Annick Goutal

I cannot add much more to what other reviewers have said about this fragrance already. Heure Exquise is quite simply a drop dead gorgeous fragrance, and if I did not know better, I would be convinced that it is a legendary Guerlain creation. This is classic French perfumery at its finest as I have only known Guerlain to do it, and this is very high praise indeed coming from a Guerlain worshipper. HE does remind me somewhat of Chamade as others have noted, but it is not at all the same as Chamade. I like HE even more than Chamade. It is more lush than Chamade and has a darker rose note. I think HE lends itself more readily to evening wear, and it is a bit formal. I fancy it suits a sophisticated, elegant woman of at least 35 or older. I cannot imagine anyone in her 20s wearing this. HE is to Annick Goutal what Shalimar is to Guerlain and No. 5 is to CHANEL---the houses's iconic fragrances. This exquisite fragrance is both full bottle worthy and back up bottle worthy in my opinion. I have only smelt a few fragrances from Annick Goutal, but HE is by far the most beautiful, the most impressive of those I have tried. Few fragrances literally have made me swoon, but HE is definitely one that made me swoon not simply upon first application but throughout its excellent unfolding all the way into the deep dry down. I do not wish to gush, but this is one of those fragrances one could believe was created for a goddess. Fragrance: 10/10 Sillage: 9/10 Projection: 9/10 Longevity: 7/10

This is a rose bouquet that has 6 different types of roses. Although it is a soliflore, it is not boring and keeps evolving during its time on my skin - which is very short unfortunately. I appreciate experiencing different facets of rose though I cannot say that I'm happy with its performance on myself. The opening is much woodier on me than I would expect. After the initial blast calms down, I get a light rose that is on the verge of soapiness. Then I get sweet and full-bodied roses, not exactly jammy. However, I can't imagine a big, red, dark rose here. I find this phase too pink and thick, almost suffocating to be honest. Then it becomes a light skin scent and disappears. OK sillage but almost no lasting power.

Let me first say that I love many of Goutal's scents and some classics like "Heure Exquise" are long time favourites of mine and are favourites in my collection. This was the first and only Goutal scent that almost made me gag. I think it smells horrendous. Like mouldy, wet earth combined with overripe, rotting fruits. This scent combination is superstrong with a very strong endurance and sillage. I couldn't wait to wash this off and that rarely happens. I had two different samples of this so I know this wasn't gone off when I tested it. So, this might be for you if you like mouldy scents and if you like alcoholic fermented plums and such. Absolutely not for me