Terre d'Hermes Eau Tres Fraiche

#144 of My Fragrance Journey - Terre d'Hermès Eau Très Fraîche: The one that got quietly discontinued while doing everything right I keep coming back to this one now that it's gone, which is maybe the worst time to fall for something. Bitter orange hits first, and it's not the loud, syrupy kind -more like sunlight actually landing on your skin after a grey winter, the kind you don't chase; it just gets you. Jean-Claude Ellena built the original Terre d'Hermès out of stone and flint and dry earth. This flanker doesn't throw that away. It just tilts the whole thing a few degrees toward warmth. What gets me about the opening is how unforced it feels. Bitter orange peel, citrus rind, a mineral coolness running underneath -none of it polished into sweetness, none of it stretched into that laboratory-clean citrus you get in half the fresh fragrances on shelves right now. There's still a bit of bitterness in it. Still that oily residue you'd get on your fingers actually breaking open the peel. It smells like air moving through branches, not air conditioning. Then it shifts - not dramatically, just a change in temperature. Watery spices and something faintly aromatic start moving underneath. Geranium's listed in the notes, but on my skin it barely registers as a flower. It's more like it adjusts the light somehow, keeps things level without ever asking you to notice it's there. Nothing's fighting for space. It all just orbits the same quiet centre, and that's honestly where it wins me over - it's not performing freshness; it's just living in it. Hours in, cedar starts to show up. Dry, finely grained, and there's a patchouli underneath that grounds things without dragging the whole composition into something darker or heavier. The smoky flint of the original is still back there somewhere; you can sense it, but it's more remembered than repeated. What you're left with instead is space. Warm wood. Mineral air. Skin that's been holding onto the last bit of the day's light. I don't think this fragrance is trying to become something bigger than it is - it just gets more like itself as it goes. Strength through balance rather than force, which sounds like a line from a fortune cookie, but it's genuinely how it wears. It moves across identities easily because it's not leaning on some rigid idea of what masculine is supposed to smell like. It just trusts texture and restraint to do the work. Where it loses me a little is performance. The first couple of hours are effortless, genuinely lovely, and then it settles in close to skin faster than I'd like. Depending on your chemistry, the cedar base might hum along into the afternoon, or it might just fade before the story's really finished. I wanted that mineral heart to hold on a bit longer before handing things over to the woods - the transition's graceful, sure, but maybe a little too quick about it. The warmth shows up. Then the tension just leaves the room before you're ready for it to. And then the hard part: it's discontinued. Gone. Which stings a bit more than it should, because this was one of the rare designer flankers that actually understood what innovation meant - not more notes, not louder molecules, just a shift in angle without losing what made the original work in the first place. That's rarer than it should be. Vibe: Bitter orange oil on warm hands. White stone holding onto afternoon heat. Cedar breathing slow under an empty blue sky. Performance: Elegant and present for about two hours, then it settles into something more intimate - cedar and mineral sitting close to skin for another four to six hours depending on your chemistry. Fit: Bright spring mornings, long summer afternoons, and anyone who'd rather be a quiet presence than an obvious one. Renewal never really arrives as some big moment, does it? Sometimes it's just light coming back -and realising you'd been walking toward it the whole time without noticing. More scent stories and visuals on Instagram - @lavendercloudsjd

This fragrance blew me away from the first spritz. Forget the overhyped-and-poor-excuse-of-a-citrus fragrance that is John Varvatos Artisan Pure. Terre d'Hermès Eau Très Fraîche (TdETF) is THE citrus fragrance ultimate. I kid you not - I love citrus fragrances in general, but so far, the ONLY citrus fragrance that has wowed me to the same effect as this one is the ever (and deservedly) popular l'Eau d'Issey pour Homme (LDPH). As far as designer fragrances are concerned, TdETF and LDPH are the best ones I've ever come across. Both have that zesty, mouth-watering, ACIDIC citruses in not only the opening, but well into the dry down. Both challenge the cliché that citrus fragrances don't last by providing no fewer than five solid hours on my skin. I can't say which one I like better because I love them both so, so much. TdETF is more spicy-herbal in the background, and is orange based, whereas LDPH is more floral, and is yuzu and lemon based. So, how zesty is TdETF? Imagine you are sitting right next to someone peeling fresh oranges with some fresh spices on the table. It is THAT zesty. The orange oil and orange peels are hyper-photorealistic here. This fragrance really deserves the name Eau Très Fraîche, because it is REALLY fresh. Imagine John Varvatos Artisan (the original, not the overhyped 'Pure' flanker) but its oranges amped up twentyfold, and supplant the aromatic herbal element with mild spices and you get the idea of how this one smells. Compared to Terre d'Hermès (original), this one has less spice, less earthiness (vetiver), and MUCH more citrus. If you like the original, you may or may not like this one because this is a much younger interpretation of it, but if you don't like the original but love citrus fragrances, give this one a try. Highly recommended. If you don't like citrus fragrances, well, why are you even reading the reviews of this product? Go read reviews of other fragrances and enjoy the stuff you like! Whilst the general consensus is for use in spring and summer, I'd stretch it to fall, as well. The piercingly sharp citrus and mild spices would be ideal to project in colder weather, and plus, who doesn't love a little freshness in gloomy autumn? It'll help lighten the mood. In conclusion, I love this one so much that if I get to keep only two citrus fragrances, this would definitely be one of them. (You already know what the other one will be if you've read this far so there's no need for me to reiterate.) If you love citruses, this is a must-try. If you don't, please stay away from it because this is a citrus bomb. Guys, don't fall for the hype of Artisan Pure - you deserve more class than that - get this one or l'Eau d'Issey pour Homme instead and thank me later. Update: this wonderful fragrance is now discontinued. Why is Hermès so stupid? They discontinued this and replaced it with Eau Guivrée and it's NOT as good.

Hit close to 70 degrees in the Northeast US a couple days this week, in November mind you. So, out came Eau Tres Fraiche. I love the Parfum with it’s deep Vetiver, Orange & earthy undertones that project an air of class & sophistication. Yes, not for everyone and certainly not for the teenie boppers of today that scream for sweet and synthetic chemical melanges that get swallowed up in today’s world of modern perfumery creations that the young and feeble hordes can’t get enough of. Nothing wrong with that as that is the youthfulness and brashness coming through of a potential frag connoisseur in their budding stage of fragrance maturity or immaturity if you will. Then comes along Eau Tres Fraiche. Younger, a bit more brash and slightly daring in the sea of aroma sameness. Still exhibiting some of it’s older siblings touch of flair and class yet, projecting an exuberance of pinouche & boldness. It takes a bit of both from the Eau de toilette & Parfum while eliminating the Vetiver that those two are renown for and giving Tres Fraiche it’s own identity while not straying far from the lineage of Terre D’Hermes. The best thing is that both young & old can wear this without reservation of age lines. 21 years of age and heading out with friends on a warm night for some drink, eats & fun? Check. 55 and heading to your favorite eatery with your significant other, a family/friends gathering (pre/post Covid-19) or just enjoying a warm weather stroll at one’s favorite outdoor destination? Double Check. It does it all and does it well for a broader range of ages than the other two for the warmer days of life. Tres Eau Fraiche is definitely a worthy acquisition that stands equal with it’s older and more charmed brethren. A subtle but, worthy injection of youthfulness that adds a needed versatility in the whole Terre D’Hermes line up. Different from the rest of today’s fresh concoctions that have somewhat failed in creating an invigorating, fresh yet classic scent that will be mainstream today, tomorrow and for years to come. Get the big 6.7oz. bottle if you can. You’ll blow right through it in no time.....

If you’re going in expecting TDH, you’re going to be disappointed just like I was at first (as well as the review below me). Blind bought. I smelled TDH for the first time in store and fell in love with it after smelling it on me over the course of the day. Did some research and learned that this had been discontinued but still some in stock, so I jumped on it. Did not enjoy it at first whatsoever. Came across much more less smoothly to my nose than what I remembered. Gave it a fair shot though and eventually warmed up to it a bit. Then I got the OG TDH and my appreciation for this skyrocketed. My appreciation for the original didn’t drop at all but I finally understood what they were going for. I didn’t really understand the “ultra fresh” and it was interpreted more as a body odor kind of feel. Not that it smelled like actual odor but it was more in line with a fresh armpit than anything I could think of. Please don’t let that deter you from trying out the magic that is this fragrance though. I feel like I get a couple different scent experiences from this one juice. There’s the scent you know and expect and then there’s the “activated” experience where the aquatics absolutely take flight and transform this into a potential king of all freshies. It’s difficult to describe with how well blended this concoction is but it’s like you’re imagining that bitter orange peel and then someone splashed some crisp sea water over it. Not the super salty sea water but the kind you wouldn’t mind swimming in yourself. We’re talking untreated (mineralic) deer park springs, not ocean city maryland. I would consider this to be a potentially challenging freshie in the grand scheme of things. Not that it’s hard to wear whatsoever but it’s not something I’d expect anyone to appreciate the depth of immediately. You might have to sit with this one for a week or so like I did. Maybe some maceration had to take place after the shipping. Regardless, it sits within the realm of that mass appeal kinda citrus woody scent profile but does more than enough to plant a unique stake in the ground.

This is hands down imho THE BEST DESIGNER WARM WEATHER SCENT ON THE MARKET TODAY...There...I've said it...lol... It's absolutely nothing like TDH in terms of its vibe...This is fresh, bright and watery where as TDH is more earthy and dirty (in a good way)...Fraiche doesn't have the older gentleman feel of the original. What makes this so great? 1. QUALITY...It could be a Niche scent and is sold for a third of the cost for niche summer scents. 2. SMELL...This is one of the most natural smelling designer citrus frags one can buy and its blended to perfection. It's natural smelling and refreshing. 3. PERFORMANCE...It projects nicely and lasts on my skin 7 hours and I get 10 hrs if I spray it on my tshirt. If it were sold for $250 it would easily out perform most niche warm weather scents. 4. VERSATILITY... It can be worn day or night (against popular belief) during the spring, summer and even fall months. It smells so amazing that I'd wear it year round. Can also be dressed up or down. Personally when I wear this on a hot day I feel less hot. This is one reason I can't consider PURE (Ultra) ZEST, as amazing as that smells, on Eau Tres Fraiche's level for the warm weather...Pure Zest is way more heavy and cakey due to the vanilla, tonka and coffee notes in it. Eau Tres Fraiche has a very cooling affect on me...Cartier's Declaration L'Eau, while not identical, shares a similar vibe to this but falls way short and reminds me of a designer clone to the Niche Eau Tres Fraiche. It is nice but ...not quite. I truly love this fragrance and consider it even better than TDH but one thing is for sure, like its originator, Tres Fraiche is a masterpiece in perfumery. Smell this ASAP... 10/10 Youtube Chanel- Simply Put Scents

I expected Eau Tres Fraiche to be good, but not this good. I am almost tempted to say that it is better than the EDT... maybe not, but it certainly is close if not equal. Ellena is essentially the best in the world in creating these very stable relatively linear fresh but dry woody aromatic mega accords, like in the original EDT aka the 'filthy' orange (to my nose more of a bergamot bitter orange vibe), Eau Tres Fraiche is to my nose an overripe mandarin orange (at times crossing into bitter orange territory as well). The vibe you get from this one is essentially the mist of rind oil that sprays into the air as you tear into the peel of a very very ripe mandarin orange. So it has that bitterness of the peel but also the watery freshness of the spraying juice, but with very little sweetness, so none of the pulp of the fruit. I see the association with Bigarade Concentree there appears to be a similar dry compound present in the opening with a bit of a rubbery/cumin-like edge, but without the pungency of the spice. However it is balanced out by fresh watery slightly salty compounds running through the back, Iso E, and a trace of patchouli in the back. Indeed as it dries down I get more terpinic woods some saltiness and some of that aforementioned rubbery/leathery undertone. A very elegant balance between the dry citrus and damp wateriness keep this fragrance feeling fresh but also warm at the same time. Very impressive. The question remains if the ridiculous price of 150-190$ for 75ml on ebay is worth it. It's debatable. I don't see that level of raw material in this fragrance, the experience is however excellent. I recommend getting a decant or a cheaper used bottle instead.

This scent quickly became my favorite summertime fragrance, so much so that I used the entire 100ml bottle in the span of just a few short months. The only issue I had was that the performance isn't all that great, which was a shame considering how good this smells. At most it would last around 3-4hours on my skin, before becoming almost unnoticeable, although, this should be expected from an Eau Fraiche variant, and isn't a big deal in practical use. Regardless, the projection was pretty good while it lasted, around 1 to at the very most 2 hours, and this was still my go-to fragrance during the summertime, even while at home I'd give myself a few sprays as it was sure to just make me feel good while wearing it. Being a Floridian, that lives near the coast close to Siesta Key, this scent profile was perfect for my environment and a far better alternative for me compared to the usual suspects when it comes to fresh scents like Dior Sauvage. Don't expect this to last all day, but if you're just heading out for a few errands in warm or hot weather, there's not many other fragrances I could recommend than this one, especially for any of my other fellow Floridians out there or perhaps others living near the water like in California. The citrus here is absolutely gorgeous, and simply using this fragrance feels like a beautiful day out on the beach, or a warm relaxing afternoon at a tiki bar sipping on an ice cold margarita. Definitely a must-have or at least a must-try summer scent.

Terre d’Hermès Eau Très Fraîche is a lighter, fresher and brighter interpretation of the classic Terre d’Hermès, maintaining the line’s earthy and mineral signature, but with a citrus and aquatic opening that evokes a cool breeze in a field of orange trees after the rain. Performance Projection: Moderate, projecting for 1 hour, then staying closer to the skin. Long-lasting: Good for a fresh citrus — lasts 5 to 7 hours, depending on the weather and skin. Sillage: Discreet and elegant, ideal for those who prefer more intimate fragrances. Use Occasions Eau Très Fraîche is ideal for hot days, professional environments, daytime meetings or even an outdoor lunch. Its casual elegance pairs well with light clothing and occasions where you want to convey refinement without exaggeration. It also works well as a daily signature for those who appreciate sophisticated freshness. Profile and Personality This fragrance is for the man who seeks discreet sophistication, someone who values subtle luxury and naturalness. He has one foot in nature and the other in the city. He is calm, self-assured, and prefers silence to noise. Final Score: 9.1/10 Terre d’Hermès Eau Très Fraîche delivers a refreshing and refined interpretation of Hermès DNA. It loses a little in intensity compared to the original version, but gains in versatility for tropical climates and informal occasions. If you are looking for a citrus perfume with depth and class, this is an excellent candidate.

This isn't for general consumer that seeks the "best". This is for the ones that appreciate the natural fragrances of Hermes, ones that seeks the scents that they crave from their childhood far away from cities or ones that want to run away some day. Wicker basket full of mostly green and unripe oranges and mandarins. Some are cut and cracked spilling juice. Some has twigs and leaves on. Who collected them tied her little scarf to basket's handle. Juice is realistic and non linear, very enjoyeble but it isn't the main player here, it's orange and mandarin peels that varies between green and orange color. Wood smell is so clear and specific, it is unmistakenly wicker basket and twigs that are still connected to the fruits and leaves. Let's come down to where i got the scarf smell from. There is a thin fabric smell after parsing other scents out. I visually remember that scarf smell, dried under torrid heat of the sun. This is passionately and masterfully created by Jean-Claude Ellena and it has everything that is missing from modern perfumery. He wasn't satisfied by just realistic juice nor fruit nor some nice wood... He recreated that whole vision to share with us. Like all of his other creations.

Spent the week trying 4 fragrances from the Terre d'Hermes line. Ranking them in order: 1) Eau Tres Fraiche - My favorite. The orange note here is amplified and even has a brighter feel to it. Definitely a hot summer day scent. This even seems to have a stronger sillage and longevity than the others mentioned below. If I had to buy a full bottle, it would be this one. 2) Eau Intense Vetiver - Starts off with a nice citrus, then the vetiver comes in during the dry-down, and it's a very nice smelling vetiver. Got a hug from a co-worker that I haven't seen in awhile, and she said I smelled very good. Longevity is solid. 3) Parfum - The grapefruit note is more pronounced at the beginning. It's quite nice. I could really smell the mineral note in the dry-down, but it's not offensive or harsh in anyway though. Longevity was ok. 4) EDT - Saving this for last may not have been the best idea because it just seemed like a weaker version of some notes from the vetiver and parfum. Longevity and sillage weren't that great either. Don't get me wrong, this still smells great, but you'd have to likely spray more than usual to get average performance.

I generally try not to get too technical in my reviews because so many others already do that, and often there’s no point in trying to push the analysis further. Nobody needs me to break down the notes or endurance of any of today’s most popular fragrances - it would just be a copy and paste job. But that’s where this one differs slightly for me. My nose seems to be sensing something that most others are not - but only to the point where I feel I may be splitting hairs. For me, the geranium is the driving force of Eau Tres Fraiche, while the citrus rides shotgun. And though that direction initial caught me off guard because of the reviews I had read beforehand, it has proven to be as stunning and jubilant as anything I’ve laid my nose on. Eau Tres Fraiche takes me to sunny Saturday mornings in the August heat of the farmers market. And sitting on the porch for hours with a cool drink, refill after refill. The essence of it is so invigorating that it reminds me of the burst of energy one feels after a good workout. This is more than a fragrance - it’s an essential tonic, restorative and refreshing for the soul. Don’t ever change.

I have only owned two colognes from this line; the original EDT, and Fraiche. Off the bat in my own 24-year-old opinion, Fraiche is the better of the two. I can respect the EDT for what it is, and the uniqueness of it as there is no denying it holds its own category in the fragrance game. With that in mind, the EDT to me is for an older more mature audience. I picture it being for those 35+ older. It genuinely smells like an orange buried in dirt/moss at the prehistoric section of the natural history museum. Whoever mentioned the fossil comment before me was spot on. However with Fraiche, this cologne is everything I wanted when hearing of an orange scented cologne! It smells incredibly fresh, like the oil that is excreted when squeezing an orange peel. That mixed with the woody scents of the EDT but it is much more toned down thank God. Now this one I would say is appropriate for all ages, specifically the 18-35 range. Perhaps when I’m older I’ll admire the EDT, but I am perfectly pleased with this one on a hot semi-formal summer/spring day.

Scroll back and look at the reviews of this from when it was released - when it actually had the orangey opening. The recent reviews, while accurate for today's offering are not reflective of the original. Unfortunately, the IFRA restrictions have not been kind to Eau Tres Fraiche over the years, and the current bottles available for purchase (the last ones available before it was discontinued) are much different. I, too, experienced the disappointment of the "icy, non-descript citrus opening" at the Hermes boutique from a recent bottle. Gone is the gorgeous, mature orange opening that it once had. Luckily I still have one third of my original bottle, and was able to find another original formulation bottle on eBay as a backup! Spraying the recent formula on a card at a department store (ten times) until it was soaked was not enough to match the normal two sprays from the 2014 bottle, so keep that in mind when reading a recent review.

I love this perfume and it is unfortunate that they are planning to discontinue it. I got a new bottle before it is out of stock and it was worth it. In here, oranges are cited as a note, although the website mentions bitter oranges instead. If you have smelled a real bitter orange before, you will for sure appreciate the difference between an orange and a bitter orange, which is way more fragrant and lovely IMO. It is similar to Bigarade concentree in the opening, which I love too but then dries to a softer woodier base, in comparison to BC, which I find soapier, cleaner but a little harsher. I love them both and each one brings a different mood with it. I tend to spray one of them on top of ELdO Hermann, so once the bitter orange notes start to dissipate, the woody/earthy notes in these perfumes will blend with the woody/earthy notes and geosmin in Hermann to create a beautiful symphony... a masterpiece.

Holy freshly peeled juicy orange opening!!! I reviewed TDH EDT stating I loved the dry down immensely, but could not get past the dirty orange opening that lasted for way to long to get to the dry down. Although I loved the dry down of TDH EDT, I still disliked it because I just couldn’t get past its opening. Not here...this opening for me is CRAZY juicy, citrusy and fresh. I will use the word love for the opening...and like EDT...it does last for awhile before you get to the woody base. Now the dry down - it is not 100% like the EDT, but IMHO, it is 85/90%...which still puts me in a place of loving the dry down. I am so happy I got a sample of this and discovered it. I was so upset that I couldn’t push through EDTs top notes to get to the great woodsy dry down. NOW, in this one, I get a great opening and almost that great dry down. No doubt I’m purchasing this one for Spring and Summer.

I don't think any cumin accord in Eau Tres Fraiche degrades the fragrance, and I'm VERY sensitive to cumin accords. Far too many use it non-judiciously. This is a great, zesty citrus fragrance that does feature touches of the OG DNA. Hearing of the discontinuation, I ordered a second bottle. And with regard to the European legislation that prompted the discontinuation, it's of course ridiculous but not surprising. There are a bunch of weird ideologues in these governmental bodies, perhaps even worse in the European Union than inthe United States. There was a UK regulator that even advocated for the complete dissolution if the perfumery industry. They are ridiculous. Author T.R. Reid's books "The Healing of America" and "The United States of Europe" discusses the weird hyper-sensitivities of EU regulators to both real and perceived environmental threats. It's a societal disease.

Bought this for my partner and absolutely love it on him, but I wear it occasionally. The intensely rich, drinkable citrus opening, bolstered cleverly with geranium creates what I find to be a sophisticated outdoor, spring and summer fragrance. As the overt citrus of the opening becomes less obvious, Eau Tres Fraiche dries down to resemble something closer to Terre d'Hermes - which is a good thing in my opinion. Longevity is average, and most of the projection is done in the first 30 minutes. The floaty citrus component is short-lived but you will be smelling this in wafts around the wearer for at least a few hours. A nice transition as the sun goes down behind the hills at the vineyard and the night wears on. This stays on skin overnight. Sold in large bottles, because you will just keep wanting to spray this delicious summery juice!

Wow man. This is masterfully blended. It's a perfect effervescent gradient from patchouli/cedar in the base to vetiver/geranium in the mid to a light tangerine sea spray in the top. What's amazing is how such a light, airy, fresh, citrus, herbal, green, aquatic can last for 10 hours. All of the elements stay magically together with a slow change to the base over a whole day or more. This a pure piece of scent structural art work. A masterpiece. That will never. Ever, be out of my collection and regular use. Any season. Any occasion. So long as you are in the mood for feeling fresh, oceanic, resplendently surrounded by geranium and smooth crisp vetiver, and soaked in juicy/hyperrealistic/mouthwatering tangerine. Sunny, bright. And joyful. 10/10.

If mid-summer afternoon brunches could be packaged into a fragrance, it would be Terre d'Hermes Eau Tres Fraiche! This masterpiece is white, button down ready! It's less bitter, and more fresh/aquatic than the original TDH, which I really like. It has decent projection for the first 2 hours, then becomes a skin scent for the next 6-7 hrs. It's ok to be a little liberal with the sprays (I do about seven. 2 on each side of the neck, one in the back, and one on the inside of each elbow.) TDH Eau Tres Fraiche is a masculine, Classy, modern, versatile, and crowd pleasing scent that will get you compliments. It's doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it does improve on some old ones. Without sounding cliche, this is summer in a bottle!

I've tried all TdH flankers, and the hype is real. Eau Tres Fraiche is really good. In a nutshell, it's a watery TdH. Masculine watery freshness with TdH citruses and minerals. Airy. Very different from the other summer flanker, Eau Givree - ETF is smoother, not as piercing, much more watery. The freshness lasts maybe 6 hours. A wonderful blend. All TdH are great, and the only one I didn't get a bottle of is Parfum (still wonderful, but a tad too syrupy, the most similar to EDT, mostly for indoors use). My current Terre ranking: 1) EDT & Eau Intense Vetiver & Eau Tres Fraiche: all 10/10 2) Eau Givree & Eau de Parfum Intense 3) Parfum (would place #2 alongside Givree and Intense if not a bit redundant when owning EDT)