This is exactly the type of fragrance that keeps me interested in smaller independent artisan houses. The Forbidden City isn’t trying to smell like everything else out there. Right from the opening I get this really interesting combination of apricot, jasmine tea and darker black tea, but what really makes this work for me is the incense running underneath everything. The apricot gives it just enough fruitiness without turning it sweet or juvenile. Then the tea comes through dry and aromatic, while the incense, myrrh and woods start giving it this almost meditative feel. There is some darkness here, but it never becomes heavy. The woods smooth everything out as it dries down. And anyone who knows me knows that incense speaks to me, so naturally this part of the fragrance is right in my wheelhouse. What I really appreciate is that this smells like somebody actually had an idea and followed it through rather than looking at what is selling and trying to make another version of it. It’s unusual without becoming difficult to wear. This is also another reminder of why I’ve been digging deeper into these smaller perfumer-led houses. With a collection as large as mine, I don’t need another fragrance that smells like five things I already own. Give me something with personality. The Forbidden City definitely has that. Apricot. Tea. Jasmine. Incense. Woods. Different—and different is exactly what I’m looking for these days. One thing that can get a little confusing is the name. If you’re looking for The Forbidden City today, you may see it listed as The Forbidden Temple. Same fragrance, different name—so don’t let that throw you off.

Megamare by Orto Parisi is an uncompromising interpretation of the ocean in fragrance form. It is a powerful marine composition that moves far beyond the conventional idea of a fresh aquatic scent, presenting instead an intense and almost elemental impression of the sea. The fragrance opens with a striking marine character salty, mineralic and intensely atmospheric before revealing deeper nuances reminiscent of seaweed, wet rocks, ocean air and the vastness of open water. Its evolution is particularly noteworthy for the way it combines freshness with darkness, creating an aquatic profile that feels both clean and mysterious. What distinguishes Megamare is its extraordinary presence and persistence. It is a fragrance of considerable projection, yet its appeal lies not merely in its strength, but in the distinctive olfactory landscape it creates. Rather than simply smelling fresh, it attempts to capture the raw character and depth of the ocean itself. For enthusiasts of niche perfumery, Megamare is best approached as an olfactory study of the sea—salty, mineral, intense, unconventional and unapologetically bold. Fragrance character: Marine • Salty • Mineralic • Aquatic • Fresh • Intense Performance: Exceptional longevity and projection Overall impression: A dark, powerful and highly distinctive interpretation of the open sea.