Elixir Charnel Gourmand Coquin (for women)

Wristsniffer

I reviewed this perfume soon after purchasing it several months ago and after wearing it again yesterday, I decided that that review was not adequate, so here I go, again.

First of all, there are only about six locations in the United States where this perfume can be sampled and purchased, and, even if you're lucky enough to have access to it and you find yourself in love, nerves of steel are required in order to slap down the $250 that will allow you to take this two-and-a-half-ounce bottle home with you. I was lucky enough to snag a bottle with some birthday cash but I had doubts all the way to the register as I considered all of the Lutens, Malles, Bonds, and other niches that could be had for less than half the price.

That said, if you can sample it, do so. If you are a fan of Angel or other sweet, gourmand scents and you can afford the steep cost, order it, blindly even, and it's my guess that you won't regret your purchase.

I've always gravitated toward oriental perfumes, and with occasional forays into floral territory, I've remained a loyal vanilla girl. When confronted with a counter-top full of Lutens, I ended up in love with Un Bois Vanille and it's in my nature to gravitate towards scents that offer heavy notes of spices and vanilla. If you are my opposite, do NOT expect great things from this perfume as it was obviously intended for those who adore the smell of decadent desserts. I do appreciate lighter sweet scents as well and I was shocked at how well Gourmand Coquin combined both the heavy and lighter sides of the sweets spectrum, to create something both elegant and fun, and utterly intoxicating.

At first spray, there was absolutely no doubt in my mind that this was the best perfume I had ever had the pleasure of smelling. I first tested the other two Elixir Charnels in the line and wasn't entirely impressed and almost ended up passing on this one, but something told me to test it before leaving the Guerlain boutique and wow, I was blown away.

The perfume itself, like all Guerlains, develops rather slowly and it's notes seem to be playing tag with one another. Rum, gingerbread and vanilla get the game going and then gingerbread tags chocolate, who brings along mint, and the two then chase down vanilla and it's not long before rose and cinnamon show up, wanting to join the game. The notes seem to intertwine with one another, allowing every accord to achieve its moment of fame in the spotlight before the song settles down into a lovely harmony of liqueor-like dessert, set against a backdrop of the lovely Shalimar dry-down.

I expect nothing less than amazing from parfumeur Christine Nagel I'm never disappointed. The bottle, alone, is also nearly worthy of the steep cost. It's a fairy-tale masterpiece in every aspect; my HG forever. I can't imagine a more perfect perfume.

njkane

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this Parfum, Its delightfully sings of chocolate notes.... mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm yummmy

guest_stefi

e cred ca cel mai bun parfum pe care l-am incercat vreodata...si serviciul pe masura