G Clef

After trying a fragrance from another house that had a kinda-marine-kinda-not vibe, I spent the day rummaging through samples to find the fragrance it reminded me of. This isn't it—though it bears some "structural" similarities in terms of citrus and woody elements—but I was extremely pleased that I serendipitously came back to this one. Frankly, I have no idea why I have not written a review of it already, because it is simply great. The only reason I can think of is that it is rather classical in many ways for a house that I associate more with other qualities that appeal to my personal sensibilities. At the heart of this juice, there is a style of citrus fougère that plots its heritage back through those gorgeous scents that epitomised the French Riviera proto-jet set style of the 1920s and 30s (exactly when perfume started feeling the Jazz) all the way back to the dandies of London's Jermyn Street when Beau Brummel was still knocking about. Yet it's also more modern: the grapefruit and oakmoss conjours up a sojourn on rugged, wooded Californian coastlines. For me "handsome" is the word that best sums up this fragrance. It is extremely handsome. Sure, I'm aware that the terms in which I've described it make it sound "masculine" (and I do think this is one from the house that many men will love) but, women should not feel any caution in wearing it. The best way I can describe it is that this is a fresh, "carpe diem" kind of fragrance; not coquettish at all but sexy in the way that confident people who share their passions for the finer things in life are.

G Clef is the beach. Sarah Baker Perfumes has managed to capture the essence of a beach and put it in a bottle, kinda like when you collected shells as a kid and put them in a jar. This is daydream material. A refreshing breeze comes in from the coast after a sweltering summer day at the shore. There’s seawater and salt and seashells and rocks and sand and driftwood. And grapefruit. Fresh, unsweetened grapefruit. Woody notes and oakmoss slowly develop and give a “forest” vibe. Sarah Baker has mastered unusual marine and aquatic scents. She has released several marine aquatics. Each one conjures up a story or a memory that absorbs you. If you like beastmode marine aquatics on steroids check out Atlante and Greek Keys. They last all day and into the next. Rare for a “freshie”. If you are looking for a long lasting citrus marine aquatic you might want to try these.

I recently splurged on a decent sized order from the House of Sarah Baker online store and after placing the order wondered if I could find a bottle of G Clef and managed to find a BNIB unopened bottle. I don’t know why I’m saying I’m impressed because really, I’m just so very impressed with Sarah Baker... but G Clef knocked my socks off and while she certainly has wonderful creatives mixing her potions, I don’t think I can be overstated how impressive this fragrance is. I hope we see more House of Sarah Baker frags in the future with SB as the nose behind them. This is very fresh, green, refreshing. For a freshie, to my nose this is criminally underrated at a 3.65/5. I may snag up another if I can find it just so I know I’ve got enough to get me to my grave.

A Calone tweaked Fougere, with tangy citrus-grapefruit and lavender leading right through to the heart. Thereafter I smell the persistence of green and slightly bitter florals that lend a textured grassiness. I'm not sure if I also get a very subtle laconic touch? Maybe. Eventually a woody amber warmth starts to round off what is a really delightful coastal/woodland inspired fragrance. I own Atlante (previously reviewed) and Greek Keys, also by Sarah Baker, and G Clef falls almost mid way between the two in construction (falling more on the Greek Keys side) giving a generous longevity, and rounding out my summer freshies by Sarah very nicely!

Salty herbaceous scent with nice green, minty and tart undertones. It’s definitely aromatic but also has unexpected sweetness and musky powderiness. I’ll try in on my skin and update this review, cos I’m very curious about how it will develop. Follow me on IG: scent.guide