u wanna eat it . highest 5 outta 5 possible