Voyage d’Hermes by Hermès

My favourite citrus scent of all time. It seems discontinued but it is worth having. It smells astonishingly well and lasts quite a while for a citrus. In my opinion, it pairs perfectly with potatoes at Acquas di Parma, Dior Colognes, TF Nerolis Portofinos, etc. A masterpiece of maturity from a genius like Ellena. Like all author derivatives (the current industry plague, capitalist ‘derivatology’ based on cloning successes to make money for the creator and brand, inflating the master’s cachet before going to sleep… that’s the reality, bro), it is 80% Declaration EDT by Cartier and 20% Terre D’Hermès EDT, the holy grail of Hermès. It smells bloody brilliant and is addictive. It could be your signature scent for six months of heat. Citrus notes on the opening that last the entire life of the EDT without being a cheap fragrance. It carries cardamom on the opening like the Declaration, juniper berries à la gin and tonic, plus musk and green/woody base notes that give it charm, appeal, seriousness and more longevity. The formula does not fail. Being the base of two great perfumes, the result is very good. Voyage, journey, fresh, very versatile, it is brilliant for spring-summer, you can tell it is quality, elegant, serious; I see it as more masculine than the Cartier Declaration and somewhat mature, for over 30 years old. Very young people may not be drawn to it much; there are tastes for everyone. It doesn’t last long, yes, 5-6 hours in my case (the last two hours close to the skin), but I didn’t expect more. The peculiar bottle design stands out, something rare, with a metal cap like a rotating wheel (some didn’t like it) that serves as both cap and stand (ideal for clumsy people like me who lose caps). I suppose this protects it in suitcases. PS: I find it amusing that it is compared to the ‘Perfume Man’ Croxatto, an internet social phenomenon unknown outside the YouTuber bubble, against mass commercial perfumery. Voyage, journey, fresh, I remember Desireless and the summer of ’86… a proper scent bomb.

This is the second time I’ve tried it before deciding to buy it. Opening: a fresh bomb that radiates a very clean aura, interwoven with citrus fruits and earthy elements. I suppose the spices and cardamomo fit in here; they are by no means sharp, but so light that the lemon can embrace and envelop them, giving a slight touch of mystique. Evolution: quite charming. I don’t perceive floral notes, and if they are there, they seem like a blend of spices and lemon, which adds value. I also don’t perceive the woods, but never mind. Trail and projection: noticeable from a great distance for the first two hours and sure to alert any nose. I don’t think anyone would say it doesn’t smell delicious. Then it fades, but not fatally; it becomes discreet but remains there, crouching. This is what I understand by a masterful sillage. Verdict: I definitely must have it. It’s practically one of my favourites. A 10 out of 10. Full stop. The same goes almost entirely with the Eau de Parfum.

It is incredible that Hermès creates fresh, clean fragrances from such different perspectives. I own the Parfum, the H24 EDT and this Voyage. They all smell different yet aim for the same thing: a clean, crisp, mature, classy scent. This Voyage opens green, spiced with cardamom and citrus, a bitter citrus like peel; then the woods and musk emerge. Although not listed, it has a vetiver base that becomes clear in the dry-down and final stages. It’s the same vetiver I sense in Encre Noire Sport. In the dry-down, they share that very similar woody, earthy facet. It is highly versatile, yet projects seriousness and crispness… so if you wear it to the office, you’ll smell like the boss.

Hermes Voyage is incredible and has its own personality. It is a real and distinguished citrus, one of the most faithful I have tried. I don’t sense flowers or musk; it is a spiced citrus that vividly reminds me of a tree from my childhood that I can no longer recall. In my opinion, these such natural aromas are admirable works of art, but I prefer to find them in nature rather than in people, as they remain too faithful to a plant. It is a masterpiece, well-cared for and respectable, but excessively representative of something that already exists in nature. Scent: 7/10, Sillage: 6/10, Longevity: 6/10, Versatility: 7/10.

At first, with the citrus and cardamom, I felt a déjà vu with Declaration by Cartier; they share almost all the notes. Then the tea with flowers and undefined woods comes out strong. Despite the cardamom which sometimes gives a sweaty sensation, it did not happen here. The finish is long, musky and woody. It is as special as Declaration, like a younger sister a little less complex, but that makes it more usable for those who do not get along with Cartier. The sillage is moderate, intimate and lasts more than 9 hours on the skin. Ideal for summer, spring or autumn, for the day or with your partner.

For my nose it is an aroma that is warm and cold at the same time, earthy but clean like crystal water… quite spiced, without being intrusive or suffocating… soft but with a very perceptible tea aroma… a still green wood. I find it different from what is available today; in my opinion it is suitable for daily use and work situations that require neatness and concentration. It relaxes me, I like it and I want it. I am fascinated by its bottle.

It has completely turned my head, hehe. What joy it is to smell it! The funniest thing is that I don’t wear it myself; my wife does. I buy it for myself, but she ends up wearing it all; I hardly mind because this avoids olfactory fatigue (when I wear it, I stop smelling it after five minutes). I smell it better when she wears it, I always smell it, and it delights me to see my bombom leaving that magical trail from this bottle.

One of the special fragrances, a citrus herbal blend where the spices are so subtly arranged that they soothe the lemon, making it softer; combined with the earthy notes and cedar, they give it a wonderfully fresh elegance. It smells much more expensive than its price tag because it has an extremely high quality of composition. Good longevity and trail for a fresh perfume. It creates an olfactory memory.

Look, I’m not an expert on perfumes, but I have to say that wearing this in summer after a shower, heading out around six in the evening when the unbearable heat has finally broken, is something else. It’s an incredible sensation. The price hurts because, honestly, it’s something you’d buy 300 bottles of and bathe in to fly. So beautiful and so clean.

The Pablo Picasso of perfumery. Hermes’ creations are unique and inspire you to live freely. The Voyage bottle pays homage to artisan saddles; turning the cap looks like a stirrup. Cut grass, lemon, cardamom and fresh woods create a timeless aura of clean nature. It smells like a meadow freshly wet by dew, super relaxing for men and women.

I don’t understand how they managed to make the wood smell fresh. At first, there’s a hit of alcohol that reminds me of gin, which I’m not a fan of, but it disappears in seconds, giving way to that ‘fresh wood’ scent. I don’t know how they did it because, as far as I know, there are no mint trees. Well done.

I have no idea how they managed to make wood smell fresh. Upon spraying, you get a gin-like alcohol hit that I don’t fancy, but it vanishes in seconds, revealing that ‘fresh wood’ scent. There are no mint trees involved—what an achievement! Well done.

It’s a very wearable citrus, not the typical one where you only smell lemon or lime; it’s special. I sense a clean tea note that reminds me of Elizabeth Arden’s Green Tea but softened and sweeter. I definitely like it.

Light and elegant at first, then it leaves mostly a trail of lemon and cardamomo. Longevity of 4 hours, clinging to the skin from the very first moment. I wouldn’t buy it.

Its aroma reminded me of a very bitter plant called Ruta graveolens. In the cologne I found a resemblance, but more diluted and fresh.