L'Instant de Guerlain Extreme

[Sam]

Reading up that this is a pretty good scent, $80 or so for 100ml, and is a formal cocoa/vanilla/bergamot scent, medium projection, great longevity

Any one have comments?

[Squire]

Only that I enjoy vicarious participation in your hunt for the scent. Sam maybe you ought to frame those labels and hang them on the wall as trophies.

[Bargepole]

Very fine composition. The dryout is notably cacao but without excessive sweetness. I think it (and it's older brother l'Instant) are a couple of the best masculines of recent years.

I wear it often and with a certain sadness as I had met several times the main hand on the tiller, the exquisite -- both in her craft and in her person -- Beatrice Piquet who sadly died in 2010 at only 46. L'Instant & L'Extreme are as charming as her smile.

[greyhawk]

I haven't had the pleasure of trying the Extreme version, but the "original" L'Instant is quite nice. Most comments I've read have favored the Extreme over the original.

If you acquire some, please post back with your comments!

[Sam]

bargepole, if you pop back in, I am thinking it is one of these (the regular L'instant or the Extreme version) or Tauer's L'air. Thoughts?

[Bargepole]

bargepole, if you pop back in, I am thinking it is one of these (the regular L'instant or the Extreme version) or Tauer's L'air. Thoughts?

Very different beasts, Sam. L'Instant & the Extrème version are both sophisticated, beautifully-designed almost-gourmands, saved from the Yum Yum Club by a dryness (though not a powderiness) of accord. It's the same effect (though by completely different means) as the difference between a fine rum and an Islay malt whisky. L'Air du Désert Marocain is an entirely different beast, much more wide-open and pictorial; a panorama as opposed to an intimate vignette.

Of the two Guerlains, I prefer the Extrème simply because I like the magnificent cacao dryout, but that's a matter of taste.

They're all three top-quality compositions, though; no question of that.

[Sam]

Got the Tauer
still thinking these two Guerlains are an option. I have read this

LIDGE (the extreme version)

Lasts longer
different opinions on projection
may smell better to some, heavier on the cocoa on the dry down, a dry cocoa
more gourmandish

LIDGE:

Half as much per ounce
More citrusy
more versatile
May project more from what basenotes says
may or may not last as long as LIDGE
**some lavendar/urinal cake smell I read by one or two guys at fragranita**

[never2close]

While I have not tried LIDG, I own and very much enjoy LIDGE. It is a a wonderful gourmand scent without being overbearing or cloying. Definitely a cocoa vanilla vibe in the dry down. One of my cooler weather scents. Difficult to obtain in the USA, but very easy to obtain from the Guerlain boutique in Toronto.

[SRD]

L'Instant is my wife's favorite scent (for women). We were told at Bloomingdale's that the scent is being discontinued. So I stocked up for her. Do know if this applies to the men's line as well.

[Sam]

Tried this. if i did not have Chanel Coromandel, this would be a great substitute. Little bit more cocoa in the base and drydown, a dusty addition that is not present in Coromandel