Our take
What does L'Homme Ultime smell like?
Yves Saint Laurent marked the tenth anniversary of L'Homme in 2016 with this eau de parfum. Three perfumers signed it: Anne Flipo, Dominique Ropion and Juliette Karagueuzoglou. The opening fizzes. Grapefruit and bergamot burst over peppery ginger, and cardamom brings a cool, almost minty lift. A crisp apple takes over next, propped up by green geranium and slightly musky clary sage. A quiet rose softens the edges. The base drops the freshness quickly for cleaner wood: vetiver, cedar, cashmeran and a dry amberwood that grips the skin. Compared with the original L'Homme it is fruitier and a good deal woodier. It has become hard to find in stores, and it seems to have left the range without any official announcement.
When to wear it
Spring and autumn, at work or at a relaxed dinner. Three sprays; projection stays polite.
It belongs to the Woody family. L'Homme Ultime is one of 47 creations by Yves Saint Laurent in our encyclopedia.
