Thierry Wasser is without a doubt, worthy of carrying the Guerlain Master Perfumer title and legacy. Though he may not bear the Guerlain name like his predecessors have, his sheer expertise and talent, which is seen tenfold in L'Homme Ideal, is continuing the legacy of this amazing perfume house. L'Homme Ideal strikes a perfect balance between a modern scent profile and sticking to the roots of what makes Guerlain fragrances so great. It opens with a citrusy, spicy and almond-dense profile that is extremely well balanced, with just the right amount of sweetness and spice. The almond here is very creamy and a tad bit syrupy, like a rich desert of sorts, giving it a wonderful gourmand touch. The dry down introduces a classic blend of vanilla, woods and powdery-spicy tonka bean that gives the signature Guerlain touch. I wouldn't say this fragrance relates to the Guerlinade, but the way the dry down smells is still very reminiscent of other classics from the brand.
In the grand scheme of things, L'Homme Ideal is criminally underrated. Although it is among the more popular fragrances in the Guerlain lineup these days, it still doesn't receive all of the love and attention I personally think it deserves. It could run circles around the competition and never tire, all thanks to the mastery that is Thierry Wasser's perfuming skills. I can't wait to see where he takes the brand next!
I agree this perfume is underrated. I don't believe Wasser will be creating many more Guerlain perfumes in the future as he seems to have stepped aside for Delphine Jelk (who I believe is talented and who has also been subjected to unfair criticism by those I believe may be afraid of change).
I agree with your comments about Delphine Jelk. Her fragrances definitely have a more modern, edgy take but still capture the essence of Guerlain and I think they’re fantastic. I believe Wasser has been more involved with their reformulations as of late, alongside of working on more exclusive stuff that’s in boutiques only, but I could be wrong.