Eau de Basilic Pourpre, the new cologne from Hermès. Initially, Hermès was not a perfumery house at all. It was a saddler and harness maker specialized in leatherwork. Then, over the course of its history, Hermès decided to gradually expand its scope of activity. It was in 1979 that the house finally affirmed its status as a perfumer, by creating its first Eau de Cologne.
The house of Hermès is considered one of the greatest empires of French luxury. What is more, it is also one of the oldest houses in France. Since 1837, Hermès has innovated, created and shown avant-garde spirit, all while preserving a caring eye on history. Now, once again, to carry on tradition, Hermès has decided to create a new Eau de Cologne. It is called Eau de Basilic Pourpre. Here is our review.
Olfastory’s review
Hermès's Eau de Basilic Pourpre, a nod to French traditions
Since 1837, 6 generations of artisans have succeeded one another at the head of the house of Hermès. Thus, Hermès has managed to evolve with French trends. Yet it has not forgotten its origins. Now, until the beginning of the last century, men and women did not have perfumes such as we know them today. They simply applied a touch of Cologne to their skin at the end of their grooming routine. Now, it is precisely to this olfactory tradition that the Hermès Colognes collection refers. With a simple fresh and aromatic breath, Hermès's Eau de Basilic Pourpre takes us back to that bygone era and helps us not to forget the beginnings of perfumery as we know it today. The freshness of Hermès's Eau de Basilic Pourpre brilliantly evokes a simple and authentic refinement, intended for men and women alike.
A more poetic and noble evocation of basil
Hermès's Eau de Basilic Pourpre was created by one of the best perfumers on the planet, the house's official nose: Christine Nagel. Now, through this creation, she did not simply offer us the peppery accents traditionally associated with purple basil. Here, it is rather an olfactory cloud inspired by the memory of the greengrocer's stall filled with basil. Christine Nagel states that she initiated a poetic approach, which aims not to compose the objective fragrance of purple basil, but rather to shape its image from the memory of that scent and the emotions felt at the time. In contact with bergamot, basil unfolds a fresh scent, emblematic of eaux de Cologne. With geranium, it becomes more peppery. Finally, in its base, it turns spicier while gaining in persistence. For this, it relies on the sensual, woody note of patchouli.
An authentic bottle that does not go unnoticed
As for the bottle, even though Hermès does not make a major change, the magic is very much present. Hermès's Eau de Basilic Pourpre does not go unnoticed. Its green color immediately brings to mind the fresh basil leaves found in Mediterranean cuisine. Its shape, meanwhile, is a dive into Hermès's heritage. Indeed, the slender silhouette of the bottle of Hermès's Eau de Basilic Pourpre is inspired by the lanterns of carriages of days gone by. Now, let us recall: Hermès has always been deeply linked to the world of travel. Once again, Hermès's Eau de Basilic Pourpre is a perfume that helps us not to forget…