Les Nuits d'Hadrien (2003)
by Annick Goutal

GROUP. Citrus-Aromatic.GENDER. Safe choice for both male & female.CREATIVITY. Another citrus scent but very wisely blended. You certainly won’t impress wearing this one, but that is not always the point. DAYorNIGHT? For a scent with the word ‘’Nuits’’ in its name you would expect something bolder, long lasting and impressive. On the contrary it is light, quiet and fades relatively quickly (at least on me). The majority of the citrus fragrances are intended for daywear and I am afraid this one goes with the majority as well, despite the patchouli-sandalwood base. LONGEVITY. A disadvantage, for this very refined scent. COMMENTS. The finely balanced hesperidic opening (lemon zest, mandarin, bergamot and a touch of star anise) is the best part of it. The citrus notes are mild and not pungent at all. Very soon (unfortunately) come the basil and the cypress notes which are excellent, last longer but are a little boring. Base notes, patchouli, sandalwood and musk (sorry, I don’t get the vanilla) are well combined but don’t last for long.Overalll, a fine daywear scent. I wish it could last longer.

Delicious bright yellow lemon-y opening turns soon into a quite ordinary weak herbaceous citrus -floral blend. It remains very beautiful though all the way long. (And beautiful is just the right word in here).
It’s just too subtle and ummm…..well, beautiful for my personal tastes. I really do need more edge or at least more nuances. This is too weak and linear. Too refined, hushed and blah blah blah….


Perhaps unisex, no problem, but what I think is how exquisitely will would probably work on skin to skin action with some beautiful woman.

An interesting take on citrus, and a departure from Eau de Hadrien's mouthwatering, sour, realistic lemon. Les Nuits de Hadrien plays up the mandarin and amber and is quite a bit sweeter than the former fragrance. It also has an interesting spicy, herbal characteristic that makes it more complex. On the other hand, it's direction is not as straightforward so I don't believe it will attract as many adoring fans. Regardless, worth a try.

Picture a lemon creamsicle dipped in gold and which came in an opulent sandalwood box. The only problem is longevity, which seems to be only a couple of hours. This is based on the EDT in the women's bottle.

This is a very holiday-yuletiding scent. I detect pines, cedar, lemon, and vanilla with spices. It is the most traditional of th AG scents I have tried. Unisex? Yes. This one is more manly, however. It reminds me of Christmas Eve as a child. It could easily be used in the summer. It has an outdoor feel to it.

A dry citrus with wet yet light florals and a patchouli drydown. Too bad the top notes are what's best.