Eau de Pamplemousse Rose (2009)
by Hermès

This fragrance started out as a refreshingly bright grapefruit, not chemically sharp at all. Grapefruit isn't my favorite scent, but this was a really pleasing light version of it. It was backed by slight florals and wood. The wood came out a little stronger the longer it was on, the grapefruit backing down but still retaining a presence. The woods and grapefruit were an unexpected but beautiful combination.
However, the longevity of this perfume was super short on me! Within an hour or two I couldn't smell it at all, which is very sad considering how much I liked the scent.

26th January, 2012.

Pamplemousse Rose is conceived as a classic cologne. Citrus over woods.

Unfortunately, the grapefruit top note is so overwhelmingly chemical it glows like a neon sign. It really is a shame because the rose is used to great effect here, managing to be neither soapy nor powdery and the dry down is a rich and beautiful mossy woods. I might go so far as to call intoxicating if not for that synthetic slap of grapefruit searing my nostrils.

Stick with its similar but much better, older brother Eau d'Orange Verte.

28th November, 2011.

As most have already written, mine is but an iteration of the other reviews -- which I mostly agree with.

A classic and straightforward grapefruit/rose frag that is well-executed in the inimitable Jean-Claude Ellena style. Yes, it is fresh -- like a summer drink to be had at the height of the noonday sun. Yet somehow -- despite this evanescent style/ this fizzy frothy top, it darkens and becomes spicier -- an incredible rose note appears -- dewy, dank, dark red intense and indeed beautiful! As if, having just sipped your lemonade -- you find yourself in a field of dark red roses -- its bouquet headily wafting in the breeze!

So though configured to refresh in the classic eau de cologne style, this one intrigues, beckons, and beguiles!

I would call this "Portrait of a Lady" light. Excellent and highly recommended!

7th November, 2011.

"The Eau de pamplemousse rose is not pink grapefruit, like it might be translated; it is grapefuit and rose.” - JCE, Perfume Shrine interview

Note: I am wearing 'Concentre de Pamplemousse Rose' a tweaked formulation of the original.

Now -- about this fragrance. I'm writing this on what has been the hottest day of the season thus far and I believe this may be one of the top 10 fragrances of mine for blistering weather. It does not begin nor become pretentious with a complex arrangement of notes; rather a consistent crispness and biting sourness that lets you know this fragrance is first and foremost about grapefruit. I'm not sure I'd say this has a clearly defined top and middle -- they smell fairly similar, perhaps the top notes providing a bubbly-champagne fizz to make the grapefruit notes project. Sillage is rather disappointing.

Roughly 2 hours in, this starts to develop into something more woody/evergreen and 'damp'. I used about 4 sprays and while it's still there, it's fleeting quickly. If you prefer your fragrance to last throughout the day, this one requires upkeep and re-application.

Overall, an enjoyable but short-lived experience. I'm not sure on days like this that I really want to project all that much, so maybe this is a good thing.

22nd June, 2011.

First let me start by saying. This fragrance has NO ROSE in it.

For others who claim it does, the name says Pamplemousse Rose which translates to Pink Grapefruit, people are searching for a rose note in this when it has none.

Now, going on. The fragrance opens up like a freshly cut grapefruit. A bit sour, a bit bitter, but most of all, a fresh blast of citrus.

It then settles down into a transparent green citrus that maintains crispness as JCE's frags do. The vetiver, grapefruit, and rhubarb give this fragrance a summer garden feel, while biting into the side of a cut citrus fruit.


A beautiful fragrance that lasts pretty long for an EDC.

8/10

17th May, 2011.

A natural smelling grapefruit with some blood orange behind it for extra sweetness. The grapefruit note is sweet, juicy and natural -- just as JCE can only do. Don't like rose? Don't worry, the rose is there, but quite faint. Unlike others, I get the rose in the opening, ya just have to wait about 10 minutes until the tangyness from the citrus dies down. The rose is rather green in the opening and middle, and doesn't become the typical rose we are used to until the final dry down. At which point it is wonderful. Smells amazing, and is great for any man who may be afraid to wear a fragrance with rose, because of it jeopardizing his masculinity. The rose in the base of this is pretty subtle, projection isn't a beast, so ya don't have to worry about "smelling girly"

I happen to love rose notes, just not always on me. Rose in the base was a brilliant decision on the part of JCE. For cologne strength, this is more of an EDT.

18th March, 2011.