Launched in 2012 by French perfume house Guerlain, Songe d'Un Bois d'Eté is part of Les Déserts d'Orient collection.

It opens with a note of camphorous-tinged herbaceous bay leaf and fresh, floral neroli. Together, they create a sophisticated and aromatic opening that sets the tone for what’s to come. As it blooms, a note of saffron comes forward. It’s dark and spicy and linked to a note of cardamon that’s fresh and spicy. Together, they temper the bay leaf and neroli beautifully with an exotic, spicy warmth that opens up the fragrance to cedarwood and oud. The woodiness is enticing with a smokiness I find irresistible and a balminess that, at times, gets deliciously medicinal on me. An undulating note of jasmine is floral, sweet and animalic and adds femininity to the woods. At the base, patchouli deepens the woodiness. A warm, sensual leather accord evokes luxury at the base, while aromatic myrrh that’s balsamy, slightly spicy and slightly smoky odor rounds it all out.

Songe d’Un Bois d’Eté translates into ‘dream of a summer wood’, which explains why the heavy-sounding ingredients are transformed into a refined, beautiful, woody scent that showcases Middle Eastern notes in a very French way. And that oud! It stays right to the drydown, which leaves an elegant trail for ages.

Notes: Bay leaf, neroli, patchouli, saffron, cardamom, jasmine, cedar wood, oud, leather, and myrrh.