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Top Review
A True Classic? Imagine the Year 2022
Imagine. An incredibly expensive, limited Guerlain that I personally would never have considered testing. I admit, I have spent a small fortune on a limited and long-discontinued perfume before. But that probably wouldn’t have happened either if this beauty from another traditional house hadn’t accidentally landed in my hands.
Imagine also landed in my hands by chance, thanks to a very dear perfumer. The 2019 version is unknown to me, as I try to ignore these artificially scarce, super high-priced scents. But Guerlain expert Chanelle has revealed quite a bit about it. So please read her review first if you want background information. Thank you.
So, what should I say about this fragrance? At first sniff, a noble, very classically appealing orange blossom. Typical Guerlain. It feels vintage. Just as a Guerlain fan would expect. In the background, fine resins resonate, reminiscent of Bois d’Armenie. The wood notes are also beautiful. Is Samsara saying hello here? So far, so good.
However, the first sniff from the spray head made me wrinkle my nose just a tiny bit. Why? Because alongside the wonderful, opulent, classic orange blossoms and a very fine, dark, and noble base, I also perceive a hint of modern aroma chemistry. The kind that makes me think of the smoking chimneys of a chemical plant whenever it’s more concentrated. I discussed this in more detail on my blog and explained why I don’t like this type of fragrance. Here, it’s just a tiny hint, of course. A hint that is probably meant to make the scent more sophisticated. More modern. And it all fits, and Guerlain succeeds in this. The use of this type of aroma chemicals is, in my opinion, quite legitimate as long as the overall composition still smells beautiful. And it does here. After a few hours, this impression completely disappears as if it had never been there. However, it is still noticeable at the spray head. Maybe it’s just my imagination? I am uncertain.
Still, I wonder: must it be this way? Or am I just old-fashioned that this bothers me? Does today’s target audience expect this kind of hint of modernity to invest a four-figure sum?
This high-priced fragrance, in its composition, as beautiful as it is in principle, actually makes me ponder a bit. I believe that if it says classic on the label, it must also contain classic elements. Truly classic. Otherwise, I find such a fragrance no longer 100 percent authentic. But as I said, my thinking may well be outdated. Perhaps I am just too frugal and don’t really want to like it? “G’schbard wird,” as the Swabian likes to say (money is saved). I cannot deny my origins.
Just a few thoughts. Many thanks to EveMist for the opportunity to test.
Imagine also landed in my hands by chance, thanks to a very dear perfumer. The 2019 version is unknown to me, as I try to ignore these artificially scarce, super high-priced scents. But Guerlain expert Chanelle has revealed quite a bit about it. So please read her review first if you want background information. Thank you.
So, what should I say about this fragrance? At first sniff, a noble, very classically appealing orange blossom. Typical Guerlain. It feels vintage. Just as a Guerlain fan would expect. In the background, fine resins resonate, reminiscent of Bois d’Armenie. The wood notes are also beautiful. Is Samsara saying hello here? So far, so good.
However, the first sniff from the spray head made me wrinkle my nose just a tiny bit. Why? Because alongside the wonderful, opulent, classic orange blossoms and a very fine, dark, and noble base, I also perceive a hint of modern aroma chemistry. The kind that makes me think of the smoking chimneys of a chemical plant whenever it’s more concentrated. I discussed this in more detail on my blog and explained why I don’t like this type of fragrance. Here, it’s just a tiny hint, of course. A hint that is probably meant to make the scent more sophisticated. More modern. And it all fits, and Guerlain succeeds in this. The use of this type of aroma chemicals is, in my opinion, quite legitimate as long as the overall composition still smells beautiful. And it does here. After a few hours, this impression completely disappears as if it had never been there. However, it is still noticeable at the spray head. Maybe it’s just my imagination? I am uncertain.
Still, I wonder: must it be this way? Or am I just old-fashioned that this bothers me? Does today’s target audience expect this kind of hint of modernity to invest a four-figure sum?
This high-priced fragrance, in its composition, as beautiful as it is in principle, actually makes me ponder a bit. I believe that if it says classic on the label, it must also contain classic elements. Truly classic. Otherwise, I find such a fragrance no longer 100 percent authentic. But as I said, my thinking may well be outdated. Perhaps I am just too frugal and don’t really want to like it? “G’schbard wird,” as the Swabian likes to say (money is saved). I cannot deny my origins.
Just a few thoughts. Many thanks to EveMist for the opportunity to test.
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26 Comments
Der hier ist ein guter Schachzug der Marketing Abteilung.
Also: gschpard hin oder her, ich bleib da bei meinem hübschen und nicht ganz soo teurem Bois d'Armenie :)
Den überteuerten Exklusivgeschichten jage ich nicht hinterher. Ich habe genug Orangenblüten :-)
Imagine (2019) : Une Ville, un Parfum, London
Imagine (2022) : 1828-2018 Édition 190ème Anniversaire (Absolu Parfum)