LOUIS VUITTON
PACIFIC CHILL
2023
PERFUMER
Jacques Cavallier
blackcurrant
cedrat
basil
lemon
coriander
carrot seed
‘Pacific Chill has a fresh, puristic vibe inspired by the Californian health and wellness culture. The fragrance reflects the regenerative power of the ocean.’
I’ve always found the Louis Vuitton fresh fragrances rather unremarkable and after trying most, there was never one that I would consider buying given their price points. Objectively speaking, Pacific Chill is not much different, but somehow, this one clicked more with me and it came right in time as a Summer fragrance that my collection still needed.
Pacific Chill is different from what I was expecting. Most importantly, I get little to no mint from this, nor do I find it green. It has some greenish tones here and there, with the basil especially, but in my opinion this is a full on fruity fragrance. It’s closer to Afternoon Swim, than even something like Cactus Garden.
Listed notes say lemon, cedrat and blackcurrant for the fruits. I smell mostly mandarin. An LV employee told me that it contains apricot, which I can maybe picture as well. Either way, it’s very fruit, albeit not cloying. It’s a more watery fruitiness (more lemonade than pure juice). More subdued than for example Afternoon Swim, which is why I think I’m drawn to it, as most fruity scents are too vibrant and rich for me to enjoy in warm weather. This does have the ‘chill’ factor down.
As mentioned, no mint for me, but maybe some cleanliness from a shampoo or a soap, because of the herbal touches. The scent is very similar to Guerlain Mandarine Basillic, Zara Candy Festival and frankly, many more. Someone mentioned Palmolive soap and someone else Garnier Fructis… that’s the direction. Hence I don’t think this fragrance is standing out more than any of the other Louis Vuitton freshies, I just happen to enjoy this one the most.
Performance has been viewed very negatively in reviews I’ve seen so far, but I don’t have that experience. It’s not a strong scent, with about 7 hours of it being noticeable, but almost instantly as a skin scent. Actually better than I expected from this scent profile. I’m glad it doesn’t have an extended vanilla-loaded drydown, which is a huge pet peeve for me when people talk about longevity of ‘Summer fragrances’.
Is it worth it over for example Mandarine Basillic Forte? Probably hard to justify, but the newness and the bottle add to the appeal. Regardless, Pacific Chill is a great smelling, not-too-fruity fruity fragrance that I’ll wear plenty.
