Our take
What does Eau du Soir smell like?
Jeannine Mongin composed Eau du Soir in 1990 with Hubert and Isabelle d'Ornano, the founders of Sisley. Everything starts from Spanish syringa, the white-flowered shrub also known as mock orange. The opening is mandarin and bitter grapefruit, and it is over quickly. The heart is dense. Syringa rules it, surrounded by rose, jasmine and ylang-ylang. Carnation adds a clove-like edge while iris brings a cool powder. The base is pure old-school chypre: oakmoss, patchouli and labdanum resting on musk and amber. The result is dark and dressed up, like an evening gown kept in a wooden wardrobe. Nothing here tries to please on first contact. Eau du Soir asks for time and rewards whoever gives it. Sisley still makes it.
When to wear it
Autumn and winter evenings, a formal dinner or the opera. One spray on the neck, two at most.
It belongs to the Floral, Chypre family. Eau du Soir is one of 11 creations by Sisley in our encyclopedia.