Vol de Nuit

Vol de Nuit by Guerlain is a feminine-leaning parfum from 1933 in the premium price tier. It opens with bergamot, galbanum, petitgrain and mandarin, moves into jonquil, narcissus, jasmine and orris root and dries down to vanilla, sandalwood, benzoin, oakmoss and iris. Expect around 10 hours of wear, and it projects at a moderate level.

Notes, explained

Opening

Bergamot Sharp citrus with a faint bitter edge. The opening of about half of all men's fragrances.
Galbanum Intensely green resin. Smells like snapping a plant stem in half.
Petitgrain Bitter twigs and leaves of the orange tree. Dry and a little green.
Mandarin Soft, sweet, almost powdery citrus. Gentler than orange.

Heart

Jonquil A narcissus cousin. Green, honeyed and faintly animalic underneath.
Narcissus Green, hay-like and slightly animalic. Strange and beautiful.
Jasmine Heady, sweet and slightly animal underneath. Rarely subtle.
Orris Root Iris root aged for years. Buttery, powdery, unmistakably refined.

Dry-down

Vanilla Sweet, creamy and warm. The most comforting note in perfumery.
Sandalwood Creamy, milky wood. Soft and almost edible.
Benzoin Sweet balsamic resin. Vanilla-adjacent but drier.
Oakmoss Damp forest floor. Bitter, green and the backbone of every chypre.
Iris Cool, powdery, slightly carroty and expensive. The luxury note.

Smells like this

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