Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.
Voyage d’Hermès would have been a fantastic discovery if there did not already exist Terre d’Hermès, Cartier Déclaration, and Bvlgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert. After all, it is elegant, radiant, and streamlined in the best of Jean-Claude Ellena’s style. Yet, when I smell it now after having already experienced the same elements in the aforementioned fragrances, it seems so much like a repetition of the same theme that I cannot but feel let down. It takes me on a voyage that is perhaps too familiar to be exciting anymore.
The fragrance opens up on a bright, green, top note of citrus, pepper and basil, which gives it a sparkling character. This territory will be familiar to those who enjoy the citrusy glitter of Eau de Pamplemousse Rose and Terre d’Hermès. In fact, Voyage d’Hermès might be a good option for those who enjoy Terre d’Hermès, but seek a lighter, more androgynous fragrance. Although the composition is built in a panoramic style, with all of its facets unfolding at the same time, it nevertheless retains an element of surprise. Once the citrus recedes, the musky-woody accord, reminiscent of driftwood on the beach, takes center stage. Mellowed out by soft, violet-green notes, the woods then take on a hazy, cashmere soft appearance.
Voyage d’Hermès is certainly an enjoyable fragrance, and it fits well with the ethos of the house and its talented perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena. It uses high quality ingredients and an intelligent design which are all too often missing from most luxury launches today. For those who cannot get enough of Ellena’s olfactory haikus, Voyage d’Hermès will be another pleasant discovery. As for me, I am ready for the roads less traveled.
The bottle of Voyage d’Hermès, designed by Hermès in-house designer Philippe Mouquet, is its great feature, although it looks best in the smaller size. It has a pleasant heft and opens with a perfect click. Elegant, luxurious and timeless, like most Hermès merchandise.
Voyage d’Hermès (fragrance family: woods) includes note of angelica, juniperberry, cedarwood, sandalwood, white musk. Available from Hermès boutiques, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Barneys New York, Saks5thAvenut.
21 Comments
violetnoir: V, I agree with you. It had me at the opening with the wonderful wafts of cardamom…and then it “sailed on” to something else and continued its voyage.
The Terre d’Hermes parfum is gorgeous! I bought it for my husband, and it smells great on him.
Hugs! January 6, 2011 at 11:52am
Olfactoria: Oh yes, this is pretty. I always confuse it with Terre d´Hermes in my mind though, it is not that they are so similar, just their principle is, just like you said. Ellena fandom comes in phases with me, sometimes I love everything he does and wear nothing but Hermes perfumes, then there are times when I couldn’t ´t care less about another minimalist rendition of something or other. I guess at the moment he is out 😉 January 6, 2011 at 6:59am
Victoria: I am the same way myself, but with Voyage, I feel that I am truly ready for something else. It is pretty, but so familiar that it is difficult to believe that it is another new fragrance from Hermes.
What do you like from the line the most? January 6, 2011 at 9:14am
Marina: Don’t want a lighter Terre d’Hermes. Want an even more intense, earthier, minerally one 🙂 January 6, 2011 at 9:18am
Victoria: I am not sure I even want another Terre d'Hermes! One suffices for me. 🙂
But did you know that there is Terre d'Hermes parfum? It might be something you might like. January 6, 2011 at 9:44am
Olfactoria: I like Eau de Pamplemousse Rose, for something truly refreshing and undemanding for summer. Hermessence Rose Ikebana is nice too. But mostly (at least right now) I can’t think of an Hermes fragrance that is a lot more than nice and very wearable. January 6, 2011 at 10:04am
Victoria: I like those two, but I prefer In Love Again to both of them. It is even brighter and zestier (also by the same perfumer.)
In general, my favorite Hermes fragrances are from the older collection–Caleche, Doblis, Eqipage, 24 Faubourg. The latter is one of the most luminous orange blossoms I have ever encountered. January 6, 2011 at 10:07am
Victoria: Oh, and how could I forget Eau d’Hermes! It has the most interesting light-dark interplay of accords. January 6, 2011 at 10:08am
Victoria: R, yes, I loved that peppper-cardamom opening too, but then it became so similar to other Ellena fragrances that I lost my interest. I definitely love his work, and I find his compositions interesting, but somehow it feels that the whole Hermes collection now is monothematic. I guess, it gives it coherence on one level, but on another, each new release in the same genre–that lacks excitement to me. January 6, 2011 at 12:45pm
Martina: I just love…. the BOTTLE. Terre is my all-time love, on my hubby and on me – but the flacon of that one is just to die for.
Fondly, Martina
http://duftreise.blogspot.com/ January 6, 2011 at 1:03pm
Victoria: Martina, I know, the bottle is gorgeous. The design is very interesting and it works well. I can imagine slipping a small bottle in my pursue. Terre d'Hermes is another bottle I like, heavy glass, nice stopper. January 6, 2011 at 1:12pm
Elisa: I’ve had to admit to myself I’m just not a fan of Ellena’s aesthetic. I like the gin-and-tonic opening here but not the musk it turns into. Most of his fragrances smell very similar to me after the first 10 minutes. That is, with the exception of his older, denser compositions (a couple of which I love). January 6, 2011 at 4:20pm
Joan: I have a sample, and I like it. I think it smells brisk and airy, just like the ads. Might review it myself soon. January 6, 2011 at 5:11pm
Victoria: Elisa, I've enjoyed pretty much everything up to Terre d'Hermes, and then I started to yearning for something else. Declaration, First, Bulgari Au The Vert will remain for me always among fragrances I would not hesitate to call legendary. Also I have quite a few favorites from the most recent Hermes such as the garden series.
January 6, 2011 at 6:03pm
Victoria: I look forward to reading your review then.
The ads are gorgeous, aren't they! January 6, 2011 at 6:12pm
Wordbird: Victoria, do you suppose that if you were going on holiday, this perfume would be able to be the one scent you took with you?
I appreciate that you doubtless have a couple of personal favourites for travelling. My question is more philosophical perhaps. Do you think Hermes has created a fragrance suitable for travellers? September 4, 2012 at 8:52am
emmeline: I have enjoyed this perfume wow I love it so very much, every where that I go if I put this perfume on me people always stop askingme what perfume is that , now I am planning to buy le voyage d Hermes. January 21, 2015 at 11:35am
Victoria: Enjoy it! 🙂 January 21, 2015 at 12:58pm
JulienFromDijon: I get to very like “voyage” by Hermès. I’m planning to get a bottle.
I don’t fancy “Déclaration” from Cartier.
I would prefer “Patchouli Patch” from l’AP than “Terre d’hermès”.
I really like “Epice marine” but a hefty dose of isoEsuper or a woody-amber bugs me.
The latest got me to really like it’s “roasted cumin” note of Voyage. It’s really an anti-perfume, like a “day back from normandy beach” mixed with a neutral body odor and cologne on a suit.
And I can get it for cheap, so I guess it makes a wonderful neutral smell, even more when you can spray it a lot.
It very more unpretending that Terre d’hermès that I find snobbish in its elusiveness.
Funny enough, I couldn’t care less about “Voyage” when it first came out, as you, as us. You spot it right that would have been better goodfairy on its crave if we had start by Voyage. But, as the strand pebble “gallet” it’s reminiscent of, it takes a lot of work to render such a smooth all-around form.
Congratulation to catching many ingredients, it’s really not easy when the seeming is so well finished and all is pondered and abstractly put together. I didn’t get the violet leaf effect! I was more like thinking of a remanent fougère-accord something, and a chyprish top note effect too. But the “tweed vest effect” I remind of about it, sure that’s the violet of hence Geoffrey Beene and the like. January 12, 2016 at 8:35am
Victoria: True, a technically polished perfume! January 12, 2016 at 9:02am
Shakhruh: Hi.I love Voyage D’Hermes Edt so much.I haven’t tried Voyage D’Hermes Parfum yet.Can I like this too Edt? February 11, 2021 at 1:37pm