HERMES
JOUR D’HERMES ABSOLU

2014

PERFUMER
Jean-Claude Ellena

Grapefruit
Apricot Blossom

Gardenia
Floral Notes
Jasmine Sambac

Woody Notes
Oakmoss

When I tried Jour D’Hermes and Jour D’Hermes Absolu in store, I was without a doubt in favor of the fresher Jour D’Hermes. I ordered a miniature, but as luck would have it, it was not in stock anymore and the seller sent Absolu as a replacement.

Turns out, I do not like Jour D’Hermes Absolu. It’s thicker, more vibrant and floral (based on my very first whiff of the regular version). What I smelled in the original was a sort of watery grapefruit, with Absolu, it’s more like spilling grapefruit juice on slightly indolic flowers.

This fragrance smells overripe. Both in store and on skin, before knowing the notes, I smell mango and peach. It’s sour, but there is a certain warmth, sweetness and depth to this scent, that I do not like in this combination. It smells almost boozy to me, like a fruity liqueur or white wine. I guess that’s the overripe, fermenting vibe I get from it. It feels rather un-Ellena-like.

As mentioned, it is thicker; almost creamy at times. Which is not a quality that I often look for in floral and citrussy scents. I think I need to try the original Jour D’Hermes again, because that one seemed to fit my taste a lot more.

As for the Absolu; I could never wear this on a warm day; I’d probably feel like I’d smell like a trash can that’s been sitting too long in the high heat. During the colder weather in which I wore it, it’s okay, but I am not a big fan of it.