Aigues Vives
by Galimard

We just came back from Provence and stayed in a hotel that gave us a sample of Aigues Vives on a towelette. I had no idea that the fragrance was aimed for men; as a woman I loved the fragrance and all the complexities. I am not knowledgeable about the notes on fragrance but AV reminded me of one of my favorite Hermes fragrances called Elixor des Merveilleuse. There is a middle note of coffee or coriander in EDM that I detected in AV. I look forward to exploring the Galimard fragrances. Thanks to Sauvage Hound for the detailed information.

11th June, 2011.

Aigues Vives:

I recently made a blind purchase of a bottle of Aigues Vives based on the previous review here that compared it to Dior’s Eau Sauvage, a long time favorite of mine. What a fortuitous decision. This juice is wonderful!

Tifone is correct to compare Aigues Vives to Eau Sauvage, as they have much in common. I’d say that AV is what one would get if one set out to recreate ES using only natural essences and traditional techniques. The overall initial impression I have of AV is of a fragrance that is slightly more citrus in its opening than ES, with a noticeably more pronounced lime note and a generally warmer, more harmonious feel. It is as the heart notes develop that I detect the greatest difference in the two fragrances, as the ES has a sparkling quality that I attribute to its hedione note , whereas the AV unveils a subtle spiciness that the Basenotes triangle attributes to cinnamon, but which the Galiard site gives as coriander; I think there might be both. But it is when the base notes appear that this beauty really shines. AV has an amazing fruitiness in its base that is unlike any other I’ve yet encountered: warm, sweet, understated, almost moist—like mulled wine. Very unique and beautiful.

I also must comment on AV’s citrus notes. This fragrance has the longest lasting citrus notes I’ve ever found. Being very volatile, the citrus accords are usually the most fleeting in any fragrance. Not so in AV. I have no idea how Galimard manages it, but I’ve been able to detect that lovely lime note on my skin hours after I’ve applied it. I suspect it is partially because this is an EdP instead of the more usual men’s fragrance strength EdT.

I’m not sure how Galimard has escaped the notice of the wider world for so long—according to their website they are the oldest perfumery in the world—but if AV is any indication of their abilities then they are a house that really deserves much more of our attention.

17th October, 2010.

The best comparison for this scent is Dior Eau Sauvage .
They smell virtually the same, the Eau de Parfum is long lasting.

26th July, 2008.