By Tara
Released earlier this year, Corsica Furiosa was the first new launch from Parfum d’Empire since 2012’s Musc Tonkin.
Perfumer Marc-Antoine Corticchiato has based the fragrance on an overdose of the natural material, lentisque (or mastic resin), using it in the form of oil, absolute and extract.
The resin is obtained from an evergreen shrub, Pistacia lentiscus, which is native to Corticchiato’s picturesque homeland, the Mediterranean island of Corsica.
Notes for Corsica Furiosa include lentiscus (mastic) oil, nepita (a local variety of wild mint), lentiscus absolute, tomato leaf, pepper, lentiscus extract, hay, honey, cistus and oakmoss.
As you may have already noticed, the line has redesigned its bottles and packaging.
The top of Corsica Furiosa features tomato leaf with a dash of lemon and a few sprigs of mint. The lentisque quickly kicks in full force and the fragrance remains linear for several hours. It’s tart and crisp, accented with a sprinkling of pepper.
Lentisque (and therefore Corsica Furiosa) is the scent of bright green, fibrous plant stalks rather than dark green, lush vegetation. It’s more sturdy than tender. I can imagine the bosky bushes in Corsica growing on dusty slopes under a hot sun.
“Furioso” is a musical term. It’s a direction, instructing a piece “to be played rapidly and with passion”. Corsica Furiosa is certainly invigorating in its verdancy. It’s a vivid green at high pitch.
Enlivening and intense, it captures the mood of an energetic walk up a hillside in the Mediterranean, with clean air and wide open vistas.
It’s green from start to finish but it does become more earthy and mossy in the base, which is the part I like most. I can’t detect any honey or hay, as listed.
Green perfumes are largely genderless but I find Corsica Furiosa rather more masculine than feminine in style. It’s clean-cut, literal and cologne-fresh. I’d categories both projection and longevity of the Eau de Parfum as about average.
Having experienced it a couple of months ago in Lentisque by Phaedon and now here, I don’t think lentisque/mastic is my kind of green. I prefer those that are dark and deep like Ormonde Woman or light and sparkling like Chanel’s Bel Respiro. Another factor is that I don’t have a reference point for lentisque. It doesn’t conjure up the greenery I know and love.
If however, like Marc-Antoine, you have happy memories of time spent on the “Island of Beauty” and recall its particular herbaceous scent, then maybe Corsica Furiosa will hit the spot and transport you back there with a single spray.
Have you tried Corsica Furiosa?
Are you fond of any of the fragrances from Parfum d’Empire?
Olfactoria's Travels 
I can’t say that I have any idea what lentisque smells like, but I’ll be sure to look out for it whenever I get to try Corsica Furioso. I think even if it isn’t *your* green you make a very loving description. I can imagine that I’d like to smell it rather than to wear it, being perhaps not the very biggest fan of herbaceous greens. Equestrius is a clear favourite of mine.
Asali, you’ve hit the nail on the head for me. I can see it’s well done but it’s not a fragrance I want to wear. Lentisque has a distinctive aroma, it’s worth investigating for that really.
Equistrius is my favourite from Parfums d’Empire too.
Intriguing.
Neil, I think you might appreciate the intensity of this one!
I haven’t tried this one yet, but have a sample of the Corsican line Testa Maura with similar notes and that’s a green I liked. (Keeping in mind I don’t do greens…) I always wanted to go to Corsica, it is supposed to be incredibly beautiful, wild and fragrant. I have a lot of love for the Parfum d’Empire line but the new bottles don’t justify the price change. And they got rid of the 50ml bottles which is a crying shame.
This move to larger bottles is so frustrating.
Corsica looks gorgeous, I’d like to go too. I didn’t know there was a Corsican perfume line but if they’ve done a green you like, that says something.
Hey there Tara,
I really like this house. Most of their frags I find interesting and a lot of them sing on my skin. Not to mention they have a terrific sample program and Marc-Antoine Corticchiato is a TOTAL hottie. Another on my list to try soon,
Thanks
Portia xx
He is? Will have to Google, ha ha.
I think it’s a really solid line and the sample service is brilliant.
Oh TARA! How could you NOT know this. The man is totally gorgeous. He should be a movie star.
How great that we snap on another line. I think I have 5 or 6 FBs here. Michael Edwards gifted me a couple and I bought some too.
My absolute favourite is Ambre Russe, what’s yours?
Portia xx
It’s funny, there are quite few really hot perfumers out there. Lucky us 🙂
How great that you got a couple of Parfume d’Empire frags from Michael Edwards.
Equistrius is my current fave but I need to re-visit Ambre Russe and Cuir Ottoman.
Ooooh, I’m intrigued, and that’s saying something, because I’ve been satisfied with my green category for a while (and both Ormonde Woman and Bel Respiro are in it 😉 ). I just discovered that PdE changed their bottles, and I’m disappointed, I think the older style bottles are far more attractive. Serves me right for buying a second big decant of Equistrius instead of a bottle, which means it won’t match my Cuir Ottoman. Yes, I’m particular enough that it will bother me….
Hey Dionne,
Hopefully you can get to test it as it appeals to you, even though you have that category sorted. I prefer the old bottles too, I must say.
I want to re-try Cuir Ottoman. That one gets a lot of love.
I have enjoyed some wild and woolly – or grassy rather – holidays in Corsica, that included a forest fire, first aid from monks following a moped accident, a stolen handbag, a visit to the Foreign Legion, and a night on a policeman’s mother’s sofa. So any scent that purports to encapsulate the rugged charm and fierce beauty of the island makes me sit up and take notice. I like the lentisque note in Parfums 01630’s scent of that name, and also in the Phaedon scent you mention, but sadly Corsica Furiosa was too furious for me in the end – too ‘loud’ and linear, too masculine-leaning as you say. I will give it another go from the decant you were kind enough to give me, as Corsica bottled would be quite something, even if this turns out not to be it…
No one has travel escapades like you, V! Just those few examples of what happened on Corsica could probably fill a book. No wonder the island looms large for you and is somewhere you’d like to be reminded of in a fragrance. Too bad this wasn’t it.
Did you see Victoria posted her review of it today? It’s funny because for her it wasn’t furious for long enough! Like you, I’m relieved when it calms down but she was disappointed.
I did see V’s review, yes! She is clearly made of stronger stuff. 😉
Me too!
I loved the jumping in a haystack bit.
Reblogged this on VERTE Magazine and commented:
Recently, ingredients in perfumes and scents have come under some scrutiny and French fragrance houses are already re-thinking what goes into their famous name fragrances. The impact of ingredients on people and the environment are forging a new sector in the fragrance industry.
No doubt that’s the case, but what do you think of Corsica Furiosa?!
I haven’t tried this one yet: there are no stores around that carry this line. But I will try it eventually.
My vSO own Cuir Ottoman that I like on him. I used to love Ambre Russe and wanted to buy a bottle but they discontinued 50 ml bottles and I absolutely do not need 100 ml of this perfume. I like Equestrius – but, again, 100 ml… As much as I like them, I think this brand should be actually punished for getting rid of 50 ml bottles.
Go Undina! If only we could put you in charge of Perfumeland 🙂
I’m surprised to hear nowhere near you carries this line. That’s a shame because I think theyve got a lot of likeable and wearable scents. Osmanthus Interdite is very nice as well as the ones you mention.
I tried all of the ones that were (previously) released in smaller bottles.
I think if we all keep complaining about big bottles eventually some smart(er) brands will listen. Some already do! Tauer Perfumes have 15 ml bottles and Jul et Mad launched nice 5 ml and 20 ml bottles.
That’s good to hear. If speaking up seems to make a difference – even if it’s just the small brands – it’s well worth it.
I may have tried this one, but I’ve never noted it. Several things about your review make it sound appealing. I’ll have to look for it next time.
If you don’t mind harsh-ish greens and the aldehydes at the start you should be fine with Silences. I have lots to share so don’t stress if you can’t find it.