Eau de Gucci Concentree (1982)

Copied and pasted from review on new version (before this version was added to the database): idressyou 08/20/10 14:53 This is for the original cologne concentree version. Initially, I get almost pure hyacinth, with a smidge of Spanish cedarwood, with the cedarwood becoming more prominent as the drydown continues. I have a jar of hyacinth tincture I made from purple hyacinths picked from my yard, and this is almost spot-on. I haven't tried the reformulation, but the original is very pretty and a must-try for hyacinth lovers.

I had this, on a denim printed packaging with the Gucci ribbons, and I loved it. I would have sworn there was a carnation note on it, it was what I thought it was not knowing what notes it was supposed to have. Hyacinth and lilac, ok, maybe. But it was, flower fresh and somehow spicy, quite longlasting and just inherently very composed, somehow perfect for every ocasion.

I had this, wore it, and loved it. It was marketed for women-- not unisex as labelled here. Yes, it was a beautiful floral, but grounded so well that there were no high-pitched, fly-away notes. IMO, a "wearable" masterpiece.

(I have the rectangular pocket spray with the word concentree having an accent over the second 'e'). This is a beautiful perfume. After a few moments of initial spray on my inner elbow smell very similar to a Anais Anais by Cacharel's dry down (nod to @Kentington, whose review I only looked at after I began writing this review and noted the Anais Anais similarity). I believe I can detect all but a few of the notes. Thankfully for me the tuberose and hyacinth are neither loud nor cloying which would have steered me away. My takeaway: flowery, muted vanillic woods with a dollop of aldehydes that is the glue that holds it all together and keeps it sparkly. Very lovely and classy.

For the guys who might be interested in this one...while "unisex" certainly applies to perfume in general, and you should wear what you want and not worry about what labels go on things (blah blah)...this is VERY floral. Reminds me a great deal of Anais Anais, but instead of an almost salty lily note, it's the powdery hyacinth from Chamade with a sweetish dry-down. If green-powdery florals are your thing, then this one is your perfume...but if your idea of "unisex" is a variation on the classic citrus colognes, then you're probably not gonna like it.