Hermessence Agar Ebene

I received a sample/tester of Agar Ebene when I purchased a bandana at an Hermes boutique, and I later bought a bottle. This is the scent that changed me from never wearing fragrances to all-in with Hermessence. As you might know, Hermessence scents are infamous for not always lasting that long on the wearer. Some view this as a negative, but I actually prefer it. I've never had any "stale perfume" smell on my clothes from anything this line, and I can easily change scents over the course of the day. At first smell (from the bottle), I actually disliked this one; it had a doctor's office/latex element to it. Boy did my mind change soon. On my skin this is an ecstasy of exotic smoky wood and leather that smells like sophistication incarnate (can you tell I love it?). It's the kind of fragrance I just sniff on my skin all day to be enveloped in bliss. I can't identify all the scents by name (I presume this is what agar and fir smell like together), but it's a joy for me from start to finish. Sillage is close, but if someone gives you a hug, they will probably get an extra treat. This one lasts quite a while on me (as a skin scent) - around 8+ hours. It's never loud, but an intimate, personal scent. It doesn't fade quickly like some of the floral Hermessences tend to. It does pair nicely with some of the other Hermessences - I think my favorite is layering Myrrhe Eglantine on top. I (male) love Agar Ebene so much, my #1 favorite scent. To me, this fragrance smells like Hermes: somehow everything in the house has been distilled into a wonderful, wearable elixir. I think this could easily be worn by someone of any sex, so if a rich and smooth woody/leathery kind of smell interests you, check this one out!

Agar Ebene is just wonderfull. I dont see or follow "style of the house" in fragrance, all i care for is how pleasant(interesting), naturally smelling and long lasting it is. Agar, i think changes that, in case of Hermes at least. Oud, oud here is light, watercolor is exactly the first thing that comes to mind. Contrary to usual description of oud - this one is very elegant, never stinky, firmly woody but never suffocating. It has depth. It is like a fresh breath of wind that flew through agarwood market, and delivered ever so light spirit of this mighty tree. And this is exactly where the BRAND joins in, since hermes to me is a definition of simple elegance. Its like a man wearing ever so casual blue pants and white shirt. And from afar, nothing special, but when you come up close you realize the quality of materials, fit and finish. Talking about materials - most likely oud is synthetic, but it is done extremely well. I would dare to say better than any other oud. Longevity is where it fails, as indeed its edt, so max 3-4 hrs. And silage is minimal. And after all this, i do really want it. Its for the times when ur done with all dense perfumes and extravaganza. Its a nice, peaceful break from the busy world.

Big bundle of contradictions which somehow adds up to less than the sum of its parts overall. This is far darker, butcher and male-er than most of the Hermessences - yet still fascinating to try if you can't yet imagine oud as a balsawood-light, airy, outdoor experience rather than just a big heavy stinky tree-trunk. First half hour is stone love for me: the beautiful paradox of a gentle, almost transparent oud, sweetened up just a very tiny bit with conifer resins. Despite the light texture it's still a very BROWN, definitely timber-based scent, with ebony adding a real tang of even deeper, darker woods. Presents both warm and cool faces; to my mind it would be good all year round, though it might not be robust enough for winter. Unisex for those who love forest. One of my very favourites in the entire Hermessence line, along with Poivre Samarcande. BUT: just like nearly all the others, its longevity is deeply disappointing (barely detectable after 2h, though the lingering trace on skin is also lovely) and the sillage never powerful. A very refined sepia watercolour, for men or women who don't mind respraying every few hours.

SirCharles gives an excellent comparison below to Jo Malone's Oud and Bergamot a very original fragrance that to me smells like dark, sodden & modern wood, kinda synthetic but also some of the qualities you get from oud of certain origins. Then the bergamot which doesn't smell like bergamot, but doesn't smell enough like any other citrus not to be either. Enough about that though because although I definitely get the association, the delivery is about as different as one could possibly imagine. This has a subtlety to it, and broadly woodier theme's with a light ethereal spice to it. Light top notes, but enough to catch my interest when I sprayed it in a Hermes boutique and a mellow heart. My description doesn't do it justice, Agar Ebene is very good though. I was compelled to buy a mini travel spray.

ok I don't think I'm going to be the only one who thinks this, but as soon as I put my nose to this I immediately thought of Salvatore Ferragamo's Tuscan sent line of Incense Suede, but I think this one is a little softer and more refined, I love SF I.S and how big the sent cloud is and how it projects, it also last a long time probably cause its an edp and this one is an edt however this one is so much better, this is just like I.S a calming smell to me this is something where I can see my self sitting in an old leather arm chair sipping on a glass of 18 y/o scotch with a nice cigar by a fire place in a cabin and just relax. I will prob get a bottle of this once my tester runs out, just a fantastic sent.