Rhubarb is one of the three fragrances in the Sherbet series, which was launched in 2003 by Comme des Garçons. It was created by perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour and the notes include bergamot, rhubarb, litchee, orchid sap, cognassier flower, vanilla cream and wenge wood.
Rhubarb is a little novelty fragrance from a line that specializes in little novelty fragrances:
"It's a really unusual product," says Bertrand Duchaufour, inventor of several "Series" scents, including the sweet-and-sour rhubarb perfume, "but I'm sure there are customers who want something unusual; an avant-garde perfume accord. Somebody very original wants to wear something very original." (via The Independent, 9/20/2003)
You won't get any long explication of the notes here: it smells like rhubarb, very tart and very green, and not much else. It is lively and intense — more like a gelato than a sherbet — and if you adore the smell of rhubarb, I should think you would like it very much.
The lasting power is good, but the intensity of the rhubarb fades after 45 minutes or so, and the fragrance gets creamier and woodier. It still smells good, and at no point does it smell as sweet as a sherbet to my nose, but I prefer the blast of rhubarb in the opening to what comes after, and I tend to reapply it frequently.
Comme des Garçons Rhubarb is available as an Eau de Toilette ($36 for 30 ml) or perfume solid ($30 for .4 oz). You can find them at luckyscent or at the Comme des Garçons boutique in New York City. I have never tried the solid and would love to hear comments from anyone who has; for that matter, do comment if you've tried either of the other two in the Sherbet series (Cinnamon and Peppermint).
Rhubarb is the only one I've purchased so far and I'd also love to hear from anyone who has tried the solids. I've only tried CdG's scents until a few days ago when I got a 200ml bottle of CdG 2 Body Lotion and it is marvelous! I can only dream of what their solids might be like…
I've tried both Cinnamon and Peppermint. The latter turns waay woody on me too fast and doesn't really lift off my skin at all. I've smelled it on other people and it has been just great, minty with a slight wood base.
Cinnamon I could really see myself purchase, from what I remember I fell in love instantly (Cinnamon and a sweet one without turning it into gourmand hell), but the longetivity is very much a problem with this one. Again, if anyone has tried the solids and can comment on their longetivity I'd be eternally grateful
Good review, I can't say my opinions differ with yours at all. Seems like all of the Sherbet scents are pretty much straight forward, fairly linear and unfortunately a tad shortlived.
Perhaps the Rhubarb should have been introduced under a Sorbet line? Heh. I love to eat rhubarb, but I realized after trying out Izzy Sayan's old Spiced Rhubarb cologne, that it is an aroma that does not suit me well. I love this notion of creaminess under it all, though. But I only say that because my fave way to eat rhubarb is in a crisp, with milk poured over it in a bowl 😉
It doesn't sound like either the Cinnamon or Peppermint will appeal as much as the Rhubarb, which I love. I like that they sell this series in small bottles for a reasonable price.
And I love strawberry rhubarb pie 🙂
I love rhubarb, and this CdG recreates it well. You are right that it lasts well for such a light fragrance.
V, I had forgotten how much I liked this one. I might be a purchase…
“Cinnamon” smells like 50% cinnamon and 50% flowers (the stated carnation note, I suppose). It is “nice” but there isn't much to say beyond that. It fades to nothing in about 20 minutes. “Peppermint” begins as 50% mint, 50% unidentified other sharp astringent greens, then fades (but doesn't completely disappear!) to a nice, soft, minted wood scent. It is more interesting than “Cinnamon,” but not as much fun as “Rhubarb.” I will probably soon buy the “Rhubarb Solid,” with the (no doubt misguided) hope that the wonderful sharp, raw rhubarb opening of the EDT might last a bit longer with it.
I love the idea of solids, but there are only a very few I like as well as a liquid. Fracas solid is perfect, and I do like the Crazy Libellule solids. So do let me know how the Rhubarb is! It is sort of surprising, actually, that CdG sells these in more than one format — they can't be huge sellers (?)
I used to have the solid in Rhubarb. I absolutely love it! Sadly, I can't find the solid anywhere. I did find one website that carries it, but only in the UK. Does anyone know where to find this in the States???
Thanks.
You could try calling Barneys to see if they have it (they don't put everything online), but other than that, I've no idea. Luckyscent used to have it but they don't carry it anymore. Sorry!
I've just received my rhubarb in a package from luckyscent.com. Rhubarb which was purchased by me unsniffed, turned out to be just the way Robin described it – rhuburby and rhuburbish. My mom used to use rhubarb in the kitchen when I was a little girl and I enjoyed it very much, that's the reason why I decided to buy it unsniffed. It is such a pleasent scent, it doesn't seem like the longest lasting fragrance but so refreshing for the summer! I am enjoying it very much, I also appreciate all those samples that luckyscent has given me as a gift! Another reason to be happy – I just won the auction for CdG peppermint solid on Ebay! It is so rare and hard to find, and I already new what it smelled like and wanted it badly in a solid.
Peppermint smells EXACTLY like peppermint gum or peppermint tea mixed with green sap. This is all it smelles like and the reason I like it is because… I like peppermint. When I feel like I need a little refreshing treat: a slice of Wrigley's gum and a spritz of peppermint by CdG is it!
So glad you turned out to love it after risking an unsniffed purchase! Agree it is perfect for summer, and I love those little bottles 🙂
Oh, that sounds lovely! Can't believe that I still haven't smelled this 2 years later…I'll have to search out a sample. Thanks!
I was curious about my peppermint in a solid version (I've already known it in it's regular, liquid form). Since I won it on Ebay I had to wait for it to arrive, and it did! Today! If I thought that peppermint smelled like gum and green sap and that's it… that's not the case with the solid. The solid perfume smells like EDT version with this creamy-milky undertone, deliscious! Very interesting take on the mint note. It actually smells like chocolate-mint ice cream (which is my favorite kind). Well now I'm tempted to try rhubarb in a solid and I have never tried cinnamon yet – the next one on my list (how many times have I said it this week??? LOL) Anyways when I do try cinnamon I'll let You know.
So glad it worked out, cool! I'd love to have rhubarb in a solid myself — wonder if the tart notes last longer?
Lol, I’m a little late to the game on this one. Robin, I believe I am firmly ensconced between stage two and stage three of perfumista-hood (my bank account is beginning to take a hit). Anyway, I sampled the peppermint recently, and had such a strong reaction to it that I feel compelled to comment. To me, if anxiety had a smell, it would smell like CdG Peppermint. Part of the problem, I’m sure, is that I expected something sweet and creamy (like SORBET), maybe with a bit of an edge. Instead I got a sharp, bitter, almost…ACRID scent. I’ve tried it exactly three times, and every time, I’ve had to wash it off within the hour because I seriously start to have an anxiety attack. Not the refreshing perfume I anticipated 🙁 .
Hi Littlemoron, and welcome! I think I smelled Peppermint since I wrote this, but I’m not sure — I seem to remember getting a sample but now I can’t remember what it smelled like! I must not have loved it either, I guess.