Terrasse à St-Germain Jul et Mad 2012

A breeze like Cologne water wafts by on light musk. This impression lasts only seconds - almost immediately, a few timid, bright flowers appear, gently citrusy accompanied by enveloped, acid stripped of its edge. For upfront is the aforementioned creamy musk, stamping its mark on everything else.

Within the first half hour, a subtle sweetness emerges, a hint of sandalwood creaminess? Then a bit of spice, sprung from the floral notes, and I spontaneously think of cumin. I also ponder a liverwurst note, but quickly attribute that to the sandwich I had just bitten into.

The latter would have been quite varied, though. It might have done some good, especially since Terrasse à St-Germain is otherwise not particularly diverse. On the contrary, it reminds me of various musk creams that do indeed thrive in some variety within the higher price segment. Here, on the side, pale flowers are also employed.

The promised patchouli hides for a long time beneath the creamy layer, and only around noon does the fragrance take a turn in that regard. Not in the sense of a complete, possibly even rapid departure from the previous notes; no, it can initially only give the scent a rougher touch, a tiny edge. Finally!

Over the following hours, it gradually gains more weight, so gently that the decline of the creaminess is hardly noticeable at first. And yet, this new power dynamic in the late afternoon gives me the most beautiful part of the fragrance by far: An exquisite, rough-creamy patchouli. Sandalwood and possibly a hint of vanilla contribute gentle sweetness. The flowers have practically vanished into the background. The musk is now so restrained and light that it almost feels airy. A tiny hint of soap, noticeable only directly on the skin, adds an extra lift.

This is very noble and very fine - just a bit too quiet. What a pity.

Conclusion: I struggle with a rating. I choose a "Good" in light of the successful second part, which should certainly be understood as a balance. Terrasse à St-Germain is simply made for other people.

I thank Ernstheiter for - a miniature!