Cologne du Parfumeur (2010)
by Guerlain

Cologne du Parfumeur by Guerlain - Upon application, one is treated to a lovely melange of bracing citrus, to wit, zesty lemon as well as sour and woody bergamot, commingling with verdant galbanum, with its reedy and faintly green apple facets. Tumbling to the waiting middle, sweet and delicate orange blossom rises above the citrusy, green opening, and along with tangy, pine-like rosemary, spicy and lemony monarda as well as a hint of freshness from lavender steer the heart into a floral, herbacious delight. The robust base of cedarwood, with its sharp woodiness, coupled with white musk, with its soapiness and clean linen loveliness, usurp the blend, and drift to the alluring drydown. Albeit invigorating and unsullied, this fleeting fragrance is lacking in projection and longevity.

6th January, 2012.

This Eau is quite good. Thierry Wasser has produced a scent which wears very well, on me it is quite long lasting, and I get compliments every time I wear it. It is mature, urbane, and sophisiticated. It has a wonderful citrus overtone which fades, to my nose, to a spicy, woodsy and green dryoff. It is perfect to wear out to dinner where it won't interfere with the taste of the wearer's or guest's food. It is an intimate scent, and the review above about its being a polite office scent is dead on! I love this Eau. Perfect to splash on when leaving the shower and when I want to be invigorated.

4th January, 2012.

A tremendously strong entry from Guerlain into the Eau de Cologne genre. CdP starts off with an incredible green accord to open things up. The greens are refined, and very natural, almost grassy. This opening is the best part of an excellent scent from top to bottom. From the green opening, they remain subtly in the background, when lemon, bergamot and orange citrus takes the fore in the scent's heart. This citrus mixes with hints still of the grassy herbs, and while not super-innovative, is handled so deftly that you just have to compliment the nose Wasser on its implementation and execution here. Finishing off the scent is a nice cedarwood accord that mates so well with the rest of the notes to just bring a smile to your face. This is not a sillage monster, nor is it a projection or longevity beast... Cologne du Parfumeur is just a beautiful fresh cologne composition that stays close to the skin and works well for just about any occasion. The bottom line is Cologne du Parfumeur is well worth adding to one's collection.

22nd November, 2011.

Thierry Wasser hasn't had an easy ride since he pinned his bee brooch to his lapel, largely because so many people were disappointed with Idylle, but I'd like to think that his best is yet to come. This cologne - released in a flacon that makes a point of bearing his name - shows once again that when he's not being crushed by the weight of market research, he's capable of producing eminently wearable little gems. Taking his cue from what a true cologne is meant to be like - invigorating, luminous and fleeting - Wasser highlights the woods and the rosemary, takes the edge off the citrus and tones down the musks. Many consider Chanel's Les Exclusifs Eau De Cologne to be the epitome of this genre, and whilst I agree that it's an impressive piece of work, I also think it could do with being a bit more cheerful. Wasser's effort is a smile in a bottle, giving you just what you want in every spritz: an instant, uncomplicated lift.

1st May, 2011.

The newest cologne from Guerlain in a long time is not very typical of the historic EDC type fresh citrus scents. Instead, it is a modern cologne interpretation based heavily on the Orange blossom note. It is very lovely. It is one of the most polite scents I've come across in a long time. I can't imagine anyone but the most scent sensitive people, or cynical powerhouse frenzied dolts finding this scent objectionable. As such it is one of the most perfect office scents available. CdP is a fragrance that is obvious and present while blending into the background seamlessly.

Although the orange blossom and citrus notes are prominent at the opening, the citrus subsides and the orange blossom persists well for a very long time into the middle bitter notes of herbs and orange peel which are quite addictive and pleasing. The long extended dry down is very clean and soapy, quite modern and minimalist... think Jean Claude Elena, but even more linen white and clean.

It is one of the few scents that actually works as a true base for other perfumes (although many scents claim to be layering scents, this one actually works as such almost universally). When applying another scent after the top and middle notes of CdP have burned off, CdP seems to charge any other perfume with an intensified carrying power and sillage. It's really an amazing scent when used in this manner: a polite office scent by day and a base for other scents by night. I have even worn this scent as a base by applying other fragrances directly on top of it immediately after application, without waiting for any dry down. The effect is absolutely stunning.

Thierry Wasser has really shown himself as a master parfumeur with this fragrance, and Guerlain has revealed that they knew what they were doing when choosing him to take the helm.

17th November, 2010.