Hermès will launch the latest fragrance in the Hermessence collection, Brin de Réglisse, this month. It is the seventh in the series, and like the others, was developed by Hermès house perfumer Jean Claude Ellena.
Ellena noted that he wanted to create an intense, dry lavender, like you would smell in the south of France in June or July. Additional notes for the unisex scent include licorice, orange blossom and hay.
Hermès Brin de Réglisse will be exclusive to the Hermès boutiques, and will be €149 for 100 ml Eau de Toilette or in a set of four 15 ml sprays for €95. The bottles are tinted lavender; the leather cap is a dark grape color. The leather sleeve, which can be personalized with the owner's initials, is sold separately. (via fashionmag.fr, lexpress.fr)
More Hermessences: Ambre Narguile, Rose Ikebana, Vetiver Tonka, Poivre Samarcande, Osmanthe Yunnan, Paprika Brasil.
Got this one on my Desperate List, despite being lukewarm about lavender. But presumably that's a red herring, and in fact this one will be all about pineapple or jasmine? (Given that Paprika Brasil was all about iris).
I am lukewarm about lavender myself — but it is a Hermessence, so of course I am desperate too!
How gourmand is the licorice? You said in your review of Ambre Narguile that all the Hermessences are foody to a degree, and I was wondering if the same holds true for this one.
Nice of them to sell it as four 15-mL sprays. Find three friends and split it up with no messy decanting for only $33 a pop.
Oh–ignore that first question. I see on re-reading that you haven't actually tried it yet but are just reporting on it. Sorry.
Would also say that I'm not sure the foody thing has held true — did not find either Osmanthe Yunnan or Paprika Brasil as foody as the earlier scents. This one, although named for the licorice, sounds like it might be more about the lavender? We'll see.
A dry, licorice-like lavender actually sounds wonderful to me. I persist in loving all those notes that disappoint others: geranium, cumin, melon (in the right circumstances), licorice, lavender…. I cannot say I am enthralled with orange blossom, however.
I can't wait for this one! But I am so far from Madison Avenue! Do you think they'd send a sample if I called?
I am not sure I know what lavendar smells like (apologies in advance if I have offended the noses that know!), but I love all of the other Hermessence scents.
Also, I am awaiting a bottle of George V, a special edition for the opening of the George V boutique. I was told that it smelled like lavender and anis (licorice to some maybe?). It will be interesting if this special edition is similar to Brin de Réglisse.
I am also suprised to read that Paprika Brasil has notes of iris, I would have never guessed it. But then again, I most likely am not 100% sure on what iris smells like. Like I said, I have a TON to learn about perfumes. :))) I just love PB, I think it's a great fall/winter scent.
But I'll take the orange blossom and hope it softens the lavender
I haven't done so well getting samples over the phone, but it might be worth a try. They are very generous with samples if you go in person.
I had not heard of the George V scent, perhaps it will be the same thing — do let me know!
I don't love lavender, but I do love J-C E, so I most likely will own a decant of this in the very near future. I'm a sheep that way.
Purple leather, eh? That is an enticement …
I might have to trek up to NYC if the phone doesn't work!
It would be worth it though…
I'll let you know about the George V once it arrives…any day now.
LOL — we are all like sheep, aren't we? So what if it's a note we hate, purple leather & JCE is enough
But I don't really like lavendar! Crap.Hope it's out in France by the time we are there so I can sniff it. I liked Paprika Brasil more than most did, though the name never made any sense. I'm hoping the hay in this one makes me swoon.
If not, it may just be over between me and JCE.
Over???? Gracious. Will say a little prayer for that hay then
This one sounds intriguing although the licorice give me pause. Usually licorice or anise notes bother me – but I'm curious to see what it would smell like mixed with orange blossom. I'm one of those rare people that adore lavender, but more as a home scent (or as a soap) rather than in perfumes – it's clean & comforting. Whenever I smell it I like to fantasize that I'm in the south of France!
Iris Nobile EdT has anise & orange blossom, and I love the combo but not sure everyone does
Hello! The George V has arrived…and guess what?! It smells like, you guessed it, licorice, lavendar and straw/hay! A coincidence?!
The bottle says “George V Septembre 2006.” So it's a year or more old. (That said, when I spritzed it, it was like it had never been sprayed…you know how it is with that first pump. And it smells new, not stale…thankfully!).
Do you think that Hermes would issue a special issue only to then re-issue as another scent? I am curious about that.
Not sure if I like it just yet…only because I have NEVER smelled this combination. It's quite odd to me, yet…interesting.
This is the second time that I have purchased JCE scents unsmelled and I am always so pleased with the freshness of their difference…does that make sense?! :)))) The first time was a box of the first four Hermessence (15ml each).
Also, just because I keep smelling it on my arm…it smells mostly of licorice. And I think I am beginning to recognize the lavender. The scent of lavender is coming back to me….
They have done special issues before — I know they did a cherry blossom for their Tokyo store. So yes, it could be either an earlier version, or even exactly the same thing — I guess now you'll have to sample the new one to see! Was it the same price? 190 or so for 100 ml?
I believe that they gave the George V as a gift for the opening of the boutique (with only 1,000 bottles being produced). I got it from a friend (via eBay) so I am not sure if they ever sold it there as well. The bottle is like the Caleche 100ml bottle. So, my guess would be that it would have retailed for about $125 or so.
Yes, a test is in order now! :))) Looking forward to it.
Cherry blossom sounds nice…wonder if that scent will ever be re-issued widely.
No, seriously, if it is the same as the Hermessence, it would be closer to $190 — so you may have found yourself a bargain!