Epices Exquises

When we read 'coffee inspired fragrance' with a strong coffee note our minds takes us to something like Starbucks, Nescafe or even strong Turkish coffee. However if you have ever frequented the Arabian peninsular you will know that when you order coffee, what arrives is a rather tiny cup of very boiling hot brown watery liquid that smells almost entirely of green cardamom (often accompanied with dates).... It almost feels as if your are consuming a heavy green cardamom tea drink but without any tea. This fragrance is a pretty good approximation of that type of coffee but instead of being hot it's top notes have a cooling effect whilst the base notes do add some warmth. When discussing this fragrance at the Harrods Guerlain counter I was told this was designed to be a very much fresher fragrance than the rest of the line and therefore is more versatile as noted in many of the reviews below. It's good stuff and I highly recommend.

This is a spicy, mature, unique scent that settles beautifully on the skin. I bought it yesterday and the scent lingered for hours with only one spray on my wrist. Today I'm wearing it on my clothes and it's incredibly strong. I think this is a scent best placed on the skin. I've paired it with my signature: Blackmail by Kerosene and they compliment each other beautifully. The spiciness from Epices combined with the fruity smokiness of Blackmail makes for such a fantastic scent. This is definitely not everyone's cup of tea, and I can see how it's being placed into the "older audience" category. With the right combinations, skin chemistry, and demeanor, though, I believe that this scent can work on anyone!

Fades quickly though, and cardamom - a cardamom bomb! If you do not love cardamom, do not this! I get the coffee / cardamom combo and there is something more can not put my finger on it. It smells like something I know. There is a “leather” note og perhaps it is my brain wanting for it to be there. The “oud” is barnyard/horsestable - but not stinky, and it “shifts” I mean, I can smell it and then it is gone only to apear again. Angelica also a main player for sure! The coffee is..like the scent it carries when you brewed a freshly grinded coup of coffee. From the finest arabica and well roasted.

wooooow..... I´ve just tried it twice at Guerlain boutique and am so glad I got it in a pre-reformulated Les Absolus d´Orient bottle ....,wooow such a delightful, deep fragrance .... this is mysterous, satin/silk waft of orient ..... that spicy cardamom/pepper on top transform into mild, divine oud/resinous sandalwood ... I think this is probably the most niché perfume of my entire collection. 10/10 - a masterpiece - am so glad I got that Les Orients pre-reformulated bottle.

I smelled this yesterday at Corte. After smelling all the latest designer releases I had to go to the Guerlain display to calm my senses and enjoy some real perfumes. This fragrance stood out for me, absolutely beautiful. It's like a little sibling of Patchouli Ardent which still floors me with its complexity and magic. You have to like spicy fragrances to enjoy this, but the blend is smooth, relaxing, and just an amazing value. A love for me.