Fragrance review: Serge Lutens A La Nuit

If there is one perfume that I find to capture the beauty of jasmine perfectly, it must be A La Nuit by Serge Lutens.  I must state right away that Serge Lutens creations are my favourite, with very few exceptions.  A La Nuit is a perfect example of the house's ability to create an elegant, refined composition with a sensual edge. 

The notes of this fragrance are Indian, Egyptian and Moroccan jasmines, green shoots, honey, clove, benzoin and musk. This fragrance starts out as a heady dark jasmine, with a touch of spice to give the dry down some warmth. It is more elegant than Creed's Jasmal and much richer than Maitre Parfumeur & Gantier's Jasmine. If you are a fan of jasmine soliflores, I recommend sampling it. Personally, I find that applied lightly this is one of the most enchanting jasmine fragrances that does recall the scent of real jasmine. At first it goes on rich and decandent--almost like an olfactory version of triple chocolate cake. Warm, almost vanilla-like undercurrent of benzion adds some depth to the white jasmine note. The dry down, however, is a bit of a surprise since it is much lighter and greener than the heart, although it still retains the slight dark edge for which I love this jasmine soliflore.

NB: Jasmine blends really well with woods, especially sandalwood, and I have achieve wonderful result combing A La Nuit with either Lutens' Santal Blanc or Santal de Mysore.  Pure high quality sandalwood oil is another great way to add complexity to this composition. Then it truly becomes bois de jasmin...

Comments

[Diane]

Good evening, dear! It's all your fault. You kept talking about jasmine and now... oh, how I love A La Nuit. I bought a bottle from Aedes last month and it's one of my most-reached-for fragrances these days. I love La Chasse and Creed Jasmal as well for more sparkling jasmines.

[Susanna]

Ok I admit -- the sample I tried was beautiful. Good staying power and drydown. However, I personally having caviar taste with a tuna budget cannot justify the cost of this. It is jasmine and just jasmine. Beautiful, lovely and simple ---yet --- I can do just as well with a bottle of jasmine essential oil purchased at the health food store for $5 bucks! SL does have some very beautifully mastered perfumes, however, in my opininon this is not one of them.