Picture: Commiphora myrrha by Franz Eugen Köhler,
Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen,1897, Wikipedia commons
Myrrhe & Delires is the latest creation in the Guerlain L'Art et Matiere-line. It's created by the current Guerlaan inhouse perfumer Thierry Wasser.
Myrrhe & Delires starts sort of resinous, fresh and airy. There is also an accord that reminds me of classical, oriental/chypre perfumes fleeting in and out in the basic structure of the perfume during the top and middlenotes. The classical accord reminds me of the typical chic "french" smell of Balenciaga Prelude and also hints of Quadrille from the same house. This typical french-chic note is also present in Balmain Ivoire vintage version even if the latter fragrance is green, aldehydic, flowery, soapy which is not the case with the former fragrances. Quite early in the dry down the to some myrrhe fragrances typical licorie note appears. In M&D this note is light and airy, contrasting to for example Huitieme Art Myrrhiad (in swedish), is dark, dense and mysterious compared to M&D. There is also a streak of the cold, dark, slight smoky accord of Juliette Has A Gun Calamity J. but tuned down and expressed in a softer and smoother way. The rest of the dry down is soft, sweet, resinous and retains the airy interpretation of licorie. To me the opening accords (as with most of the fragrances I have tried from the L'Art et Matiere-line ) are the most interesting part of the fragrance, but the linear dry down that follows later is beautiful, very comforting and easy to wear. To my nose there are some similarities between the composition of the base of Tonka Imperiale and Myrrhe & Delires as also with Cuir Beluga.
As Myrrhe & Delires is'nt overly sweet and almost airy in it's texture, the fragrance is wearable for both day and evning during the whole year, except for the warmest days in the summer. Sillage is close, longevity about 24h.
Those who likes Annick Goutal Myrrhe Ardente, Serge Lutens La Myrrhe (in swedish) and Mona di Orio Jabu (even if myrrhe in Jabu is just a supporting note) will probably enjoy Myrrhe & Delires too.
Rating: 4
Notes: Bergamot grapefruit, osmanthus, jasmine, rose, violet leaf; patchouli, incense, tonka bean, vanilla, myrrh, licorice
Sounds lovely, Marguerite. Myrrh is a note that has fascinated me in recent years. It sometimes smells like rootbeer to me, but I also get the anise-like facet of it too. It's definitely a complex smelling aroma-material.
SvaraRaderaIt's a delicate and subtle perfume. When I think it's gone in the afternoon after applying in the morning, suddenly a delicate whiff announce its presence during the afternoon. The licorie and patchoulinotes which are subtle and not overpowering as in some fragrances, is perfectly balanced and even if gourmand Myrrhe et Delieres is somehow fresh in apperance. The licorie/patch in M e D are what the aldehydes are for SL La Myrrhe and both these fragrances are sort of uplifting and subtle in character to me.
SvaraRadera