Our take
What does Ombre des Merveilles smell like?
L'Ombre des Merveilles joined Hermès' Merveilles family in 2020. The line began in 2004 with Eau des Merveilles by Ralf Schwieger and Nathalie Feisthauer. Christine Nagel, the house perfumer since 2016, composed this one. Hermès names only three materials, which is typical of Nagel: few notes and plenty of contrast. Black tea opens. It smells of smoked leaves and the bottom of a teapot, with a slight tannic grip. Incense follows, cool rather than warm. Think of a stone church in winter more than a spice market. Then tonka warms everything with its almond and dry hay scent. The result is a dark wood that never feels heavy. Next to Eau des Merveilles and its salty, sparkling amber, L'Ombre is deeper and smokier. It keeps the same clarity, though, and never turns into a heavy church incense.
When to wear it
It works from autumn to spring, even at the office. Three sprays on skin and one on a scarf.
It belongs to the Oriental / Amber, Woody family. Ombre des Merveilles is one of 47 creations by Hermès in our encyclopedia.