Persolaise Review: Bois D’Hadrien from Goutal (Camille Goutal; 2018)

A re-brand is often a cause for concern, but thank goodness that when the Powers That Be at Annick Goutal decided they needed a facelift – different bottles; the ‘Annick’ has been dropped – they evidently thought that the updated look would have to be accompanied by an attention-worthy new scent. It comes in the form of a flanker of sorts to one of their best-known creations, Eau D’Hadrien from 1981. Like its predecessor, Camille Goutal‘s Bois D’Hadrien is a joyous citrus composition, but whereas the original fizzed with vibrant, lemony energy, this one opts for a greener, leafier, lime-and-verbena effect. As a result, it comes across as the ‘lazy sunset’ counterpart to Eau’s early-morning vitality, and it plays the role well, easing onto the wearer like a sage, silk blouse donned before an evening of relaxed cocktail consumption. There’s a faint suggestion of vanillic orientalism in there too – a nod to Habit Rouge? – and, as the name suggests, a reliance on pebble-smooth woods to boost the citruses and lend weight to the lung-filling pine note. Perhaps it doesn’t last as long as some would like it to, but then neither do holidays. And this olfactory postcard from a sun-filled destination is all the more commendable for its insistence on bidding you farewell long before you’ve grown tired of its presence.

[Review based on a sample of eau de parfum provided by Goutal in 2018.]

Persolaise