Voyage d'Hermès is the latest from perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena at Hermès. Reportedly he wanted the unisex fragrance to say "It's calling to me" rather than "It reminds me"; that is, Voyage d'Hermès — unlike the Jardin series — is not intended to evoke any particular place or time. Hermès is calling Voyage a fresh musky woods, but so far as I know they have not released a list of notes — presumably in keeping with the intention that "this perfume would not smell of a kind of wood, a flower, a particular raw material, but of the unknown in all its glory".1
In the event, Voyage d'Hermès does not remind me of any specific place, but it does remind me of other Jean-Claude Ellena fragrances, so much so that it's tempting to see it as a voyage through his career, with nods to the heritage of Hermès along the way. The opening is green-ish citrus, rather dry and very tart — think of the grapefruit + lime peel citrus in the opening of Un Jardin Sur le Nil (minus the mango) or Eau de Pamplemousse Rose. In Voyage, the citrus sparkles over a generous dose of black pepper, and possibly some ginger as well, and I'm probably dreaming but I would swear that for a moment or two, there's a flash of green tea (Bvlgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert). Whatever might be in there, the early stages are lively.
As things calm, Voyage gets woodier and murkier, and we get a brief but strong blast of cardamom that recalls Cartier Déclaration, a scent that if I'm not mistaken was meant as an homage to Edmond Roudnitska's Eau d'Hermès. That goes on its way, and we're left with a light woody musk, still vegetal-green, with pale florals. It recalls water without any of the melon notes of Un Jardin après la Mousson, and there is perhaps a light touch of the mineral base of Terre d'Hermès (the first time I tried it, I was sure, later, I was less sure, but at any rate, Voyage is a fresher, less masculine fragrance).
It is, as advertised, perfectly unisex: anyone could wear it. It isn't my absolute favorite of what Jean-Claude Ellena has done at Hermès so far, but I loved it at first sniff and went right on loving it over the course of subsequent tries. I think fans of his work will be pleased. My guess is that non-fans will not be converted.
For myself, Hermès is not the sort of luxury brand I have any natural affinity for — expensive handbags and silk scarves not being the sorts of things I hanker after — but now, some 6 years after the fact, it seems both brilliant and unlikely that they took on Jean-Claude Ellena as the house nose, and then let him do his thing. There is nothing weird or outré about Voyage d'Hermès, but nor does it smell like the sort of generic dreck we get from so many so-called luxury houses. More than that, there is now a coherence (and dignity) to the Hermès fragrance line as a whole that is utterly lacking from brands that might be thought to have a longer and more precious heritage to protect.
Ok, that was my little side rant. The bottle (designed by Philippe Mouquet, an in-house designer at Hermès) looks brilliant but I have not seen it in person, if you have, please comment!
Hermès Voyage d'Hermès is available in 35 and 100 ml refillable Eau de Toilette spray and in 125 ml refills. It can be found now at Hermès boutiques, and is expected to go into wider distribution in April.
1. All quotes in first paragraph are via the press release.
Brilliant!! I cant wait to try it!!! I LOVE Terre d’Hermès, Un Jardin après la Mousson & Un Jardin Sur le Nil!! I combo of all 3 sounds wonderful to me!!! I have to wait till April. I guess I’ll be waiting happily. : )
Let me know when you try it…
I got a sample of it in the mail today. Hermes is so nice! I LOVE IT!!! Maybe more so than Terre D’Hermes. Im testing them both and I cant decide between the two. I definitely want a bottle but Im not going to rush out and get one. Im happy w/ the Terre for now. I dont enjoy either as much as I enjoy Ambre, Vanille, and Tonka. Id get one of those b4 Voyage. : )
I’d agree — all of those are arguably more important.
ooh I really like the sound of this! Perhaps it could be a good go-to scent when you’re not sure what to wear, and it sounds good for the summer.
It is good for summer, I think.
Wider distribution is good, and April is almost here already.
I have to say… I’m a little less excited about this than I was when it was first announced, though I can’t really say why. Still, it remains firmly on the “must-sniff” list; I’m just glad I won’t have to send away for a sample (at least, I hope).
I don’t think it’s the most exciting thing from Hermes, really, but I don’t find it dull either.
Looks like the smaller bottle is currently available on the US Hermes website.
Great review! It helps me put into words all of the scents I was mesmerized with last night and this morning.
I agree that there is a flash of green tea. I also think I smell tuberose in the dry down. I also smell a lot of citrus.
I am a little disappointed in the tenacity. I can no longer smell on me the 4 spritzes I applied this morning.
Glad you said that because I’m wearing it so heavily to review that it’s hard to tell. I didn’t think I was getting 8 hours, that’s for sure. Probably more like 3-5, around average for an EdT? But as I’ve said many times, lasting power isn’t a deal breaker for me unless we’re talking 30 minutes or less.
I’ve been getting about 3 hours, after which it becomes a barely detectable skin-scent. I also wish it were stronger!
Not a perfume for the 24-hour woman, eh?
3 hours works for me I guess, especially in warm weather. Half my collection only lasts that long.
I like fragrances that know when it is time to take a step aside, and allow enjoying either the scent of one’s own skin… or spraying something new on!!
dignity. I so much like this word. dignity & JCE is a must try combo. thanks for the review Robin!
I do think that many of the luxury houses that OUGHT to have dignity, and coherence, really just fail utterly on that point. It’s like they’re just throwing things at the wall to see what sticks.
On jce and dignity…I couldn’t agree more, the thing is that even though dignity and coherence are very desirable qualities for a luxury perfume brand/house I don’t see the rest following suit, unless of course customer response is huge, and that would force them to go that way!
Great review… The SAs at the hermes boutique in buenos aires should not be surprised to see me walking around waiting for this to arrive
Customer response at Hermes has been wonderful, apparently — their fragrance sales are way up.
Then there is hope!
This is so true on both counts!
Can’t wait to try it and so glad you love it! I’m pretty much willing to try anything JCE does.
So am I!
Am anxious to try this one. I recently fell in love with Kelly Caleche, so now am chasing after JCE scents. Thanks for the review Robin!
I’m wearing Kelly Caleche today and loving it.
I just happen to be wearing it today, too!!!
and I wish I were wearing it! Just got a sample and Love Kelly!
KC is a great scent.
YAY! Great Review!! We are big fans of Ellena in my household, so after hearing that Voyage would debut any day now, I walked right into our Hermes boutique and bought this over the weekend. First to answer your question: the bottle rocks! It is very functional with the bottle swiveling out and around the base – and the spray top is removable for refilling later. Right now the boutiques only have the 35ml bottles in stock, though. I can’t help but think that given the horse/dove motif from the video and the graphic ads that the bottle is meant to be reminiscent of the shape of a saddle’s stirrup, which is more apparent when you stand the bottle on the metal base (instead of upside down as in the images above). I adore the imagery associated with this fragrance, too.
Now onto the juice. When we first sniffed it in the store, I thought
“huh, unmistakably Ellena.” The notes I got were a driving citrus topnote opening with a strange tuberose/coconut undernote in the opening. The latter notes seemed more pronounced a few minutes into it. On subsequent wearings & reapplications (my partner and I have both worn this every day since Saturday), we got different opening/middle impressions: a) gin and tonic b) sur le nil c) apres la mousson d) citrus + cumin/cardamom, etc. etc.
What I *love* about this fragrance is its changing character, described so wonderfully by you, Robin, but also in my own experiences listed above. It’s impressionistic the way notes appear and recede, moving in and out one’s perceptions. And Voyage never feels totally like the same fragrance twice. The endless quotations of Ellena’s other creations works terrifically here. I think this perfectly matches the imaginative power of the “voyage” theme – the idea that you (or anyone, female/male, etc.) can be transported anywhere (place, time) through one’s own varied imaginings, including to another (familiar) perfume for which you associations, memories, etc. Again, I LOVE this fragrance and I think it will become one of my favorites…in a way, it already is.
Finally, I thought I would share some news from the fragrance specialist at my Hermes boutique. She showed me her planning book for the year and apparently, there is a new (the 11th?) Hermessence fragrance set to launch in 2nd quarter (summer) of 2010, and another fragrance (flanker?) due to launch in the Merveilles line, also in the second quarter. Her book did not give details, because apparently it’s all top secret. But Ellena fans – look out!
mjr17-thanks for the info! I will look forward to the new Merveilles addition-I love all the versions, esp the eau.
You’re welcome! I’m excited too : )
Thanks! Had heard there was a new Hermessence coming but didn’t know about the new Merveilles flanker.
So the bottle — does it stand up??
Yep. If you take the bottle as positioned in the image at the top of your review and flip it upside down, the flat metal edge is the stand. the bottle swings out and around so that the sprayer can be positioned on top like a regular perfume bottle, or you can keep it positioned down (which slightly nerve-wracking for fear of leaking…but very cool!), or on an angle at roughly 130-40 degrees. The swiveled image above is confusing because the metal edge is meant to stand on a flat surface. But you can get an idea of the way the bottle moves. Hope that makes sense.
Perfect sense, thanks!
And will add that if they only have one in stock, at least it’s the small size. I hate when I show up to buy something and all they have is the darned 100 ml.
So true, Robin about those big bottles. I forgot to say that this bottle is very sturdy – not flimsy at all, so it’s meant to be around for a long time. Which is good because hopefully it will be more economical after the initial purchase to buy the big refills…and fill-er-up as you go! The refill bottles (I saw a picture of them in the planning book) are cylindrical metal bottles – no glass. In others, the fragrance will keep for a long time in the refill bottle without having to worry about exposure to light, etc. Also, I forgot to mention there will also be, I think, a shower gel at some point.
Glad to hear the refills are metal. Many people, I’m sure, will skip the brilliant bottle altogether and go the cheap route from the start.
This sounds so well thought out – thanks for the intel, mjr17!
The bottle sounds like an older style Motorola cell phone that swivels !
The perfume looks very interesting!
Thanks for all the info, mjr17 — so excited about the new launches!
Thanks so much for the in depth review & comments. Love JCE and have many in the Hermes line. Can’t wait to try this…sounds like a bit of all his wonderful creations.
This is definitely not for me. Citrus, ginger, black pepper, green tea, etc, sound like they’re leaning towards the more masculine section of the unisex continuum. I’ll sniff it if I see it but I’m not desperate anymore. Thank you!
Time & money saved!
This does sound like it will be nice-dry, green and citrus, ginger and black pepper? It sounds so wonderful. It doesn’t hurt that I’m a JCE fan either…..
I am so ready for winter to end. April is right around the corner too, can’t wait to try this one!
I’m wearing Jardin en Meditarranee today. Love the fig/cedar notes.
It feels like winter is over here — still cold, but sunny & the bulbs are up.
I am a big fan of JCE and can’t wait to sniff- hope the wider distribution hits my neck o’ the woods soon! Thanks for the review, R!
Hopefully it will be very early April
I can’t wait to try this – I love many of his other Hermes scents, and the house has become one of my favorites. My first sniff of Le Nil was what propelled me into perfumania (“what is this? It smells GREAT!”). Interesting that the bottle will rest upside down, if the flat metal part is the bottom of bottle (it does look a little like a stirrup!). Wonderful review (as always) Robin!
It was my indecision between Nil and Mediterranee that led me here…trying to find a more convenient store than the mall to try them again. Wearing Vetiver Tonka today… I guess you can add me to the fan base.
dzingnut & boojum, i had similar experiences with the Jardins pushing me further into fragrance curiosity & obsession. There’s something about that series that is just…mind-blowing, especially for people just getting into perfume.
Funny, we all have Sur le Nil stories. A non-perfume-blog post about it got me curious, then I found the New Yorker story by Chandler Burr and had to try it. And the rest, as they say, is history!
Jardin Sur Le Nil is such a wonderful fragrance. I wear that body lotion so often it’s nearly my signature scent.
ooohh I’m dying to try the body lotion! don’t tell me the only come in miniscule sizes…
No, it’s 200 ml. Very light milky lotion, perfect for summer.
Thanks for the review, Robin!
I’m glad that you mentioned cardamom. I didn’t really pick up on it when I briefly tried this in the shop but they gave me a sample and when I gave it a proper wearing this weekend I could clearly detect something familiar and reminiscent of curry spices. I couldn’t decide between fenugreek and cardamom. It’s good to know that I wasn’t losing my mind!
I also agree with grapefruit and something slightly mineralic but do you also get something like ( very clean) vetiver? Maybe it’s the combination of other notes that’s creating the illusion.
They had the bottle out here It was a bigger size and had a lovely heft and chunky feel to it. The SA told me that they all the same height but different thickness.
And I totally agree with you about the overall direction that Hermes are taking with their fragrances. The obvious choice for them would have been to go down the old-fashioned, stuffy route to go alongside the ornate scarves but instead they are clearly heading in the more chic and understated luxury direction. Good on them, I’m always interested in what they are doing.
Very excited to hear there will be a new Hermessence!
You know, it might be cumin too. It isn’t as sweaty to me as Cartier Declaration or Eau d’Hermes, but still.
And yes, could easily be some vetiver, and I was wondering if there might be some rhubarb as in Rose Ikebana, and beyond that the whole darned thing could be an illusion — I don’t even pretend to be able to pick out fragrance notes!
Yup, I picked up on something sweaty (not hardcore but definitely there) but put that down to grapefruit since that always smells sweaty to me.
There’s some much written about JCE being the king of illusion that I suppose we’ll never know completely unless they decide to finally release some notes.
Anyway, I too like it, it’s lovely to wear.
Grapefruit can be sweaty too, that’s true!
Oh, I wish I was so good at picking out the notes of a fragrance – that’s quite an ability you have there Robin. { I sampled the JM Lime, Basil & Mandarin earlier today and was proud of myself that I detected Cilantro [I don’t get basil at all] – but that was an easy one. There are only a few notes that I’m good at recognizing.] Anyway, I got off on a tangent there – I definitely want to give this a sniff when come I across it and the bottle is way cool.
V: I love that Lime, Basil, Mandarin. It was one of my first “niche” samples. How did you like it?
I like it very much Joe – I think it will be really nice in the Summer. That cilantro note appeals to me.
Seriously, it isn’t — I’m actually terrible at it. This one reminds me of so many JCE fragrances that it’s a cake walk.
I truly love Hermès and have a tiny bit of this on its way. I can’t wait to try it. I find most of JCE’s work on the primary Hermès line (not Hermèssences, but most of those too) to have a much more of a “spring-summery” vibe, though Terre is one I can wear year-round. I recently tried that extrait version and it’s terrific.
It seems as if only the 35ml size is well distributed in the US right now, even on the Hermès website? Pricey little thing too, from what I understand (about $85?). I’m curious to know how much the $125 refill will be selling for. Nice that these are refillable bottles, too (easier for decanting…ha!).
Thanks for this very timely review!
Yes, this was pricey: $90 for 35ml + tax. I am anxious to find out the pricing for the refill bottles, too!
This one is also more of a spring-summer than not, and I’d agree — they haven’t done anything very wintery outside of the Hermessences. But they haven’t done all that many pillar scents at all, so we can still wait & hope.
Nice review Robin! This one sounds really cool- maybe like a mash-up of a lot of other JCE scents that I love. (Have you heard of those DJs like Girl Talk that “mash-up” parts of like 15 different famous songs to make a new crazy song that is at once familiar and yet totally new? Your review makes it sound like maybe this is the JCE scent version of that.) I am really looking forward to trying this one. A new JCE scent is always high on my sample list.
Yes, that’s a really good way to look at it!
Thanks for the explanation, K-Scott! (I find I’m learning a lot about a lot of things from NST, thanks to comments like yours.)
Non-lemming for me personally. But so glad to hear that there’s a New And Wonderful scent out, instead of a New and Boring, or a New and Kill Me Now… Hope you all enjoy it!
LOL…yeah, there are way too many “new and kill me now”!!
Ooooooh, this is a must try.
Yes! Although not necessarily a “must love”
Oooh… now I’m really lemming this one. I might actually brave the Hermes boutique and check it out – as well as some of the Hermessences that I haven’t sniffed yet. I wish we had some idea about pricing on the refill bottle.
Well, on the France site, 35ml = 63€ & 100ml = 90€, so I’m thinking the 125ml refill is probably around 90€ ($125?) also??
Hmmm… I’m definitely going to check it out this week and see if I’m interested. After that, I might just wait until the refill is available – not that I’ll *need* that much juice, I just hate to overpay on the per/ml price. Sigh.
Well you certainly know how to get rid of 100-110ml, don’t you? Muwahahahaha.
Word.
lol – That’s true, I could actually host for a change.
OMG $125 for $125 – that would be terrific!
Oh, that’s not too bad at all.
I know where I’m going tomorrow. Since my SA is gone (haven’t gotten a straight answer but haven’t seen her for a year), I’ve been kind of not so happy with my Hermes but I’m willing to stand there awkwardly if it means sniffing the Hermessences.
The SAs in my local Hermes are so variable — some are really nice, some are really not. By and large they all seem more interested in selling the bags & scarves, which I guess is understandable.
Hermes also follows (my) general rule: they’re not nearly as snotty in NYC as they are in the suburbs. You’d think it would be the opposite, but it’s always the ones in the small pond, you know?
It really begs some research, this snooty SA phenomenon. When I went in to sniff the (back then) new Eau de Colognes, the SA was very nice, told me about the video of JCE and the thinking behind the set, promising to call me when samples came in (which, of course, no one has ever done). The next time I went in (Vanille Galante), the exact same SA treated me like a plumber or something. I mean, I’ve made some really great connections in stores but it’s so hit or miss. It’s really upsetting, actually.
I do think my age factors into it; I probably seem pretty young for someone into perfume, especially for a man. Even when I say, “Oh, that must be the rhubarb I read about,” they tend to look around like I’m beneath them. Sometimes I feel like screaming, “I like perfume and I’m actually willing to pay what you’re selling it for. Would you please at least ACT like you’re paying attention?”
I haven’t noticed any difference between city and suburban SA’s but my shopping experiences are pretty much limited to the city I’m in. That doesn’t surprise me at all, though.
If you’ve already done this, I understand but this sounds like a great Poll Question.
I do wonder if snooty SAs actually do better, that is — perhaps some people find a snooty SA part of the whole “luxury experience” and prefer it?
Weird – I can’t imagine anyone enjoying the experience, but I can see how people who are buying luxury goods as part of an overall aspirational lifestyle might feel cheated if the SAs were friendly to everyone.
On the other hand, I’ve found that most of the really good SAs aren’t like that, but most of the new ones are. So, maybe it’s a skill? Later on, they figure out who needs them to be snooty and who doesn’t? I’ve had the same experience in NM – most of the SAs are lovely, but there are a few who are snotty. I’ve actually seen one of the snotty ones get pulled aside by a senior SA after she was snotty to me and sent back over with a new attitude to help me.
What I really need to do is cultivate a relationship with one SA in each store. That way, they know that I’m serious and I don’t have to deal with the rest of them.
I don’t know if people enjoy it, really, so much as that it cements the feeling that you’re in a “luxury” store?
I can’t imagine how that would work though. I would imagine if an SA was snooty to someone actually willing to buy a $5000 purse would not want to be treated with contempt and the rest of us, worrying about maybe buying something for $200 dollars would think, “Hey, I like Carnal Flower just as much and those SA’s are nicer.” (Run-on, by the way. xD)
I did go today to Hermes and I did get two samples of the Vd’H. I really enjoy it and, tell me if I’m crazy, but in the crook of my arm, I get lime, basil, and coconut milk. Curry anyone? I actually really enjoy it. However, I did get confirmation that you can select your travel set inclusions now, which I know is old news but SA’s aren’t always super reliable. That’s my next Hermes purchase: I need me some Paprika Brasil for summer.
See above — not the first mention of curry
It *is* very variable, it seems! On the two occasions I’ve visited the local Hermès boutique, I couldn’t have been treated more differently. The first time, a sucked-dry, peroxide-blonde middle-aged lady looked at me through her nostrils and almost shooed me out. She thawed visibly when I informed her that I already owned Ambre Narguilé and was interested in the rest of the line.
The second time, by contrast, I was assisted by a very helpful male SA of around my age, who wasn’t above joking and generally keeping the atmosphere light. When I thanked him for his time & perfect service he told me that was the way it ought to be at Hermès. Right on! And did I mention he was hot? *Grin*
I’m a bit put out that there’s another rabbit avatar on this blog. That makes the third. What does a bunny have to do to stand out from the crowd? That said, I am going to pounce on Hermes tomorrow in hopes they have a sample of this. For all the wonderful description, Voyage sounds…indescribable. And that is a good thing.
They’re multiplying like rabbits! (Sorry, monstabunny, I couldn’t resist.
)
LOL!!
Think how many cats there are! Anyone care to count them?
And black cats at that!
Sorry noz, I know you had yours first… But I just had to have a black cat gravatar. I have a little black cat who is just the love of my life, so the black cat is an icon with meaning for me.
Your cat is very cool, k-scott! There cannot be too many black cats, IMHO.
I couldn’t resist the My Sin cat, even though there were already a number of cats. Each one is very distinctive, as are the bunnies. And monstabunny will always stand out from the crowd with that great name!
“There cannot be too many black cats, IMHO.”
I could not agree more. All hail black cats! LOL
Nope, can’t have too many black cats!
Robin, thanks for the review. My luck has been on and off with the non-Hermessences, but this definitely sounds worth a try, at the least.
Never hurts to try
oh very sorry, monstabunny. i probably won’t be a bunny forever, but this particular bunny has been on my mind lately. anyway, your gravatar is waayyyyyyyy cute!
Looking forward to trying this one, even if the Jardins never rocked my socks. The bottle is beyond excellent. Want it.
I’m curious about how prominent the cardamom will be, though. It seems I’m something of a cardamom-magnifier. The other day I tried Féminité du Bois, and got a *big* powdery cardamom which hardly receives mention in reviews. Curious, I also dabbed on Jungle l’Éléphant and Aziyadé, both of which I *know* are heavy on the cardamom, and sure enough: they’re family.
I think the cardamom is huge, but it doesn’t last — just the way it should be.
I love cardamom!
Question: Is this good enough for you to purchase a bottle, R?
Hugs!
Kind of hard to answer since I’m not in “buy mode” at the moment, but I did put it on my to buy list. I need a new bottle of Osmanthe Yunnan and that is WAY more important to me, if that helps. And I want some AG Ninfeo Mio, which is also more important to me. So…yeah, good enough but will probably wait until it’s on discount.
Thank you for your review Robin! It helped me a lot to diminute the anticipation to try this fragrance! I’m against the grain with Hermés and Jean Claude Ellena. His mineral minimalism is starting to bore me, since it seems that his minimalism, different form Giacobetti, can only say one thing in different ways, but after all is always the same. Declaration was interesting, Terre d’Hermes a great take with a vegetal an mineral size, Kelly Caleche a little bit leathery, but how many different mineral iso e super variations someone needs? This is the impression that I have with the atual hermès fragrances. Yes, they are chic, they are distinct from the launches at the market, but i have an impression that they are always variations on the same accord, and because of this if you have all the creations from the house you can start to get bored after sometime, since every single fragrance will end at the same iso e super saturated base. I wish Elena would just be more creative and less obssessed with this same stile. Elena, bring us different things like your Ambre Narguile and Vanille Galante.
You’re not alone…many people wish he’d expand. I’m happy — Hermes has released 10 fragrances that I want to own in the very short time since taking on JCE. To my mind, that’s an almost incredible number.
I’d agree that JCE has a certain aesthetic running through all of his compositions – happily, it’s one that I enjoy. Plus, for things that seem so insubstantial when you first spray them on, I’ve found that most of them seem to last forever and waft delightfully about me for hours. Sometimes, I’ll even think that one of them is gone – only to catch a whiff later in the day.
I don’t always want to be so subtle, but when I do most of his scents are perfect. I suppose he could pull a Serge on us and release something complete against character – then half of us would be delighted and the other half would gnash their teeth.
OK just got back from Hermes with my sample. I agree it alludes to Terre D’Hermes – so much so that I can’t chase away the feeling it’s masculine. I do love the sinuous journey of it – but am underwhelmed by both the beginning and drydown. Guess I won’t be buying this one – darn! I crave that bottle so much – it’s sick!!!
It’s such a great travel bottle (although I say that not having seen it in person yet) that they ought to sell empty 30 ml…
I am a fan of JCE and I am clearly going to get this. My Jardin sur le Nil has finished, Le Jardin apres la Mousson is getting used by my SO, so I might find here all that pleases me.
And I agree with Rickbr. But that is exactly the reason why I like JCE’s scents. There is a signature. Okay, I might be boring. Or I might get his style. I feel like he speaks to me, I mean I can understand the concept and I can enjoy it without spending too much time and energy on getting the concept beside the question “do I like it” and “do I want it” – and of course, can I afford it.
Thank you for the review. Oh, this brightens up my day now.
Agree — that’s why I like JCE too.
Want a new bottle of Jardin sur le Nile? I’m bored with it. It’s mostly full.
monsta – if she doesn’t want it, i’ll take it! moonfleets at gmail dot com
First come, first serve
I am in Germay anyway, too bad!
The VdH is not out yet. Hope Saturday it is in store. I am going to die, I am so unpatient. Haven’t found any perfume this year.
Loved your eloquent review Robin, also all the other reviews and discussion. Wish I could pinpoint the specific notes as well as you! Agree with the general thinking, another gorgeous scent and superb bottle but probably too close to the other Jardins for me to rush out and buy this week. Hiris still number one for me. On the delicious topic of snooty SAs, the Scottish ladies and gentlemen SAs in my nearest store are always charming and very happy to talk perfumes with a fan – that could be the city effect that someone mentioned?
Really I do not pinpoint notes well…I just recognize other fragrances! Just read somewhere today that this scent has both angelica & juniper berry, neither of which I picked up on.
Discovered this fragrance today. A wonderful scent but it seemed similar to declaration.
They are vaguely related…but I find Declaration unwearable & love Voyage.
would you consider Voyage more refined than Declaration? I especially enjoyed Declaration Essence, and Bois Bleu.
Gosh, not more refined really. Declaration just doesn’t work on my skin….it smells (mostly) like sweat.
Love the review Robin! I wish I had a better nose though, because all I can smell is Eau de Pamplemousse Rose without the rose and maybe a hint of salty vetiver. Finally got my hands on this. If you were wondering about the bottle, it is pretty lovely. The metal feels nice and solid and I adore the simplicity of design and the 35ml size. Tenacity is a slight disappointment. In fact, I sprayed twice on each hand, Eau de Pamp Rose and Voyage. PM lingered much longer than Voyage and remained livelier. But, all said and done, I’m still a fan. Voyage remains a lovely, interesting fragrance. Maybe just a few more squirts next time
I checked out the bottle over the last weekend — agree, really nice! Would love to have one, hope it ends up at discount.
Short question – the Hermessence sets can be individially put together now?!
Does it mean I could have e.g. Rose Ikebana and two Vanillas? Well that would be a reason to save. Wow.
At my local store, they were not doing mix n match, but they might be in the larger stores? I really don’t know.
I have asked in several Hermès boutiques (France and Luxembourg) and each time SAs very kindly offered to select scents for mix & match. I am not sure if it depends on the country or individual boutique.
Thanks! Maybe I need to yell and stamp my feet, LOL…
Just bought this and really like it…..great scent for spring and summer. Just wish the line had more to offer: body wash, body cream, body lotion. I was told that it will be forthcoming……
I do hope they do a lotion, really love the one they did for Jardin Sur Le Nil.
Umm… I am totally in the minority here.. but I did not like this at all… the opening smelled like something reminiscent of “New Car Smell”…. And it lasted for at least an hour!!! Did not work on me at all…
LOL — new car smell!! That’s a shame.
Finally got a sample! Hooray! It’s good, not crazy genius good, but really nice. I just do not understand what the refill is for with 125ml?
If it can be used as a splash I might like it even better.
Have to try it now a while. Wonder if I need to buy it now just because I waited so long for it or because I like it.
ahhh, the bottle: This kind of sheath is made ot of metal, no plastic, so the bottle can stand on it. It feels expensive, and my dear, it is expensive. It is special, something men would like, guess also something men like to buy and to give as present because of the metal thing.
It is a great concept, the scent and the packaging, will sell well despite the price I think.
Agree — it’s a really beautifully designed bottle!
So, I waited for this quite a few weeks and after testing it awhile I know: It is too thin and lemony for me. This just turns too sour and fades away in two hours… I am very disappointed and ordered un Jardin sur le Nil bottle from my best friend (he will get that in the duty free shop a bit cheaper I hope).
Another genius release for this year that suits my nose AND skin has yet to come. Please.
Oh, too bad!! More for me
Wore my sample today. I still smell it faintly after a full day of work. That’s good in my book. I enjoyed the woody dry down. Sort of masculine, but i do like that in a fragrance. I didnt’ check out the trendy bottle at Bergdorfs but it is very cute, “cell phone like” and a wonderful trinket to pop into a bag for travel. That said, I havent’ checked the price- probably more than I’d spend. Nice but not incredible.
It’s expensive, but the refill price is not that bad. But for “nice but not incredible”, perhaps not worth it
I have similar feelings about Hermes: I couldn’t care less about the scarves, but the fragrances have found their way to the top of my most appreciated list over the last few years.
I’ve just spritzed from a sample I got at Saks this weekend (at a terrific perfume event BTW–lots of goodies and gifts.
My initial impression is lots of lime on a “kind” wood base. It is more masculine to me than many of the unisex Hermes frags. Something a bit more “classic cologne” to the character than say the “jardin” scents. A few minutes in, I’m getting a nice, fuzzy, peppery hum.
So did you love it, or ?
The refill bottle is a great price!!! Whats a squeeze bottle? Is it plastic?
Don’t know…what squeeze bottle?
The Hermes site says the refill is a squeeze bottle. I dont know what that is? : )
Oh! Excellent question, & I have no idea. Squeeze certainly sounds like plastic, which would be unfortunate.
It would be very unfortunate. Maybe thats why its so cheap? Does perfume last long in plastic? I guess I could just keep it in my fridge the whole time. : )
I have not had good luck with long term storage of decants in plastic, but possibly they have some wonderful plastic that isn’t problematic. Alternatively, they expect you to buy the refill & use it to refill your bottle right away, I just don’t know.
I emailed Hermes and they got back to me saying its glass. They didnt say anything about the squeeze part so I dont know why its called a squeeze bottle?
Oh good, glad it’s glass. No idea why they’re calling it that then!
Wanted to love this but unfortunately on my skin all I can smell is the melon-aquatic notes of Mousson – an absolute deal breaker.
There is a tinge of mild zingy spice but the melon persists through and through. I don’t smell Nil, Pamplemousse, or Terre at all.
Pity, because the bottle design is well done.
Oh, too bad!
Okay, weeeeeeeeks after I got a FB from the PR lady of Hermès – lucky me!
I confess I love it – but you have to spray or better, to splash a lot of it and then… pepper, ginger, lemon zest and bitterness, it makes you feel audacious, strong and free!
I love the bottle, it is a pretty technical concept.
I got also the showergel, nice also, but it comes 42 Euro (!!) just because it i a metal bottle. I guess you can refill it with something else, and reuse it, so it is kind of sustainable, but honestly, 42 Euro?!
I like about it that you get a big bottle (refill) for rather small money.
Glad you finally got some!
I was so lucky to interview JCE a few months ago and he talked alot about Voyage. As you inferred in your review, Robin , it smelt so familiar, so many touches of other fragrances from Jean-Claude’s past work and yet a different scent altogether. He told me that as he gets older/more experienced, he uses less ingredients. He explained that as he gets to understand the facets and nuances of his favourite notes, the more he can do with them. I think that’swhy Voyage reminds us of so many perfuems of the past.
I too love Voyage, that brisk citrus and gin intro, JCE’s cool spice combo and then the sweet milky musk in the drydown, the way it meanders through its many stages. I just wish it smelled stronger on my skin for a longer time. Perhaps my sense of smell is not so wonderful or I just cease to smell it after a while but it dies on me and I so wish it didn’t!
The lasting power is reasonable on me, but I have seen other complaints…
I’m finally sampling this fragrance this morning. As you know Robin, we are having a blistering hot summer, and this scent is perfect for it. My first thoughts were – Aaahh, a refreshing lemony iced tea! I just re-read your review and you detected a tea aspect too! So there must be something to it [I was rather proud of myself to pick up on that]. I’m sampling Delrae CdF on the other arm, but later today after showering, I want to wear the Hermes by itself so I’m not distracted it’s not competing for attention.
It really does wear so nicely in the heat! I happened to be in Hermes today, and was once again admiring those clever bottles…
FInally tried this last night (along with Salvador Pour Homme) in Alto Palermo Shopping here in Buenos Aires.
Your review is spot on. I must sadly say that it does othing for me, I mean it is a lovely perfume but doesn’t get me crazy (like Vanilla galante did, I am still plotting to get that one!)
What really pisses me off is that they have the 35ml only.
My partner loved it, as he loves anything by Ellena (I’ve created a monster! hehehe).
I dug around a little and I found that “Voyage d’Hermès Eau de toilette refillable natural spray comes in two different sizes: 35 ml ($90) and 100 ml ($125)” doesn’t this seem very disproportionate?
Anyway they have the 35 ml and they are charging about u$s 110 for it!
Yeah, the price for the 35 ml is not what I’d hoped. Here it is the opposite: for a time all I could find was the 100 ml.
So happy I stumbled on your blog when doing a search for Voyage! I recently made a self-discovery that I have a perfume fetish, and I collect certain special scents the way other women buy shoes or handbags (which I never did.)
I’ve been keeping Jardin en Mediterranee as my main go-to fragrance, but when my husband started nabbing it from me, I thought I would look for something new in the Hermes line, for him or for me. I found Voyage to my liking in a duty free shop this summer, but I was not able to purchase it there due to silly security restrictions. Your review of it is top-notch, and I can’t wait to buy it and wear it ! Great also that you put into words what I’ve been subconsciously thinking for so long–that other fashion houses seem not to care about their perfume lines
Long live JCE and Hermes!
It is actually great fun to go into a Hermes boutique and smell all the JCE creations at once…I did that recently, and even though I’d tried them all, it was interesting to smell them all at once. He really is doing a fabulous job, and hope they’ll keep on letting him do his thing!
I agree 100% with you on two points: it smells like all JC Ellena’s Hermes work in one scent; and your “side rant” is spot on, he has done an excellent job at Hermes. But his style is not for me. In fact the only Ellena I own is Eau de Cartier, and I think that it is not even Ellena who did it, just smells like his style.
Yeah, if you don’t like his style, that pretty much rules out the house of Hermes! Oh well. And you’re right, EdC was Christine Nagel.
My Nordies has Voyage. The bottle is to die for! My Nordies hasn’t had any Hermes fragrances besides Terre in a while. Now there on display again. I’m a happy camper. : )
Oh good, thanks!
I really love this fragrance, I bought it completely on impulse which is something I never do with anything! It just seemed so different to most perfumes, and the refillable, spinable bottle was so impressive. Your review is amazing, when you said cardamom i could smell it straight away!! and I agree with the reference to green tea, but I mostly smell gin. the shop assistant who served me said rosemary was supposed to be one of the main notes in it, not sure about that, but cardamom yes!
Congrats — I’m jealous of your bottle!
I just bought this, and it’s ridiculously easy to wear, but I can’t say I’m in love with the base notes. At first sniff I fell in love with the juniper berries because I felt like I’d rubbed gin all over my body, and I looove gin. But as it dries down it really reminds me of Bvlgari’s the vert. It’s a perfume I’ll wear to work and when I don’t really feel like wearing a scent. It smells very light and American to me, and there’s still a place for it in my collection even though I wish I’d bought the pamplemousse rose…
Oh, I’m so sorry you bought it and find you like something else better
They’ve just released it at perfume boutiques in Pakistan a couple of months ago.. loved the grapefruit opening and i totally agree, i can definately smell some tea in there as well as the ginger. They told me it was “for men” but i’d definately wear it.. in fact i find the drydown very addictive.
That’s crazy, the company is marketing it as unisex.
I truly hope someone can enlighten me…I impusively picked this up online as a blind help buy. I very much like the scent but can’t help but think my bottle must be defective and/or a prototype/ tester??. It’s the 3.3 oz refillable spray and came in it’s original unopened box. The issue is that the metalic stirrup looking piece is not at all attached to the glass bottle. It attempts to support the bottle but is truly not able to and as such, the bottle just sort of slumps down towards the flat base. Also, I would have thought that the stirrup looking piece would have been metal or at least a sturdier material. Mine is simply a quite bendable metalic looking plastic. Is this the real McCoy?? TIA for any input…
Hard to tell without seeing it, but it sounds defective. Maybe take it into a Hermes boutique?
that doesn’t sound like the real thing ! the one i have : the metal portion is very solid and the glass bottle swings / swivels easily and steadily. i like the scent even though the lasting power is only a couple of hours. it’s good for warm weather (but not sweat)..
bring the bottle to an hermès boutique for inspection ?
Thanks, both! Hmmm…your description of the way your bottle swivels sturdily is definitely not how I would describe this.
Just yesterday, I received a very retroacttive alert from eBay indicating that the listing was cancelled – I believe they described it as a “security alert”…definitely makes me think I got scammed but I must say if it is a fake it was truly well done – from the sealed box on down…my only indication was the shoddy construction of the metallic-look frame that seemed oddly unworthy of Hermes…I’m requesting a full refund…