Aqua Allegoria Lavande Velours

I'm very happy I've succeeded in hunting down a bottle of discontinued AA Lavande Velours from Guerlain, as I must admit there is nothing similar to this scent in my collection. I'm a die hard fan of lavender and so far my the most beloved lavender parfum is Lavande Eau the Parfum from Molinard, which I find absolutely beautiful and pretty strongnand photorealistic with added note of delightful vanilla (and I'm not very much into gourmand scents). Unfortunately, although it does last on my skin, I quickly become noseblind to this smell and have to put my nose against my wristnto reassure myself it's still present. And, thankfully, it's not the case with AA Lavande Velours, it lasts and I can easily sense it around after few hours from the application. First I was a bit down, as I hate some notes at the opening, a bit similar to my nose as in Narcotic Flower from Maison Alhambra. Probably they are different, but make me struggle for at least one hour, like there is something plasticky or smelling like a car tires. But when the scent dries down, in both cases it becomes absolutely delicious and it LASTS. I can sense it enveloping my body, so I really am able to enjoy it all the time during wearing it, for many hours. Such a bliss! Now to the lavender. It's very beautiful and stays present for all the time, I would even say it really is kinda photorealistic, but only when we speak of a bouquet of dried in the sun lavender stems with flowers, not the fresh ones, but rather sweet and dry, probably thanks to iris note. To the point, it gives me an impression of warm summer evenings of my childhood, spent on hiding in the haystacks in the countryside at my grandparents farm, given it would be haystacks full not only of hay, but also sweet dried wild lavender. It's different kind of lavender note but I love it and enjoy wearing it very much. Pity Guerlain stopped producing it, can't understand this decision, and I would gladly purchase many backup bottles, also to be able to travel in time, back to my childhood years 💜

Lavande Velours is unique in that its a lavender that's carried through not so much by vanilla as is with many classic lavender scents, but rather with violet and orris, which turns about to be the most winning progression to our beloved pastoral antagonist. The linalool and linalyl acetate cross-fading with ionones is oddly stimulating and satisfying, feeling even cool-tinted and feeling almost blueberry-like. The timeline is herbaceous, dewy floral and laundered linens, to parma-violet sweet, growing powdery and woody over its development. I am most surprised by its complexity as compared to others from the Aqua Allegoria line (though this was sadly discontinued many years ago). It has a somewhat dandy feel to it, which of course meets my approval, and I wouldn't blink if this were presented as an reconstructed original formula from the late 19th century.

This one and Gris Clair by Lutens are the truest lavenders i've smelled, and i've used them both faithfully !! I would by no means call Lavande Velours a flowery perfume!! It would also be an excellent choice for those gents who love true lavender! It is deep, extremely warm and very strong. It gets milder after the first half hour, due perhaps to the iris and violet, and sandalwood gives it an earthiness, a woodsy base that prevents it from getting flowery. Magnifique! Gris clair is softer, equally long lasting but for those days when i need a soft veil to soothe migraine.. Equally magnificent perfume! It goes without saying that both are for lavender lovers - period!

I agree with the reviewer here who said that the violet and powdery iris notes are dominating the lavender:) so that is probably why I love it soo much! The opening gives a big lavender cloud but that really disappears fast and gives way to the gorgeous violet , wonderful fragrance ..I had to find a full bottle of that immediately after my sample:) one of the very best Guerlain AA's to me

Lavander, Iris, violets, sandalwood...This is such a beautiful fragrance... If I go to heaven ... or hell...please let it smell like this Guerlain, bring it back, please!