Hermessence Violette Volynka

Got myself a sample, wore it two days and then put down the big bucks for the 2.5 fl.oz. bottle - it's on the way to my mail box! This says a lot in today's economy! This is a beauty I simply cannot live without. I've been a Hermes fan for most of my perfumed life, and violets I've loved even longer. Thanks to the elegant wife of one of my uncles, early on I dabbled in fragrances at her dressing table. Powdery violet notes must have been featured there. But also a love of design, the heavy, faceted bottles. What we now call vintage was fresh and new to me then! This Hermes takes me back there, but is so unique to my nose today. In my violet collection is also Molinard Violette and Guerlain Meteorites. Fast forward to today, 1/21/2024 and I have applied the frag to one arm. Wow! An overpowering scent of something like honey and an unidentifiable note, almost gourmand. Not to my liking at all. This is so different from the sample I bought for $25 a few weeks ago. The sample is violet, violet, violet and leather. A creamy leather. But this costly full-size bottle? Very different. And now later: the honey note has faded and finally 6 hours later, the violet emerges softly. So softly. And the leather is now creamy and soft also. So, what? I have to endure something I do not care for (scrub worthy!) for 5 or 6 hours to get to violet and leather?? And yes, the drydown is so lovely...I would bet the longevity will be around 12 hours.

I received a couple of samples of Violette Volynka with another purchase, and spoiler alert, I ended up buying a full-size bottle. I would rank this as my second favorite Hermessence, after Agar Ebene. It has a delicate, powdery, ozonic (I didn't really know what that meant until smelling this one), semi-candy-sweet smell with a quiet, rich leather background - a very intriguing, harmonic balance. It feels like the perfect early spring fragrance, reminding me of when flowers start to appear, but most trees are still bare of leaves. As is the case with most of the Hermessences, it's a skin scent (at least for me), and the longevity is fleeting. I find it to be perfectly unisex (male here); there are floral scents, but in equilibrium with the "tougher" leather. This is a somewhat unusual scent, so I would recommend trying before buying to see if works for you. It's working on the same principles as Cuir d'Ange, but I find them to be very different. I've found all the accords listed on this page to be accurate with this scent on me.

Violette Volynka is another simple but high-quality composition from the Hermessence line. I am partial to a violet note, and here it is beautifully rendered - initially green and dewy, becoming increasingly powdery. Smooth throughout, it is quite light and airy, as Hermessence scents tend to be. VV opens with the aforementioned violet, becoming increasingly powdery as it develops. The leather accord develops steadily in the background, smooth and shiny like a worn leather couch. In conjunction with the violet, it smells (aptly) like a high-quality leather handbag with powdery makeup inside. It remains like so, becoming a tiny bit musky as it fades. Sillage and longevity are moderate. Simple and beautifully formed, this is like the modern successor to Germaine Cellier's sublime Jolie Madame for Robert Piguet, albeit simpler and lighter. Easy transeasonal elegance that is feminine-leaning in my opinion. Violet-leather done right. 4/5.

My second time testing it. It is absolutely beautiful, very classy, violet more on the mature versus dainty, fairy side. Simple, but stunning and great longevity. Already made a purchase. It is somewhat similar to Putain des Palaces, at least that violet and leather combination, but Violette Volynka is more sheer, luminous, less powdery, more dewy, aquatic violet. Putain des Palaces is opaque in comparison, it's buttery-powdery. Virgin Violet is not comparable, it's more dainty and shy than Volynka, as the leather note is not there, which makes a vast difference. I thought, I like Putain des Palaces more, as I usually lean towards the powdery types, but as I have a satisfying amount of such perfumes already, PdP would be redundant, whereas the beautiful, crisp, transparent violet note in Volynka is something I can admire more for a change.

The moment I sprayed my sample onto a paper strip, I said, OH NO! to myself out loud, because I knew I'd definitely be buying a full bottle. This stuff is not cheap, but practical considerations aside, this violet-leather combination literally makes me swoon. After a sweet apricot-violet opening, the soft leather comes to the forefront. Little outrageously gorgeous floral moments come back here and there as the scent dissipates. It is unisex and very sexy. As another review mentioned, it has a surprising cool aquatic note that comes through a few hours in. I could bathe in this stuff. My only criticism is that it's an eau de toilette rather than a parfum–this is a scent I wish would stick around all day. This beauty is fleeting but–maybe as a result of high quality ingredients–much less so than any other toilette I've tried.

Hermes Violette Volynka (2022) - violet suede - If I didn’t know better, I would have thought it was created by Mr. Ellena. #christinenagel after serving 7 years as Hermes’ in-house perfumer has molded her style to that of predecessor and finally made an Hermessence truly representing the house. It’s pretty much a haiku focusing on powdery violets and birch tar. But a seemingly rough accord, morphs into something smooth and tamed. Apart from what fragrantica lists, I also get fruit red berries, dry Iris, and a silky white musk & woody base. It does remind of Cuir d’ange, but with a more prominent violet accord, it’s a wonderful addition to the leather perfumes of the brand. #sotd #fragrance #cologne #scentoftheday #hermes

Violette Volynka is more violet than leather for sure. The violet is fleshy and airy at the same time. It has a fruity undertone and when you smell it up close, the violet feels ripe and wet, like it was smuggled to a jungle decades ago and the flower has started to adapt to a new and wild environ. Violet is not a fruit of course, but it smells like it's a purple fruit that has just burst open, and the juice--poisonous and dangerous--is leaking. I know this doesn't make any sense, but it does! Violette Volynka defies the traditional "romantic" character of violet and reveals a dark, much more alluring, aspect. Smell it at a Hermès counter and you'll know what I mean.

What a curious contrast, violets and leather. But to my taste, this works beautifully in the quirky, always standout way I find Hermes scents to be. The two are almost in balance, with the leather slightly dominant, yet enveloped in the powdery violet. I suppose that's appropriate in an old fashioned way. 😘 Hermes scents are never for "everyone". That doesn't make those who enjoy them special. But Violetta Volynka, like a number of the Hermes Jardin scents, do demand your nose to slow down a bit, not wrinkle up at first sniff, consider atypical combinations and discover the harmony they dance to. A fragrance that will never bore me.

On my dry skin, Violette Volynka evolves beautifully. each spray starts with a buttery smooth ultra luxe leather with a hint of sweet make up-y violet. just a hint, not a screaming lipstick violet. slowly, the sweet violets blooms more and leather becomes a soft background. this leather is smooth and refined, not thick and strong. I didnt get strong animalic note at all. this is a calming fragrance for me. where everything is steady and reassuring. time passes slowly and my cup of tea is always floral and warm.

Good quality and very pleasant. But only if you like leather/suede scents. Similar to Suede Pony from Boy Smells and has hints of Ombre Leather from Tom Ford. I have both of those in big bottles so I will not be buying a full bottle of Violet Volynka bc it’s too many for me in that category. I suppose it does smell like Volynka which is a bagpipe from Ukraine made out of goat skin/leather. It will probably be better on a man but I can totally pull it off as well. Overall, I recommend it.

The opening immediately reminded me of Insolence, except this is way sweeter and fruitier. The drydown, I do smell just a tiny bit of leather and even lipstick. Is it nice, yeah, but it is nothing unique. And it's rather sweet, i did not expect this from the Hermes higher end line. Update: Ok eating my words here. I went for a walk before hitting the gym with this on and the wafts were OMG. Plus the lipstick vibe at the drydown, had to purchase the bottle.

Somehow it smells both futuristic and timeless. The violets are very ozonic and bright, which I personally love. The scent first smells playful, but then the leather adds a perfect layer of maturity. Definitely quirky, but smells very expensive. However, I don't know if I would describe it as natural. There's something almost artificial about it, but I don't hate it. Edit: If you're looking for a dupe, Violet Shot is pretty comparable.

Like viewing the world through indigo silk. This is haunting and classy. Wearing suede high heels and a trench coat, walking through rainy violets. If you want to smell remote, intellectual and mysteriously beautiful this will be your friend. It makes me think of Kristin Scott Thomas, at all ages. Timeless elegance. I can see how it leans masculine too, it has a touch of Dior's Farenheit, but it's much much softer.

I’m addicted. I fell in love with this fragrance a while ago and I still can’t get enough of it. Such a masterpiece! I knew I would love this one since I’m a sucker for violet and leather combination, but this one exceeded my expectations. I appreciate the story behind Volynka leather too. To my nose it’s not strong at all, but it did give my friend a headache, so would not recommend to blind buy.

Violette Volynka is an elegant and sophisticated fragrance. It is a unique blend of soft suede-like leather with some sharp white florals and a powdery fruity violet note. This is sensual and expensive smelling and mature (which I mean as a compliment). The scent bubble is very strong considering this is an EDT. A beautiful creation from Christine Nagel for Hermes.

Where do I even begin with this beauty? The truth is, I walked into the Hermès store and accidentally tried this perfume. After letting it sit on my skin for a while, I decided to buy it. Honestly, it’s exactly what I was looking for: an elegant, well-balanced, unisex fragrance. It has that Hermès DNA (as if it were created by JCE), and I absolutely loved it.

True beauty! It’s a complex scent with deep leathery notes and some creamy powdery violets. It’s not a gourmand scent but it’s so cosy snd smooth that actually feels like eating the most delicious dessert in the luxurious restaurant inside some gorgeous castle (think Versailles). Absolutely stunning! Follow me on IG: scent.guide

This is certainly not your powdery violet or sweet Parma violet. It's oily, intense, purple violet. It does remind me of Fahrenheit by Dior, no bad thing at all. The leather is classy, suede-y, feels realistic, not animalic though. Overall, this is a slightly heavy, vampy, yet classy and contemporary violet leather.

An almost straightforward, quite bold violet with strong facets of Putain des Palaces. Doesn't get that powdery. An easy like for me, as I do appreciate violets, but I find Putain des Palaces a more interesting leather+violet creation, also the mentioned Mimosa Indigo is a wonderful choice.

Love this. Didn’t love it at first it just didn’t seem special and seemed too soft but after I wore it While traveling I kept wondering is that me smelling Soooo good? It’s feminine and leathery at the same Time. I love this fragrance!

A beautiful and attractive perfume, it is a luxurious animal skin of violet powder a little and soft, the longevity is very excellent, and also the frows I love it, is best perfume in the group.

This is some High Quality stuff right here, transparent as you ́d except from the Hermessence collection, wearable, expensive smelling, natural smelling.

In the vein of Lipstick Rose or Guerlain’s Rose Cherie but without any artificial my little pony/plastic quality. Very special.

Its crisp and beautiful, like cold air

Elegant, but somewhat redundant in the Hermessence line. It doesn't smell exactly like Cuir d'Ange, but it definitely scratches the same itch of violetty-floral-leather. The leather note in both don't smell different enough to me to think someone should own both. I might like the Volynka better, just because I love violet, especially paired with leather, and the violet note in this one is much more focused than it is in the more abstractly floral Cuir d'Ange. Has the same rose-violet cosmetic accord in common with Misia, Lipstick Rose, Putain de Palaces (as mentioned below), but more violet forward than rose forward. I simultaneously wish the violet was a bit more lasting and the leather a bit smokier, but perhaps that wouldn't be true to the Volynka leather inspiration. I don't own the aforementioned Cuir d'Ange, so if I was gifted a bottle of this, I'd be eternally grateful. If a 15ml comes up at some point for a not ridiculous price point, I might even go for it if I'm finished with my decant of Heeley's Cuir Pleine Fleur--a more dynamic and unique take on the combo.

Hermessence Violette Volynka Hermès is very elegant and refined, natural and harmonious. It opens up with transparent and fresh, uplifting notes with some green-woody accords. I can't detect any citrus or fruity notes if that means something. In the deep drydown on my skin I can feel clean, cold violets with slight powdery iris notes. Also, I think there is a note of clean and green vetiver note, which reminds me of Hermessence Vetiver Tonka. I know it sounds crazy, but on my skin it turn into powdery and cozy vetiver/violet fragrance. This part of the scent life I love most and I think it's very versatile and pleasant. The leather note on my skin it's not prominent or masculine, dark or challenging. It's more like a smooth suede. For my taste, Violette Volynka is a great new perfume with very good performance and I'm sure many people will enjoy it.

Violette Volynka starts as a strong violet aroma. Definitely a violet candy that sweetens with time. The fragrance deepens when the leather accord appears. At this point the candy becomes sticky sweet. The leather accord feels lightly balsamic and slightly rubbery. Somehow this accord reminds me of a wooden floor polished with beeswax, but with a remarkable airy feeling. On my skin there is a faint smell of ashes in the drydown, but it's really subtle and covered by the sweetness. In my opinion this is more sophisticated and angelic than Putain des Palaces. Violette Volynka is meant for posh violet lovers. The sharp violet note is clearly dominant ; the leather accord is only there to make it less edible and more wearable.

happened to buy a lavender-colored leather bag only moments before trying this and it smells exactly how I imagine the bag should. I’m not much into leather fragrances but I’m very much into violets. So it’s a bit like I’m befriending a couple, get along with the wife and only tolerate the husband, but they’re so good together that just watching them interact ends up making me warm to him too.

Female, this is an easy like for me. Sprayed it on to test today and it has been thoroughly enjoyable. Does not project as much as another Hermessence I tried but I would consider further testing. Most violet scents I steer clear of nowadays but this one is an exception. I also find it more complex than the three listed notes but I don’t know what else I am smelling.. it’s interesting.

A soft, chic leather accord, blended to perfection with a slightly powdery violet note...there is no way of telling where the leather ends and the violet begins. Seamless, refined, lustrous and elegant, this fragrance is quintessential Hermes. Very desirable, indeed. Longevity is good, sillage is discreet, as it should be.

Es un bello aroma, elegante e inclinado a lo femenino. Con un perfil floral dulce en su salida un elegante cuero se combina en su secado. Pienso que la calidad de los material se aprecia siempre desde su sutileza (muy hermes). Pienso que es muy caro por su valor precio/calidad. Me dura en piel unas 6 hrs.

Tannery leather contrasted with a slightly sweet, powdery violet. Elegant, understated, and perfectly unisex. Fitting addition to the hermessence range undoubtedly crafted with JCE’s style in mind

I've wanted to switch out my usual, uni-sex (leaning masculine), daily, go-to fragrances with something a bit more on the feminine side...definitely something that contains florals. I love the scent of violet in fragrances & elsewhere, so I purchased a sampler of violet-centric fragrances. Hermes Violette Volyanka was amongst the samples. So, of course I sampled it and here is the review. Violet Volyanka opens with a very delicate & light violet fragrance that is definitely unmistakable. For me, this opening violet note is the strongest & best part of this fragrance. The opening violet note has some powdery elements but overall, I detect a pale, delicate violet flower. Wish this perfume had more of this initial, light fragrance throughout. Middle and base notes are overall a disappointment and rather nondescript. So, the middle is leather with (I imagine) some smoke. And I guess there is some woodiness present. That's about it. If there is any smoke present, it is overall weak and fleeting. And the leathery notes disappear about as fast as they rise, Overall, Violette Volynka is a nondescript, ordinary, forgettable fragrance that uses nice enough ingredients that enormously fall flat and fail to perform. I applied this fragrance after showering and prior to going to bed. I had to really struggle to smell ANYTHING on my skin within 15 minutes of application. I could literally detect the fragrance weakening and fading away within minutes after application. At this price point? What? Are you kidding me? I almost feel insulted. Another reviewer compared Violet Volyanka to Violet Shot by Olfactive Studio. I've worn both fragrances and for a number of reasons, IMO, Violet Shot is far superior to Violette Volynka. There really is zero comparison between the two fragrances. Longevity on my skin was extremely poor. Silage was minimum, at best. With the innumerable, violet-centric fragrances on the market, I cannot imagine why anyone would settle for Violette Volynka. Given what this perfume is and how it performs, the Hermes price point for this creation is vulgar & insane.

If you love violets you won’t be disappointed, it’s definitely a punch of violets! When I first smelled it at the Hermès store I quite liked it, it was a bit powdery but I was curious to try more at home. After spraying some samples on and off every few weeks, I found that the Volynka leather notes comes stronger in a colder environment, and the violet is stronger when sprayed in a warmer room or climate. I found overall the perfume to smell too powdery/loud and too “vintage” for my taste, especially when the violets hit first. It reminds me of Calèche (2009). I guess the uniqueness of the Volynka leather “justifies” the price tag. * I have x2 new samples .13 oz (4 ml) that I’m happy to swipe * ____ Sillage & Longevity : 6/10 Originality : 8/10 Quality & Value : 8/10 7.5/10

Glad I sourced a travel size only. This is a gentle, younger sibling to Byredo's Bibliotheque (which I enjoy as a candle but not on the skin) but smoother, more linear, less cloying and becomes softer on the dry-down. Longevity is minimal on my skin, which would be fine as a comforting, scent for staying at home, but not worth full-bottle price in my opinion. There are better options out there for this scent profile without the price point attached to the Hermes name. Might perform longer or differently in warmer weather, so we shall see.

🧊🟣 A very cold and sweet violet, like a frozen flower, but louder. The leather comes in quickly and it’s a tad strong and smoky. It’s high quality and clean, but very pricey for something so straightforward. It stays chilly and professional throughout.

Immediate assessment: it's a good idea, violet and leather, but they wimped out. It needs some more base notes to call itself leather.

I just can't get behind Christine Nagel, I'm sorry! I've worn Hermes fragrances for over 20 years (I'm 41). You could say that I cut my fragrant teeth with the creations of Jean Claude Ellena, the master. Rose Ikebana is a masterpiece. An absolute masterpiece. Every time I try a creation by Christine Nagel, I am utterly and completely disappointed. They are just so pedestrian. This fragrance is no exception. The sweetness, the undertone of acridity, the... smoke? I am aware that this is supposed to smell like this deep-sea mysterious leather, but this really just smells like some sort of acrid smoke with a sharpness/sweetness of parma violet. Really a yuck. Please, Hermes, if you're reading: You don't need to bow to the current trends of perfumery. You're better than that. Jean Claude Ellena is a visionary. Christine Nagel is not. Do your research and investigate the number of violet fragrances with notes of violet and leather. Many preceded this one. This is not unique, this is just a fragrance 'program' that works right now and instead of leading the way, Hermes is following with this one.

I wanted to love it, bought a small sample and how glad I am that I didn’t splash out on a full bottle. Not a hint of violet to my nose, just very old dusty books. I wanted violet but I just got old church bibles! The leather is very strong. Also, weirdly this really stings my wrists when I first spray it on. Not a fan!

Ultimately a disappointing fragrance. I had such high hopes, being a violet lover (think Yardley April Violets) but this perfume is almost repulsive because of the cigarette smoke. It's definitely a sharp violet, nothing sweet, warm, milky or musky. I don't know what else to say, there is not a lot to this perfume.

Violette Volynka pairs dewy, fresh violet with rough, realistic leather. While the combination is appealing, the fragrance feels straightforward, more like a layering than a cohesive concept. It lacks charisma and uniqueness, making it generally likable but not distinctive enough to justify the price.

Russian leather volynka - now, seriously? Is this made of children's skin murdered in Ukraine? Shame on you hermes, it stinks with blood.

Volynka (in Russian) means bagpipes named after the city Volyn in Ukraine (in 10-15 centuries it was the Principality of Volhynia founded by the first Russian dynasty Ruriks, volynka is not modern and not popular, it is quite exotic for Slavs as well, it goes back to the era of that Principality when it was first mentioned). Bagpipes were made of leather, but this leather has absolutely nothing to do with so called Russian leather. And the tale about Cossacs rubbing their leather boots with birch bark is ridiculous, it is a shame Hermes repeats it on their website. Russians used birch tar as a leather tanning method, this gave leather that specific strong smoky scent. The leather used for volynka (bagpipes) wasn't anything spectacular, Hermes named its collection, I guess, just because it sounds exotic, Slavic ;o)) The fragrance is not complex, but just the right combination of very fine leather and fresh violet flower. It is unisex and wonderful. But in the end there is quite a lot of violet powdery mealy touch, so in order to love it you should also love violet. But it is really easy to love it ;o)

Here is a true unisex fragrance. A bit of leather (not a fancy leather car seat, mind you, this is what an artisanal leather goods store attached to a tannery smells like), a bit of violet and rose, a tiny bit of greenery. A little powdery. Top notes immediately hit with floral freshness, but on my skin, it settles into pure leather (I would love for it to be a bit more floral). When sprayed on something else, like clothing or a pillow, it has a lot more flowers. It’s not sweet to me at all. Sits close to the skin; no real projection or sillage. I bought this sight unseen (scent unsmelled?) and was not disappointed. I can absolutely see someone (male, female, or otherwise) buying this to be a little bit experimental but within the confines of good taste. Hermes excels at telling stories. They introduced the Volynka leather in 2018 with great fanfare. There are Cossacks, a sunk ship, an obsessed leather tanner... google it. I am pretty sure they chose Volynka leather for the perfume name purely because of the alliteration possibilities; it doesn’t smell like that leather otherwise.

Hermes' Violette Volynka is a linear and balanced violet-leather combination fragrance, ...exactly as its name and note pyramid suggests. The violets rest at the midpoint between fresh and powdery, while the leather note is mostly clean. Perhaps, there is a suggestion of birch tar in the traditional Russian style, but it is nothing extreme or smoky. If the leather smelled too dirty , I would have objected, ...but no, I found this quite pleasant and refined. Comparing this with Violettes du Czar by Oriza L. Legrand is an interesting example of how similar notes can be presented very differently. Even though both perfumes are violet & leather fragrances, the two scent profiles are not very similar. Violettes du Czar is a less linear fragrance than Violette Volynka, as the opening starts with the violet note more dominant. The leather only becomes apparent later in the drydown. Also the violet note in Violettes du Czar is much more powdery, with an accompanying note of orris root also listed in order to further enhance that very effect.

Woah, the violet is much sweeter than I bargained for. It makes a gaseous, for want of a better word, accord, with the leather. It stays locked in this rather opaque state for some time. I don't remember smelling anything else for a while. I would have preferred that the violets were wetter and a lot less sweet with other supporting green notes to prop the leather. I feel like the sweetness was discordant and it blocked me from experiencing the violet leather to it's fullest. I have some other scents that have the same accord but they are a bit more complex and less costly. Altogether it's a bit one dimensional and dense to me, I would have loved this if it was treated to a bit of the Guerlinade. A little Apres L'Ondee and leather mashup would be kind of cool I think. It's also a bit beastly in projection unlike some others from Hermes that are more stately. I much prefer Iris Ukiyoe, the other Hermes "purple" scent, as it is quieter, more contemplative and just more enjoyable to wear than this. This scent gives me nose fatigue.

I would agree with all the reviews. This is special and very beautifully made. High quality feel to it. The violets and leather dance an equal dance .I would not say I am the biggest fan of leather for the most part but I love it in some perfumes and this being one of them. It adds class and texture. It adds such a rich warm feel to the sweet fresh violets . The composition is rather sweet to my nose but in a very good mature way. It is still very Hermes as in being light and fresh not heavy sticky , very natural feel to it. This is of addictive nature. Bravo ! To mind comes LOVE IN BLACK creed which is my all time favourite scent !

It does what it says, Violets and leather. I am struggling just a tiny bit with the leather opening, but that doesn't last for long, when the parma violet drops mix up and turns out I get a very elegant and luxorious fragrance on my skin, really smells expensive, I haven't tried anything like it before therefore consider it as unique. I only have it in 15ml bottle from Hermès travelling set of four and am glad that I included it as an option, but I would love a bigger bottle when I finish this one definitely.

This is a gorgeous and flawless blend of brown leather (Cuir D'Ange style) with natural smelling violets. I was afraid the violet note might be too sweet or candied, luckily, it's not the case. The violet smells quite natural, a bit green, wet, just a tad sweet. The leather beautifully complements the violet, it's a creamy, brown leather in the veins of Cuir D'ange. On me, the leather dominates, so that's a bonus. Top 3 Hermessence for me, alongside Cuir D'ange and Ambre Narguile.

Very surprising fresh aquatic drydown (I know it says that in the accords, I just wasn't expecting it under the leather), watery violet leaf tones.. watery/powdery contrasts, it's like the leather at the start slowly peels away n it gets lighter.. like peeling the rind off fruit. A packet of parma violets in a leather wrapper that slowly gets fresher. I must've missed the smoke somewhere along the line.. maybe next time.