The woods are a magical place. Ever wanted to smell like them?
Terre D’Hermes EDT, an iconic fragrance from the prestigious Hermes house of perfumes, has been a modern classic since its release in 2006. With its woody and spicy aroma, this fragrance is perfect for anyone who loves a bit of rugged adventure. From the bright top notes of grapefruit and orange to the deeper base notes of cedarwood and patchouli, Terre D’Hermes EDT is certainly a scent that stands out from the crowd. In this review, I’ll be exploring why it’s such a special scent and how it can take you on an olfactory journey through the woods.
Personal Impressions
It’s been a while since I’ve reviewed a fragrance, so I thought I’d start with one of my favorites: Terre D’Hermes EDT. A modern classic, smelling it is like getting lost in the best sort of forest.
First off, this is not a sweet, overstated, or typically designer scent. It’s so much more than that. Terre D’Hermes, to me, represents the rugged elegance of a forest, mixed with the almost otherworldly beauty of an autumn day. It’s elegant, classy, and smells confident in a smooth and understated way.
On the skin, the fragrance develops really well. It changes almost on a whim, and never gets boring. It’s incredibly masculine without being loud, arrogant, or overbearing. It’s subtly rugged, and smells sexy in a professional, put together way.
Scent
Terre D’Hermes EDT is unique. No other scent on the market has the same rugged earthiness, while simultaneously smelling incredibly classy. Here is a breakdown of the notes that make up this masterpiece:
Top Notes:
- Orange
- Grapefruit
Middle Notes:
- Pepper
- Pelargonium (A kind of pink flower)
- Flint
Base Notes:
- Vetiver
- Cedar
- Patchouli
- Benzoin
As you can see, the composition is heavy on earthier notes, with a hint of spice from the pepper. There’s not a lot of warmth or sweetness, and the citrus in the opening is quite bitter. It’s positively luxurious, and smells like walking through a forest surrounded by orange groves after a heavy spring rain.
This is the kind of scent that pairs perfectly with all sorts of occasions and outfits, from black tie to white t-shirt.
While notes are one thing, the overall vibe can sometimes belie what the note breakdown would seem to suggest. In this case, the fragrance stays relatively consistent with what you’d imagine it to be; it is earthy, it is citrusy (in a bitter, not sweet, way), and it does smell sophisticated.
But it also has a sort of unexplained warmth in the heart, possibly from the patchouli, and a charm in its ruggedness that I haven’t found elsewhere. When you smell it yourself, you’ll understand.
For more vetiver scents, check out our article on what vetiver smells like.
Performance
Performance is pretty important. You don’t want to spray something on and, ten minutes later, forget you’re wearing anything at all. So, how does Terre D’Hermes perform?
Longevity wise, you’re covered from sun up to sun down. Seriously, just a few sprays and you’re good. When I wear this fragrance, I spray my neck twice and my wrist once — and I can usually still smell it in the air around me 12 hours later.
Sillage is good too, though not great. While this isn’t going to make much of an impression on the hottie standing 15 feet away, that’s part of its allure; it isn’t meant to be a knock-you-out kind of fragrance. Its masculinity lies in its ability to sneak up on you. A classy man doesn’t yell in your face.
This isn’t to give the impression that the sillage of this fragrance is bad; it absolutely is not. The people around you will definitely be able to smell Terre D’Hermes on you. But it’s more understated than, say, a clubbing fragrance like Versace Eros.
Overall though, performance is excellent and if you choose to wear this fragrance, you have nothing to worry about.
Who Is This Scent Good For?
This scent is good for anyone looking for a true timeless classic. The scent is classy, elegant, and has an earth depth that will knock your socks off. Its effect is undeniable. The confidence and relaxed charisma that this brings to the table is tremendous. If that’s something you’re looking for, this is a great option for you.
I would recommend this scent for the man that carries himself well, takes pride in his appearance, and thinks before he speaks. This isn’t the sort of fragrance that lends itself to impulsivity or flagrance.
I have heard people say that Terre D’Hermes is for older men; that it smells like a grandpa. They confuse themselves. This doesn’t smell old, or grandfatherly, it smells put together. It smells like a charismatic man with a plan. If you’re listless, this won’t work for you, no matter your age or how far down you’ve passed your genes.
Simply put, if you take pride in yourself, this cologne will work wonders for you.
When To Wear It
Terre D’Hermes EDT works pretty much everywhere, anytime. It’s very versatile, and that’s one of its many draws.
That said, there are times when this fragrance truly shines.
The first is seasonal: Terre D’Hermes is the perfect scent in the fall, wears quite well in the spring, and can even work quite well in the winter. Summer nights are lovely too, but I may avoid wearing on summer days. The heat can mess with the woodsy, earthy vibes.
Next is occasion: As this fragrance is classy, you can wear this scent to business events, professional settings, and weddings. As this scent is timeless, rugged, and quite sexy, you can wear this scent to school, on dinner dates, or just simply out.
Versatility is the name of the game here, but it is an elegant scent, so dressing nicely really will enhance the effect.
Similar Fragrances
If you’re looking for a scent similar to Terre D’Hermes, we have a few options for you to choose from.
- Tom Ford Grey Vetiver is a similarly woodsy scent that also invokes a certain element of class. Grey Vetiver is, however, we believe, more versatile and wearable. Check out our full Grey Vetiver review here.
- Dior Homme Intense is an extremely classy, sensual scent with more darkness and depth than Terre D’Hermes. It also smells sweeter, and is better in cold weather. Think winter nights.
- Givenchy Gentlemen Only Intense is another scent I can easily recommend. Gentlemen Only Intense is much sweeter, and has less darkness and earthiness than Terre D’Hermes. It smells less elegant and more playful.
- Hermes Eau d’Orange Verte is similarly earthy with a touch of citrus. However, it smells more green and makes an excellent spring companion.
- Encre Noire, by Lalique, offers wearers a similar woodsiness with a darker, smoother, stormier vibe. It smells like a forest, but more like a lonely one. Check out our full Encre Noire Review for all the deets.
If This Was A Color…
It would be a mellow orange. Like an early morning autumn sky, or the still-yellow leaves on a maple tree.
Where To Buy
Conclusion
Overall, Terre d’Hermes EDT is an incredibly well-crafted scent that smells classy and premium. It’s a timeless fragrance that captures the ruggedness of the outdoors while also paying homage to its elegance. This scent from Hermes is one you’ll never regret wearing, whatever you end up doing.
We hope you enjoyed this review of Terre D’Hermes. Happy sniffing!
