Our take
What does Rose Barbare smell like?
In 2005 Guerlain reopened its Champs-Élysées boutique and launched the L'Art et la Matière collection. Rose Barbare was part of it, composed by Francis Kurkdjian. The house describes a wild Ottoman rose, which sets the tone. Aldehydes open with a waxy glow, like a candle just blown out. The rose appears behind them, full and slightly dusty. Fenugreek is the clever move. The seed smells of maple syrup and mild curry, and it pulls the flower toward the kitchen rather than the garden. Honey stretches that warmth further and adds an animalic touch. Patchouli and dry woods close things out, which places it among floral chypres. Less fruity than Nahéma, the house's other great rose, Rose Barbare is drier and spicier. It works easily on a man, and Guerlain is happy to say so.
When to wear it
A winter evening scent for a turtleneck or a scarf. One spray on the neck is enough, the honey spreads on its own.
It belongs to the Floral, Chypre family. Rose Barbare is one of 89 creations by Guerlain in our encyclopedia.
