Guerlain Homme Eau de Parfum (2016)

For a while now I’ve been thinking that my collection would benefit from the addition of a fresh, mint forward fragrance for warm weather wear. There are a number of these to choose from, so it was a case of narrowing it down to a couple for testing, based on which looked the most interesting on paper. After some thought, I settled on Mancera’s Aoud Lemon Mint and Guerlain Homme Eau De Parfum (EdP). I tested each on consecutive days and was equally impressed. Both are likable, but in different ways. Whereas I found the Mancera to be sugary sweet and slightly synthetic, although not in a bad way, the Guerlain came over as more natural to my nose and far less sweet. Sweet fragrances are not a total turn off for me per se, but I do have a limit and Aoud Lemon Mint is just on the border of it. For that reason, I decided to purchase a full bottle of the Guerlain, as the safer option. Guerlain’s Homme EdP opens with a freshly squeezed lime note, which is the most realistic that I’ve experienced in a fragrance. It really is quite lovely, but as is often the case with citrus notes, it is short lived. Several reviewers have likened this initial stage to the smell of a mojito and I agree, especially as the lime mixes with an airy note of freshly picked mint. By 30 minutes in, the fragrance is evolving again on my skin. That sparkling lime has almost completely gone and the mint has become a little muted, as it is joined by floral and woody notes. And there’s something vaguely fruity in the background, too, I find; not fresh fruit, but rather like the fruity smell of jellybeans or perhaps Skittles. It’s just a slightly sweet hint. Likewise, I get a hint of white rum, but not enough for me to think of this as a particularly boozy fragrance. Later, cedar and vetiver come to the fore, as the mint fades but never vanishes completely from the mix. There’s a complexity in this fragrance that might not be apparent at first, but I find it quite striking. From its start point of refreshing lime and fresh mint, it evolves into a gently sweet, warm, woody, green masterpiece, that I think will work in many settings. On my skin I get eight hours plus from this fragrance. My photo: https://www.fragrantica.com/fragram/fp/313623 Tested: 100ml full bottle. Seasons / Occasions: Great for hot weather. I'd use for informal occasions and work. Key thoughts: Realistic lime, fresh mint, turning into a warm, woody, green fragrance. Overall rating: 8.5/10. Buy full bottle: Yes.

I love this fragrance. Classy, refreshing, and with real substance, it works in all seasons, day or night. Performance isn’t exceptional, but a simple reapplication after six hours keeps it perfect. This was my signature scent for the two years leading up to the pandemic. At the time, it was the first more mature fragrance I had. I was used to fresher, more popular scents, which tend to feel more jovial. This one was different: less mainstream, less known, more unique. It gave me confidence and placed me in a good space during an important moment of my life. It has a unique balance of qualities: classy and sophisticated, yet fresh, clean, and zingy, with a subtle touch of sexiness. These are qualities that I feel reflect how I see myself, making it very much a signature scent. It also holds a special place in my journey as a fragrance lover. I bought it during a visit to the main Guerlain store in Paris, enchanted by the variety of scents. That moment sparked a deeper interest in discovering new fragrances and exploring niche or less known brands. Now, even with more than seventy fragrances in my collection, this one still rotates regularly. It remains a favorite, carrying both its distinctive character and very dear emotional memories. Guerlain is, in my view, a house that bridges the gap between traditional designer and niche brands, offering exceptional quality and unique scents, and this fragrance is a perfect example. I also think Guerlain is generally underrated. It’s likely one of my favorite houses, and their fragrances used to be an excellent value at discounters (unfortunately not anymore). I own a few Guerlain scents and love them: • Homme (Parfum) • Homme (Boisé) • Vetiver • L’Homme Idéal Cologne (unfortunately discontinued)

Guerlain Homme means refinement, delicacy, subtlety, finesse, and is a way of proving the good taste of the perfume wearer. And it is one of the best perfumes I know of to wear for work. No matter how often and how intensely you smell this Guerlain Homme, which will always be a fragrance that will never tire. It's citrusy, slightly "boozy", a little powdery, a little woody and, above all, timeless. It's light enough to be casual and strong enough to work with formal attire. It never becomes overbearing, no matter how heavy the trigger finger is. I find this perfume extremely calming and a fantastic, versatile scent for men. It opens fresh and only slightly alcoholic. It indicates an initial mojito facet with notes of lime, mint and rum, and then gracefully embraces the floral heart notes. Base notes "boil down" to top-end vetiver, with hints of cedar and patchouli. Longevity is average and sillage is moderate at best. The seemingly weak performance can also be explained by the subtlety of the perfume. The aroma remains close to the skin for most of the perfume's duration. Being elegant simply means having good taste and behaving and acting with style and grace. Elegance covers all the reasons that objectively conflict with the perception of pleasure that is created around you. And this perfume is very elegant, graceful and stylish. Besides, it is quite cheap for the quality of the juice you get. Being a lover of very dense and heavy perfumes, I am charmed by this light and diaphanous Guerlain Homme. Music: Billie Holiday - "It Had To Be You".

Writing a review after living with this one roughly 2 months. I've owned lots of tropical scents, some of my favorites being Virgin Island Water and Malibu Party in the bay. Those are fun fragrances, but they scream vacation Yolo vibes. This one has more of a mature elegance about it. The lime doesn't shout like VIW, and there is no coconut here. You do get the lime and a bit of mint which gives the mojito feeling but it's doesn't veer sun screen territory like Bond Fire Island, or suntan lotion territory like Tom Ford Soleil Blanc or MMM Beach Walk. No tiare flower here either. The drydown of this one is some white rum (but not overboard) and a beautiful sugar cane note. It's an understaded mature tropical vibe that reminds me of what DS Durga does with St. Vetyver insofar in that it's more of an abstract tropical approach in the drydown. Make no mistake it's overtly tropical in the beginning, and not as abstract as St. Vetyver, but every bit as enjoyable. This is a successful business man in khaki pants and a white dress shirt who has a summer home in the Hamptons. He can be on the beach with his family one minute, and step inside to take a business call or jump into a meeting with stakeholders or his team if need be. He's had a drink, maybe two, but he's not drunk. Weekend at Bernie's without the bad attitude or criminal element of Bernie. I think it's a stellar tropical fragrance that has a responsible and buttoned up side. -------------------------------------------------------- Scent 9.5/10 Performance 5/10

Guerlain Homme has an opening that evolves slowly for a minute or two before you get a conscious idea of what you are smelling. Many say Mojito due to the notes listed here, but as a former bartender I cannot agree at all. The mint is very well integrated here, and makes up a part of a nicely blended concept of high end perfumery mixed with a summery freshness. So do not expect the strong mint you find in barbershop classics such as Aramis Tuscany (1984), nor the amped up modernised one from Beach Hut Man (2017). And not the one from a mojito... I cannot quite say lime is very distinguishable as a novelty in the citric guerlinade either. There is a nice vetiver and cedar in the base, maybe with some violet, like the one Floris amped more up in their Jermyn Street (2015). Guerlain Homme is to me the epitome of a formal scent for summer use, or any dress code event between May and September, but it works well enough indoors the year around of course. If like me you loathe the comical talcum use of Xerjoff and such, this is well worth a try. It gives the same idea that is driving parts of the “Join the club” series of Xerjoff: Elegant, fresh and summery, but without the parodic talcum that evokes paintings of 18th century noblesse with powdered wigs. True, discreet elegance and freshness from Guerlain. Bravo.