Picking between two highly-rated perfumes is difficult, but the choice is even harder when both are from the same brand.
Neroli Portofino and Mandarino Di Amalfi are two such fragrances by Tom Ford. While they both incorporate floral and citrus notes, they are significantly different from each other.
But which one of the two is the best?
I have discussed that in this article, where I break down the different traits of these two perfumes to crown a winner for you.
So, to know which one you should buy, read till the end.
Clash of Scents: Neroli Portofino Vs. Mandarino Di Amalfi
Neroli Portofino Tom Ford
Main notes: Bergamot, Mandarin Orange, Lemon, Bitter Orange, Lavender, Rosemary, Myrtle, African Orange flower, Neroli, Jasmine, Pittosporum, Amber, Ambrette and Angelica.
Neroli Portofino by Tom Ford is a unisex fragrance launched in 2011 and created by Rodrigo Flores-Roux. It is a citrusy, floral scent with a highly dominant citrus aroma.
It has a fruity citrus aroma, a hint of floral sweetness, and a distinctly soapy character. Because it smells so much like other fragrances I’ve sampled, I can’t say that this is an entirely unique fragrance, as some others claim.
Neroli and rosemary add some spiciness to the scent, giving it a delicious balance of accords.
Mandarino di Amalfi Tom Ford
Main notes: Lemon, Grapefruit, Mint, Basil, Tarragon, Black Currant, Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Clary Sage, Shiso, Coriander, Black Pepper, Musk, Vetiver, Civet, Labdanum and Amber.
Mandarino di Amalfi by Tom Ford is also a unisex fragrance launched in 2014 and created by Calice Becker. Much like the previous scent, the incorporation of heavy citrus notes dominates this fragrance.
This fragrance has a herbal and spicy touch, along with a twist of cool mint, tarragon, basil, and some black pepper.
So, to what extent do they differ even though they both are excellent scents? And which one is the better option between these two?
Well, you need to keep reading to find that out.
So, here is my comparison between Neroli Portofino and Mandarino Di Amalfi:
Opening
The first comparison comes when you initially spray the scents – how does their opening compare?
Neroli Portofino starts with lemon and other citrus notes, followed by orange blossom and neroli. The top notes are a bright citrus scent with a zesty character and flowery notes resting beneath and producing a soapy sensation.
The combination of jasmine and neroli gives it a bath soap-like scent. That’s fine, and this is an excellent illustration of it. The citrus tones are pleasant but not as strong as the flowery trio.
On the other hand, Mandarino Di Amalfi begins with juicier lemon and grapefruit than Portofino. This piece also has a recognizable but not overpowering black currant tone.
Basil, tarragon, and mint are hidden behind all of that. It provides the mixture with a cold spice and a milder soapy character than its competition.
Which is better? Mandarino was my favorite at first. The citrus is juicier, and the herbal spice adds another depth to what is otherwise simply a soapy flowery.
The black currant provides a great contrast to the Portofino. Plus, the spicy herbal overtones give Mandarino di Amalfi additional depth early on.
So, when comparing their initial performance, Mandarino di Amalfi has a better opening than Neroli Portofino.
Projection and Longevity
The sillage of Neroli Portofino is modest at first but rapidly becomes considerably lighter. Conversely, Mandarino di Amalfi has an excellent projection for a citrus smell.
Even though the sillage and projection of none of these two scents are outstanding, Mandarino performs better in this sense when comparing is a must.
On the other hand, the longevity of these two Tom Ford scents is almost identical, from what I can tell.
They both hit a maximum stay of around 6 hours or so, beyond which neither is particularly detectable. So, I would say they are equals in the case of how long they stay.
Hence, when it comes to sillage and projection, Mandarino is the better fragrance. However, when it comes to longevity, they are equals.
Compliment Factor
Due to the fact that both of these perfumes are quite well-known and celebrated, it is possible that rather than asking what you are wearing, people may comment on how well they recognize this scent.
I have observed that people around you tend to like and compliment Mandarino more than Portofino. I believe this is because of the added spiciness and more refined floral blend.
So, if you love receiving compliments, then Mandarino is the better option between these two as it will get you more compliments.
Versatility
These two perfumes are very much on par with one another in terms of their versatility.
They are unisex scents that tilt more on the side of femininity than on the side of masculinity. So, there is no significant difference in this regard.
These fragrances are ideal for the spring and summer seasons, and they are versatile enough to be worn with a casual or formal outfit during the day.
You are going to feel more of the seaside and outdoorsy ambiance during the summers with either scent.
Neither of them is an excellent choice for wearing in the nighttime; instead, you can wear appealing scents throughout the warmer months.
So, in terms of adaptability and versatility, there is no real distinction between them.
Value For Money
Considering and comparing prices when choosing between two scents is very important.
To make a fair comparison, I have compared the prices of these perfumes from Sephora.
Neroli Portofino is available in two sizes, 30 ml and 50 ml. They are $175 and $285, respectively.
On the other hand, Mandarino Di Amalfi is only available in the 50 ml size, and it costs $285.
Since they are from the same brand and line, the prices of these perfumes are exactly the same. Hence, it depends on the consumer to decide which one offers better value for the money.
Whichever one you like between these two is bound to be the one that offers better value due to the fact that they cost the same.
Hence, when it comes to value for money, I would say that they are the same.
Overall Scent
Portofino and Mandarino are both good, but they don’t blow your mind in any way. Neither of these aromas leaves much of an impression on me at all.
A citrus top note, neroli, and orange blossom are the three prominent ingredients of Neroli Portofino, and there really isn’t a lot of complexity in this scent.
In the latter stages, floral notes such as lavender and jasmine start to become more prominent., creating a fresh, crisp, soapy, and flowery aroma. It is comfortable to wear and doesn’t get overwhelming at any point.
Meanwhile, even if Mandarino di Amalfi doesn’t quite reach the same exclusivity as Neroli Portofino, I still consider it to be a superior product.
The citrus note that opens the fragrance is superior, followed by the herbal spice that introduces a new dynamic and finishes with orange blossom and wildflower.
I find that the floral component of Mandarino has a more pleasant aroma, and it pairs quite nicely with the green herbals.
It seems to reason that if you’re a die-hard admirer of neroli, you could have a preference for Portofino. My preference goes for Amalfi since its scent is more citrusy and less soapy than the other option.
Their performances are satisfactory but by no means outstanding. I like Mandarino, and there are definitely times when I find myself genuinely enjoying it.
When it comes to overall scent, I would say that my vote goes to Mandarino – making it the clear winner between these two perfumes.
Final Verdict
Neroli Portofino and Mandarino di Amalfi are both lovely perfumes.
However, compared to the other alternative, I think Mandarino is the better choice because it has a pleasant start and an appealing overall aroma.
There is no basis for comparison in this respect, given that their performances are virtually identical to one another. Mandarino, on the other hand, offers a more pleasant aroma at the same cost.
To summarize everything, I would say that the choice ultimately rests with you. But I would prefer Mandarino over Portofino.
However, despite the fact that Mandarino is, in my opinion, the undisputed victor, there are other, more cost-effective options that are capable of producing the same aroma.
If you are concerned about your financial situation, it is recommended that you try the cheaper alternatives available in the market.
Leave a comment below, letting me know which option you’ve chosen to buy!
