Amazone (2017 re-launch)

The Verdict

Hermès relaunched Amazone in 2017, bringing back a name first introduced by Maurice Maurin in 1974. This modern interpretation is a green-floral composition of exceptional refinement, described by Jean-Claude Ellena as spirited and cheerful. The community respects its elegance and natural quality but acknowledges significant trade-offs in performance and value.

Reviewers consistently praise the scent itself while noting that the weak projection and high price point create a difficult value proposition. For those who prize subtlety and craftsmanship over raw performance, Amazone offers a quiet sophistication that few modern fragrances can match. For everyone else, it may simply be too subtle to justify its cost.

What It Smells Like

The opening is a tart, fruity burst of cassis and black currant blossom, creating an impression of fresh berries just plucked from the vine. This quickly gives way to the heart, where creamy narcissus takes center stage alongside the herbal green bite of galbanum and a scattering of red berries. Reviewers describe the narcissus as fascinating and textural, lending a creamy, almost buttery quality to the composition.

The base is anchored by vetiver, which provides earthy depth without heaviness. The overall effect is of an olfactory watercolor, delicate and layered, evoking a walk through a dewy garden or a forest clearing after rain. One reviewer captured it perfectly as all about creamy narcissus and vetiver, with a touch of greenness from galbanum.

When to Wear It

Amazone is at its best during spring and fall, when its green-floral character harmonizes with the natural world. The moderate temperatures of these seasons let the composition breathe without overwhelming or disappearing. It suits quiet, contemplative occasions such as office wear, gallery visits, afternoon tea, or intimate dinners where subtlety is valued over projection.

Longevity & Projection

Longevity is surprisingly respectable at approximately 9 hours, though it operates primarily as a skin scent for most of that duration. Sillage is consistently described as weak to moderate, rating around 2.44 out of 4 in community polls. The fragrance stays close to the body, rewarding the wearer rather than announcing its presence to others. Do not expect this to project in a crowded room.

The Community Says

Fragrantica reviewers use words like classy, mature, timeless, and elegant. Multiple users describe it as a creamy narcissus scent that is never out of style, while others find it too earthy, comparing it to a walk in the forest on a rainy fall day. The price-to-performance ratio is a common complaint, with reviewers noting that the steep price seems unjustified considering its performance. However, fans counter that for those yearning for a departure from the current sweet and artificial olfactory landscape, Amazone offers a refreshing and natural alternative.

Who Should Buy This

Amazone is for the woman who appreciates understatement and values craftsmanship over crowd-pleasing volume. If you love green fragrances, narcissus, and the intellectual elegance associated with the Hermès house style, this will reward you with a quiet, sophisticated experience. It also appeals to anyone tired of sweet, synthetic mainstream releases who wants something that smells genuinely natural.

This is not the fragrance for anyone who measures quality by sillage radius or expects to turn heads walking into a room. The whisper-quiet projection means you wear this for yourself, not for an audience.

The Bottom Line

Hermès Amazone 2017 is a beautifully crafted green-floral that embodies restrained luxury. Its creamy narcissus heart and earthy vetiver base create a timeless, natural-smelling composition that stands apart from modern trends. The weak projection and premium pricing limit its appeal, but for those who value quiet elegance, it delivers a genuinely refined experience.