Our take
What does Amazone smell like?
Hermès began as a saddlery, and Amazone remembers it. Maurice Maurin composed it in 1974 with legendary horsewomen in mind. The original bust-shaped bottle has since given way to the standard house bottle in the Classiques collection. Galbanum and violet leaf open on a sharp greenness. Bergamot, mandarin and neroli soften it. Then blackcurrant bud takes over. It smells of ripe fruit and freshly cut stems, with a raspberry facet. Hyacinth, narcissus, rose and iris make a dense spring heart. The base keeps the chypre structure of the 1970s. Oakmoss, vetiver, cedar and sandalwood meet a little amber there. Reformulations have softened the moss, yet the green character is still clear. Compared with Van Cleef & Arpels' First from 1976, Amazone is greener and less aldehydic. Guerlain's Chamade shares its blackcurrant but turns it more powdery.
When to wear it
A spring daytime scent that works as well at the office as in the countryside. Two sprays are enough because the blackcurrant carries.
It belongs to the Floral, Green family. Amazone is one of 47 creations by Hermès in our encyclopedia.