Figue Iris (Guerlain)

By Dane

Every year Guerlain releases two new additions to their Aqua Allegoria line. For the most part, they've been simple, everyday scents...like a comfortable t-shirt, rather than a crisp 3-piece suit. This year's releases included Laurier Reglisse, a horrific shampoo-like nightmare, and Figue Iris, composed by Jean-Paul Guerlain himself.

FI opens with a big, green fig note. Supporting citrus notes are present, but the effect of a ripe, juicy fig is the most prominent. Soon after, the iris comes into play. Iris has a funny way of giving a special effect to the composition, rather than present itself as a featured note. In this case, it gives a dry, chilled feeling that happens to compliment the fig quite nicely. The one thing that usually puts me off fig-based fragrances is the tropical, creamy feeling that usually accompanies them. FI doesn't have that at all. The sweetness is tempered, the scent is very soft and subtle, and the elements stay very close to the skin.

You won't find expensive smelling ingredients, complex accords or anything of that nature in FI, it's a simple, straightforward summer cologne...which is something that everyone needs in their wardrobe, just like the comfortable t-shirt.

Year: 2008
Perfumer: Jean-Paul Guerlain
Notes: Grapefruit, Bergamot, Fig, Iris, Violet, Vetiver Root, Vanilla