Terre d'Hermès

Terre d'Hermès, the eau de toilette composed by Jean-Claude Ellena for Hermès in 2006, is a men's woody scent that most wearers also describe as citrus and mineral, with a spicy side noticed by nearly half. The mineral label is the clue: it smells of orange peel over wet stone and dry roots.

The opening is bitter orange and grapefruit, zesty and slightly astringent rather than sweet. The heart is where it becomes unusual, with flint giving a dry, stony, almost gunpowder-like note, pepper a sharp spice and pelargonium a green, rosy-geranium freshness. The base is earthy and long: vetiver brings a smoky, rooty dryness, cedar a clean pencil-shaving wood, patchouli a damp earthiness and benzoin a faint resinous warmth that softens the edges.

Half of wearers report moderate longevity and more than a third find it long lasting. Sillage is moderate for the great majority, so it stays civil. It is voted for spring and autumn and worn mostly by day, which suits the office, smart casual wear and anyone who prefers earth and citrus to sweetness.

Terre d'Hermès — for men fragrance by Hermès (released 2006). Top notes: Orange, Grapefruit. Heart notes: Pepper, Pelargonium, Flint. Base notes: Vetiver, Cedar, Patchouli, Benzoin. — Parfica open fragrance database