Concentré d'Orange Verte Hermès 2004

Everything has been so intense and fast in recent years, including fragrances. Hoping not to get lost in the flood of new releases, perfumers seem to be doing everything they can to stand out. The creations are either getting more and more outlandish (Memoire, Gucci) or more and more floral loud (everyone else, actually). I can hardly stand a new fragrance for more than a few days. Everything too much, in the end also always too synthetic. But I remain driven, full of hope to find the Holy Grail, the ultimate signature fragrance, my unmistakable aura.

As if by chance, while cleaning up a few days ago, I found a hotel bottle of Hermes Eau d'orange verte shower gel. Still half full. Wanted to throw it away almost, I had this fragrance but something very altherrenhaft in memory. But try it can not hurt! And I was again expect enthusiastically. How tangy, lemon at the beginning, good old oakmoss at the end. Close to the body, lockdown-worthy. Memories of holidays in the South of France, of times when you just owned the one fragrance that is inseparable from you and your own experiences.

You guessed it, I was hooked. A detailed study on Parfumo followed. And so also the Concentré slipped into the field of vision. Always ignored, never tried. Yet it suddenly seemed to promise everything I dreamed of. Softer, not quite as angular as the Eau (though in some ways that makes it unique), more amber, perhaps creamier. And touted as a no sillage scent and not as long lasting...in my translation, definitely not overbearing, skin tight...

Somehow I managed to acquire a bottle as soon as possible in the lockdown. And revel since a few days...the basic note of the Eau I can clearly perceive, nice that it has remained, the composition is indeed warmer and rounder. After a fresh citrusy opening, it quickly becomes cozy, but without slipping into the wintry-gourmand. The impression of forest (cedar) comes up. Always accompanied by a touch of coolness (mint, basil). Everything actually takes place close to the body. As if it were steaming gently close around you, like after a summer rain. This very effect reminds me of Christine Nagel's Un Jardin sur la Lagune with its truly unique powderiness. But also of Ellena's colognes that follow Orange Verte, all of which I adore.

Here, dear perfumos, you will find Hermes' primordial soup. Everything is already contained in the Eau and especially in the Concentré. The unmistakable elegance, the understatement, the lightness of life praised by Hermes again and again. And all of this is completely "natural" and timeless. And last but not least, contrary to many pronouncements durable until the next day.

Back to the roots, dear Parfumo friends! When if not now!