Our take
What does L'Instant de Guerlain pour Homme smell like?
Guerlain introduced L’Instant de Guerlain pour Homme in 2004 as an eau de toilette, a year after the women’s version. Béatrice Piquet of IFF composed it with Sylvaine Delacourte for the house. The opening is dry and bright. Star anise, bergamot and lemon blend with pepper and elemi, a lemony resin. The heart holds the scent’s best idea: smoky lapsang souchong tea, softened by jasmine and a touch of hibiscus. It smells like a cup of black tea by a fireplace. The base is classic Guerlain. Sandalwood gives a creamy wood, patchouli adds depth and cacao pod brings a chocolatey bitterness. Compared with Habit Rouge, the house’s 1965 men’s scent, L’Instant pour Homme feels hushed and more modern. The 2005 eau de parfum later pushed the smoke further.
When to wear it
For autumn and winter, in the evening or at the office. Two sprays on the neck, the sandalwood lasts until night.
It belongs to the Oriental / Amber, Woody family. L'Instant de Guerlain pour Homme is one of 89 creations by Guerlain in our encyclopedia.
