Sublime

The last Descendent of Jean Kerleo MY TAKE: It opens up with huge blast of Ylang sweetness, alongside an amalgamate of white florals possessing a dusty, porous quality. A non-indolic jasimine coupled with a dusty tuberose builds an accord reminiscent of the talc powders our mom used to bear us on, universal nostalgia right in the initial 20seconds(for the anti-powders, bare in mind, this is just the initial spray, we still have a lifetime). A hyacinth like herbaceous green aroma blooms, giving it an almost transparent green feel. The ylang follows a traditional route(creamier with time), which therefore attenuates the dusty aspects of tuberose, subtending the overall jasmine-tuberose coupling with its intrinsic fruity constituents. An authentic orange peel tone starts to lift along with an extremely high quality mysore sandalwood oil. It almost feels as if dried up orange peel was macerated on vintage Mysore S. oil. The dusty white floral aspects tone down. The bright, creamy orange tone starts to coalesce with an enveloping styrene aroma; which acts as a stabilizer to the pre-existing floral materials present, leading to a benzoin(perceived) heavy floral chypre direction. This transition sparks the animalics, with ambergris and civet under the resinious suede+floral base. I get sudden impulses of an apricot marmalade thing, when paired with the leather; smells like some quality osmanthus concrete(Hermitage Osmanthus.C). With body heat, the acidic elements dissipate emerging a soft honey(without being sticky) like facet alongside carnation. Imagine bees foraging muget flowers in a landscape of carnation flora, with sunrays bouncing off of our landscape. A musky, slightly hazy orris concrete joins, which plays a pivotal role in uplifting the pre-existing creamed out yellow floral orchestra. Super complex mid, with an invariant elegance throughout the span. The white yellow-floral along with the clean greener facets persists till the very end, which floats over trace amounts of ambergris and civet. The animalic showcase their functional properties rather than odorous, which I feel was cautiously interpolated by the perfumer. Even after comprising the more traditional, chypre strcture; with the subtended animalics in the base. It bare minimal similarities to the drydowns we see today in the chypre gamut. This share connection to the prior descendants of J.Kerleo, i.e Joy and 1000 comes to mind, with added complexities. The lifespan follows a classical french oriental styled structure which today might be defined as a chypre. An authentic vintage, that projects orientals of the past to modern chypres, yet being unique to this day. The emergent cloud transports the “mind” to a spiritual realm, a space no human has a decent grasp of; perhaps it acts as a transcendental operator. If you like these: Sadly, as most original forms of art, this has been modified due to the heavy naturals used back then. In 2005, Jean Patou was sold to Proctor&Gamble, before which they smelled relatively similar; or to say well “re-orchestrated”. So I’d recommend you to find a bottle from before 2005, with the tulip bottle and continuous border on the boxes(image) with short “ingredient” list. That is till when the J.Kerleo signature persisted. What to look for: Sadly, as most original forms of art, this has been modified due to the heavy naturals used back then. In 2005 Jean Patou was sold to Proctor&Gamble, before which they smelled relatively similar; or to say well “re-orchestrated”. So I’d recommend you to find a bottle from before 2005 with the tulip bottle and continuous border on the boxes (image) with short “ingredient” list. That is till when the J.Kerleo signature persisted. For more information on the boxes, check my recent article on instagram

Sublime! OMG what a scent! I love love love this extremely feminine, complex and absolutely elegant perfume and for some reason I don't wear it. I had a good decant of it in the EdT and used it up, but never repurchased. Why? I don't know. Patou's fragrances hit me with their elegance and complexity, then I find they're not so easily wearable. Sublime definetely needs a good chemistry match otherwise it's not a happy alliance. Please try before you buy. In spite of its beauty some people think it's awful on themselves. I wore it with great personal pleasure, but I'm a daring perfume lover and I often wear perfume just to smell myself and let my fantasy travel. Sublime was pure pleasure. I felt like a babygirl who hugs and smells her beautiful elegant mom on a sunny terrace on holiday. I felt like letting myself go in that embrace and feel beloved and safe. It smells of confidence and well-being. Weird, I know. It must be something related to my childhood in the '70s, something similar-smelling. Actually Sublime is a sophisticated scent that could have been released in the '70s instead of 1992 or better it smells like a '90s scent inspired by the '70s. A male friend told me it smelled like garlic!!! Garlic??? No, I don't smell garlic, but Sublime is not an easy to wear scent anyway. Aldehydes in first stage are very crisp and a little on the harsh side, giving a feeling of hairspray, very outdated yet original. I'm not fond of aldehydes so I prefer to wait second stage where flowers bloom in a triumph and are almost serious flowers, not frilly ones. Honestly I can't smell all the listed flowers singularly.They're all there, but I just can't pick one by one. Only carnation comes out very obvious and slightly incensey. Carnation for me is associated with a mature attitude in a woman, very elegant and matronly. If there's a minus in this fragrance is a sense of seriousness, ladylike attitude, no frivolous or playful edge. It smells expensive and luxury even if you don't like it. Do I smell peaches? There is a very light hint of ripe peach enveloping the flowers and making them softer, like a touch of sudden gentleness. It also warms up after the first 30 minutes and leaves the initial coldness behind. After 1 hour it is to die for. The basenotes are intriguing, extra rich, ambery animalic with no dirty edge and not sweet. What impresses me most is the blend itself more than singular notes. I can smell the vanilla in the drydown yet there is no vanilla sweetness in the scent. This is typical of old good perfumery where all the notes are blended to conjure a final impression but not meaning to smell like something i.e. rose, peach or vanilla. Sublime is in the line of elegance of Shalimar and like Shalimar it can be irritating from time to time. It can be heavy, loud, too powdery/harsh and yet being absolutely above average close to the stars. The bottle is gorgeous and feminine, it looks like a juicy perfect fruit that's so beautiful to hold in your hands. The yellow/gold box is also radiating, but I would associate that colour to gold/jewelry/richness not only sunny motherly happiness. I don't know anyone who wears this in my aftermaths. It was something special for me alone when I wore it in small doses. I can easily see how it can be a signature fragrance. Not for me at the moment, but it could be in time.

I'm verklempt! I stumbled upon a sealed box of the vintage Sublime EDP, pictured in this thread. Up to now I've only had the latest/last formulation. My vintage Sublime's citrus top has blown off. It opens on the heady ylang, intense jasmine, patch and amber. Two sprays now provide the base to any number of my contemporary concoctions that are lacking in foundation. Worn alone, the top must be added because it needs some sparkle and lift to be complete and sublime. In 2022, this vintage EDP smells similar to Opium EDP without oriental touches. Which is a surprising connection as Sublime has no spice but perhaps the age of the molecules brings out the piquant shades of these notes. The impact is a tight glowing golden ball of indole and amber. I had given up on vintage but saw this for 25 bucks and took the chance. It might cost several hundred to find a recently mixed perfume in this category of "parfum" quality. It out "parfums" several beautiful modern formulations of extrait parfum in my collection. They are NOT this Sublime. Perhaps my vintage Paloma Picasso is similar but it's expansive and Sublime is tight. I've always found Patou fragrances conceived as balls of energy, perfume solar systems of various sizes, molecules orbiting and dancing among each other and a core concept. Chanel perfumes radiate vertically, from deeply grounded energy, with rays shooting up, often soaring, then back to earth. The attention is rising and falling. Not Patou. They are always their own contained round "bouquet" - large or small. Still, Patou and Chanel are sisters in that they are designed in the decorative logic of perfumes and fragrances. My beloved Guerlains spring from similar creative impulses and structural systems as cinematography and story-telling. L'Heure Bleu, Vol de Nuit and Shalimar are journeys, and I am not referring to evolution of the fragrance over it's wear. I mean Guerlain's greats tell stories, create mis-en-scenes, and inspire journeys in the wearer's imagination. Guerlain perfumes are more distanciated, and in that sense more symbolic, than Chanel and Patou. A lot of today's perfumery, if it's any good, and particularly luxury and niche conceptions, is story telling as well. So it seems indebted to Guerlain's artistry. In my rough estimation, the story telling style of fragrance gained traction in the 80s. Mugler a major practitioner. All the French design houses at least put their feet in this water. So Sublime EDP - no story to tell. Rather, a fabulous pulsing golden ball of bouquet-like perfume.

Imagine wearing a perfume and every second person makes you compliments be it at the office, on the street or in a bar - would it not be just sublime? Indeed it would. Even though "Sublime" was released in 1992, unlike many other "vintage" perfumes it transcends the years with effortless ease. Green notes and bergamot, sharpened by cardamon make a great opening accord. It is fresh, zesty, sweetened by mandarin, and ever so piquantly spiced so as to peak one's attention and curiosity. Carnation builds up on the cardamon, opening its crimson petals, adding to the earlier golds and greens. She is perfect, not too much and not too subtle, she is her honest self and opens up the heart of the composition with her usual confidence and class. Ylang-yland and orris root add powdery accord, easing in rose and jasmine, without any discord or misalignment between the florals. Orange blossom and LOTV are lost in indolic facets of the jasmine and carnation's spicy staccato. Not a problem for me, I am sure they are playing their roles as intended, but my nose is blind to them in this particular bouquet. And then the heart expands and pulses with (what is technically the base), but in my opinion is a pulsing beat of something higher, something passionate, eclectic and quick step-like. Vetiver and oakmoss are so beautiful here that one's breath is stolen. The blend is perfect, complimentary and perfectly framed with musk and styrax. The fragrance remains animalistic and lascivious, balancing on the edge of a very fine stiletto blade and never going over the lewd side. "Sublime" is all about switching between elegant and smooth flowing motion and then quickening with a few bounces around the ballroom. Cedar and sandalwood add dry and fresh woodiness, shining bright as yet another facet, and keeping the whole composition fresh and bright. I do note see patchouli, and I am pleased, as it would be too much, bearing in mind confident and rich projections of both bergamot and vetiver. Tonka and vanilla lighten up the spices, sprinkling them with sparkling cloud of sweetened dreams. "Sublime" a perfect embodiment of "When you are smiling - The whole world smiles with you", through its brilliant composition, perfectly combined notes and undertones and ageless beauty. P.S. And this is why I shall never forgive Dior and LVMH for killing the entire Jean Patou perfumery line and heritage once they realised that would never be able to compete with the sheer genius of his creations.

Sublime indeed is this creation from Jean Patou...Lauren: I could kiss you! Thanks for all the rich samples and decants you have sent me!! :-) From the notelist and some tiny sniffs of the vial, I thought man! what a powerhouse eighties scent; more like Smashing! than Sublime. Wanting a true "on the skin" review, I decided to fill the hollow vial cap and let it's sheer golden juice cover my wrist (enough came out for both wrists and my neck!) and experience it fully... To my surprise, this was actually very refined and much less "loud" than I had expected. Greens and citrus and herbs are what I initially got, but the more it dried the sweeter and fuller it got, yet it never came anywhere near cloying or overwhelming. It reminds me of a beautiful song, playing somewhere in the distance; enchanting and wonderful, but not right in your ears and deafening. I feel awash with sheer and true beauty, refined and elegant but not snooty or "better than". I actually feel a blush coming to my cheeks from this amazing and sensual scent. Is it even legal to smell this good?! If I could, I would spray all my bed linens in this scent and just luxuriate in it, as I fell asleep to dreams of fragrance shopping in Paris or frolicking in the fields of Grasse... The basenotes here read like they would just be overpowering: musky, warm, oriental woody and earthy...but alongside the flowers, and the bright top notes; they are just divine. Mixed carefully with a light hand, they add a rich (but sheerly clean) slightly animalic and earthy feel to the overall stunning composition. The ancients used to believe that when a god or goddess ahd walked among them they could smell a heavenly trace of flowers and balms...this EDT makes me feel like I have been touched by something from a higher sphere, one that is pure and full of light and healing...Bliss!! Sillage: good (EDT) Longevity: very good Overall: 5/5 Heavenly!! I would type a longer summation here, but I can't keep my wrists from my nose! I'm not kidding! But I must say this: I have heard much of JOY and 1,000 and that Patou released masterpiece perfumes...but had NO idea! This is a very classic scent, without the usual vintage bombast of aldehydes and oakmoss so prevalent in its contemporaries. Anyone who wants to smell paradise should try this... Today, it is like I smelled perfume for the first time and fell in love all over again!!

Well after sooo many years I find this jewelry again. I bought it for Christmas from a Chic feminist oriented boutique from Switzerland, of course with all this situation right now in Europe it took longer than usual to arrive and I was veryyyy impatient to receive it but in the final🥴. I ordered a perfume bottle from 1994 lot and the eau de Toilette the formula who is now on the market. As for the smell they are similar, excepting that the eau de Toilette is more aerated and this make me love it more, because you feel al the notes not just the predominant ones, the carnations for example is very subtile in the perfume but in the toilette is very good positioned because being more aerated the jasmine and the ylang doesn't choke it. But other than that, the smell is not different at all and the evolution is the same, honestly the EDT last just a little less on the skin than the perfume version. The scent is a Patou from the Feminist time, unmistakable, cold, calculated, sublime. I never understood why there is still a Joy next to Ma liberte, Divine, Sublime and others, and that's because Joy is out of the Patou feminist pattern, old formula or not, for the spirit they worked out, I don't know if Joy has to be so pushed forward, I would rather resurrect other jewelry that is no longer on the market, anyway, this is a smell to remember, I'm glad that the EDT isn't very different because now I can use the perfume without worrying and buy EDT from theirs boutiques with trust. And I'm glad it's not a crazy trend anymore because back in its time all the women wear it, feminist or not, and was very upsetting, honestly, for a powerful woman to wear the same thing with a mistress, I had no problem to share the same perfume with a doctor, with an engineer, with sensational lawyer, with an aspiring smart student but with the 19 years old 10 classes burn blonde hair who was the mistress of a fellow director from my company board...no, thanks.

Never having smelled the original formula, I took the plunge after reading reviews of people who have both the new and the old formula, and I have to agree with them on the new version, that it has a bright, sunny opening after the bitter spiciness subsides. I won't get into particular notes because everyone else pretty much covered it here. But I think it has the perfect name - SUBLIME. It really is and it makes me feel that way too. My sister, on the other hand, who really doesn't have much of a nose beyond spicy scents like Opium, said it reminded her of two other perfumes I own, Ysatis, and Boucheron. I agree, in a broad way they resemble each other, mostly in their use of white and yellow florals and amber, but this is different still. If it were to make any comparison, it would be Samsara because of the creamy ylang and sandalwood, but again, that's where the similarities end. It's actually closer to Van Cleef, because of the bitter marigolds and amber, but while all are masterpieces in their own right, this has a personality all its own and I am loving Sublime's personality right now. Definitely one of my top 10s. As an aside, I don't think the new formula has any civet in it or if it does it is a synthetic because perfumes with real civet in them tend to turn to urine on my skin. It happened with my pre-reformulation of 1000 but not with the new Sublime formula. If that's the case, I like it even more because then it would be a cruelty free product too. I am one happy girl!!! Update - Wearing this again and I am really loving it. I just ordered the 2.5oz. from fragrancenet. At 37% off and free shipping it is stupid not too. I don't want to ever be without this fabulous scent. Edit - I now see that Fragrantica has now added a page for the newer version. I'll have to paste this review over there. I still want to try the original formula though.

I love Sublime. I remember having bought a big bottle in wintertime and gave it a try every now and then, loving the way the fragrance unfolded as it warmed up on my skin. A well made, classic floral touch, a memorable unique smell. I read reviews about it being a faithful companion in summer time, praised for releasing unending notes as it melts with the sun exposed skin and healthy summery sweat. I am wearing it right now at the seaside and I swear it is quite another perfume. There is something in it which becomes amplified by human warmth and environmental heat which renders it very incensey on me. At first blast (I put some liquid in a 2 ml bottle and only apply with my finger after touching the film of scent left on the cap, it is so strong ...) I appreciate the rain of flowers soaked in sandalwood, so I fill up my lungs or sniff myself very often. After a while, I have the feeling that the juice is getting purified from its sweetness, leaving aside the languid florals and elevating itself to a new dimension: lily, carnation and jasmine become somewhat abstract, meeting at a certain point in which each of the flowers left mutates into something else, making its best to resemble incense. When the drydown comes, sandalwood and oakmoss, maybe cedar too, add their own part of incense notes. Strangely enough, there is no incense listed in the notes, but there is an incensey feeling as a resultant force summing up each and every ingredient used beforehand. The scent becomes therefore purified, simplified, almost one-dimensional, with everything searching and verging towards a higher sphere. Last night I woke up in the middle of the night and remembered to sniff my arm: incense it was, as the scent expressed its will. I sniffed again and by so doing I felt like being in a safe, sacred place, relaxed and fell asleep again.

Floriental Sublime Eau de Toilette (Vintage 90s in the tulip bottle) Sublime is another lovely. It's not a chypre, it's a total Floriental style perfume, rich and spicy and floral and perfect in every way. Why did it do so bad in the 90s? I don't find it to be a gaping anachronism, but maybe it was just too grown up and sophisticated for the times. Or maybe it was just not well advertised, after all you'd not splash ads for Sublime with black and white photographs of starved, apathetic looking teenagers. In EDT, Sublime is a (sublimely) cinnamon-spicy, buttery-rich vanillic amber, with lots of oranges in the opening, tangy ylang ylang, rose, and neroli in the heart, and a lot of dark powder, iris and sandalwood in the base. Sublime is a bit linear, actually, some notes come and go, notably the oranges and spices fade a bit, and the rose and white florals dim out after a few hours, but the sandalwood/powder/iris/amber/ylang ylang anchor the whole thing and that's what you'll be smelling for the most part. In fact the ylang-ylang, white flower, good sandalwood accord reminds me a lot of Samsara. I've no idea where they got the sandalwood from but it smells like the real deal, it smells amazing. And it's pretty prominent note, Fragrantica should really fix the note pyramid. Sublime lasts ALL day long on me, with just a few sprays, and has nice sillage, too. I know I just tried to describe how it smells but really my words can do no justice to how beautiful this really is. It smells rich and deep and layered, it smells like it is made out of good materials, and it smells like a well made perfume. And it's true, the reviewers who just describe Sublime as "French" "Old Money" "Glamorous" "Chic" "Elegant." I would say that those adjectives describe Sublime better than what it actually smells like.

Wow, wow, wow. I just received a 1999 boxed EDT, and I'm blown away. Sweet, powdery, slightly woody, and deeply comforting. Very formal and feminine. I agree it's appropriate for jeans, but dressed-up jeans - jeans with pumps and a blazer. This would be very appropriate with pearls for a formal event. It's very classic and timeless, with an "established" smell, as if it's been around long enough to really know itself well and project it's best qualities. I get no alcohol, or anything vinegary or plastic or harsh. Just sweet, powdery woodiness. Truly a "ladies" perfume. I could see this becoming a signature scent, and I am in my mid-fifties, and own, or could own, just about any fragrance. I am at an age and a place in my life where I am past the point of wearing fragrances that make a jarring statement about my personality. Sublime's statement is one of quiet strength that is undeniably present and speaks clearly without overpowering or becoming unpleasant. I visualize this becoming a favorite along with sweet feminine scents like Pure Poison, Samsara, Anne Klein II, and Quelque Fleurs, to name a few of my favorites. Sublime is friendly enough that I feel I could sail out the door with hardly a second thought soon after applying it. I would say this is a mature fragrance, and there is nothing flighty or trendy about it, yet I would still feel very "of the moment" wearing it. It has a sweetness that is almost "honeyed", more earthy and delicate than sticky-syrup. It's hard to believe there isn't some vanilla in there somewhere. It is somehow very natural to me, yet still such a dressed-up statement. Love it enough that I just ordered a vintage boxed EDP. It will be interesting to smell the difference in the two.

This perfume is ageless, timeless and has no gender restrictions. I first purchased this at TJMaxx for less than $20 about 15 years ago. I loved it from that day, it was my signature scent for a while. It still reminds me how I became friends with a stranger who changed my life. I went to St Croix USVI for work about 4 years ago, while I was in a hallway at the hospital, this woman who appeared very sad said hello to me. I sat next to her and talked for a while. She was very sick with not much hope. I promised to stop by her room to see her the next day. She said to me, "make sure you wear this beautiful fragrance you have on, I have never smelled anything like it before, as you can see I don't have a lot of pretty things". I smiled and said ok. The next day I took the perfume to her room, gave it to her and told her it was a loan until the new one I ordered for her is delivered. We were both in tears. One week later I delivered the perfume to her room, her daughter and son were visiting, they told me she was looking forward to my visit, she had not stopped talking about our chat. A week later I delivered the package to her and told her to keep the one I loaned her as well. We kept in touch for about two years until she transitioned to another universe. It saddened I was not able to attend her funeral because I found out too late. Meeting her was an eye opener for me, I learned so much from this lady and I had the pleasure of calling her a friend. This story was not meant to be sad, simply a way of remembering the memories I had and how we can make friends in places we never thought possible. Sometimes a simple hello to a stranger can change how we look at life as a whole.

A little word of caution. The newer Sublime in the rectangular bottle bears no resemblance to the domed bottle the original was presented in. The original Sublime is a creamy, buttery yellow floral - so rich I feel you could get away with calling it oily, with a touch of oriental spice within a chypre base. Having been released in the early ‘90’s, it appears a deliberate move away from those powerhouse 80’s releases. I first experienced it in the ‘90’s as a friend wore it, but I didn’t like it back then, it reminded me of marigolds and it smelled “yellow”, I’ve no idea what I was thinking. I thought I’d give it a try again recently to see if I felt the same way about it, so I bought the current version in the rectangular bottle. It was nothing like the original, in fact I couldn’t even recognise it, it was a whole other fragrance. Not unpleasant, just a nondescript floral. Recently I found a vintage bottle on eBay, being sold with a few other unwanted oldies, and I was delighted to discover that it was exactly how I remember it, but interestingly, my aversion to it is no longer there. I don’t wear it out, it’s one of those fragrances I like to jealously keep for my own personal pleasure. I love how it’s survived almost 30 years (it came without a box) and how the fragrance wraps itself around you and sends coils of itself back in waves to envelop you in a delicious haze. Try to find the vintage if you can, having said that, I’ve hung on to the new version, who knows where perfumery is heading, maybe what we’ve got now is as good as it’s ever going to get. Thanks for reading.

Growing up, Joy was my Mom's expensive perfume. She wore Opium, Anais Anais, Poison as well. But Joy was the one she wore when she went to the symphony or a dinner party. This one was revered. I tried to wear it, dabbing a little bit onto my wrist while she got ready to go out. I'd go to bed sniffing it, imagining what it was like to be grown up and beautifully dressed at parties. It was beautiful but definitely not for me at the time, and sadly it still doesn't work on me now. So, I saw a sample of this Patou fragrance in a bright yellow box (I have a thing for yellow) and came here to read the composition. Sounded promising, if not what I would consider my usual type. I bought a mini bottle and have tried it out tonight. It has so much of the same feel, all of the mysterious powdery luxury of Joy, but so different. It's lighter, warmer and definitely a "yellow" scent from the ylang-ylang, but not screaming-yellow. It's a cashmere-soft, golden, expensive yellow. The ylang-ylang and sandalwood definitely present the strongest, with amber, coriander and oakmoss and also very noticeable. I don't wear most florals well, but the woody elements and the bergamot balance them to suit my skin. P.S. - I have the flower-bud shaped bottle wit gold top, and it does say P&G Geneva, made in UK. The idea of P&G as a perfume manufacturer is a bit horrifying, but on me this one seems to be good. Would love to know what the original formulation smells like.

Cold, fresh and smoky, just lovely. I'm starting to enjoy Chypre's more and more and smelling my wrist now gives me a clue why it's like that. It opened with smoky citruses and burst of sweet flowers, extremely powerful and I must say - I'm pleased. You can't find that kind of quality in perfumes that are made nowdays. This is definetely not "old" or "dated". I start to feel after the first outburst some kind of soapy notes and I must say I'm not a fan of soapy notes, but in Sublime they are hidden well, so I don't feel that they are too much and it does not resemble expensive soap as so many soapy fragrances does for me. At the heart part for me the most dominant notes are green notes, orris root and carnation. For me the carnation is a strange flower, I never were happy to receive them as a gift, but I tend to enjoy them in fragrance. It's a strange flower and more gives a "green" feel, not a floral. As it developes more it start to become more flowery and sweet, the green notes are still there, but they do not dominate that much. I find this to be a "cold" and distant fragrance, could be suited well to a "femme fatale", not in a "sexy way", but in way "I will bite if I'm not pleased about what you have to say" It's just "wow". Makes me wanna purchase it and stand next to those other 21-year-olds who spray themselves with some latest fruity floral that all smell the same. This is class! Must try for EVERYONE!

Ahhhhhh... the smell of my grandmother. What a beautiful, beautiful scent. This scent is truly a time capsule. It reminds me of church hats, frank sinatra, skin colored pantyhose, body powder, and revlon red lipstick. Sublime is a beautiful and striking fragrance. I would say it smells potent and would definitely be detectable within a crowd, but it’s pleasant. I would even dare to say it’s office friendly. Beautiful white and yellow florals, powder, a tad bit green, and a natural your skin but better kind of scent. I’d attribute this to the musky amber notes listed. All of these notes mixed together are quite strong and feminine, but wouldn’t say they’re overpowering or cloying. Sublime is confident and feminine. It reminds me of a beautiful, middle aged woman that wakes up very early, sips her black coffee, and is getting ready for her day: full face of makeup, rollers, fuzzy bathrobe, Sublime. She may put on a matching baby blue skirt and blazer set. Or it may be butter yellow. She’s wearing white, closed toed white block heels. I have a bottle that’s at least 30 years old somewhere in my house. I love it. I’m never getting rid of it. It’s truly a piece of history.

My Sublime EDP was made in 2016. It smells like perfume, not synthetic molecules as some have complained. Of course it is likely filled with synthetics. The floral mid notes are healthy and lovely. They tend to yellow or orange more than white, with the ylang, and maybe the citrus leaving a halo. There is a cream note that is similar to the one in Reminiscence Rem. A kind of beach flower or Italian cream pastry impact. I appreciate the comparison to L'heure bleue - say a young and sunny version of the blue twilight. It's not dusty and not grandmothery to my nose. There is something of Bal à Versailles without skank. My Sublime is skank free. I suppose many of these "classics" started to get simplified and cheapened down in ingredients from the 2000s on, so there tends to be a similarity, because they must be using the same molecules. I don't think Sublime is spicy rather the flower notes have some indoles that create that impact with the basenotes. It's not oriental but there are shades of your favorite amber fragrances. I think it's a captivating and generous French perfume that retains some chic.

Sublime used to be the most completely gorgeous, radiant, stunning perfume, ever. I still have a gold bottle in a blue velvet pouch, from many years ago, that contains a few precious drops of what Sublime used to be. I've wanted to buy more Sublime, but every time I try it in Nordstrom, I want to cry. Sublime used to be a potion of pure gold magic: an orange blossom-chypre that could decimate any of life's obstacles and radiate its warmth to everyone along the way. The most recent Tester from which I braved a spritz, came across like one of those "If you Like Sublime You'll Love our Cheapo Deodorant-like Knock-off for $6.99,", (which no human with a nose could ever, possibly, confuse for the scent for which it's supposedly been concocted to emulate.) My most recent bottle of Chanel No. 5 edp is like a weak copy of its original magnificence, as well. So I'm hoping the cause for the change is bad jasmine crops for the last few years...If not, and if this latest formulation is what's really become of one of the most amazing perfumes anyone could ever smell, it's just tragic.

Purchased a 75ml EDP of Sublime yesterday. It now comes in an elegant square (like cut crystal) bottle with a gold rectangular stopper with JP on the top! (Very similar to JOY and 10000). Have been wearing it now for 5 hours and it has reached a lovely rose powdery drydown. The initial notes are sharp but soften after 15 minutes or so. My bottle says JEAN PATOU PARIS SA Designer Parfums Ltd. ENGLAND WD24 7JG - ENGLAND Made in France/Fabrique en France - so I assume that it is made in France, maybe bottled in the UK? Does anyone know if this is the case? We have moved house and somewhere in the shifting my precious 17 year old bottle of Sublime 100ml got lost! I was so pleased to see it was still being made. I can't notice any difference from the original (my old bottle was getting a bit pungent). So far, so good although I wouldn't wear it on a very hot day or the pictures or theatre as think it would distract people sitting next to you...it is not a very "shy" perfume - more of a "notice me" one! I love it but will pick the occasions I wear it on. Alexandrarae

Current EDP This is a sunny Ylang Ylang warm floral scent. Its a warm hug from your rich auntie that always takes you out for fun on the town. Its a classic with a warm vanilla base and not as thin as some of the watered down classics can be due to regulations. All and all considering what they had to work with it survives quite well and an enjoyable wear for yellow floral lovers, like Caron's Montaigne. The new owners recruited Kerleo to reformulate Sublime back into form with modern considerations. The citrus opening to the ylang and rose moments and the jasmine and sandalwood and vanilla with a powdery musk keeping things soft. Warm and delightful cold weather scent Vintage EDP 1992. Deeper, has a more dramatic chypre tension with the oakmoss /vetiver against the ylang warmed florals integrating with one of the best drydowns I ever came accross. The opening is sharp and dramatic of a chypre but changrs gears midway into something lovely in grand vintage style. The modern is easier to wear but vintage is where its at for the drydown.

I bought this because I fell head over heels with Joy and on first impressions it smells very similar. On the dry down this one is brighter, almost like hazy sunshine in a bottle. It has a very addictive edge to it and I can't stop savouring it on my wrist as I delight in searching out its intricacies. It reminds me of a new lover - the frisson of anticipation, the way they dress, and move and breathe. This is pre coitus ; Joy is afterwards when you lie entwined and your body smells are heady and you wonder just what sorcery brought you here. The civet note is bewitching, the woods caress you and the florals make you glad to be alive. It's a beautiful spring morning outside and the artist has bottled that in swathes. This one is going to be absolutely stunning in the warmer months and I look forward to the experience, breathless, pulse racing and oblivious to the banality of everyday tasks. Why can't it be summer already? I want you - I need you, and my soul will not rest until I have you in my arms...

Definitely a chypre, but warmer than most, with a golden aura. The ylang is dominating together with gentle aldheides and a spicy carnation; indeed spices are there with sweet note that resembles apricot (or osmanthus). You feel elevated, clean, posh but very comfortable at the same time. Sublime, in word! (pun intended). Sublime manages to make you feel cozy yet keeping your stance towards the world. This is a classic fragrance that fails to be understood nowadays, it is an acquired taste and to younger noses it may feel dated. I feel sad the Patou house is out of business now, they had real gems. Edit April 2022: i wore this today on a hot spring day. It was more more than sublime: it was the sexiest frag I've worn in months. Somehow the warmth of my skin and the air were emphasising the sweet apricot and ylang notes. The spices were amped up too. After 6 hours I am still getting wafts of this love potion and am enthralled. I liked it a lot before but now i am getting 2 more backup bottles.

Just gorgeous. One of my all-time favourites. Ambery vanilla flower butter, grounded by a bit of texture (the patchouli?). Rich, smooth, warm, beautiful. Elegant enough for a big event, cosy enough for jammies on the couch. It's a close your eyes, breathe deep and smile scent for me. I'm reviewing my older lobed bottle, EDT. I haven't tried the current rectangular bottle version. I'm fighting a strong urge to splurge on the large EDP. Do I reeeeally need every formulation of every scent I like? Damn you, my costly obsession! My EDT is fairly strong actually, it's just a rich scent at any concentration. But while it starts out big, bold and luscious, it follows the typical EDT progression to a softish skin scent after a few hours. EDP is calling... Also, annoyingly, the tube from the squirter ends about 5mm from the bottom of the bottle, so there's no way to get the last bit out. That's a significant few wears wasted. C'mon now, that's just mean. The things we put up with for love!

Not a review unfortunately and that because I can't make one. I would love to smell this again, years ago I didn't like it but I think because was really used in Europe in that period and I always wanted to be "unique" in my fragrances apparition. Without discussion is a feminist perfume, Jean-Patou was a designer who loved to create for "powerful" individual women, well, at least for what might be called s powerful in 1900, I guess he would have been in love with the 87-97 the culminating point of the feminist movement fashion and even today. But the house continued to create for strong women, I remember their collections back 90... stunning and powerful. So Sublime can't be anything else. It certainly depends on the preference of the notes of course but I think today I would love this, but every time I find a bottle disappears until I go to buy it or to order 😭. But what I can remember for sure is that it was very spicy and a cold citrus with amber at some point.

Instant love. Just received my part-used bottle of Sublime from a reputable seller; it's the more recent, rectangular shape, not as pictured above. As usual, I bought this blind, based on the notes and a few reviews. Having spritzed once to the back of my hand and walked away, sniffing, I came to write a few instant impressions in the private notes box; I felt the need to add something here instead, though. I can smell cedar and a definite animalic nuance - and sandalwood is evident to me the instant I sprayed. There's no clue to these in the notes listed by Fragrantica above, but - in the wording, there's this: "The base notes sensually bring vanilla, sandal, cedar and civet." I haven't read through many of the reviews yet, but I'll be surprised if no one else has mentioned civet and woods. ETA: This is not an oriental floral scent, either - it's a floral chypre, as described in the first sentence of the introduction above.

I just sampled this fragrance when I read in this magazine that Jean Patou fragrances are discontinued. I also sampled Joy and 1000. I had never smelled any of these perfumes before so I went in totally blind. All I can say is WOW, did I ever love this one and wish I had known about it before now because I could've been wearing this beauty for years. This fragrance is a beautiful powdery, floral, amber, sandalwood fragrance that is heavy w/ vanilla and sweet orange. This could've been a signature for me, I love it that much. I went out and bought quite a few bottles of this and Joy before they are gone. It is a shame that beautiful vintage style fragrances like this are no longer produced. So many perfumes today lack character and depth, they are so boring, stale, and lack class. This is for a woman of taste, style, and distinction. I will treasure my new bottles and hope I bought enough to enjoy for years to come.

I bought this perfume 50ml eau de parfum from Fragrancenet based on the fact that the photo was the original lotus/rounded shaped bottle - absolute love. What I received was the new square shaped bottle. I was p..... OK I thought this new formulation had better smell like the original. I was incredibly disappointed to find that it is nowhere near the original. It has a petrol fume and grease smell as if you have walked straight in a mechanics workshop and this component just lingers. I contacted Fragrancenet about the fact they put the wrong image and their customer service did not bother to reply. A disappointing experience from both Fragrancenet and Jean Patou as this newer version is down right horrible compared to the original. I gave this new formulation many chances; tried in cooler weather, tried on clothing, tried just in the air, let it settle after a trip from USA to Australia, but it did not improve.

I never write reviews, or almost never, but this time I have to....this is one amazing and beautiful perfume! I was looking for something springy and brisk to spritz on this morning and lo and behold there was Sublime hiding in the corner of my cabinet, trying to be seen over all the much-used gourmands. I remembered how much I loved it when I first got it, how the gorgeous bottle and bright yellow box appealed to my eyes, and the yellow and green scent appealed to my nose. So I rescued it from the shadows, sprayed it on.... And wow. Wow is too small a word for this beauty. It popped me in the face, green and vetiver, oak moss and civet, flowers and musk....well, wow will have to do. I have no words to do this Jean Patou classic justice. Just try it, give it a bit to settle down and then head out into the sunshine. This perfume shimmers and radiates like the sun. And so will you when you wear it.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed my favorite perfume! I won a huge EDP a couple years ago on eBay...why do I love it so much? Sometimes it seems stupid to try to describe what I love so that another would want to try it... Well, there is the woodiness, a kind of damp woodiness, but clean and warm. Not cold wet old growth forest, but a warm summer shower on old teak lawn furniture. But it's also sweet, a spicy sweaty sweetness, like the scent of sweet clean hair on someone who's been playing and freely perspiring in the sun. But it's that pulsating aldehyde that drives the nail...like the wow-wow sound of a saw in a bluegrass band. Right there in the middle. I love and hate aldehyde, and here I love it because it keeps Sublime from being an overtly warm floral-floral. It puts that snug and sleepy in-from-the-cold stuff in heels and sends it walking back outside.

It's being discontinued? Thank God I bought backup bottles more than a decade ago because I knew I would wear it forever. Definitely worth shopping for the vintage version with the bud cap but watch out for counterfeits on ebay. I replaced some Sublime bath gel and it separates into different layers. Yeah. I had a chance to compare my vintage version with a current version. No top notes! It's more like a sketch of what it used to be. Not bad, but reduced. On me, the carnation note (which I love) comes forward and smells feminine without any skanky notes. It works for daytime, dinners, office. Smells good in the fall, with sweaters. Good with wools and linens. Not a silk smell. I work all day, up close, with execs. I need to smell good and classy but arms length, just enough to let them know I'm feminine and interesting but out of reach. They like that.

A truly lovely scent. I have a mini dabber of EDP and I al wearing it today in the middle of winter just for the "joy" of it - sorry, couldn't resist the pun. I order a full bottle a few days ago, along with Joy EDT and Sira des Indes. I already have Joy EDP (meh) and 1000 (drool). Sublime is so well blended and develops slowly on the skin from a slightly bitter citrus with a green note from the LOTV into a sweeter floral courtesy of ylang, and a touch of sensuality from the jasmine, musk and amber. To me, it is a study in contrasts, and the tension between the notes keeps the entire fragrance together as something that can easily move from day to night, boardroom to bedroom. And on top of all that, it just makes me feel bright, happy, and very feminine. Patou seems to be back in good hands, and I am enjoying getting to know these classics agains.

Wow! This blind buy vintage is a winner. The intense opening dries down quickly, but it stays sweet. I don't get citrus, but I do get sunny florals. I love it!! This is a classy scent, happy but not girly or shrill. In my mind this is the scent of a glorious flowering meadow on a sunny day. There's something in this perfume that reminds me of Ysatis de Givenchy. While it has some of the richness of Ysatis, Sublime is the cheerier scent. It's not very long lasting on my skin, but that just gives me the opportunity to reapply it. Here's a funny thing about this fragrance: yesterday I posted that it didn't last long enough on my skin. Well, later that day I stepped outside the air conditioned house into the humid afternoon air, and suddenly the scent of Sublime was in my nose! The humidity had recharged the perfume, what a lovely surprise!

What an exquisite fragrance. Very complex and beautifully blended. As you can see from all the notes contained, it's not a scent you can put on and forget; new notes are continuously unfolding and adding depth to the development. This opened rather gently on me--not a sharp chpyre as I'd expected, but I applied lightly, with a cotton ball so this may account for the softness. The basenotes carry this scent to a level of beauty that's irresistable. On me, the woody notes and amber is dominant, with the civit and musk playing a more low key role. Civit can overwhelm a scent, but here it's lightly used and adds a sexy note that I love with florals. If you love chypres, this is a must have for your collection. Long lasting (I have the EDP formula) and sillage very good. I'd have to give this one 100% rating. It's perfection.

Jean Patou's SUBLIME is just that. Really. A beautiful, complex ultrafeminine floral perfume. Although the flowers are flanked from the opening by clarifying green and citrus elements and later by a veritable laundry list of chypre and other supports, all of these serve as a crystalline vase, for SUBLIME is essentially an abundant bouquet of flowers. Excellent staying power, even in the edt, but even more importantly, each of the various stages is as compelling as the rest, and quite distinct, while still being floral. Even in the drydown, the amber and musk manage to hold everything together: the florals do not float away but are softened a bit. SUBLIME is a great creation with a classical structure and spirit that I can wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who loves big bunches of multicolored flowers.

This eau du perfume is seductive in a very smooth way. Have you ever been seduced by a fragrance. That is what this does. It is very smooth,rich and yes sexy in a very natural way. This fragrance does not work at being sexy. It just naturally is. It turns heads without even trying The ylang ylang is prominent to me, along with the amber hovering in the background. The civet does not slap you in your face. It strokes your cheek. The other ingredients are there keeping these two company. On my skin this perfume is outstanding. I just received a back up box. The perfume is still the same in my opinion. My other box is three years old. I loved that one and I love this one. This perfume is seduction in a bottle. Very french and elegant and gives the impression of being very refined.

I had this perfume many years ago. If I remember right, I bought it at a tax free shop at an airport somewhere in Europe. I chose it because it reminded me of Chanel No 5 but a softer, gentler, sweeter version of Chanel No 5. I enjoyed it very much as a daytime summer scent. I wish I could still find it now somewhere, so that I could smell it again and perhaps buy another bottle, which I totally would. This is a perfume I would like to have always for sunny, light and breezy summer days. It was quite perfect, lovely, very feminine, non-intrusive but still clearly distinguished in a gentle manner. Not too invisible and not too aggressive, just perfectly, sweetly exquisite. Edit: I have found out that this perfume has been discontinued. Truly what a shame.

I was curious about this one since I admire Jean Kerleo , ever since I found a vintage bottle of Lacoste - Eau de Sport .More recently I found a vintage Sublime EDP. The flower bud round bottle with a plastic JP seal hanging from the neck and 1991 on the glass bottom. It was selling at a very reasonable price .....Thus this commentary here. I have no doubt the quality of the ingredients used have allowed these fragrances to maintain their scent after more than 20 years . What I most like about Sublime is the dry down , just slightly powdery ,sweet and fresh. Moderate Sillage and Longevity . Discreet but ever-present .... A true floral bouquet that stands in the middle ground ...... allowing even the modern man also to enjoy and wear it .

Mmm, Sublime arrived in the mail today (recent formulation). Long story short: great! Soft, buttery, lots of powder, yellow flowers, no patchouli harassing me. Not as buttery as I remember the original to be, but close. Just an elegant, sunny and warm fragrance. Layered it with Joy (also recent version) just to try out what they can do for each other and boy oh girl, they do lift each other up. The freshness of Joy is even more intensified but also warmed up a little. On it's own, Sublime doesn't reach the dizzying heights of Joy, in my opinion, but I'm very happy I purchased it and even happier with the combo. Ow I smell just gorgeous today, sublime joy.

My favorite Patou! I have a vintage Sublime EDP and the current formulation is pretty close to the vintage, except the current (SA version) is brighter on the top notes, whereas the vintage is deeper, richer, more amber. On my skin, it is a perfect balance of jasmine, ylang, amber and mandarin. The drydown morphs into a powdery floral without coming across as blatantly "powder." The quality of the ingredients used in this perfume is SUBLIME :-) EDIT 11-09-2018: OOOH! I am detecting the Lily of the Valley now, this is such a beautiful scent! If you can find the EDP and lotion set, the lotion is soooo rich and the scent is very concentrated.

I have a vintage bottle of this. Therefore the top notes are somewhat degraded, however the heart and base notes remain intact. This perfume is aptly named. It's utterly sublime. I had, until very recently, ignored Jean Patou perfumes much to my loss. Only recently, having read reviews on this wonderful site, did I decide to seek out some vintage. I love the carnation note, I am a caron fan for just that reason. Sublime is bright, subtle but with good silage, an addictive composition that I couldn't stop sniffing. Even with the buggered top notes, 20 minutes in this perfume enveloped me - it lifted my mood and made me feel oh so feminine.

I purchased a small bottle of the eau de parfum and old formulation in tulip bottle and wow.. Sublime is a beautiful fragrance, classy and elegant. I did notice a sharp note on first application, but like others have said, this note smooths rather quickly (half an hour on me) and Sublime transforms to a smooth almost creamy scent. Sublime is elegance and quality both discreet and lady-like. I am now looking for a bottle of the old formulation; I am not a fan of reformulations as I always find they are inferior to originals.

People, I strongly encourage you to go for EDP if you can find it! It might be pricier but it is worth every penny! I have an EDT which I love dearly, but aparently the latest formulation was compromised, because the longevity didn't match the rest of the Patous in my collection. I finally got a 1.7 oz EDP, and let me tell you, the EDT version looks like a pale shadow in comparison! I will definitely mix both for more longevity. Great deals still pop up on Ebay every now and then, so don't hesitate to grab it, Patou fans!

When I first tried this, I was overwhelmed with the coriander note in the beginning. But as the rose, jasmine and neroli emerged, I instantly thought of it as a very beautiful warm and sunny yellow scent, like the box housing this Eau. The word SUBLIME is so befitting. I can't take my nose off my wrist when the base notes emerge, smelling of sandalwood, vanilla, and civet. I'm trying so hard to find the parfum version of this scent (not the solid). Hopefully I'll be lucky one day and find one at a good price.

Just gifted myself a bottle of this from Nordstrom--they have the body cream as a gift with purchase right now--! I have had a small, beautiful little bottle of the parfum on my dressing table for awhile--oh, a dab here a dab there now and again. Last evening, after having ordered Joy for a Christmas gift, and noticing Sublime displayed on the Website next to it--after shower, I liberally dabbed on my Sublime, and OMG!!! 10 hours later, it's still gorgeous. Drydown is the bomb!!! Wow!!!

I'm so glad I have a few backup bottles of Sublime EdP by Patou. If ever a perfume embodied their name, Sublime is it – a sophisticated and complex yellow floral green-chypre with a classic French vibe. It has powder, jasmine, rose, ylang ylang and a backbone that unmistakably French and formal, even if you're wearing (pressed) jeans and ballet flats - this perfume is transcendent. I have the EdP, the oak moss is powerful, yet approachable; two hours in, it's practically luminescent.

A masterpiece. I own both the above flacon and the rectangular flacon. They contain EXACTLY THE SAME JUICE. EXACTLY THE SAME. Troublemakers and idiots are proclaiming the rectangular flacon is inferior in quality of fragrance. This is nonsense. Trust me. To me Sublime is for guys an excellent fragrance to wear, (with a wonderful retro barber-shop feel). It is close to Raquets from Penhaligons. ENJOY !!!

Sublime... I honestly cannot recall how this smells- despite one of my friends wearing Sublime when we went out at night 'on the town' 20 years ago. My friend's primary goal was to look/smell classy and uptown which describes Sublime in many reviews so plan on purchasing a small bottle of the original formula and not the newer reformulation.I am sure the memories will come flooding back on first sniff.

My mother had this one , it seemed to us that it looks like "Volupté" from La Renta qui much . Indeed , their middel notes have a lot in common. However this one is whiter , whereas Volupté is greener . Sublime is also a little more subtle , more French. I think this is one scent for the woman who is 30 and up , to wear in fall ,to warmen this atmosphere a little bit or to go out by night.

My love for Sublime is so great, it's beyond words. My large bottle is still amost full, and I am already being paranoid thinking about back up. It's so beautiful and sophisticated. And its complexity and the way it changes on the skin over the time is just amazing. It just shows how unique it is because i cant't think of any fragrance that would be remotely close to Sublime.

Sublime holds many memories for me, walking the streets of London in Springtime, Anniversay Dinner at The Dorchester Hotel, Afternoon Tea at The Ritz ... making love in the afternoon. One whiff of my bottle transports me back to a wonderful time in my life. Such a beautiful fragrance - so hard to get now. Have kept my bottle (now 15 years old and it still smells divine).

When I was a young woman, I went to the perfumeries and sniffed this perfume over and over again, cause I loved it so very much, but as a single mother I couln't afford to buy it than... But, I had a change of heart, from there to here, this perfume really has grown on me, pls forget and forgive me for what I wrote earlier, cause, this thing is a new LOVE for me!!