Quelques Fleurs l'Original

Quelques Fleurs l'Original is the multi-floral bouquet most of modern perfumery is measured against, first released in 1912 and still built on the same idea: dozens of flowers arranged so tightly that none of them steps forward alone. The opening is green and sharp rather than sweet, with bergamot and lemon cut by galbanum and a savoury lick of tarragon, which keeps the first few minutes from reading as old-fashioned. The heart is where the money went. Jasmine, tuberose, rose, ylang-ylang, lily of the valley, violet, carnation, broom and orange blossom pile in together, with clove adding a dry spiced edge that stops the whole thing turning powdery. Underneath, oakmoss, sandalwood, cedar, orris, tonka bean, musk and a civet-style animalic note give it the mossy, faintly dirty floor that modern florals almost never have. Performance is strong: eight hours or more on skin is normal, with projection that settles close after the first hour but never quite disappears. It is a cool-weather and transitional scent by temperament, best in autumn and spring, and it suits evenings, formal occasions and anywhere a little grandeur is welcome. It is not an inoffensive office floral, and it is not trying to be. This is the classical French floral lane at full strength, and the reason the bottle has stayed on shelves for more than a century.