GUERLAIN
CUIR BELUGA

2005

PERFUMER
Olivier Polge

Tangerine
Aldehydes

Immortelle
Patchouli

Vanilla
Suede
Heliotrope
Amber

Cuir Beluga one of the more interesting ones from the original L’Art & La Matiere line, although not my favorite.

The opening has a lovely citrussy and vanilla scent, which quickly turns into a more powdery take on vanilla. Within minutes a smooth leather comes in. This reminds me a little bit of the drydown of one of my all-time favorites: Melodie D’Altai by Ella K.

There’s is something contasting in Cuir Beluga that takes away some of the comfort for me (probably aldehydes). There’s a hint of dampness or after-rain when I smell it up close. That tinge is keeping this from being a love for me.