Me and Eau d'Orange Verte by Hermes go way back.
I used to collect catalogs when I was a kid. Yes, mail order catalogs. I had thousands! It was a weird hobby. When you request catalogs from companies, I inevitably started getting even more catalogs from companies that think you're a 'catalog shopper' and my collection of catalogs grew. Well, during this time, I got a catalog from a toiletry / grooming company (I can't remember the name now) and I remember buying a men's sampler pack where I first smelled No. 88 by Czech & Speake, a few of the classic Hermes (I think it was Equipage?) and Eau d'Orange Verte also. Growing up in Miami, the EdoV wore extremely well. Crisp, clean, just strong enough to create that uplifting feeling upon application yet light enough to splash all over (even on my face) when I applied.
When I arrived here at Basenotes, it seemed natural that everyone liked the scent. I ordered a small bottle of the Concentree Eau d'Orange Verte - a 'stronger' version of EdOV that (I learned) smelled similar, yet different. I soon found out that there even more formulations, which made it confusing to know which one was the 'best.' Another thing that confused me: I always thought EdoV has 'orange' in it, since the name has 'orange' in it. Perhaps a Basenoter who is experienced in the French translation can help explain this better than me, but I believe it is a description of the citrus (lime) not a literal use of the word 'orange'. Confusing, right?
There's a ton of threads all over the mens board about the differences in the EdoV line, so I thought it was time to create one thread devoted to the ENTIRE LINE, with pictures, descriptions, comments, etc. So here it goes:
- The original that started it all, Eau d'Orange Verte (pic here) this is an Eau de Cologne formula, introduced in 1979 and created by perfumer Francoise Caron (who also did Rose and Palisander by CdG). It was originally released as Eau de Cologne d'Hermes and then later changed to Eau d'Orange Verte. It has notes of bergamot, lemon, mandarin, mint, jasmine, orange blossom, patchouli, moss and cedar. I have never owned a bottle of this, only a sample when I was young. It has quite a tanginess to it, that the Concentree misses - in addition the opening top notes of EdoV are zingy, fresh. Hermes markets it as a unisex scent and it's only drawback is its incredibly low longevity. As with most quality citrus fragrances, this lasts about 15 minutes, before it altogether disappears. If you're a fan of 'cologne' type splash fragrances, you'll love this. Bottles (correct me if I'm wrong here guys) are 3.3 oz, 6.5 oz and 13.5 oz as well as refreshing moist towelettes (box of 12) and a ton of bath/after bath products.
- The second most popular variation of the scent is Concentree d'Orange Verte (pic here) this is an Eau de Toilette formula, introduced in 2004 and created by perfumer Jean Guichard (who also did Obsession by Calvin Klein) - this is for those (like me) who must have something longer lasting. To achieve this, though, the scent suffers in the top notes by featuring less of those aforementioned zingy top notes and transitioning much more quickly into the wood base. The citrus is softer and more...diluted (which is not what one expects from something named Concentree, right?). Bottles are 3.3 and 6.5 oz...and a new size I just saw for the first time: a set of three 1 oz spray bottles (perfect for travel on airline carry on bags!). The difference between the Concentree bottle and the EdOV is not easy to detect. Notice in both pictures, that the Concentree version has a darker green glass, that is not entirely transparent but it more frosted glass.
- Aroma d'Orange Verte (pic here) - I have no information about this. It's described by Hermes as 'Icy Energizing Spray' and if I am most interested to see if the scent of this is the same as the EdOV, perhaps with just a 'cooling' effect. I have been eyeing this as a blind buy for quite a while, so anyone's experience with this would be helpful. Bottle is 3.3 oz spray only.
- Eau d'Orange Douce (pic here) - same thing for this one, no info. Bottle is 3.3 oz natural spray.
One more thing: Both the EdoV and the Concentree d'Orange Verte are also sold in cylindrical glass 2.5 oz spray bottles (pic here), that fit into a Hermes leather case (pic here)
- for those discriminating travelers. Honestly, I have no use for these high end leather fragrance cases, but the fact that you can buy both fragrances in a 2.5 oz refill bottle is noteworthy.
So, did I leave any 'version' out of this list? If so, please reply to this thread and I'll include it on my list.
Turin gave (in The Guide) both EdOV and CdOV four stars, wherein he said, 'Hermes essay in bracing simplicity is a daily treat.' Your comments, about the whole line, are welcomed!
I used to collect catalogs when I was a kid. Yes, mail order catalogs. I had thousands! It was a weird hobby. When you request catalogs from companies, I inevitably started getting even more catalogs from companies that think you're a 'catalog shopper' and my collection of catalogs grew. Well, during this time, I got a catalog from a toiletry / grooming company (I can't remember the name now) and I remember buying a men's sampler pack where I first smelled No. 88 by Czech & Speake, a few of the classic Hermes (I think it was Equipage?) and Eau d'Orange Verte also. Growing up in Miami, the EdoV wore extremely well. Crisp, clean, just strong enough to create that uplifting feeling upon application yet light enough to splash all over (even on my face) when I applied.
When I arrived here at Basenotes, it seemed natural that everyone liked the scent. I ordered a small bottle of the Concentree Eau d'Orange Verte - a 'stronger' version of EdOV that (I learned) smelled similar, yet different. I soon found out that there even more formulations, which made it confusing to know which one was the 'best.' Another thing that confused me: I always thought EdoV has 'orange' in it, since the name has 'orange' in it. Perhaps a Basenoter who is experienced in the French translation can help explain this better than me, but I believe it is a description of the citrus (lime) not a literal use of the word 'orange'. Confusing, right?
There's a ton of threads all over the mens board about the differences in the EdoV line, so I thought it was time to create one thread devoted to the ENTIRE LINE, with pictures, descriptions, comments, etc. So here it goes:
- The original that started it all, Eau d'Orange Verte (pic here) this is an Eau de Cologne formula, introduced in 1979 and created by perfumer Francoise Caron (who also did Rose and Palisander by CdG). It was originally released as Eau de Cologne d'Hermes and then later changed to Eau d'Orange Verte. It has notes of bergamot, lemon, mandarin, mint, jasmine, orange blossom, patchouli, moss and cedar. I have never owned a bottle of this, only a sample when I was young. It has quite a tanginess to it, that the Concentree misses - in addition the opening top notes of EdoV are zingy, fresh. Hermes markets it as a unisex scent and it's only drawback is its incredibly low longevity. As with most quality citrus fragrances, this lasts about 15 minutes, before it altogether disappears. If you're a fan of 'cologne' type splash fragrances, you'll love this. Bottles (correct me if I'm wrong here guys) are 3.3 oz, 6.5 oz and 13.5 oz as well as refreshing moist towelettes (box of 12) and a ton of bath/after bath products.
- The second most popular variation of the scent is Concentree d'Orange Verte (pic here) this is an Eau de Toilette formula, introduced in 2004 and created by perfumer Jean Guichard (who also did Obsession by Calvin Klein) - this is for those (like me) who must have something longer lasting. To achieve this, though, the scent suffers in the top notes by featuring less of those aforementioned zingy top notes and transitioning much more quickly into the wood base. The citrus is softer and more...diluted (which is not what one expects from something named Concentree, right?). Bottles are 3.3 and 6.5 oz...and a new size I just saw for the first time: a set of three 1 oz spray bottles (perfect for travel on airline carry on bags!). The difference between the Concentree bottle and the EdOV is not easy to detect. Notice in both pictures, that the Concentree version has a darker green glass, that is not entirely transparent but it more frosted glass.
- Aroma d'Orange Verte (pic here) - I have no information about this. It's described by Hermes as 'Icy Energizing Spray' and if I am most interested to see if the scent of this is the same as the EdOV, perhaps with just a 'cooling' effect. I have been eyeing this as a blind buy for quite a while, so anyone's experience with this would be helpful. Bottle is 3.3 oz spray only.
- Eau d'Orange Douce (pic here) - same thing for this one, no info. Bottle is 3.3 oz natural spray.
One more thing: Both the EdoV and the Concentree d'Orange Verte are also sold in cylindrical glass 2.5 oz spray bottles (pic here), that fit into a Hermes leather case (pic here)
- for those discriminating travelers. Honestly, I have no use for these high end leather fragrance cases, but the fact that you can buy both fragrances in a 2.5 oz refill bottle is noteworthy.
So, did I leave any 'version' out of this list? If so, please reply to this thread and I'll include it on my list.
Turin gave (in The Guide) both EdOV and CdOV four stars, wherein he said, 'Hermes essay in bracing simplicity is a daily treat.' Your comments, about the whole line, are welcomed!







From what I've figure out (from the Hermes official site as well as a few online retailers inventory), the bath shower gel, still has on the box (and on the tube) 'Aroma d'Orange Verte' and the color is orange (plastic) as opposed to the soap, hand soap, towelettes and all over body shampoo which have on the box and products, 'Eau d'Orange Verte' and are green in color and packaging.

