Grossmith Golden Chypre Review (Trevor Nicholl) 2012 + Glowing Autumn Giveaway

 Grossmith Golden Chypre

Grossmith Golden Chypre Bottle, Photo Jana Menard of Fragrance Vault©

 “Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons” – Jim Bishop

The perfume house of Grossmith has one of England’s longest and most storied histories. Founded in London in 1835 by John Grossmith, the brand quickly developed a reputation in Victorian England for producing beautiful perfumes, using high quality ingredients imported from Grasse housed in Baccarat crystal flacons. Grossmith is one of the few perfume houses to receive Royal Warrants which are awarded to individuals or companies who have supplied goods or services for at least five years to HM The Queen, HM The King, The Duke of Edinburgh, or HRH The Prince of Wales. The company also held Warrants from the Royal Courts of Greece and Spain.

Grossmith London is a family owned business Simon Brooke

Simon, Amanda, Eleanor and Kate Brooke via Grossmith website

The house stopped production from1980 until it was revived under the 5th and 6th generations of family ownership in 2009 by Simon Brooke (the great-great grandson of the founder John Grossmith). To celebrate its history and revival, Simon Brooke invited Robertet to remaster three of their classic fragrances: Hasu-no-Hana (1888), Phul-Nana (1891), and Shem-el-Nessim (1906) using the original Victorian formulae. Grossmith Golden Chypre was a brand new formula as part of the Black Label Collection celebrating the transition of perfumery into modernity. Launched in 2012, this wonderful reimagining of a classic chypre was composed by Senior Robertet Perfumer Trevor Nicholl.

Grossmith perfumes

Grossmith Golden Chypre was introduced as one of the Black Label collection and was a new formula photo courtesy The Fragrance Vault.

This perfume provides chypre lovers with a lighter yet long-lasting version of one of our favorite perfume genres. Golden Chypre is perfect for wearing in the warmer late-summer to early-fall weather, when one is craving autumn scents, providing a sophisticated and seemingly weightless fragrance for the turn of the season.

Best Perfumes for Early Fall

Photo Unsplash

Grossmith Golden Chypre opens with an optimistic glow as bergamot and sweet orange shine with natural and sunny cheer. The sparkling opening is a rush of juicy warmth with traces of floralcy and lightly aldehydic shine.  Warm spices, nutmeg and cardamom bring a decidedly autumnal feel to the fragrance and remind me of the beginning hints of fall – those first yellow leaves that turn in the sun. The metallic and citrus aspects of cardamom create a beautiful bridge into the floral heart; pepper and clove are supported by a modern woody-chypre base (one relying on patchouli and vetiver paired with labdanum rather than oakmoss). A seamless blend of late summer and early autumn aromas, Grossmith Golden Chypre is perfectly tuned for sweater weather.

Notes: Bergamot, Orange, Nutmeg, Cardamom, Geranium, Rose, Vetiver, Heliotrope, Patchouli, Musk, Woods, Amber, Labdanum

Disclaimer: I purchased samples of many Grossmith London fragrances. Bottle of Grossmith Golden Chypre kindly provided by Fragrance Vault. My opinions, as always, are my own.

~ Rachel K. Ng, Senior Contributor

Grossmith Golden Chypre review

Grossmith Golden Chypre Bottle, Photo by Rachel K. Ng

Thanks to generosity of Fragrance Vault we have a 50 ml  bottle of Grossmith Golden Chypre for a registered ÇaFleureBon reader in the USA ONLY, (if you are not sure if you are registered click here – you must register on our site or your entry will be invalid). To be eligible please leave a comment on this site with what strikes you about Grossmith Golden Chypre  from Rachel’s review and that you live in the USA Draw closes 8/31/2023

To learn more about Fragrance Vault in South Lake Tahoe, please read about their boutique in our series WE LOVE THAT STORE here

For more on Grossmith London, please enjoy Former Managing Editor Mark Behnke’s article on the Black Label Collection here

Please read  former Editor Dana Sandu’s essay on Hasu-no-Hana and Senior Editor Lauryn Beer’s excellent review of Grossmith Phul-Nana here.

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial @rachel.k.ng @fragrance.vault @grossmithlondon

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34 comments

  • ianbradleyandrews says:

    This is a Brand. I’ve been wanting to try for a long time in the review makes it sound wonderful the sparkly opening sounds great. I would love to win this. I live in Indiana.

  • christinebee81 says:

    Goodness I love a brand with history and I love a chypre and would love to see what their take on it would be like. Is labdanum how they recreate the moss accord in other “mossy” modern scents? Or is this a complete break with that vein?

    Thank you for this review and for reminding me of this company.
    NJ USA

  • cnii says:

    Thank you for this review, I was not familiar with Grossmith! Like many perfume lovers, I adore chypres and can’t seem to get enough of them. I wore a chypre today, in fact, and thoroughly enjoyed the wear. It seems from Rachel’s review that Golden Chypre is a fragrance that respects the past without fearing the age we live in now and I would love to smell it.
    I’m in WV, USA

  • kusudamakitten98 says:

    Golden Chypre sounds like a sophisticated and classy scent — I loved the imagery of “those first yellow leaves that turn in the sun” and would be excited to experience this fragrance. I also find it cool that this perfume house has been around since 1835 and has connections to the royal family of England!

    From NJ, USA

  • Teresa C says:

    The idea of an updated Chypre appeals a LOT plus anything autumnal has my heart right off. I live in the USA.

  • FC says:

    I have the original three from Grossmith that are mentioned in this article and they are all great. Grossmith Golden Chypre seems like a classic composition, too that pays tribute to original chypre classics and may even remind some of ones like Mitsouko. I am in US.

  • Dannon C Vick says:

    The striking thing to me is the oak-moss free base.

    I’m rather curious on how this presents compared to a more traditional modern fruity chypre as this seems to be a trend in the industry.

    Would love to get my nose on it.

    I’m in the US (Florida) – thanks for the giveaway.

  • sav17 says:

    Autumn is my favorite season, but I enjoy fragrances that I can wear during the late summer and early fall when the weather begins to cool down and there’s a crispness in the air. Rachel’s comments about Golden Chypre very much appeal to me. The “sparkling opening”, the spices that provide an “autumnal feel”, and “perfectly tuned for sweater weather” are all things I love in a fragrance. Overall, Grossmith Golden Chypre sounds very beautiful for early autumn (and beyond) and I would love to own a bottle of it. Thank you, Rachel, for the excellent review, and thank you to Fragrance Vault for another generous giveaway! I am located in the USA.

  • Maryjean says:

    Love learning about the history of this Fragrance house. The notes sound wonderful for Fall. Thank you for this Chance USA

  • WeAreScentient says:

    I think I need to visit London to experience this golden Chypre. It’s sounds beautiful!

  • Steve A says:

    I’m struck by, “This perfume provides chypre lovers with a lighter yet long-lasting version of one of our favorite perfume genres”. US

  • Ken White says:

    The concept of a modernized Chypre fragrance is quite intriguing, especially when combined with autumnal elements. While it’s not my usual fragrance preference, the notes and Rachel’s review do make it quite appealing! New Jersey, USA

  • soviz says:

    This sounds like a wonderful transitional fragrance as we approach fall, with the classic chypre structure, the fruity florals, and the spices lending autumnal warmth to the overall composition. It was great to learn about the history behind the brand! I live in the USA.

  • zibbyz says:

    This has all the notes I love, and quite a history to go with it. I don’t know anything about this brand, so I will definitely look up the other articles mentioned. I’m in the us

  • johnmadison says:

    Thank you for the review of Golden Chypre, Rachel!
    This sounds like the perfect fragrance for the upcoming season, light airy, beautiful. A sparkling opening, floral heart, and a woody base…how could you go wrong?
    John, Minnesota USA

  • John Brocato says:

    This sounds utterly wonderful. Citriuses that turn spicy are such a trend for 2023. I love the use of Nutmeg/Clove and amber after a bright “juicy” pop of bergamot and orange I would so love to try this the bottle is giving vintage class as well. Coool!

    Yes I live in California

  • Maestro says:

    Autumn gives me very different feelings as it includes the 4-seasons with a touch of withdrawal. However, I take pleasure in selecting scents that are suitable for the late summer and early fall, that time when the temperature begins to drop and a delightful crispness graces the air. Rachel’s insights regarding Golden Chypre have truly captivated my interest. The description of its “vibrant initial notes,” the infusion of spices that evoke an “essence of autumn,” and its harmonious alignment with the “ideal sweater weather” all align seamlessly with my fragrance preferences. On the whole, Grossmith’s Golden Chypre appears to be an exquisite choice for the onset of autumn and beyond. Acquiring a bottle of this fragrance would be a cherished desire of mine. A heartfelt appreciation goes out to Fragrance Vault for their continued generosity in hosting such giveaways. Greetings from Florida, United States.

  • Regis Monkton says:

    Even though I’m interested in seeing what their Victorian Era fragrance releases are like, I’m interested in trying Grossmith Golden Chypre for multiple reasons. It seems like it is much more modern than their oldest releases, but it seems like it is very influenced by very old chypres. I can like modern chypres which are very influenced by some of the oldest chypres, e.g. “Chypre-Siam”. However, I might prefer Grossmith Golden Chypre over “Chypre-Siam” because Grossmith Golden Chypre seems to be without the very prominent civet musk. I want to see what the pepper and clove are like in combination with a modern woody-chypre base. I live in the U.S.A.

  • Annika says:

    This sounds lovely for fall and cooler months when the days start getting longer and the light refracts lower in the sky. Golden Chypre sounds like a spot on description given the citrus. warm spices and amber. I love a chypre construction and the addition of the rose, geranium and heliotrope sounds like. nice touch. I’m in the US.

  • Jason says:

    Simon Brooke revived an older house before it was so common now.
    I own Hasu no Hasa and it’s spectacular
    I heard mixed reviews on golden chypre not lasting but Rachel says it does
    Will also order sample !
    USA

  • moisesst says:

    I always love learning the history of these historic houses. I’m a big fan of chypres. This one sounds lovely, I love the combination of bergamot with that slightly sweet mandarin and two of my favorite warm spice helping this transition into the floral and woody aspects. This would be perfect to rock in late august through September. I live in Illinois, USA.

  • FragranceIsMe says:

    I am a chypre lover. I like the unique traits this fragrance offers. This creation sounds absolutely wonderful for the latter part of Summer leading into the Fall. Looking forward to getting my nose on this one 🙂
    PA, USA

  • rmsssss says:

    I’ve heard such great things about Grossmith! Golden Chypre in particular sounds lovely. I’m really ready for all the wonderful fall spices that Rachel described! I’m in MN, USA.

  • mmerline says:

    Grossmith has quite the perfuming pedigree, so I’d expect they do particularly well with classically styled fragrances like a chypre. Trevor Nicholl’s take sounds surprisingly easygoing: a light wear, juicy citrus opening, and woods instead of bold oakmoss. Rachel’s review made me look for to autumn and cool-weather wears!

    I’m in the USA.

  • BigMickyD says:

    Pleased to see this brand finally featured on this blog, due to the glowing reviews I have heard. This one sounds lovely, it’s sparkling opening and the spices of autumn leaving me intrigued. I have an address in the USA.

  • Maestro says:

    I really appreciate your review! I hadn’t actually heard of Grossmith before. Like many fragrance enthusiasts, I’m a big fan of chypres and can never seem to get my fill. In fact, I wore a Chypre fragrance today and absolutely loved it. After reading Rachel’s review, it looks like Golden Chypre is a scent that pays homage to the traditional while embracing the modern era, which is really intriguing. I’m inquisitive to experience its scent. Regards from Florida, USA.

  • Koliba says:

    While I’m eager to explore the Victorian Era fragrance releases, Grossmith’s Golden Chypre has particularly piqued my curiosity for several reasons. This fragrance appears to strike a balance between modernity and the influence of classic chypres from the past. I’ve found an appreciation for contemporary chypres that draw inspiration from the venerable ones, such as the notable “Chypre-Siam”. However, Grossmith’s Golden Chypre holds a distinct appeal, possibly surpassing “Chypre-Siam” in my preferences. One distinguishing factor could be its apparent lack of the prominently intense civet musk note. I’m intrigued by the interplay of pepper and clove within a contemporary woody-chypre foundation. I would love to win this. I live in Florida.

  • Torax says:

    Fantastic review by Rachel, as always.
    Grossmith is a fragrance brand that totally caught me off guard. I have to admit that this is the first time reading something about them, but they surely look amazing.
    I would love trying Golden Chypre since I love chypre note and it is something that I don’t ragularly find a fragrance. The nutmeg, spices and cardamom is a perfect addition for the fragrance.
    I hope I win this one.
    USA here.

  • Arron_Q says:

    As a huge fan of classic chypre fragrances, this one has me intrigued. It’s always exciting when a brand puts their own twist on the genre and I see that Grossmith has done that here. The spices in this sound delectable and, as Rachel mentioned, they would offer a nice warm edge to the fragrance, making it perfect for this transitional part of the year. Best of luck to everyone. I live in NC, USA.

  • MatthewKeilwitz says:

    I’m extremely interested if the overall DNA of a brand that was well over a century can be sussed out. The mixture of clove and patchouli also sounds incredibly intriguing.

  • wallygator88 says:

    Thanks for the lovely review, Rachel.

    It’s nice to see that these old brands reviving some of their vaulted fragrances. I love the use of rose and heliotrope in this chypre to move into the body and nutmeg to accompany the citrus in the top. I expect this to transition beautifully.

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • roxhas1cat says:

    I adore chypre fragrances. The opening of optimistic bergamot and orange sounds so up lifting. I love that the family is continuing the family business. I wish them much success. Thanks for the chance. USA.

  • Michael Prince says:

    What strikes me about Grossmith Golden Chypre based on Rachel’s review is learning about the revival of this legendary house. A classic style Chypre with some new and improved modern styling that sounds like something I would truly love. I am from Ohio, USA.