Deux oranges vertes.

Composed in 1979, recalibrated and renamed Eau d'Orange Verte in 1997, and reissued once more as a Concentré in 2004, Eau de Cologne d'Hermès is one of my very favorite eaux-- cool, fresh, and pacifying. I imagine it as a pousse-café composed entirely of scent elements in the yellow-green spectrum, through which the wearer blissfully descends en route to intoxication.

It seems to me that more recent versions follow the same basic mixology, with bolder colors but fewer layers to get you there faster. This proves especially true of Concentré d'Orange Verte. A good solid cologne, with bright orange top notes riding a rather outdoorsy wood-and-herb heart, it follows the progression of the original at seemingly three times the speed. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose... pedal-to-the-metal style.

Scent Elements: Bergamot, lemon, mandarin, coriander, basil, mint, rosemary, lavender, petitgrain, neroli, lily-of-the-valley, cedar, oakmoss, sandalwood, patchouli, musk (Eau de Cologne d'Hermès); bergamot, lemon, mandarin, mint, jasmine, orange blossom, patchouli, moss, cedar (Concentré d'Orange Verte)