Guerlain Homme (2008)
by Guerlain

This is exactly why Thierry Wasser was brought to Guerlain, to give the veritable house a more contemporary spirit. To a certain extent he has succeeded for GUERLAIN HOMME does have that modern vibe to it, with the interesting Mojito opening, a light airy but rather nondescript middle accords and a competently handled drydown of vetiver. I don't get any cedar in the base though that's something I won't miss anyway. Unfortunately for fans of Guerlain classics (I'm one of them), this doesn't feel like a Guerlain at all; it could have been a Diesel for all I care. And that's why a Neutral rating is the only option for me.

*** This review covers both the EDT and EDP, the latter smells pretty much the same except it lasts longer. ***

The opening is a little bit unusual – especially for a Guerlain. It’s limy and smells somewhat tropical. I don’t get the rum that is supposed to be in the mix, but there is something in the lime-dominated opening that smells synthetic… even so, I rather enjoy it. As the lime dissipates, the bergamot and tea comes in and I pick up a faint reminder of Twinnings… but not for long. There quickly comes a neutral accord that smells abstract and synthetic and boring because there is nothing to reflect or support its neutrality. Nice base… cedar and vetiver; I don’t get the rhubarb. The base is alright except for its longevity, which is poor. My main criticism of the fragrance is that it is too all-around weak, but this is not an unusual circumstance for modern fragrances.

I don’t understand the number of negative votes on this fragrance. I, myself, think it’s pleasant and performs nicely except for its lack of longevity. It is a fragrance that handles hot, humid weather beautifully. I enjoy the lime note even though it’s not perfect. And it has a nice drydown. I’ve smelled a lot worse than this.

This is a perfect example of olfactory memory, I wore this for a whole week away when we travelled to Poland for my brothers wedding. I have really pleasant memories of wearing this scent in the hot sun on what was probably the best holiday my family has been on. Guerlain Homme has come under a lot of criticism for being generic and 'un-Guerlain', personally I find these opinions a bit snobby.

Guerlain Homme starts with crisp lime and mint, the opening is fresh and sweet, basically a mouthwatering recreation of an ice cold Mojito. As the scent develops it loses it's freshness and becomes more woody with the Vetiver and Cedar coming through.

Even though this is a Mojito based scent with a nice splash or Rum it doesn't feel overly boozy, it's salty and clear, almost as if it was an alcohol free Mojito (Mojito light anyone?).

Give this a try, it's not a generic, dull aquatic scent, neither is it a classic Guerlain, it's just very good!

The mojito note is surprisingly tasteful and long-lasting on my skin. Mint isn't a note I'm usually attracted to, but placed in this nice boozy nest, it doesn't come off as toothpastey or too sharp like it usually does.

The middle florals are light and pleasant, and I still get just a hint of that boozyness to keep things interesting. As others have said, the base is certainly nothing groundbreaking. But again, it smells good. Just because Guerlain is a mighty house doesn't mean everything they produce HAS to be groundbreaking throughout its evolution. The top and heart are distinctive and effective enough that I'll let the base slide and give it a thumbs up.

Guerlain homme isn't a fabulous nor a desatrous fragrance. This parfume is just really mainstream and simple which isn't bad but many other fragrance can do the same job for less expansive. Also, I found this fragrance to be aim at a more mature crowds. At 25, I do feel like this smell too old on me. I might recommand it to a 40+ men but not for a 25 years old, like myself.

I gave a neutral thumb because isn't a bad fragrance but isn't amazing, specially for a vetiver and for Guerlain. You will not offend anybody with this one. Make sure you look into different Vetiver since, IMO, there's a lot better option open to you.

i found it fabulous in its style : it is certainly not a smell that we use to know from Guerlain even if i think they tried to make a synthesis of different notes from their other compositions
the head is very fresh with lime and mint (a note found in some aqua allegoria, closer from the mint in Mentafollia rather this of Herba Fresca) and green and a little bit acid (with rhubarb), but the note of rhum was not detectable to me by itself but it certainly adds some strenght

the floral accord in the middle is very pronounced with the geranium overwhelming (a strange unusual note indeed very masculine and also fresh); a hint of green tea is also present

the drydown is maybe a little bit more formal and conventional but the woods are elegant, mixing vetiver and cedar (the vetiver note is a tribute to JPG's Vetiver) and very well crafted, but i did'nt perceived the rhubarb note; when i smell these basenotes it reminds me many things from other compositions (without being able to told which, something familar from other Guerlain)

my overall impression is that they created something new, very different of the other fragrances for men released nowaday (of course they want it to be a good seller) with still the high standards of quality of this noble House

the bottle is heavy and masculine and i like it a lot