New Perfume Review: Ann Gérard Parfum Rose Cut + A Rose from Bertrand Duchaufour Draw

ann gerard rose cut ann and duchaufour cafleurebon

Bertrand Duchaufour and Ann Gérard

In 2012, Ann Gérard launched a collection of three perfumes, consisting of Cuir de Nacre, Ciel d’Opale, and Perle de Mousse, all by Master Perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour. They were received well by the perfume community, and now everyone has been a-buzz with talk of her latest release, also by M. Duchaufour, Rose Cut. This was one of the perfumes I was able to sniff and talk about with M. Duchaufour at Esxence. One of the things I noticed first about Rose Cut on paper was that it was a very balsamic rose, which M. Duchaufour agreed with. His task was to create a “wildly feminine, alluring and potent”* rose fragrance, and he has done so, as I am finding out now that I am trying it on skin.

ann gerard rose cut tama tama blough cafleurebon

Photo by Tama Blough

Opening with boozy, peppery notes made bright by aldehydes, the rose at the heart plays peek-a-boo for a while. I used to do floral arrangements for a company I worked for, and I remember the smell of the stems of roses, especially when I could get garden roses, as I stripped the excess leaves and snapped the thorns. There was a peppery quality to the greenery, which would mix with the aromas of the flowers themselves. Rose Cut brings that to life, and then accents it with deep, sensuous notes of patchouli, benzoin, and vanilla.

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Photographer unknown

I cannot call this a rose soliflore by any stretch; it is too complex, too mingled with sensuousness. This is the trail of petals leading to the boudoir, scented candles leading the way to a tryst by the fire. I also can’t really say it is a dark rose in the sense that it doesn’t conjure the black gothic roses that come to mind in that genre. M. Duchaufour said he wanted to create a unique rose fragrance. This is definitely unique; I have smelled a lot of rose fragrances lately, and this is hard to categorize. My initial impression of a balsamic rose never played out fully on skin. Although I got a few hints of the wine diamonds left behind in a cask, it never turned sour or too winey. It isn’t dewy, or fresh, just a good, satisfying fragrance. I also don’t find it so feminine that a man couldn’t wear it easily. The drydown is nicely spicy, and a teensy bit sweet. This perfume is a worthy addition to the Ann Gerard collection.

Notes: Aldehydes, rum, pink pepper, roses, peony, patchouli, vanilla, oak wood absolute, benzoin absolute

I received my review sample from Ann Gérard Parfum. Rose Cut is available at Lucky Scent in the US, and wherever Ann Gerard Parfum is sold.

-Tama Blough, Managing Editor

ann gerard rose cut bottle cafleurebon

Courtesy of Lucky Scent, we have two samples to give awayto two readers in the US. Leave a comment letting us know what appeals to you about this fragrance and where you live. Draw ends April 25.2014.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

*per Ann Gerard press materials

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38 comments

  • julesinrose says:

    I live in the US (still). What appeals to me about this scent? 1. Bertrand Duchaufour. 2. Rose is my favorite floral. 3. I’ve been played around with tinctures, and I just did a rose/pepper mix. I want to smell what the master has done with those notes!!

  • I am on a quest for a dark/complex/spicy rose scent and this could be it! I live in the U.S. Thanks for the chance to win a sample of this.

  • I recently started getting into Rose scents – especially ones like this that are a bit different.I live in the USA and would love to try this.Thank You 🙂

  • silvrolive says:

    I like the concept of a slightly sweet and spicy rose. Also the gemstones concept appeals to me. I live in the US. Thanks for the draw!

  • I love a bozy jammy rose that is wrapped in other facets. I also adore anything created by master perfumer Bertrand Duchaufour. Everything he creates in a masterpiece . I’m in the US. Thanks for the draw!

  • I love a good, rich rose frag, and I’ve enjoyed Ann Gerard’s other three perfumes before this. Thanks as ever for the draw!!

  • Janet in California. says:

    Rum and roses sounds strange and interesting. I have never tried any of Ann Gerard’s perfumes.
    I live in the US.

    Thanks!

  • I can never resist a new rose perfume, and I have yet to try any “balsamic” rose perfumes 🙂 It sounds (and looks!) absolutely beautiful. I am in the US, thank you!

  • A unique and sensuous rose scent with a spicy sweet drydown sounds absolutely perfect to me. Loved the review, I am not a rose perfume lover per say but this one does sound intriguing. I am in the US and thanks for the opportunity.

  • Rose and rum and peony and the color of the juice looks so beautiful! I live in the US. Thanks for the draw!

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    i had read about this fragrance before and the description of jammy rose really attracted me…one of my favorite fragrances from one another niche brand also has jammy rose feeling..I am in the US

  • Well, I love rose perfumes and I loved Cuir de Nacre, so I can’t wait to try this one out!

  • Love Rose, Love Bertrand Duchaufour! What more can I say (except Thank you for the draw!) I live in the US.

  • Let’s see: I’m a big fan of both roses and Bertrand Duchafor and have been wanting to try Ann Gerard, plus you like it, Tama and we have some of the same tastes. Beautiful rose picture, too! I’m in the US.

  • Rose is my favorite note, can never have too many roses. Rum and benzoin are up there too. I’m in the US. Thanks for the sample draw!

  • Roses, rum, and aldehydes–love that combo! I also love the jewelry angle and the color. I’m in the US, thank you so much for the chance.

  • tomate farcie says:

    I loved the previous releases so I’d like to give this one a try. I’m in the U S.

  • Kim Morgan says:

    “Balsamic rose” sounds intriguing to me… US resident. I love rose scents – they work for me! Thanks for the draw!

  • many_worlds says:

    I think the thing that is most intriguing to me about Rose Cut is that you had such a complex response to it, mainly defining it by what it isn’t. I’m so curious about it now! I’m in the US, and I would love to try this scent.

  • This line appealed to me, “Although I got a few hints of the wine diamonds left behind in a cask, it never turned sour or too winey. It isn’t dewy, or fresh, just a good, satisfying fragrance.” 🙂 US

  • Having a tendency to prefer darker/velvety roses in perfume, I would be curious to try Rose Cut. Also, have not experienced any of Ann Gerard perfume yet, can be the other reason for me to try a fragrance in this line.
    I live in USA.

  • I love the scent of rose, but wearing a soliflore rolse scent can become boring to me. I like that this is so complex and hard to pin down. I am in the US

  • I love all three of Ann Gerard’s original fragrances, so am looking forward to trying this one. I live in the U.S. Thank you!

  • I like the sound of the green peppery notes, plus a bit of balsamic. I always like to try a new rose scent. I also want to say that the bottles for this line are gorgeous. I am in the US.

  • The sensuous notes are what appeal to me the most about this. Thanks for the draw! I’m in the U.S.

  • I love rose fragrances, and I’m drawn to this romantic and deep take. I am in the US. Thank you.

  • Valentine girl says:

    I am very drawn to the fragrant trail of green peppery petals leading to the boudoir of patchouli and vanilla. I agree with Ellen- that is a stunning photo…the contrast in the pink color of the petals and the close up detail of the shapes and shadows..incredible! I live in USA and I also appreciated the fragrant point of reference by sharing your florist experience. Fantastic review and photo!

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    What appeals to me is that, while it is a rose fragrance, it is not too sweet to be worn by a man. I usually find rose scents way too sweet and cloying and would like to try this one. I live in the US