Gardenia Passion

Gardenia Passion can be a bit misleading, because other than the fact that Fragrantica has some notes missing (tomato leaf, myrrh) it's an extension of Goutal's Passion which was released earlier and is a floral chypre. Gardenia Passion takes the base and intensifies the floral heart with added gardenia and tuberose. Frankly if you own one out of the two you don't need the other unless you're a white floral junkie. That said, Gardenia Passion varies on different skin chemistries. Some people get more tuberose while others get more of the gardenia part. I get a cheesy gardenia that's still covered with earth. I've been looking for a dirty or animalic gardenia, something more carnal than your average white floral, and while this isn't animalic it is definitely fleshy and carnal, the scent of hot skin. Gardenia Passion opens on my skin with the green bitterness of the tomato leaf, slightly similar to galbanum. It's quite astringent without being harsh. This lasts just a couple of minutes before I am immediately greated with a cheesy gardenia. The flower is wilted and it's turning brown. It's just beyond its prime but the gardenia hasn't lost its scent, it just shows it's more carnal qualities, its fleshyness if you will, like skin that is hot. The tuberose doesn't really show on me, and the jasmine adds just a touch of honeyed indole that further contributes to the carnal effect. The white florals basically form a choir that make up a quite realistic gardenia, without falling in the usual cliches. Carnal flower would be a very apt name, as it feels more apt than simply Gardenia Passion. The sillage is quite subtle, on a hot day if I'm lucky I can get it to moderate, but it never gets suffocating, even being heavy handed. Longevity is average, but I find that deeply moisturized skin enhances the longevity substantially so no complaints there. As to the comparison to other white floral powerhouses... Well I don't get any similarities neither to Fracas nor Carnal Flower, mainly because those are tuberose bombs on my skin while this is not. If you like Gardenia you will probably like this, if you love Gardenia here you have a very high quality realistic rendition of a wilting narcotic flower. Try on your skin and give it some time to evolve, warm temperatures favor it enormously. It doesn't shout so it can even be used in closed settings, and unless someone comes close, it won't announce your presence to the entire world. Me, I love it, I have my ladylike gardenia from Lauder, and my carnal one here. I'd ask for some more sillage but I'm perfectly content. Another high quality Goutal that I'm sure won't disappoint.

I've owned Gardenia Passion for a while now, and it's finally time for the review! I've never been a big fan of soliflores, especially white florals in particular as most I find cloying, or suffocating in some manner. Annick Goutal's Gardenia Passion is to my nose, the delicate scent of a hothouse gardenia bush in full bloom. I smell sensuously tactile white gardenia blossoms, including the entire plant, which I personally find delightful. Very, very, floral, but somehow so very, femininely sexual! First it was a "throwback scent" as my mother liked gardenias, but this happened to grow on me to such an extent that I'm loving it even in winter for a breath of spring! What I didn't expect was the way the composition would land right between blooms, green, and the barely there breath of vanilla to create a very delicate, balance which is both enticing, and refreshing somehow! I'd call it a very... "Nude" scent. It's uncomplicated, and seems to me to fit perfectly with soft, silken things, or nothing at all. Very well suited for delicate spring attire as well, this is no bombastic white floral like Fracas or Carnal Flower. Gardenia Passion was given a lesson in manners, and volume. Which I, for one appreciate very much. This was a blind swap for me, and after a full year of seasons change in which to explore this scent, I am deeply smitten. My sweetie finds it irresistible, it's so very feminine, and well mannered, he breathes me in deeply when I come to him smelling of creamy, dewy, delicate white blossoms on a spring breeze.. Not enough to smother, if white florals are your thing, this is the one to wear "to bed" it doesn't last all day & won't overpower, just enhance your natural scent. If you are new to gardenia, tuberose, or jasmine (which is politely, & mildly present here) this would make a great introductory to the genre for you! The price vs quality of The House of Goutal, is without question. I was sent 5 samples gratis, just for asking nicely, and I now own 5 Goutal scents, 3 in a limited edition parfum coffret! I you're curious about the house, just contact them politely! The customer service is lovely, and even the fragrances I didn't care for, at least we're of good quality. Unfortunately for me... I care for a lot of them! If you are in to exploring gardenia, this is the fresh version, and I would very highly recommend it. FB worthy for me! (And I still have to give some away over the holidays, it's made many new fans!)

Today I am sampling Annick Goutal Gardenia Passion and I LOVE IT. I can't believe I haven't tested this one properly before. It is a bit old-fashioned and sharp at first but then in the heart notes, 15-30 minutes later, it blooms into the most gorgeous creamy, vanillic gardenia. A bit old-fashioned definitely, I like to say 'classic,' and it's from the oakmoss. Not too much but that woody base has it there. I really like how there is no citrus in Gardenia Passion. It would often result in a white floral too fresh and zingy, but here it's just gardenia, more gardenia, tuberose, vanilla, a bit of orange blossom, more vanilla and some oakmoss and woody notes that have that certain elegant 'oomph.' Yourfoxiness noted below how it would be perfect for bedtime and I agree! It's sensual and warm - really sexy! The sillage is gentle and longevity is not great; around the 2 hour mark but I have got the EDT sample and I hope to grab a full bottle of the EDP someday. If you love gardenia, tuberose, vanilla and a touch of old-fashioned French perfumery you would love this! Best suited to colder, windier days for a breath of Spring

Wow, I finally get it. I've worn Annick Goutal fragrances since the mid to late 90's and was always struck by the creativity and out-of-the-norm frags (i.e., Passion with tomato leaf and Eau de Charlotte with cocoa). When I first learned of this one and saw how much it was going for I was stunned. I wore Tuvache Jungle Gardenia in high school (when it was cheap!) and also Jovan's Island Gardenia and loved them both (they're not alike). I scored a vintage bottle of Gardenia Passion in an online auction and just received it today. Wow! Creamy florals with gardenia and tuberose, very similar to Tuvache's. I see this one as being more creamy, a much smoother gardenia perfume. It's not at all like Elizabeth Taylor's which is gardenia with all the greenness, a combination that can be a little too biting and astringent. Longevity is short-lived. I had to smell my arm after about 30-60 mins. to be sure it was still there, and the sillage was minimal. Nonetheless, this beauty is a keeper!

The one that made me fall in love with gardenia. It's special to me, as I purchased it in Paris when I was in my 20s. From memory, it was soft and creamy, with an elusive, chewy, almost rubbery quality that I get in many well made, white florals. I can't remember if I purchased EDT or EDP, but I just purchased a used bottle of EDT on the Bay for a great price. I am curious to see how this has held up to my memory, as it was my "gateway drug" into the intoxicating world of white florals. I will update when I receive it. ========== Arrived today, and though it is a used bottle, it is in excellent condition and every bit as glorious as I remember. It's really all about the buttery gardenia, and remains so from beginning to end. Memories of Paris came flooding back, and I can't wait to share it with my mother. For lovers of white florals only, especially gardenia and tuberose. I need a backup bottle for sure, as I never want to be without this ever again!