Iris Ganache (2007)
by Guerlain

Guerlain Iris Ganache

Notes: iris butter, white chocolate, floral notes, cinnamon, bergamot, patchouli, white musks, cedar, ambery vanilla note (from nstperfume.com)

Everybody's doing iris-themed fragrances it seems. I guess it is no longer good enough to use this amazing material as just another ingredient. It now must be advertised prominently, perhaps to cash in on iris' considerable luxe equity. Iris Ganache seems to be one of those that pushes iris for its own sake rather than truly incorporating it into a well-thought composition. Imagine if you took the strawberry-patchouli of Miss Dior Cherie, sweetened it with a bit more chocolate, and then dumped a bunch of orris butter in. It is obvious that the ingredients of IG are top notch, and I think I could get used to the first 20 minutes as it is quite funky and unlike most iris fragrances I have smelled. Sadly the good part doesn't last. Eventually, there is an extreme discordant effect that comes from the bubbly feminine gourmand components and the cool, rooty iris which verges on a carrot encrusted with dirt. Later, when the fragrance settles down, IG smells like a higher quality, more wearable Miss Dior Cherie. Iris Ganache is one for iris-lovers or gourmand fans to test, but don't expect it to outperform anything by Chanel or the archetypal gourmand powerhouses.

Iris is one of my favorite perfume materials, although I find it is often interpreted too literally. Just when I thought here was not much left to do with it Guerlain came up with this brilliant blend.

A good ganache provides chocolate a rich texture without adding sweetness: slowly blend a warm, heavy cream mix to dark chocolate, and deepen the flavor with cognac. Can you smell it?

Iris Ganache delivers the scent promised by its name: cool, dry iris root tempered by a lush but not cloying gourmand blend that will make you drunk with olfactory pleasure.

Playful, yet sophisticated. Unique. My only complaint is the eventual dry down to Guerlain vanilla. Enough already. But this did not prevent me from buying a full bottle, No regrets.

Iris Ganache is an absolutely stunning floral, spicy, sweet and woody fragrance. It contains just a small hand full of fragrance notes (iris, bergamot, cinnamon, vanilla, white musk..) and each one comes through beautifully. Used sensibly Iris Ganache will never be cloying. I had the honor of having an appointment with Guerlain's National Fragrance Director at Neimans. We tested various fragrances on my skin and chose Iris Ganache and another Guerlain (which will be reviewed when I spend some time with it). Iris Ganache is marketed as a female fragrance; however, like most Guerlains, it can be worn by both sexes. The Guerlain director knew this was the perfect fragrance for me (and I'm a guy!). When she sprayed Iris Ganache on my forearm, I immediately knew the fragrance was mine!! I'm happy to say this fragrance will have a permanent place in my collection. Like most Guerlain Eau de Parfums, it's a little costly, but worth every penny. An amazing fragrance.

Iris, heavy cream, white chocolate. Sweet without being cloying. Iris with the stems on with a background of silk that is chocolate scented only. The chocolate is very much there, but not strong or too ‘chocolaty’. Surprisingly pleasant. This would be much better in colder weather, as I can see the sweetness becoming too much in very warm weather. A comfort scent all around.

Iris Ganache is quite delicious. I've finally gotten around to purchasing a bottle. It's very unique, and different from the usual classic Guerlains. This is not for old ladies.

I've read nothing about Iris Ganache before trying it, but apparently the name alone set me up for disappointment. I was really hoping for a creamy, sweet Guerlain iris. What I got was a scrubber that at first reminded me (quite fondly, I may add) of Gaultier Classique and than turned into Angel meets Insolence. A deadly combination. Although not as "in-your-face" as the last powerhouse pair, Iris Ganache was still a scrubber. And I rarely use the term for any perfume: Persistent, cloying, overwhelmingly synthetic and chokingly sweet. I love Guerlain but their latest releases are for the most part a far cry from what they used to be. Even their other iris scent - Iris Fig - which started promising ended up with that persistent modernized Guerlinade that just hammers your nostrils until you can't anymore and must run to the sink to wash it off.