SOTD/Review: Valentino Born In Roma Purple Melancholia

From the very first spray, this opens with a bold, prominent coconut note — creamy, lush, and unmistakable. Baffling really with the coconut being in the heart of the scent. It doesn’t just tiptoe in either; it’s rich and almost gourmand-like right away, giving the fragrance a warm, inviting presence that stands apart from the typical citrusy or spicy openings most men’s scents use.

As it evolves, the coconut remains center stage, supported by a soft lavender that smooths and rounds out the sweetness. There’s a gentle warmth as the mid-stage settles, keeping the coconut from feeling one-dimensional and giving it a slightly aromatic, almost milky-dessert feel.

In the dry-down, the scent becomes a comfortable, cozy experience — warm woods and ambered accords wrap around the coconut, letting it linger softly without cloying or turning sharp. The result is a creamy, elegant base that feels comfortably close to the skin yet still memorable.

Projection is moderate in the opening — noticeable without being overpowering for first couple hours — and the scent sticks around nicely, typically lasting 6–8 hours on my skin overall, with a softer trail as it dries.

Rating: 6.9/10

To me this drew similarities to JPG Le Beau Le Parfum and Lattafa Asad Zanzibar — both of which also lean into rich creamy facets. Where this feels slightly different is in its ongoing creamy heart and warm woody finish, giving it a smoother, gentler evolution rather than a sugary or heavily boozy twist. If I have to nail a scent, it’s a much more polish version of Asad Zanzibar but of course much better.

Overall this delivers a distinctive, wearable scent that feels cozy, modern, and slightly luxurious — especially well suited for cool weather or evenings when you want something smooth and inviting. It’s far from being one of the “big boys” in the line like Intense, Extradose, Coral Fantasy etc, it’s took a step back for me not forward. It’d be quite low in the list; this is still a lovely scent but nothing compared to the others, coconut is great though I have to admit.

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