Guerlain Fol Arôme

The opening is remarkable: A triad of lavender, jasmine and bergamot combine to a unique impression that is more than the sum of its parts; and, together with a unusual daffodil that arises a bit later and has some aniseed attached to it, it results in a delicious experience.

The drydown adds a rose - a Guerlain staple in those days, as well as a lovely gardenia impression that might derive form the bouvardia.

The next arrival is a strong carnation, and there is a minty note in the background for a while. Further into the heart notes I get a herbal component - or more like a small herb garden that is growing clary sage and marjoram. I can get some anise lingering at that stage, and it has the character of toasted almond brioche at some stage.

These various components are not only mixed together randomly, but each component store into the foreground to shine in the limelight an alternating fashion, like a string quartet where each instrument has its solo parts.

A darker side arrives towards the beginning of the base notes in form of an orris root, which is given added depth by a dark musk. There is a whiff of tonka and later a restrained and fairly discreet vanilla that carries the base for a while before a woodsy impression developed towards the end; it has a touch of acacia but mostly consists if a nonspecific woodsiness.

I get moderate sillage, good projection and seven hours of longevity on my skin; the last few hours essentially as a skin scent.

The first stages of this gorgeous scent for spring evenings are of phenomenal beauty, but the end stages lost intensity and are a bit too subtle at times - maybe a sign of age.  Indubitably the quality of the ingredients is superb, and the blending, especially for the first few hours, is sublime.

Overall 4.25/5.