Ode

I have to say Ode is the most beautiful vintage extrait I have had the pleasure to wear to date. I have tried many of the masterpieces of perfumery in extrait form but none have made me fall in love instantly as Ode. The well balanced jasmine and rose are not overpowered or overpowering as the iris and sandalwood cut the vibration of the musk to a long sensual hum.

A non cloying floral scent, I can smell lots of rose and aldehyde. If I blind sniffed this I would have thought it was some sort of vintage chanel scent. Nevertheless I think its a great scent and my bottle might have deteriorated overtime because I am getting after hints of something quite animalic which doesnt seem to be listed.

Review according to EDC, produced in 1960 or 1970. Ode is the result of the collaboration between Jacques Guerlain and his grandson Jean-Paul. It is the last fragrance of Jacques. According to the memories of the Guerlain family, Jacques Guerlain was "keen to improve JOY", and this happened in 1955. Jean Patou JOY - "The Palace of Flowers", the iconic fragrance of the 1930s. Sublimating quality with high-grade materials is the ultimate in the classical coordination of jasmine and rose. The texture of Ode (actually Guerlain-style JOY) is different from JOY. It is powdery and skin-friendly, and EDC can catch a little trace of iris and musk. And JOY's jasmine fragrance remains intact. I can also detect a difference in the Ode, which I guess is Guerlinade, the base of Guerlain's signature. It took me two years to understand JOY. Ode doesn't smell as extravagant as JOY, but its attitude is more euphemistic and friendly than JOY. Ode is a simplified version of JOY, so close and cute.

This is 100% an "Ode to Joy" as in Patou's Joy. In fact, I'm smelling them side by side and the resemblance of the astounding floral chord of jasmine and rose is remarkable for sure. Now Ode is done a bit more in the Guerlain manner...a touch more heliotropin/coumarin/vanillin, but not by much! Some of the animal/indole from Joy is also a bit "tamer" in Ode. Because of those rough edges and the voluptuous florals, Joy is truly remarkable, whereas Ode is merely fine.

I have the vintage EDC in the flacon montre. This is all about the iris, powdery iris with a hint of aldehyde and musk. Very close to the skin and doesn't last long. Pretty.