Woody Gold

I recently splurged and bought Gold and Silver from Fragrancenet. The bottles are stunning, coming from someone who is unimpressed with bottles generally. They’re housed in rectangular envelope style boxes where the lid lifts up and clicks back down into position with a magnetic seal together with a little booklet about Les Compositions. This might sound like blasphemy, but Gold smells like Shalimar after the confronting gasoline sting has dissipated, it skips the tough part and goes straight into the delicious dry down, but sweeter. It doesn’t develop the same way Shalimar does but it possesses its own version of complexity. A delicious, airy and citrusy version of a classic, nicely done, if you love Shalimar but find it too much for day wear, this should satisfy your craving. Pretty good sillage and longevity to boot, exceptional offering from Lalique and worth getting at the current discounted price on the grey market. Thanks for reading this.

Sniffing this, I was very confused at the difference between what I smelled, how people described the scent in the reviews, and the Fragrantica note breakdown (which is incorrect). A trip to the Lalique site cleared it up, and made much more sense. While the fragrance is bright and light, I would not consider it overtly citrusy - the citrus notes play very much a subtle, supporting role. The main players for me are the tonka and orange blossom (it's very sweet), and the woody/amber synthetics in the base (particularly the Ambramone and Orcanox). That woodiness is absolutely not a deep, dour, serious woodiness, but rather a very light, airy, smooth, almost ephmeral woodiness. The synthetics are meant to add textures of driftwood and ambergris - and while it's by no means oceanic or ozonic, it does have a general diffuse airiness which is interesting on the nose. There is no "thickness" which I'd associate with an ambery fragrance. It's one of those scents where the synthetics give interesting textures that are pleasing to the nose, but the smell itself is not really that captivating - thin, airy and diffuse (with strong sillage), rather than complex and mysterious. It's pleasant and will put you in a good mood wearing it, but not remarkable.

A nice composition this one that is quite unique I would say. Very bright "shiny" citrus opening and mid that I think would be the citrus backed by the resinous benzoin (although I would have guessed elemi)...it's quite sharp but not sour. I think they nailed the creative direction in the 'Gold' part as it absolutely could be what you think or evokes what would smell like a cold gold metal bar. The 'Woody' aspect is there too which I would say is a combo of Iris and Cedar. As it dries it gets warmer and less sharp but is never a truly warm fragrance and heads a touch powdery. Unisex leaning just slightly masculine i'd say and very nice BUT while the presentation is a big step up from regular Lalique so is the price. You are getting something quite unique here and nice presentation but is it worth 3 times the cost of Encre Noire? I can't in good conscience say yes to that but I am happy with the purchase, not everything can be the mega bargain that EN and Lalique Homme is.

This is how I would picture the smell of gold smelling, and I think the naming is spot on. Now I got the one that's simply "gold" not woody gold so I don't know if this is the right place to comment, but my bottle is the lighter version not the darker glass one. Anyway, this is a decent fragrance although not necessarily my type of fragrance. It reminds me a little of habit rouge EDP but with more defined citrus and vanilla. I am not really a fan of citrus and vanilla combos in general because it comes off a little gourmand to me. Don't get me wrong this isnt a gourmand, but those plays of notes for me at least clash. But with that said, somehow this isn't that bad and I am able to tolerate it. This fragrance to my nose is unisex down the middle (silver being masculine) so both men and women can use this with no issues. So far out of the line this is the one I like least, but that being said its not bad just a preference thing.

@discoversherpes this was relaunched in 2020 in what looks like a more amber focused form so that probably explains why you have quite a different experience to others who reviewed earlier. You can search for the page for the new version on fragrantica, they won't let you link to other fragrances in the reviews.

Mmmm it’s a decent spicy wood with some energetic vibes and fresh undertones. The wood aspect here is complex (read synthetic), but still very nice. Modern and trendy! Reminds me a lot of one of the Molecules. Follow me on IG: scent.guide

Completely agree with comments on its "brightness", this fragrance starts off very citrusy in a bright and cold manner, truly reminiscent of a gold bar. Hell yess I love this stahe but that doesn't last long, it morphs into a somewhat medicated ointment scent that I rub on my belly when I have a stomachache. And tbh I don't like smelling it on my skin as it reminds me of sth a grandma would wear. So mehhh, gladly I only bought 10ml

I said good bye to it... I have several flankers from Guerlain Shalimar, that this Lalique is being so similar with nothing else more transcendent to keep it, so it was sold. I love Lalique, as you can see in my collection, but there was no point to keep this one.

Gold in its purist form is a bright, slightly reddish yellow metal which is soft, malleable and ductile. Due to its medium rarity, easy handling, easy smelting, distinct color and corrosion resistance, the metal has long been a valuable and highly sought-after precious metal for coinage, jewelry, and other arts since before the beginning of recorded time. In order to evoke gold's brightness, rarity and beauty, the perfumer begins the composition with an enlightening hesperidic accord of lemon and bergamot. It is a sunny yellow opening, with acidic lemon dominating. The effect is glowing and gleaming as if light hitting a highly polished piece of gold. A faint floral mid-range follows, comprised of Egyptian jasmine, iris, and muguet. Offering gentle sweetness, jasmine and muguet lend their own fresh-citrusy and green tonalities to the proceedings, while iris yields a powdery glow. An oriental base of vanilla, patchouli, and benzoin conclude the France in the base. It is the rich and gourmand vanilla which permeates, combining with the opening citrus and conjuring visions of decadent lemon chiffon cake. 'Gold' is far from gourmand, but the delicious paring of vanilla and lemon in the architecture is undeniable. Utilizing a warm, vanilla-oriental accord, 'Gold' evokes the metal's luster and brilliance. Easily unisex, the composition blurs the lines between masculine and feminine. Longevity is average to above while sillage and projection are average for this "eau de parfume". It seems the perfect accompaniment for a bright, sunny spring or summer day, as 'Gold' radiates a joyous, optimistic tone. Those not keen on strong lemon-based fragrances may wish to pass by this composition, as the opening spray is quite laden with the sour fruit's pungent aroma. Fortunately, it never quite veers into the household cleaning product type lemon odor (Lemon Pledge furniture polish comes to mind), though it does skim the surface of conjuring up artificially flavored lemon candies (Lemonheads anyone?). I did appreciate the perfumer's artistic ability in attempting to translate gold's metallic qualities into an abstract medium, as in this effort I feel they succeeded. Unfortunately, in choosing to feature lemon so prominently they gave birth to a fragrance which some might consider too pedestrian and mundane. Read my complete review at my personal blog

Gold by Lalique is part of the Les Compositions Parfumees 2015 release. A collection of five perfumes that are all based on precious metals. This is a very interesting and exciting point of view for perfume. To create in scent the image, the essence and the emotions elicited by highly prized earthly elements that in essence have no real olfactory signature. The other four perfumes are Electrum, Zamak, Bronze and Silver. It seems only fitting that we begin with gold. The nose behind Gold is at this point a mystery. I could not find out who it is but perhaps that just adds to the glamour of this fragrance. A perfume that is smooth and polished to a brilliant shine. Almost austere but there is a warmth in it that like Gold itself draws one in with its fascinating glow. Enticing velvety and rich. There is a velvet buttery beauty to gold when it is polished to mirror brilliance. It is the element that can only be created in the universe when a star goes super nova. The death of a star creates our most precious metal here on earth. Gold is so rare and prized that the ancient Egyptians believed that the skin of the gods was made of it. And of course if you drop the “L’ from gold in English, what do you have? God. Gold opens with only two top notes, bergamot and lemon, this is I am told meant to create the brilliance of gold. In fact in the opening the spark of the two citrus notes is brilliant and illusive. It glitters on the skin but momentarily and then streaks away leaving the way open for the star of the perfume, a note that resembles the heavy beauty one finds in the finest of Italian gold jewelry. Before our star note arrives in the mid notes of the perfume there are satellite notes, lovely ones of Egyptian Jasmine and lily of the valley. They are soft and hum in the background like a Greek chorus announcing the arrival of the superstar. It enters as a gorgeous smooth hard edged iris note that if left on its own could very well be too dry, somber and severe. But there is a surprise in the bottom notes that gives the iris a warmth and beauty beyond expectations. The bottom notes are a gift to the iris. And this surprise package is wrapped in earthy patchouli. Within the box as the patchouli gives way is the gift of the perfumer that complements the iris, a stunning blending of vanilla and benzoin. Here is a creamy buttery mix that never goes sweet or cloying but in its marriage with the iris they turn Gold into a golden beauty. This is a floral chypre that is elegant, smooth and perfect for almost any season. It has both masculine strengths and feminine curves. A uni-sex perfume that invites one in and enhances the beauty of the wearer with its brilliance and allure. When you wear Gold on your skin there is no reason to wear anything else. (FOR THE GOLDEN HOLLYWOOD TALE BEHIND THIS REVIEW CHECK OUT MY BLOG ~ SCENTS MEMORY)

Just got the answer from Lalique official representative: GOLD = Sidonie LANCESSEUR BRONZE = Richard IBANEZ ZAMAK = Dorothée PIOT SILVER = Sidonie LANCESSEUR ELECTRUM = Mylène ALRAN Gold is the best and unique of all Les Compositions Parfumees! A quintessence, an "absolu" of GOLD itself! And no doubt was created by Sidonie's Lancesseur golden hands and nose. Thank you!

Note breakdown of this is incorrect on this page. Here is the correct notes: Top Notes: Bergamot, Lemon Heart Notes: Iris, Egyptian jasmine absolute, Lily of the valley Base Notes: Benzoin, Vanilla, Patchouli

Is there any wood in this bottle? Nothing mensioned!