Annick Goutal Week - Grand Amour

Notes: lily, honeysuckle, hyacinth, jasmine, mimosa, Turkish rose, musk, vanilla, amber, balsam, myrtle

Named for the love felt by Annick Goutal for her cellist husband, Alain Meunier, Grand Amour opens with hyacinth, sweet honeysuckle, and lily - a very heady but pleasing floral combination yet one that is not overwhelming or too strong.  These notes fade a bit after a brief period, and the scent becomes more about a delicious rose.  This is my favorite part of the scent, and it lasts a decent amount of time.  The musk and vanilla sweeten the rose, but do not make it cloying, and some of the earthy greenness of the opening notes does remain.  Much later in the drydown (although this scent lasts on me 5 hours tops), the composition turns stale on my skin, as the rose takes on a slightly rotten character.  A disappointing ending to such a promising start.