Hermessence Appreciation/Discussion Thread

For anyone interested, I noticed Fragrancebuy has Muguet Porcelaine testers at a heavy discount (~$130 USD). They had a few others for that price the other day, but they seem to have sold out already.

I saw Muguet Porcelaine on my local discounter recently too. I hope Cuir d Ange is next haha!

Toxicon said:

For anyone interested, I noticed Fragrancebuy has Muguet Porcelaine testers at a heavy discount (~$130 USD). They had a few others for that price the other day, but they seem to have sold out already.

Click to expand...

Thanks for that! I’ve been debating buying a bottle before it completely disappears so this made the decision easy! I got 15ml of Brin de Reglisse and Paprika Brazil from fragbuy before, but this is the first time seeing a full 100ml bottle on there.

They’ve also got Hiris in stock for a nice price.

cheapimitation said:

Thanks for that! I’ve been debating buying a bottle before it completely disappears so this made the decision easy! I got 15ml of Brin de Reglisse and Paprika Brazil from fragbuy before, but this is the first time seeing a full 100ml bottle on there.

They’ve also got Hiris in stock for a nice price.

Click to expand...

It’s funny - I watch for these occasionally, but the only other 100 ml I’ve seen recently is a single bottle of Cedre Sambac at Fragrancenet… for $582!

baklavaRuzh said:

Not only is it so far limited to france, it was only released for the Hermès sponsored equestrian event Saut d'Hermès in Paris. As far as I understand, it's not available in most of the stores in France either and is a limited edition. Who knows if there will be another edition of 'Paddock' in the future.

Click to expand...

Oh wow, so that means it's pretty much a unicorn right now.

Yesterday I wore Epice Marine, it had been awhile and all day I kept thinking what a phenomenal fragrance! Loads of spices against a realistic gentle marine accord. I love how the spices smell warm and toasted contrasting against the fresh elements. The spice never goes too culinary or body odor to me and offers such an interesting interplay to smell throughout the day.

I also have good memories wearing this on a trip to Palm Beach and it instantly takes me back to lazy days watching sunsets on the beach.

And then my partner got home and I excitedly said "smell this isn't it good??!" And his reply: smells like your armpits.

Oh well, the toasted cumin doesn't read as body odor to me at least.

@cheapimitation since we're speaking of cumin I'm going to presume it wasn't fresh out of the shower pits he meant.

I tried epice marine and brin de reglisse eons ago, but i can't remember what they smelled like. I do however think there was a reason I went with ambre Narguilé, Paprika brezil and vanille galante...

cumin can actually ruin a fragrance for me, so I agree with your bf!

This remind me I haven't been to hermes in ages, I should go and try the new oud and rose.

baklavaRuzh said:

@cheapimitation since we're speaking of cumin I'm going to presume it wasn't fresh out of the shower pits he meant.

Click to expand...

Yea I don't think it was the good kind of smell.

baklavaRuzh said:

cumin can actually ruin a fragrance for me, so I agree with your bf!

Click to expand...

I'd still recommend tryin Epice Marine if you get a chance. I'm usually pretty sensitive to cumin and approach fragrances that list it with trepidation. But I have got anything sweaty or stinky in Epice Marine, but I guess some people do.

I remember finding this interesting that the idea came after meeting with a chef:

"A perfume created after the meeting between a man who lives by taste, chef Olivier Roellinger, and one who lives by his nose, perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena. "A sort of escape inspired by the invigorating, stimulating smell of the Brittany coast. A pirate Hermessence…" - Jean-Claude Ellena

cheapimitation said:

Yea I don't think it was the good kind of smell.


I'd still recommend tryin Epice Marine if you get a chance. I'm usually pretty sensitive to cumin and approach fragrances that list it with trepidation. But I have got anything sweaty or stinky in Epice Marine, but I guess some people do.

I remember finding this interesting that the idea came after meeting with a chef:

"A perfume created after the meeting between a man who lives by taste, chef Olivier Roellinger, and one who lives by his nose, perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena. "A sort of escape inspired by the invigorating, stimulating smell of the Brittany coast. A pirate Hermessence…" - Jean-Claude Ellena

Click to expand...

How close does this smell to Declaration?

Today's Hermessence contribution: Old and young Ambre Narguilé comparison!

Toxicon said:

How close does this smell to Declaration?

Click to expand...

It smells a bit brighter, greener, and saltier on top (as you would expect from the name). The differences are short lived, though, and once the top burns off it's basically a lighter Declaration.

It's good, but there's no reason to get it with Declaration around unless that top profile set against Declaration's bones really sounds good you.

LiveJazz said:

It smells a bit brighter, greener, and saltier on top (as you would expect from the name). The differences are short lived, though, and once the top burns off it's basically a lighter Declaration.

It's good, but there's no reason to get it with Declaration around unless that top profile set against Declaration's bones really sounds good you.

Click to expand...

Much appreciated. If it were cheap I’d jump on it - alas, it is not cheap!

Toxicon said:

How close does this smell to Declaration?

Click to expand...

I actually haven't smelled Declaration in years. I had a friend who wore it and this was before I was really into fragrance so my memory of it is vague. But next time I pass a Cartier counter I'll try it out and give you my thoughts!

cheapimitation said:

I actually haven't smelled Declaration in years. I had a friend who wore it and this was before I was really into fragrance so my memory of it is vague. But next time I pass a Cartier counter I'll try it out and give you my thoughts!

Click to expand...

It’s wonderful stuff, and still in good shape in current form. Probably the only scent where I’d actually like to collect every flanker. (I have 4 or 5 at the moment.) Which is why Epice Marine is still tempting… I’m a sucker for that cumin accord.

I have only recently gotten my nose on this line and there are quite a few I like. I am not generally all that concerned with projection and longevity and the idea of a fragrance haiku kind of speaks to me. I bought a travel set with:
Rose Ikebana - Gorgeous, delicate rose with rhubarb and grapefruit, kind of like a grown up version of YSL Babydol
Brin de Reglise - Short lived but very interesting, a light, herbal liquorice scent with lavender done in a way even I can appreciate
Cuir d'Ange - My husband just smells campfire, but to me it's a plush leather
Violet Volynka - leather and violets, what's not to like?

I also got samples of Myrrhe Eglantine, which I love for its seamless bright fresh rose to soft myrrh simplicity, and Ambre Narguile, which makes me question my point of view on gourmands.

Brin de Reglisse is one of the best lavenders out there.

My new rankings:

1. Cuir D'Ange
2. Muguet Porcelaine
3. Brin De Reglisse
4. Iris Ukiyoe
5. Osmanthe Yunnan

Im shifting towards the more floral part of the collection, im tired of Ambre Narguiles and Vetiver Tonkas, i dont want to smell like apple pie honestly