Hermes Eau D’Hermes perfume review on Persolaise Love At First Scent episode 155

[@darryl2542]

I've been meaning to smell this for years, but only recently got my hands on a decant. It took me a couple of days to a) wrap my head around it and b) decide that I not only need a full bottle, but a backup in case it's discontinued. "Amazing" isn't a word I throw around, but Eau d'Hermes absolutely is. A robust and vivid citrus/spice explosion that quickly turns into the ultimate skin scent, warm and inviting. The animalic quality threw me off at first, but I was never grossed out by it, and eventually it became weirdly addictive. Now I'm waiting impatiently for winter to be over so I can wear EdH properly - it's plainly a warm weather scent, perfect for daytime, preferably on holiday (there's something pampered and old-world European about it, in a charming way). Thank you for reviewing it! I love your insights, especially on the classics.

[@Persolaise]

It really is very special. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@QGeorges]

Missed the live streams of today but oh my! Edmond Roudnitska is one of my favourite perfumer and one that I’d like to call as a legend! Diorissimo, Diorama, Eau Fraiche, Eau Sauvage, and Diorella are all true gems, along with many other beautiful scents Eau d’Hermes is so charming, the play with dirty and clean. Parfum de Nicolai’s vetiver has something similar but instead of citrus fresh, De Nicolai’s goes with outdoorsy dry hay vetiver with a dirty leather spices May I suggest if we could have some Caron or older L’Artisan Parfumeur scents for future classic episodes?

[@Persolaise]

Thanks for that list: I have NO IDEA why my mind went blank when I was trying to think of ER’s work 😂 Carons will be tricky, because I have almost none in my collection, sadly. Many thanks for watching.

[@QGeorges]

@@Persolaise pleasure. That’s a shame about Caron, maybe some Estée Lauder would be good options for classics

[@a2zin125]

You promised to do Chanel's Cristalle a couple of months ago, and if I recall many applauded the idea. I would LOVE that!!

[@Persolaise]

This is true 😉 And since then, I’ve been trying to complete my Cristalle collection. Watch this space...

[@sanjapajovic8483]

I wear this very often. This and Bandit (not in combination). I love how they make me feel, just enjoy them immensely.

[@Persolaise]

Excellent - enjoy them! And thanks for watching.

[@FFOGHORN]

Your review is fantastic and incisive. I have your bottle but the cap (same shape) is clear rather than copper. I have never smelled older, civet versions; but, I absolutely adore what I received. The dry down is remarkable. This fragrance may be anachronistic, but I feel classy when wearing it. It is so much more complex than most of the chemical monstrosities being released today.

[@Persolaise]

I agree, it's really special -- I'm so pleased you like it. Thanks very much for your kind words.

[@L-Ondee]

What an experience this fragrance is! How can a composition of Bergamot, Lavender, so much Civet and all the other ingredients do what this does? The answer is as simple as it is nearly impossible. We are in the presence of a true and utterly unique work of art. Created by one of the finest artists and masters of his craft. Thankfully the house that produces it seems to be doing their best to still let very high quality materials go into its making. This is the stuff bees will probably go crazy about (they tend to do that with only a few vintage perfumes I own, you can't trick a bee into anything too synthetic in my experience). And there we are: this perfume seems to adress a deep truth inside of us. Something real and it is at the same time so much more than simply its individual and beautiful components. Roudnitska has touched on a harmony we all have to respond to. We virtually can't help ourselves. The golden section of perfumery has been applied! The light and shadow of this takes me personally back to baroque times. I am convinced it can do a whole lot of things to all its different users. But in me it conjures up the same crisp velvety feeling of baroque musical instruments supporting the light voice of a counter tenor in a Vivaldi aria, the same tenderness in tone... and eternity held in the moment it happens. For those of you who think I have gone totally crazy - feel free. I simply couldn't care less. For those of you who want to share the experience, head over to: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/eX-qq6Sdnc1mirc (it had to be Jarrousky)

[@Persolaise]

Thanks for this, Heinke. It really is a special piece of work.

[@endymionone223]

Etat libre d'Oranges Cologne seems to be a modern iteration on this! I think they are quite similar. BTW: today my samples by les indemodables arrived - I totally dig Fougere Emeraude and looking forward to your interview on Monday!

[@Persolaise]

Ah, wonderful. For me, the ELDO is closer to Mugler Cologne, but I guess your nose picks up a different vibe from it. Many thanks for watching.

[@tst8959]

This is going to be my next Hermes buy!

[@Persolaise]

Ah - I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for watching.

[@klaas020]

Dear Persolaise, I watch your video's a lot, but I rarely comment. I've recently purchased a bottle of Eau d'Hermes at my local Hermes boutique here in Amsterdam, and it seems to me that the latest version (same bottle as yours but with an orange label on the front) is something different altogether. This lates version has Ellena's signature all over it. It is exquisite, with a lovely bitter citrus top, a round, floral heart and a soft leathery base. However, it is also transparant, delicate and heartbreakingly short lived. There is no animalic undercurrent anymore, and there is absolutely no civet. None........In fact, his one smells rather clean! Please try it when the shops open again and let us know......... Now as for a Cristalle video......yes please! Or Anthaeus....speaking of leather ;-))

[@Persolaise]

Ah, fascinating. Perhaps they have changed it after all. Definitely something for me to try when I can get to London again. A Cristalle video should be coming soon 😉

[@alainborgrave6772]

About the "animalic" note description, another example. My first cologne was Aramis in the 90s. I remember after buying it smelling my hand compulsively finding the base note so delicious (that I now know to be civet). But for many years the word "dirty" never crossed my mind. It just smelled delicious. The first time I read this word was in some fragrantica forum. So I think we are not supposed to enjoy scents, knowing all the tricks of the professionals. Knowing these tricks, and having certain words in your mind (like dirty, fecal, cat piss etc.) can actually ruin what would have been a great experience.

[@Persolaise]

Yes, certainly, it may spoil the experience for some. Thank you so much for taking the time to write.

[@alainborgrave6772]

Just wore eau d'Hermes for one month. Quick description : spicy, delicate and delicious.

[@Persolaise]

It's good stuff, isn't it. Thanks for writing.

[@lordbushmills3089]

Well, it’s arrived! I have the one with the black lid. Opening is a sparkling citrus with smooth pepper notes and a clean cumin note tempered by the vanilla. My closest reference point is Chanel Pour Monsieur EDP. Hermes d’Hermes is a lovely scent and dry down, but I don’t find any skank in this iteration. I would definitely buy this again though.

[@Persolaise]

Hmmm... cumin? I really need to try the current version. Thanks for the info.

[@lordbushmills3089]

@@Persolaise I’m no expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I just checked on the Fragrantica note profile and cumin is listed. It’s a few hours now and there’s a very “light perspiration aroma” as opposed to downright sweatiness. I’m really pleased with it, so thank you very much for the video.

[@L-Ondee]

Now this is interesting. I get the impression that there was or is a reformulation without the civet note, independently of the cap colour. I tested a copper cap bottle which was all cumin. When I opened my box I had bought a black cap version that is very heavy on civet..... I like them both. The cumin one is more easy going for first time users I would say. However I was glad I got the one with civet as it belongs in there I guess, and makes the fragrance more dynamic. And yes there is cumin in this one too.

[@L-Ondee]

This video made me go to the only drug store ( they are allowed to be open) that has a more or less decent perfume department praying they would have a tester of Eau d'Hermes. They didn't, but they had Caleche which I had never smelt. I am the happiest enchanted owner of a bottle of this wonderful fragrance now. I had had no idea it was an aldehydic floral. Always thought it was a strong rather masculine leaning chypre. Thanks for the help!

[@Persolaise]

Ah, I’m so pleased you managed to find something new to smell. I have a tricky relationship with Caleche, but I really ought to try to sniff out the original edt. The Soie De Parfum version feels a bit clunky to me at times. Which variant did you get?

[@L-Ondee]

I got the original by Guy Robert (1961) in its present version. I don't know the Soie de parfum and I remember trying Kelly Caleche without it leaving any lasting impression on me.

[@Persolaise]

Ah, so you probably got the best one.

[@L-Ondee]

I certainly am convinced I did ;-)

[@KonstantinMihov]

One of my favourtives as well and I also have a couple of bottles with the copper top (even one right here at my desk as I type this). I had a truly vintage version as well in a big 200 ml bottle (similar to the current Cologne 200 ml bottles) and there was a marked difference in the smell - the vintage felt much more citrusy and it was a rare example when I preferred the modern version more.

[@Persolaise]

Ah, that’s fascinating. We always assume that we’ll prefer the original version.

[@KonstantinMihov]

@@Persolaise I know - quite interesting isn't it. Btw, I think the other Roudnitska that you were missing from the list was "Dior Dior" (one of those names that did not consider search engines when it was coined) - I have a vintage bottle of it and it has the hallmark Roudnitska style - white flowers with a bit of melon and funk. The other one that often doesn't get mentioned is Ocean Rain -- an oddity that i have not smelled myself just yet.

[@lordbushmills3089]

As promised, I am identifying the scents that I have succumbed and purchased as a result of watching your videos. I’m hoping that this is in the ball- park of Cartier Declaration. To be honest, I’m equally looking forward to trying this as I am dreading it being unwearable. That’s the thrill for me when making a blind buy. The risk is still minuscule compared to many past-times...............such as going to the shops, travelling on public transport or going to an actual place of work!

[@Persolaise]

Oooh, it's very different from Declaration, I'd say. But I hope you like it. As ever, thanks for watching.

[@lordbushmills3089]

@@Persolaise Lol! Well I bought some very bland offerings before Christmas (with the exception of Sartorial), did some more Penhaligons in their sale and now I’m feeling like going into dangerous territory again. I think my wife would be happy if I wore Declaration and nothing else, but she makes similar tongue-in-cheek comments to Mme Persolaise re the scatalogical aspects of perfumery although she’s not quite as polite. I’m nevertheless compelled to push forward with my obsession. I really can’t help it 😂

[@sotirligov3981]

Thank you for that review. I know that you rank very high Eau d'Hermes in your Super scent best of Hermes. Today I ordered it, and also I sampled a perfume, called Acqua di Scandola from Parfum d'Empire. This I imagine as an updated version (Acqua is 2019 release) of Eau d'Hermes with its marine notes on top and prominent animalic hirax note in the base, along with oakmoss and patchouli. I can only imagine that thay are similar, because I haven't smell Eau d'Hermes yet. And now the most important-a question. I haven't found in your blog not a single review of perfumer Marc-Antoine Corticchiato,from Parfum d'Empire. Are you familiar with his work,could you share some thoughts?

[@Persolaise]

Sotir, it's so interesting that you say this, because I am in the process of getting some PdE samples. I need to delve into the brand! Thanks for watching.

[@abdeabde-tx8qm]

4:00 what's the greatest ? 4 diffrent ones

[@Persolaise]

There isn’t a consensus. Thanks for watching.

[@alainborgrave6772]

There's some bad faith in describing Eau d'Hermès as animalic as current men's cologne like Bleu de Chanel all have a huge animalic amber note that nobody seem to notice. It's more a cultural thing. I wore Eaud'Hermès for many years in the 90s without ever noticing it was animalic. For me it was a fresh-leather-orange-cinnamon scent.

[@Persolaise]

Interesting. For me, the civet note is too huge to ignore.

[@alainborgrave6772]

@@Persolaise Yes, in the end of course you're right. What I meant is that it's maybe best not to know the origin of some ingredients. Using the word "fecal" will surely discourage 80% of the people from wearing it. While, ignorant as i was in the 90s I blissfully wore it as a fresh leather spicy scent.

[@Persolaise]

You’re right. To me, ‘fecal’ in a perfume means ‘brave and interesting’, but yes, to many people, it’ll just mean ‘stay away’.

[@dorf2070]

I absolutely love Hermes Cuir d'Ange. Do you think Cuir d'Ange is a updated version of Eau d'Hermès? :)

[@Persolaise]

It’s an interesting question, but my feeling is that, no, it isn’t. I love both, but I think they’re quite different scents. Thank you for watching.

[@dorf2070]

@@Persolaise Thanks :)

[@perfumery1]

Love this its a dirty smell

[@Persolaise]

Dirty is right! Thanks for watching.