Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic

Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic, inspired by Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic (2007)

Mandarine Basilic smells like the moment a mandarin is peeled: oily zest and tangy flesh, with basil crushed in alongside. The herb does useful work, adding a green, slightly peppery edge that stops the fruit becoming syrupy. Green tea thins everything out into something airy, while orange blossom gives the middle a floral lift. It finishes on pale woody notes rather than musk or vanilla.

About the original

Guerlain launched Mandarine Basilic in 2007 as part of its Aqua Allegoria line. The house sells it today as a unisex scent, in a refillable bottle made with beetroot-derived alcohol. In 2022 Guerlain added a separate eau de parfum, Aqua Allegoria Forte Mandarine Basilic, which sets the same pairing on sandalwood and vanilla tincture. This page follows the original eau de toilette, not the Forte.

Our version

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

Who it suits

Hot days, office wear and travel all suit it, since it reads uncomplicated and fresh. It is light in weight, as Aqua Allegoria scents tend to be, and men wear it as easily as women. Lovers of rich, ambery or sweet perfumes may find it too slight.

Related scents

• Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Passiflora
• Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Coconut Fizz

Notes of the original fragrance, as published by the brand.

Notes: Mandarin, Basil, Green Tea, Orange Blossom, Woody Notes

Mandarin opens it, zesty and tangy, with basil close behind as a green, aromatic accent.

Green tea and orange blossom follow, keeping the heart fresh and lightly floral rather than sweet.

The drydown is a quiet base of woody notes, sheer and dry.

Is this the original Mandarine Basilic or the Forte?

The original eau de toilette from 2007. The Forte eau de parfum from 2022 is a separate version with sandalwood and vanilla tincture in the base.

Is Mandarine Basilic unisex?

Yes. Guerlain presents it as a unisex fragrance, even though shops often file it under women's perfumes.

How strongly does it smell of basil?

Gently. The basil sits behind the mandarin as a herbal accent, and green tea keeps the whole thing airy.

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.

Guerlain and Aqua Allegoria Mandarine Basilic are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Guerlain 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.