Caleche by Hermès

Sometimes aldehydes can be overpowering, but in Calèche they are perfectly tamed. There is nothing sharp; it is a bouquet of flowers so well blended that it feels like a single entity. I imagine the wearer as a mature woman, calm and confident, with no need to show off. Since I tried the 1990s version, it has been my favourite perfume for this autumn.

At first, you note aldehydes, citrus and orange blossom that bring freshness and light, with a dry touch of cypress. Then comes the soapy heart with iris and rose, blended with tender jasmine and lily of the valley. The base features oakmoss, woods, musk and tonka bean. It is like a guided journey by angels to rest on cotton clouds dyed by a warm sunset. In 1961, Guy Robert created this myth.

It is inevitable to stop living in nostalgia for those perfumery creations of the golden years; I miss that audacity, power and specific personality of each creation. Is it not wonderful how many innocent noses perceive most chypres as an unpleasant similarity (old, outdated), but finally they are classified in very characteristic scents? This is the reason why these classics continue to be produced. Many people treasure what stands out, what leaves an indelible and unique mark, and Caleché is like that. Among the ‘familiar’ fragrances with which it shares similarities, Caleché would be that strong-woman, unbreakable, clear ideas, decisive, secure, feminine but in no way fragile, very woman, I say woman, big woman. We are facing a composition loaded with class, with soap and powder cream sensation, green and woody touches that fight to be noticed, moss to rise up, flowers, of course, many flowers that camouflage among foliage, wood, sun and a citrus tone. Very notable duration, moderate trail. Caleché is class and personality, something that at least once in your life you must try; Hermès is always a guarantee.

Calèche is one of the most beautiful perfumes I have ever smelled. It is a blend with precious accords of cypress, citrus and woods wrapped in aldehydes that give it a soapy touch. Smelling it relaxes me and brings back beautiful memories of my childhood.

Calèche instantly takes me back to my childhood, specifically to my aunt Pirucha. She used to buy me clothes and always smelled of Calèche. I associate the memory of my beloved aunt, very chic and elegant. When I was a teenager, I saved up to buy a bottle and was so happy. Today, at 57, I still keep the golden metal structure of the bottle and it still smells the same.

It was the first soapy fragrance I encountered, discovering what aldehydes were. It is greener than Chanel No 5 thanks to the moss and tree notes. On my skin I wear the eau première, but on other lovely people I prefer Calèche. It is classic, sophisticated and more accessible than its sisters. It is a floral scent of cleanliness.

Calèche is an aldehydic wonder gifted by the gods. Nowadays aldehydes usually bother me, but there are exceptions like Estée Lauder. They are brilliant executions that do not tire the nose. With Calèche I have found another great exception. It is a vintage that, surely softened, combines with the elegance of the house. It comes with non-pungent citrus and a beautiful cypress. If you have ever smelled cut cypress in a garden, you will know what I mean. That scent together with an aldehyde without metallic tones resonates beautifully. It has an iris tone that changes to moss, combining well with the florals. It is soft yet powerful, light yet substantial. Hermès never disappoints; their fragrances lend bearing and personality. It could be for a man or a woman, a romantic someone reading on a bench surrounded by cypresses and statues, enjoying the purity of a stress-free life and contemplating beautiful things. I love this perfume.

It is a very linear and soft floral. Well made, with classic lines, but not very impactful.

With so many descriptions of elegance, sensuality, blah, blah… what matters is that with the notes we know if we would like to buy it. Not everyone recognises what is inside nor have the same idea of what elegance or femininity is. I like fragrances like Caleche that combine orange blossom with wood components, musk or citrus. It is a perfume I recommend. As always, test before buying.

The incredible, wonderful sensation that washes over me when I smell Caleche brings back my childhood soap baths. The woody touch gives it an indescribable elegance and exquisiteness. I love it; I have always loved it and always will. So feminine, fine and yet dense… simply exquisite. Wonderful the reviews you have all written.

When you say aldehydic floral you already have an idea, right? It is a ‘vaporous’ floral scent, somewhat jasmine-like. It distinguishes itself from other famous aldehydic ones like Chanel No.5 by its exquisite cypress note, which gives it a very refined woody and fresh point… and because while others put rose and jasmine, here iris and ylang-ylang stand out (although the first two are also perceived). On my skin, the base notes result in being very feminine and even ‘seductive’, harmoniously combining with the trail of white flowers (orange blossom, jasmine, gardenia). In my opinion, it is a scent that dresses the skin of a beautiful woman with elegant garments; that is the image that comes to my mind. I imagine a mature woman but with rosy skin who does not need makeup, of those whose real age is difficult to know. A diva (regardless of the medium) for whom you know her, always well-groomed without exaggerations, subtly scented. To my taste, it is ethereal, elegant and delicate… preferably for daytime use. The images and sensations of the calèche please me; they speak to me of secure personalities, owners of their feelings and destiny.

Smelling this perfume is a journey into the past. It reminds me of the scent of my aunt. She WAS Caleche. Her clothes, her hair… everything was Caleche. To me, personally, I love it. It has that particularity, that individuality that does not resemble anything. It is dense as I like, it is elegant, feminine. To me I do not care much when they opine that it is for old people or young people, for summer or winter, night or day… to me I simply LIKE IT or NOT. I cannot conceive another rating than that. This perfume makes me close my eyes and travel.