Heure Exquise Annick Goutal for women

Well, Divinity has arrived in the building.
Everything else, previously called divine, is looking a bit faint and shocked.

Being not too much in the habit of idolising flowers in a perfume, let alone idolise a 'flowers-only' scent (I'm an overall 'woody oriental' worshipper), I am confused by the fact that this perfume compels me to throw heaps of praise upon it..

So:
Would I want to smell like a goddess?
Would I want to own the stature of an empress?
Would I want heads to bow in awe and recognition?
No.

Do I bow for Heure Exquise?
Yes.

I have loved this for years .its smells divine and is I think my favourite however my husband tells me it smells like baby powder which is not quite the effect I am after! I love soft powdery scents No 19 smells synthetic to me or rather on me so any suggestions?

For wearing on a summer's evening, as twilight falls. This used to be my "reading historical novels" perfume, and I associate it with some kind of courtly elegance. I am not usually a fan of heavy powder in fragrances, but this one somehow transcends the note. If you love Guerlain's L'Heure Bleue, you will probably love this one too.

Sophisticated... this perfume screams Belle Epoque;
Powdery sensuality that comes from afar, elegant sensuality and not primitive, ethereal, mystical... And expensive Iris. Not for the amateurish and lighthearted. It's hazy deep purple... You are caught in the twilight zone, but you are confident enough to delight, and not get scared. Don't judge it from the first few seconds... Let it rest on you, and envelop you in its magic. I love it. I possess it, and I'm possessed by it...
(EDP)

I have tried this in a series of "If you like Chanel No. 19, the you'll like...."

Well, I like very much, but it should not to be mistaken for a No 19 doppelganger!

Yes, the opening is sharp,green and shimmery like 19. But whereas 19 rings out with the clarity of a note from a crystal gong, Heure Exquise soon resolves into a warm flourish of harp strings.

I think it must be the soft rose note that gentles the galbanum.

I have been learning that when the adjective "interesting" comes up for me in relation to perfume that it is probably an indication of an iris presence--and following the rose I detect "interesting."

This is a subtle, graceful scent: a sharp, sophisticated start (kterhark said "wealthy"), but a soft resolution. As if No 19 kicked off her heels, stripped off her silver bangles, and slipped into a velvet dressing gown.

i thought chanel no. 19 was very close to what i wanted, but maybe a twinge too sharp. i read this one was "similar", which it is, but it's too far on the other side of the spectrum -- very powdery/soft. no. 19 is better for me.

Do I like you? or I don't like you? Hmmm but I keep smelling you and you haunt my thoughts and trouble my nose with doubts. The best puzzle that I've come across in a very longtime, time will decide.

What on earth has gone in to the top notes here? I'm guessing a heavy dose of galbanum coz there is something so bitter,dry, earthy, and to my senses, well repulsive frankly going on in the first 10-15 minutes that I am not sure I'll be keeping this one

That said, I like those notes in a perfume, I just don't like to be able to smell it so distinctly it overpowers all else initially. I literally recoiled in disgust both times I road tested this. However I find the opening of a few Goutals odd and almost out of place, but generally love them once they move to the heart - and this was no exception.

The heart is a lovely blend of rose and iris, and for me, with the rose the more prominent. The iris (and dare I guess orris too) lends a slight powdery quality to the composition, yet it is not so powdery that it would automatically be a first impression. Powdery-ness (is that a word?) usually mutes other notes in my opinion, but this whilst somewhat softened, is still an unusually clean and clear scent. I dont mean as in fresh or green - but each notes is in itself a very true to nature scent.

I must say despite my misgiving about the opening, I can really detect with this perfume the skill gone in to creating it and for that alone I have upped my appreciation of this house being something a bit different to the flock.

It only lasts a few hours on my skin (edp) and I am not sure I could go in for re-application whilst out and about coz I find the opening so off putting but I am going to test drive this a few more times and see if we can make friends.

This is absolutely beautiful. I won't go over the notes, but this scent made me wistful and hopeful at the same time it was so gorgeous.

Admittedly I wear Chanels with my scrubs to work, and Guerlains with a sweat shirt. But this is the first perfume that I would only wear at night in the spring or fall, in cool damp weather, when I'm outside but have no where in paticular to be.

A truly intense creation. The best AG I've come across.

EDP-Many changes in intensity and character, will last about 8 hours.

For those that like the idea behind L'Heure Bleue but maybe have a hard time with it, I suggest trying this instead.

Okay, now I get it. Now I really get it. Annick Goutal HEURE EXQUISE is such a complex and compelling creation, constructed of such high-quality components, that it could easily have come out of the house of Guerlain in the early twentieth century, back in the good old days, long before the devastating coup staged by industrial chemists and venture capitalists. Wow, I'm impressed.

Unbelievably, HEURE EXQUISE actually lives up to its name. This exquisite chypre-like floral approaches the stratum occupied by the likes of MITSOUKO and ARPEGE. You won't find any sour, synthetic sandalwood here. Du vrai parfum, this is just stunning! Rose and iris mingle with a variety of unlisted chypre notes to produce an intoxicating composition with excellent longevity and big, beautiful sillage. On my wish list!

Thank you, Celina, for introducing me to this work of art!

An iris fragrance in my mind, and based upon what I've experienced, is often counteracted with a distinguishable soapiness, heavy powder or an array of other floral notes. Heure Exquise is very different from what I'm used to. This is no Iris Nobile, Le Labo Iris 39 or Chanel 28 La Pausa.

I was actually surprised to see iris listed as a note here. When I first smelt this fragrance the dominant iris did not occur to me. I was too fascinated with the overall composition rather than determining particular notes.

Upon further reflection, Heure Exquise does have a lovely iris accord. This fragrance is stunningly simple. Somewhat dry, spiced powder with smokey undertones.

To me this fragrance is almost animalistic. It has many sensual qualities and it exudes confidence and an element of class. When the iris blends with the turkish rose, sandalwood and subtle spices, the result is almost ethereal.

Heure Exquise almost surpasses my undying love for Passion, also by Annick Goutal. Combined with great lasting power and an iris that shines above and beyond many iris scents on the market today, Heure Exquise is a sure winner in my eyes.

I cannot wait to get my hands on a bottle. The wait is almost too hard to bare.

A big 'thank you' to SedNon for a sample of this, it is truly an unexpected surprise.

I get (and agree) with the Chanel 19 comparison. Bergamot and friends aren't listed here, but something is giving this a big green boost out of the bottle. I would even bring in Nikki de St. Phalle as a comparison for the opening.

The opening is loud, clangy and 'wealthy'. I started getting images of New York high society ladies; but before it gets too stuffy lovely iris kicks in, and the magic happens.

I LOVE a powdered iris dry-down, and here I am reminded of Chamade.

A gorgeous scent. I'm not familiar with this house, but this makes me want to learn more.

I have recently discovered the exquisite Heure Exquise because of comments on websites comparing it to Chanel 19, which I had worn since the mid-80's. I can't speak with much expertise on fragrance, but I can say that to me, HE is a softer cousin of Chanel 19. For those of you who love Chanel 19, but like me, have always wished it had more staying power (which HE does), I have stumbled on the wonderful combination of HE eau de cologne or parum worn with Chanel 19 body lotion. If these two scents were not so similar it wouldn't work, but they are and it does! You basically get the best of both worlds - the soft, feminine and luxurious pleasure of HE, just slightly amped up by the relative edginess (for lack of a better word) of Chanel 19. I'm in heaven! (Aren't vintage scents the best!)

This is a perfect Iris scent in my opinion. It is done in the classic manner, yet has such a delicious warmth to it; this does not always happen with iris, sometimes it can seem a little cold and unapproachable. As others have said; it is very similar to No 19, yet it is warm where the Chanel is cool, the green is inviting, whereas the Chanel is sharp, it is well rounded and flowing, whereas the Chanel is all angles and power-play. Do not get me wrong, No 19 is a work of art and I also adore it, but a work of art is not always comfortable to wear. L'Heure Exquise is a masterpiece that envelops you, and comforts you like a warm snuggle/hug and is very comfortable to wear. It is the fragrant equivalent of sleeping in a lavander hued bed-chamber and snuggling under a velvety throw, then catching a waft of a plant on the bedside table.

The most gorgeous Iris scent I have ever smelled. Even Iris Poudre can't beat it. It makes me feel like I'm wearing my favourite jumper and yet all dressed up at thr same time. Few scents make me feel like that but the ones that do all contain Iris or violet.

This is my favourite of all of the Annick Goutal fragrances. It is sophisticated, sexy and does indeed remind me of that exquisite hour, or the time between the start of sunset andthe end of the afternoon. The sky and the air are gentle and fragrant with the dwindling light and fierce scents of the sun. Night is about to fall; but not quite yet! Interestingly enough, I am pale skinned and grey-blue eyed; just the sort of woman that Annick herself said would go for this fragrance. The soft rose and dusky iris are ready to release their soft scents, and magic is about to happen.

This was love at first scent. I love iris root (Silences, Chanel 19), and it is perfectly blended in L'Heure Exquise. While Silences can be a little flat, Chanel 19 a little sharp, l'Heure Exquise is juuuuuuuuuuuust right. Gentle yet distinctive. One of my top five favorite perfumes.

No idea what this smells like but i always see this in the stores and think i might try it next time i go shopping.

I never thought I'd love another AG scent the way I love Ciel, but this little scent is winning me over. Imagine chanel 19, but softer and powdery. This smells very green like new leather and earth. The combination of florals w/ a dry down of sandalwood is most addicting. I've pushed my other perfumes to the side the past few weeks. If you love iris or chypes at all you must give this a sniff.