L'Eau de Hesperides (2008)
by Diptyque

The combination of bitter orange, lemon, other citrus and grapefruit linked with white flowers and herbs in responsible of the overwhelming metallic effect hardly tamed by the final musk and soared by cumin. There are in composition some aromatic and bitter herbs that enhance the astringent and sharp edge of the smell understating the sweetness which is not enough supported by flowers. The herbal accord with the prominent role of peppermint combined with the frustrated sweetness of citrus and flowers produces that sort of "Bloody Mary" effect that for some reviewers turns the smell as too botanic or salty. I don't smell a so stresses synthetic effect. Anyway a natural and particular bracing fragrance in my opinion.

19th September, 2011.

This starts with orange blossom, which changes into a lemon-drop note. There is also a lot minty notes here, ones that are sometimes green and other times a bit like toothpaste. As the everlasting flower appears, it gives a dusky, metallic and somewhat heavy note that is something like white musk. I don’t care for this final aspect and thus I don’t really like this scent.

18th June, 2010.

Citrus, bitter herbs, and plankton. Urgh.

2nd June, 2010.

This is a jewel! Nature in a bottle! Citruses,lemon, a fresh flower bouquet and herbs! I love herbs! This is so special! Pure lemon-y scent and herbs! Very nice for summer time and hot months!Well done Diptyque!

31st March, 2010.

For me, the opening combines zesty and sweet aspects of orange. At first, it felt very synthetic, reminding me of the smell of orange baby aspirin, but with subsequent wearings, that impression went away. I don't get a celery note, per se, and I am aware of that note in other scents (e.g., Bond no 9, Wall Street). I do get the impression of a measure of saltiness. I am not sure what that comes from. The notes, per Luckyscent are as follows:

bitter orange, mandarin, lemon, petitgrain, aromatic herbs, red thyme, rosemary, peppermint, everlasting flower [immortelle], cedarwood, white musk

I really don't tune into peppermint, immortelle or really much of anything herbal. I suppose my impression of saltiness (and others of celery) is from the herbal accords.

This is not my citrus of choice, but I don't think it is a bad scent at all. I am giving it a thumbs up.

10th September, 2009.

I will whole-heartedly agree with the summation of each of the previous three reviews, but my stance is quite different. There is definately celery... from beginning to end there is a translucent and fibrous effect that could possibly be the combination of certain herbal traits, but in the end you get a mental picture of....... a wonderful bloody mary! This could possibly be the closest olfactory equivalent to playing a round of golf with a couple of your closest friends. There is a hint of freshly cut grass, a hint of salt, and astrigency that could easily be a metaphor for the acid in tomatoes. I can even detect a bit of earth loam seeping up through the bottom. The opening is extremely citric and clean, but as it wears off there is a dirty edge that is both gorgeous and a bit repulsive at the same time. As it dries down the dirtiness becomes even more succinct... I am now on the ninth hole, with a couple of salty cocktails in my belly, splashes of pond water creeping up the hems of my pants, and quite a bit of turf scattered about my arms and chest. I might not be the best golfer on the course, but damn am I enjoying myself. I could never lend it the credence to make it an everyday scent, but it is fun in its unique dirty/freshness and peculiar approach with herbs. Definately worth a try, and I will surely edit once I actually wear it out for a round and can guage experience next to illusion.

17th July, 2009.