Eau d'Hadrien

Eau d'Hadrien by Annick Goutal is a quintessential citrus-woody fragrance with a naturalistic, unadorned quality. It opens with a vibrant, lemon-drenched accord—realistic and bright, like freshly squeezed juice—with a sharp, astringent edge from citron and Sicilian lemon. This is swiftly joined by deep green, aromatic notes of cypress, which grounds the fragrance and adds a subtle, dry herbal complexity. The aldehydes give a faintly sparkly lift without being synthetic, while ylang-ylang adds a light floral softness, though rarely noticeable beyond the opening. The drydown reveals a quiet, woody trace—citrus fades, leaving behind a lingering, slightly bitter green cypress resonance. It's inherently unisex, elegant, and intentionally fleeting, expressing a sunlit Mediterranean landscape rather than a bold statement. Despite its natural quality and critical acclaim, many users note its extremely weak longevity, waning within an hour, and intimate sillage, making it ideal for warm weather and personal use rather than public display.