Cabotine Gold by Grès

It’s not my favourite, but it’s not a bad perfume either. It has good performance and is elegant, without feeling synthetic despite being low cost. When I was at the airport, I tried the Coco Mademoiselle, and yes, it resembles it very much.

I bought it because I own the Green Cabotine. But Gold has no sillage or longevity on my skin. I’m starting to be disappointed. I’ll give it a chance with the heat and see how it behaves.

Fresh on application, citrusy at first. As it dries, it becomes more floral and woody. I don’t consider it totally feminine. It’s versatile, without being too noticeable (though it is elegant). For me, it’s a swiss army knife, ideal for days when you don’t know what to wear; I could easily use it daily. It’s an excellent alternative due to its price, which is great for what it gives, with very good longevity. Definitely a good option.

True, it opens with a distant memory of Coco Mademoiselle, but it passes quickly. Dry down leaves a floral amber scent. It’s kind, pleasant, and discreet. I agree it’s a very good option for daily use if you’re not fans of eccentric fragrances. Longevity and projection are more than decent, considering it’s an eau de toilette. It has an unbeatable price for what it offers. I’m an unconditional fan of the Grès house, but I remember that when I acquired the Gold, I was somewhat disappointed. Perhaps I set the bar too high and found myself with a safe, almost boring fragrance. In my opinion. For example, the other floral flanker from Cabotine, Floralie, seems more interesting to me. Perfect for those days when I don’t know what to use and don’t feel like fussing. And then it’s when I least expect it that people praise it to me.

I bought the Coco Mademoiselle and it’s my first Chanel; I was amazed by its fragrance, so elegant and refined, that I don’t even want to look at my 50ml so they don’t run out. I’d been wearing my Cabotine Gold for a while and was getting bored, losing almost all interest, until I started associating it with Coco Mademoiselle and fell in love with it again (when I first smelled it, I loved it). I’ve dusted it off and it’s a perfect alternative to Coco Mademoiselle. I don’t want to take away from Cabotine’s merit, because it’s a tremendous perfume, charming; it’s not the classic Gold that comes to mind when I read ‘gold’—it’s tremendous! It lasts five hours and more, with a very wide sillage, a delightful perfume. Perfect for layering with Coco Mademoiselle if I don’t want it to run out quickly.

If you treat it well, no note is unpleasant: in Cabotine Gold, the pepper and melon, which I usually dislike, come out super fresh and enjoyable. It starts with that 90s classicism: non-spicy pepper, very refreshed with tangerine bringing clean, well-blended florals. I like the tiaré and peony, but if there’s too much, they can overpower everything; here, that doesn’t happen. The patchouli shines without being intrusive. It lasts 5-6 hours on skin and longer on clothes (it’s divine). It reminds me of the Massimo Dutti Woman by Ramón Monegal (1997): false simplicity with lots of elegance. I feel clean and presentable, even in jeans and a t-shirt. It’s one of my favourites for everyday wear, the one I’ve used the most, proving that quality and good price go hand in hand. As my Katharine Hepburn-esque colleague said, the Grès house knows its stuff. Thanks to the previous reviews for guiding me; satisfaction is maximum.

This Cabotine smells like pure Lush, their Karma line: a dusty hippie, orangey scent, like an Ayurvedic massage room and dreamcatchers. It’s classic and well-structured: a scratchy, strange opening that interested me until the blazing patchouli arrived, reminiscent of Karma. Finally, it stabilises into something familiar, a bit vintage with a touch of the youthful Mademoiselle by Chanel that never leaves. It’s not for me, but it’s a good perfume in terms of quality/price and trail.

It’s a classic that never fails. The opening is marked by patchouli; you need to give it a few minutes because it invades so much that nothing else is perceived, but it evolves. Soon the melon and flowers emerge; I don’t notice tangerine, so it’s not citrusy or fresh. It’s spicy: amber and patchouli wrap around the melon and jasmine, with a distant pepper in the background. It’s not for young girls; it’s for women aged 25 or 30 and above. I don’t think scents have an age, but it wouldn’t suit a 15-year-old. Performance is wonderful, over 12 hours, with a good trail. I tolerate it, would I buy it again? Not for me, but I’d gift it to my mother.

From the Cabotine family, this is the most ‘available’ without causing chaos, the only one you can buy without trying if you like Coco Mademoiselle, Miss Dior, or gourmands. Like all Cabotines, perhaps you’ll short-circuit if your pH is very acidic. But it will never smell bad; in the worst case, you kill it and it lasts less or the middle notes don’t stand out. It’s fresh in the opening, caressing, sparkling, yet very heavy, as much or more than Vie Est Belle, though they resemble each other no more than in the opening. It’s not intoxicating, but caressing, as if its sillage hugs you (and everyone around you). It’s not powdery like Mademoiselle, but the white flowers stand out, especially the jasmine. It’s an economical fragrance that smells like traditional perfume, timeless, and not necessarily for an adult woman. Of all the Cabotines, the best without a doubt.

I’m using it and it looks great. I have a small perfume shop and use them all to test and make recommendations. It’s the first time I’ve used it, and I must admit it resembles the Coco Mademoiselle EDT. I had reservations because the Classic Cabotine seemed heavy and a bit old-fashioned, but the truth is they don’t resemble each other. The price is super accessible. Very good projection and longevity.

I bought it blind without many expectations and what a surprise I had enjoying this perfume this spring starting in Chile. It gives freshness but without losing strength; it’s one of those scents that give energy and security. What longevity and trail! Good, pretty, and cheap. I’ll definitely repeat.

The truth is I’m amazed by Grès. How noticeable it is when things are well-made, with intention, care, and good taste. Cabotine Gold has nothing to envy many white florals ten times more expensive. I also find it similar to Coco Mademoiselle, which has never said much to me. Cabotine Gold I like more; it’s more interesting, with a classic touch that doesn’t detract from its freshness, making it a versatile fragrance ideal for daily wear but also worth it for special occasions (I imagine wearing it to a daytime wedding perfectly). It also reminds me of 5th Avenue, but Cabotine is more interesting, something less generic, perfect for gifting because I think many people could like it.

Definitely my alternative to Coco Mademoiselle – cheaper, yet of equal quality. I absolutely love having found this gem.

A lovely scent; my grandmother adored it so I had to treat myself. I didn’t enjoy it as much as I should have 🙁 I remember initially not liking it, but once it dried down, the fragrance was delicious.

Very delicious. Good longevity and trail. Highly recommended.