Contessa

Contessa, inspired by Moresque Contessa (2016)

Pink pepper and nutmeg open Contessa with a dry spice, and star anise adds a liquorice-like coolness on top of bergamot. Rose sits at the centre of the heart, with jasmine and ylang-ylang making it fuller and headier. As the spice fades, vanilla and tonka bean bring sweetness, and ambroxan gives the base a clean, mineral lift beneath the musk.

About the original

Contessa comes from Moresque, an independent house in Florence, and is usually credited to Andrea Casotti. Retailers date it to around 2016 and place it in the house's Art Collection, sold in 50 ml bottles hand-decorated by a Florentine artist, though one lists it under a different collection. It is not among the fragrances on Moresque's official shop, and at least one retailer says it has left its assortment, although one still lists it.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Moresque stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Retailers present it as an evening scent with an aristocratic, sensual character. Its sweetness becomes noticeable once the base arrives, and the anise may not appeal to people who dislike liquorice.

Related scents

• Parfums d'Elmar Elixir d'Amour
• Masque Milano Tango

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: Pink Pepper, Nutmeg, Star Anise, Bergamot

Heart notes: Rose, Ylang-ylang, Jasmine

Base notes: Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Musk, Ambroxan

Pink pepper, nutmeg and star anise make a spicy, aniseed-tinged opening over bergamot.

Rose leads the heart, with jasmine and ylang-ylang behind it.

Vanilla and tonka bean sweeten the base, with musk and ambroxan keeping it smooth.

Is Moresque Contessa discontinued?

It no longer appears on Moresque's official shop, and one retailer reports it is no longer in its assortment. The brand has not made a statement, and at least one shop still lists it.

Does Contessa smell of anise?

Star anise is in the opening, giving a faint liquorice note that fades as the florals come through.

Is Moresque Contessa coming back?

So far, we have found no announcement from Moresque that it will return. Our version is an eau de parfum in 50 ml or 100 ml.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Moresque and Contessa are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Moresque in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.