Givrine E. Coudray 2004

I don't know of any perfume creation that is as multifaceted as Givrine by E. Coudray. This fragrance is already 60 years old but is by no means outdated.

In the opening, it is fresh, slightly lemony due to bergamot and kumquat, and also a bit bitter, quickly transitioning to a juicy, ripe melon.

This is gradually complemented by fresh, green leaves and grasses, and I feel like I'm in a freshly mowed meadow.

Because now floral scents hang in the air, still light but becoming more pronounced, and bright woods provide a fine, fresh touch. There is even a slight soapiness present, which I find very pleasant in this context.

Later, gardenia and lily of the valley come in, but they complement each other rather than compete.

At the very end, Givrine becomes warm, soft, slightly woody, and by no means too sweet. In fact, it is never too sweet, although a certain sweetness is present.

Givrine stands out among the Coudray fragrances, similar to Nohiba, completely out of the ordinary. Most Coudray fragrances are sweet and sensual. These two are not, and yet I love Givrine.

Because of its complexity, its freshness, its green note, its sweet yet not overly sweet note, and the soft woodiness - the perfection with which this fragrance presents itself. Givrine is, for me, the perfect art of perfumery.

I only recognize one flaw: it is not very long-lasting, unfortunately fading a bit too quickly. After 5 hours, nothing remains except for a light, warm, and sweet woody note.