Grigioperla Essence
La Perla (2009)

Grigioperla Essence is a really decent product bringing back the “sharp & synthetic woody-peppery-herbal freshness” to the price range it best belongs to. Given many other brands do this same stuff at higher prices and/or with more undeserved praise, I guess it may be considered a mild winner. It's basically Terre d'Hermès rewritten with less citrus and a bit more soapy-lavendery musk, something green (pine), and also a more vivid whiff of smoky vetiver. Halfway that, Encre Noire, half of Comme des Garçons offerings (all their variations on incense and woods), and a Neutro Roberts man deodorant. The “Freshly Hired Accounting Intern Manifesto”, shortly, but it doesn't smell bad: on the contrary it actually smells really pleasant, clean, affably refined, surprisingly not that cheap yet a bit boring and quite desperately “nondescript” like a stock picture of a meeting room. Although hiring Bourdon for something this pedantic is a bit like having Frank Gehry renovating your cat's litter box , Essence is ultimately a fine, versatile, fairly-priced product which would make a great gift for non-fragrance fans looking for a signature office scent.

6,5/10

Far better than terre d'Hermes, even if in the same line. Spicier and greener. For those finding TdH too cloying this could be a better alternative.

fresh and sexy, a nice change from all summer acquatics, surely worth its price!