Chamade

Chamade by Guerlain is a feminine-leaning eau de parfum from 1969 in the premium price tier. It opens with galbanum, blackcurrant, bergamot and hyacinth, moves into jasmine, rose, lilac and ylang-ylang and dries down to vanilla, tonka bean, benzoin, sandalwood and vetiver. Expect around 9 hours of wear, and it projects at a moderate level.

Notes, explained

Opening

Galbanum Intensely green resin. Smells like snapping a plant stem in half.
Blackcurrant Tart, dark and slightly catty. Adds bite to florals.
Bergamot Sharp citrus with a faint bitter edge. The opening of about half of all men's fragrances.
Hyacinth Cold, green, watery floral. Smells like early spring.

Heart

Jasmine Heady, sweet and slightly animal underneath. Rarely subtle.
Rose Can be jammy, green, peppery or soapy depending on the type. Not one smell.
Lilac Cool, powdery spring floral. Nostalgic and slightly soapy.
Ylang-Ylang Banana-custard floral. Rich, tropical and slightly rubbery.

Dry-down

Vanilla Sweet, creamy and warm. The most comforting note in perfumery.
Tonka Bean Almond, hay and vanilla in one. Warm and slightly nutty.
Benzoin Sweet balsamic resin. Vanilla-adjacent but drier.
Sandalwood Creamy, milky wood. Soft and almost edible.
Vetiver Dry, earthy, smoky grass root. Smells like soil and citrus peel.

Smells like this

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