Guerlain Jicky Parfum

121 years is an extremely long run for anything. Guerlain's Jicky has accomplished just that....and while it has its fans and detractors, a century plus of production is very hard to argue with.

I have read the reviews before ever sampling Jicky and they run the gamut. It's ancient, yet classical enough to be viable today. The opening is a citric civet accord with woody undertones. It is a bit animalic for a few minutes, but after the initial accord winds down, it softens some with the arrival of amber and tonka. The floral heart coupled with patchouli and vetiver take a backseat on my skin...or at least in the parfum version I am sampling. They are in there, but very subtle and bit players at best.

Once the drydown commences, a very soft leather with citrus combine with the still-present amber-tonka. It's quite pleasant actually and I find it a comforting smell. Most Guerlain's and Aigner's I have worn share a smooth denseness that seems to be indicative of their respective houses. Jicky has this as well and all through the accords, there is the phantom civet note appearing and disappearing at will.

I have concluded I like Jicky.....not enough to pay its hefty price tag for the parfum version, but good is good regardless. If you are not partial to civet or animalic scents in general, Jicky is probably not for you; however.....a sampling of this should be tried if the reviews pique your interest.