For nearly 200 euros, I'd expect some performance, even just moderate performance, but this is truly non-existant. Several sprays and no scent bubble, no projection, no sillage, nothing. What a con! It's a shame because the fleeting scent is exquisite, but it's gone within 10 minutes maximum.

Strong mosquito repellant... the hardcore stuff that makes your skin sticky with pungent citronella, or is it...? Yes it is, but at the same time, I do find myself going back for more. I don't necessarily dislike the smell of mosquito repellent, but do I want a very expensive perfume that instantly conjures that up? I just can't decide how I feel. Perhaps summer will change my opinion, better still, perhaps this stuff will actually deter mosquitos from feasting on me, in which case I can get on board. The thing is, as it dries down, it becomes clear that there is no citronella, it's probably the combination of geranium and anise (the latter of which is way stronger than I expected, and it's not even listed here) giving me that vibe. It's a complex fragrance, and interesting, I'm just not sure if I can bear it if someone says I smell like bug spray, and it seems inevitable. Following that, the bottle will sit there unused reminding me I spent too much money on it, even though it was discounted. I realise I'm confused. It's a confusing fragrance. Update: After several wears, of course I love it, it's magic! I think this is a thing with Tom Ford perfumes. They're not mass appeal, so it takes consideration to appreciate them. I must say I've yet to find one I didn't love, even if I wouldn't wear them all.

My experience is that perfumes with amazing performance smell overpowering and often quite rank. Not so with OL EDP. One spray on the neck gives me beautiful, radiant projection, even in terrible weather, without being overbearing. This will last forever. Everyone here is on about new car smell, I don't get that. New car smell is industrial, headache-inducing and plastic, this is floral, delicate and soft.

Smells like food. I'm even getting garlic. Very bizarre

After getting card strips of all the Absolus d'Orient from the Guerlain boutique, I found myself obsessively sniffing the oud essentiel (but not exclusively). So I went back for a sample... I am torn between loving it and feeling like it's impossible to wear. I think I love it. Here's the thing... The opening is a horrible, agressive dusty old church lamp bashing you in the face, but then after about five minutes the rose starts to come through, then the whole thing softens and becomes a beautiful, warm envelope of charming oud and floral notes with a lovely leather spine. I'd say this is old school in terms of strength and performance, i.e. you barely want to spray it on your skin. Instead, spray in front of you and walk naked into the cloud. You don't want to gas everyone around you when in public.

Exquisite, expensive and extremely animalic with a kind of sour cheese twist; way too rich and animalic to wear. I can't imagine who would wear this, perhaps some sort of ancient, eminent game of thrones character would smell like this. In fact, the cheesey opening puts me right off, but it does calm down quickly, I just can't imagine purchasing a bottle for the near-on 300 euros it would cost, especially when Guerlain itself offers such an array of affordable, wonderful perfumes. This is for wealthy collectors, probably never to be worn, and hey, why not! Update: I now own this, and I love it. Shameful as it is to say, I've discovered (by accident) that layered with L'Interdit EDP it's a treat! (I know, I know).

A delicious, zesty, juice-fest with minty geranium. I have the Homme EDP, which is also wonderful, and as others have said, this has the same elements but in a totally contrasting olfactive presentation. The lime is BAM in your face, and makes me want to drink fresh lime juice. The notes that follow develop wonderfully into the dry down. Guerlain always manage to create something unique yet classic and timeless seeming, that makes me go aha yes! This is no exception. Update: I've had this a couple of years now, and the woods have become dominant. There's a suggestion of many different wood notes without any one type standing out, which I love about it. It's like standing in a woodwork shop or a very posh soap shop where everything is nestled in wood shavings in baskets. It feels piney due to the minty geranium. Love it.

This is an exquisite fragrance, leather daddy in a bottle, and I don't mean that in a fetish way, I mean like your dad in a fine leather jacket back when you were young, or at least some way more stylish version thereof. This must be what Burt Reynolds smells of. It's not macho though, just classic suave moustachio'd charm. I feel too young to be wearing it (I'm 42).

This and Blossom Love by Amouage have a surprising amount I common. I think it's the heliotrope overdose, smell them together, it's crazy.

If it were possible for bananas to be both synthetic and slightly mouldy, and then those synthetic mouldy bananas were left in a mossy forest for a day or two, this is what it would smell like.