For nearly two centuries, the house of Guerlain has been creating precious fragrances, born of exceptional expertise and outstanding craftsmanship. To achieve such a result, Guerlain surrounds itself with the finest perfumers while also blending rigorously selected raw materials. Guerlain has an innate sense of the exceptional, and each of its fragrances is always highly anticipated. In 2019, Guerlain treats us to a newcomer in the L'Art et la Matière collection. Sun-kissed and summery, Embruns d'Ylang draws inspiration from the Comoros archipelago to elevate the summer season.
Embruns d'Ylang is a perfume that belongs to Guerlain's Collection Exclusive. This collection brings together exceptional fragrances, each of which pays tribute to a specific raw material adored by the Guerlain family. Between sublime flowers, precious woods and intoxicating resins, Guerlain's Collection Exclusive lets the imagination wander through the finest ingredients used by perfumers. Here, as the name of this fragrance suggests, ylang-ylang takes center stage. However, Embruns d'Ylang by Guerlain is not a soliflore. In other words, ylang-ylang is elevated by other ingredients placed in the background, serving only to highlight the complexity of this sun-drenched flower.
Ylang-ylang, the central ingredient of Embruns d'Ylang
Ylang-ylang is a plant that grows mainly on a shrub found in Madagascar and on the island of the Comoros. It is by distilling the white flowers of this tree that perfumers obtain ylang-ylang essence. A mature tree can yield about 20 to 30 kg of flowers per season. Yet 350 to 400 kg of ylang-ylang flowers are needed to produce a single kilo of essence. In other words, ylang-ylang is a noble ingredient reserved solely for fine perfumery. Here, it lends Embruns d'Ylang by Guerlain a sun-kissed quality while amplifying its refinement. Its scent is very powerful. It is also very rich and complex. For its many facets, ylang-ylang is highly valued by perfumers. It is alternately powdery, luminous, floral, fruity and sun-kissed. Some perfumes also highlight its spicy and leathery undertone. In Embruns d'Ylang, the scent of ylang-ylang is more bewitching than ever. Luminous and enveloping, it is elevated by other contrasting raw materials, offering a perfume that floats between land and sea.
Embruns d'Ylang by Guerlain, a smooth perfume with exotic, honeyed accents
Beyond this exceptional ylang-ylang flower, Thierry Wasser, Guerlain's perfumer, enhanced its composition with other, more exotic, smooth and spicy raw materials. Because the name of this perfume also contains the word embruns [sea spray], the house of Guerlain incorporated salty touches into its top notes. These give the impression that this fragrance comes directly from the ocean. Bergamot, for its part, lends it a fresher, more zesty tang. In the heart of this fragrance, ylang-ylang is not the only white flower used by Guerlain. The house also incorporated another great classic of feminine perfumery: sambac jasmine. Its aroma is both green and fruity, close to that of orange blossom. The whole is spiced with clove, as if to warm this essence and give it more pep. Patchouli then structures its base, amplifying the tenacity of this perfume while lending it an air of mystery. For a smoother, more seductive rendering, vanilla was incorporated into its composition. Finally, iris reinforces the refinement of this essence while adding a more powdery touch. Overall, the result is a mysterious, generous and exotic perfume.