Galop d’Hermes by Christine Nagel for Hermès 2016

Hi there Perfume Posse! Galop d’Hermes was ushered in as the brightest shining star of 2016. Created by the new fragrant creative director of the luxury house Hermès, Christine Nagel. Fabulously the company had decided to give a woman the top job! Cartier also has a woman at the helm with Mathilde Laurent and I can’t think of another woman in charge elsewhere. Please correct me in the comments if I’ve missed someone.

One of the APJ contributors Claire V went crazy for it when first released and bought a bottle. I always heave a sigh of relief when this happens  because it means one new release I can safely ignore. Recently though I was given a manufacturers boxed sample of Galop d’Hermes and I thought it would be churlish of me to not try it.

Galop d’Hermes by Christine Nagel for Hermès 2016

Galop d'HermesFragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Saffron, quince
Heart: Rose, osmanthus
Base: Leather, musk

Imagine a warm, sweet citrus with a lovely tart edge and then overlay an interesting sheen of something that could be saffron but doesn’t really smell much like my idea of it. The leather is already playing in the background for me, a patent leather, super glossy and new but well refined.

There is a unfocussed powdery osmanthus green buzzing around and it pairs very nicely with the clean tea rose, lightly fruity. Galop d’Hermes is full of light and shimmers softly, subtly. I get a basil-like green also floating through.

As the scent dries down it literally smells like it’s drying out and becomes more and more loved leather handbag or jacket. A comfortable wear.

Galop d'HermesHermès

If you love bombastic fragrances then I think that you’ll be let down by Galop d’Hermes. It’s quietly elegant, whispers its beauty into your heart and smells like you can afford the best that life has to offer.

Will I buy a bottle? I’m not sure, let’s see how quickly I go through the sample…….

Further reading: Perfume Posse and Australian Perfume Junkies
Surrender To Chance has samples starting at $3.50/0.5ml

Did you try Galop d’Hermes when it came out?
Portia xx

  • otamom says:

    I haven’t had too much luck with Hermes fragrances, and not for lack of trying, just mostly ‘meh’ to me. I know, not a popular opinion… but based on your review, I shall search it out and give it a go

  • MikasMinion says:

    I actually went to Neiman’s twice when it was first released and both times they claimed not to have a tester. Of course, they encouraged me to just buy a bottle unsniffed but that wasn’t happening. Haven’t had the time to go back and Hermes usually don’t work that great for me so I’m not suffering.

  • shiva-woman says:

    I too got a couple carded samples, and then one from STC. I quite like it– and if someone gave me a bottle, I’d wear and enjoy, but I don’t love it. Quiet restraint doesn’t suit me even when I’m grocery shopping or going to the post.

  • Neva says:

    I got a manufacturer’s sample too and I really liked it. If I hadn’t known it was quince, I’d have said apple. The leather is soft, just the way I like it. As you said “quietly elegant” sums it up for me. Would I buy it – yes, but rather a decant because it’s rather expensive.

  • Tara C says:

    Love the idea, but the quince did me in, got a big unpleasant fruit note, and not enough leather. Cuir d’Ange didn’t work for me either. Bottega Veneta is more my thing, love love love that one!

    • Hi there TaraC,
      You’ll get no arguments from me. Bottega Veneta is a wonderful fragrance. Fits so many occasions and is totally beautiful.
      There still seems to be room in my collection for both the others too though.
      Portia xx

  • DinaC says:

    I bought a sample from STC because I loved Cuir d’Ange from Hermes so much, but this one was different. I could never figure it out. It was probably the saffron. So I gave it away to someone else who was very appreciative. I do love the bottle though. Very clever stirrup shape.

    • Hey DinaC,
      TOTALLY different. Muir d’Ange is one of their best releases for me too. I love it.
      This is different but I’m glad. It feels like they’re really trying to create a rounded selection.
      Portia xx

  • March says:

    When I saw the bottle in person for the first time at Bloomingdales I literally gasped. It’s just so fantastic looking; what a great idea on their end, and I think the scent very much fits in with their branding. I didn’t rush out to buy it (it’s not really me) but I’m sure others did.