Cherry Duel: Du Bois Sirene vs. Duchessa Gritti
Oh, how sad I was when my beloved Tom Ford Lost Cherry ran out—I’d worn it like a second skin. I began hunting for a worthy replacement, craving that same cherry magic but with something new to say. And to my surprise, I found not one, but two fragrances that gave Lost Cherry some serious competition. Today, I want to share my impressions of Fragrance Du Bois Sirène and Duchessa by Gritti. Both are cherry-driven, both are stunning in their own right—but only one captured my heart. Here’s why, in the end, I chose the intoxicating richness of Duchessa Gritti.
A Creamy Spell of Cherry Smoke: Fragrance Du Bois Sirène
On my skin, Sirène opens with a tart, dark cherry burst laced with pepper—it’s juicy, sharp, and quickly dipped in smoke. The heart turns creamy, almost dreamy, with oud and incense curling softly over the fruit. It’s smooth, mysterious, and empowering, like a whispered secret in a shadowed room. The dry-down clings with warm benzoin and earthy moss, adding balsamic depth. I wear it in cooler weather when I want to feel quietly confident and elegant. It’s strong, lasts about six hours on me, and feels genderless. Sirène is my mythical siren: dark, milky, and subtly enchanting.
Dark Cherry Drenched in Gold: Duchessa Gritti
Duchessa is another story entirely. On my skin, it’s a jammy black cherry draped in saffron and bitter orange, like a cherry cordial with a dangerous glint. Then it melts into cocoa and jasmine, warm clove spice, and silky white blossoms. The base is pure indulgence: sweet brown sugar, soft almond, and dusty iris give it a marzipan depth that lingers for hours. It’s rich, regal, and made for cold nights when I want to feel glamorous. The longevity is incredible—8 to 10 hours easily. Duchessa feels like slipping into a velvet gown and walking into candlelight. It’s decadent and unforgettable.
Both perfumes are beautiful, but Duchessa has a more sculpted, evolving character. Sirène opens strong but feels flatter after a few hours, creamy and warm, yes, but a bit syrupy and static. Duchessa, on the other hand, is dynamic. Its cherry isn’t sugary, it’s deep, grown-up, with bitter orange and saffron keeping it elegant. Cocoa, almond, and brown sugar unfold slowly and gracefully, never overwhelming. I feel like I’m wearing a story, not just a scent. While Sirène lasts well and projects strongly, Duchessa gives me layers, movement, surprise. For me, that’s why Duchessa wins, it transforms, telling a richer tale on my skin. Having experienced both, I have made my decision. While Fragrance Du Bois Sirène is enchanting, mysterious, wearable, and subtly smoky, Duchessa Gritti provides me with everything I desire in a cherry-based perfume and more. It is opulent, layered, and brimming with character. I wear it when I want to feel strong, feminine, and unforgettable. If you are someone who seeks artistry, depth, and a dynamic scent experience, you will find it in Duchessa. It is the cherry velvet fantasy I never knew I needed, until I encountered her. I offer this guide like a whispered secret: seek cherry perfumes where the fruit feels sculpted, not painted. Favor those with layered cherry accords—juicy yet edged with smoke, bitterness, saffron‑spice, cocoa or woods—rather than flat candy. High‑quality blends often use synthetic cherry molecules melded with natural botanical facets, allowing cherry to age, darken, sweeten and tone down elegantly . Examine fragrance families: gourmand‑oriental or woody‑spice creates depth and longevity beyond simple fruitiness . In niche brands, well‑crafted compositions balance cherry with real quality ingredients (real vanilla, saffron, oud) that evolve on skin. Finally, sample multiple accords—let skin interactions reveal whether the cherry stays bright, softens into powder, or deepens into resinous warmth. Choose the one that feels alive. Gritti is an Italian (EU‑based) brand, and in the EU finished perfumes are not tested on animals, in accordance with REACH regulations. Duchessa contains natural extracts (e.g. cocoa, almond, iris), but without full ingredient transparency, it cannot be confirmed to be entirely animal‑ingredient‑free or vegan. Optimal in autumn and winter, thanks to its warm, spicy, gourmand and balsamic profile (brown sugar, cherry, chocolate, spices), though with light application it can transition to early spring evenings The performance of this fragrance is typically characterized by its longevity, lasting for eight to ten hours or more, with a moderate to strong projection. However, it eventually fades closer to the skin. Influencers and reviewers have consistently praised its endurance, noting that it surpasses even Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry in terms of longevity. Launched in 2020, Duchessa is part of Gritti’s “Privé” collection. It was conceived by Luca Gritti, creator of the family’s Venetian house. The fragrance reflects his passion for bold and distinctive olfactory storytellingTwo Cherry Queens, But Only One Tells a Better Story
Natalie's Competent review
FAQ
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