Saturday Night Classics: Robert Piguet Visa Review (Aurelien Guichard) 2007+ The Immortal Peach Draw

Robert Piguet Visa review

Bottle of Robert Piguet Visa, photo by Nicoleta

On September 22 of 1819, instead of killing himself, John Keats ate a nectarine.

Consumed within a depression, haunted by the same troubles that would drive him, a year later, to try to poison himself, the poet wrote a letter to his friend Charles Dilke and abruptly said: “Talking of Pleasure, this moment I was writing with one hand, and with the other holding to my Mouth a Nectarine—good God how fine. It went down soft pulpy, slushy, oozy—all its delicious embonpoint melted down my throat like a large beatified Strawberry.”

What’s the fruit that reads sheer sensory pleasure to you? From the tactile fuzz, the blushed color, the softness of its round flesh that perfectly fits your palm, to the smell, taste, and drip of the pulp’s juice to the sticky aftermath on your hands and chin – for me it is the peach, in all its variations, is a glorious sensual experience.

 

Robert Piguet Visa has been renamed to V

Bruised Peaches, Petrina Hicks photography

In Chinese mythology, the peaches were said to grow in the orchard of a goddess, and are believed to confer immortality on to those who consumed them. The legend said that when the peaches ripened every 3000 years and the event was celebrated in a banquet held by the Baxian (The eight immortals).  In the western world, no other fruit is more charged with sexuality and seduction symbolism (from classical art to modern day peach emojis).

1947 vintage visa by germaine cellier robert piguet ad

Vintage Visa ad circa 1947 de Robert Piguet via Hprints

Joe Garces, former CEO and Creative Director of Robert Piguet said: The original Robert Piguet Visa smelled like it and would not work for a contemporary audience. My first experience with a perfume department store buyer was something I will never forget, he told me: “we love classics and the history but this store is not a museum; if the fragrance does not sell, we do not want to carry it”. Wow, that was a powerful reminder that this is all about business and staying relevant. My verbal brief to Aurelien was: “you are Germaine and I am Robert; we have to make something so modern that they would have made it today.”  He added peaches and pear that made it an Oriental Gourmand and at the end of the dry down kept the original. Success! Success!  Robert Piguet Visa is the Piguet fragrance most recognized in the world today next to Fracas.” (read the whole interview here)

Robert Piguet Visa is breathtakingly seductive and unapologetically punch-in-your-stomach beautiful. (Excuse my lack of grace and poise – but, the first time I smelled it, I had a similar reaction to the famous wolf below).

best sexy fruity perfumes

Tex Avery’s MGM cartoon “Red Hot Riding Hood”

The start of Robert Piguet Visa is a cornucopia overflowing with ripe, juicy fruits:  soft white peaches, sparkly pears, mouthwatering mandarins, sweet dripping plums. Even if the top notes are effervescent and as over the top as a display of slow exploding fireworks, the perfume never crosses the border to the mainstream ubiquitous fruitchouli genre, remaining classical in structure and exuberantly elegant in mood.

 best peach perfumes

Basket of Fruit (detail) Caravaggio painting

After finishing painting the bowl of fruits, the artist placed a bouquet of sweet-smelling flowers nearby and zoomed out our perspective. The juiciness of the fruits is drying, and the sweetness has a new found vanilla depth. The still life is slowly darkening at the corners with the chiaroscuro of the earthy notes of patchouli and moss, and the creamy sandalwood adding new dimensions, turning the fragrance into a seductive and mysterious chypre. A delicate hand, wearing light suede gloves hangs the picture and signs it with a perfectly calligraphed “V”.

Top notes: white vineyard peach, pear, violet leaf, Italian bergamot, yellow mandarin; Heart notes: ylang ylang, rose, orange flower absolute; Base notes: patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver, moss, vanilla, benzoin, leather, civet, musk, castoreum, cistus

A note from the brand: Robert Piguet’s Visa was originally created in 1945 by Germaine Cellier as a celebration of a new era of travel and exploration, just after the end of World War 2. The perfume was re-introduced in 2007, faithful to Robert Piguet’s original concept, but with a new few charms added in by its new nose – Aurelien Guichard, and now it’s sold under the name “V”.

Nicoleta Tomsa, Senior Contributor

Disclosure: My own bottle, opinions are my own

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebon @nicoleta.tomsa @aurelianguichard

 We have 30 ml decant of the 2007 Visa for a registered reader in the US, Canada or EU (be sure to register or your comment will not count). Please be sure to register. To be eligible please leave a comment with what you enjoyed about Nicoleta’s review, where you live and if you have tried Robert Piguet Visa, or any Piguet fragrance. Draw closes by 6/9/2020.

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59 comments

  • What a beautiful review!!! I could definitely use some of this perfume to lift my spirits! Stone fruits, vanilla, sandalwood oh my!!! I would adore this! Thanks for the draw!!! I’m in florida USA

  • Yes! I’ve been wanting to try this perfume for a very long time. I do love peach and it sounds like the use of it here to modernize the perfume sound quite lovely. My favorite Robert Piguet fragrance is Petit Fracas, though I do also own Fracas as well. I live in the USA. Thanks for the giveaway!

  • The review makes this sound lovely! I am already in love with oriental fragrances and the addition of peach makes it sound even more sensual and delicious. I am yet to try a fragrance from Fracas. Kind regards from Denmark.

  • Pear is a great note in perfumery, and one that I don’t come across often enough. I quite enjoyed the fruitchouli comparison as that is a genre of fragrances I want to explore! I have not tried Visa nor any other Piguet fragrances. I am from Canada.

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    I love how this sounds effervescent, contemporary, but with a vintage structure (I appreciate the nod to it being not another fruitchouli). I like fruit notes used in a balanced way. This sounds like a lovely reenvisioning of the original. I actually had a decant of the original, which I loved. I also have tried and love Bandit. Fracas is clearly perfume history, but it’s not my Tuberose scent. Cravache is an elegant masculine I like. Thanks for the draw! I’m in the US.

  • What a peachy, juicy review of Robert Piguet Visa by Nicoleta Tomsa. Loved it. Even before reading that peach is her favorite fruit, I was asking myself, and truly it was the peach!!! I also loved how the perfume captures the beauty of the past while having a modern touch to it. I still love the ancient masterpieces and even buy them, contrary to what the perfume department store buyer had said about the store not being a museum, and non-modern items not selling, etc. Yes, tastes change and modern people like modern touches, at least to invite them in, but are we really so different from the ancients in our appreciation of beauty in general, and olfactory beauty in particular? I don’t think so. Anyway, loved the review (also, John Keats’ story was interesting – I learn so much from these beautifully written reviews, with well-chosen photos to go along with them). Thanks for the drawing. Writing from USA.

  • I wonder why the name was changed to V?
    My mom would love this so please enter me
    USA

  • I enjoyed how it was explained that the perfumer took the original creation from 1945 and made some additions to make it more modern while retaining the original structure. Also the use of the painting in describing the perfume was great. I’ve not tried any Robert Piguet fragrances. Commenting from CT USA. Thanks for the generous draw.

  • Trinity33 says:

    This sounds like a perfect summer fragrance and one to uplift your spirit. I don’t think I’ve heard a perfume ever describes as “ breathtakingly seductive and unapologetically punch-in-your-stomach beautiful“. It certainly must be memorable to deserve that kind os accolade. I’ve smelled several Piguet compositions before (Fracas, Bandit) but not Visa. Commenting from. MD, USA.

  • Loved the intro referencing Chinese mythology. Always been a fan of digging into history to rediscover modern truths. Haven’t smelled Visa, but the development sounds wonderful, especially if it enters chypre territory in the base. Bit of sweet history this one. Canada.

  • I’d heard of this perfume under the name “V” so it was interesting to read about its history. Germaine Cellier was so ahead of her times so I’d be very interested in trying this peach chypre fragrance. The Piguet fragrances I’ve tried are Fracas, Bandit, and Nuit Velours. I am in the USA.

  • Oooh peach! One of my love’s, Jorum Studios Nectary has this note and it’s beautiful. I have tried Fracas and it was not for me (tuberose is so difficult on my skin, darn it!) but it’s so beautiful on the right person! Orange blossom and rose suit my skin well, and I love animalics, so I would love to try this fragrance. In Canada. Thanks for this review Nicoleta!

  • Love the description of every luscious fruit mentioned. I haven’t tried any Piguet fragrances, but hope to be lucky from Mich USA.

  • sillage4ever says:

    A sweet history to a sweet perfume, and my favorite Robert Piguet fragrance. The tip to modernize while retaining the original form works so well, Visa never feels too heavy. I don’t always love peach notes in perfume but Visa gets it right.

  • roxhas1cat says:

    Just what we need…..peaches too cheer us up. It’s one of my favorite fruits. I’ve sampled Fracas many years ago, I remember liking it, but not sure why I don’t have a full bottle. Thanks for the chance. Usa.

  • I have not tried any of them but love the notes in this. Sounds really interesting. I also really love the base notes! I’m in MI USA

  • What I enjoyed most about Nicoleta’s review was how she described the initial impact and all the transitions the fragrance had , it made it both engaging and understandable while being entertaining. It was aso well balanced as the fragrance is.

    I’ve only had a sample of this but I love bandit and fracas by the house. I’m from Ireland, EU

  • My experience with this house is only through Fracas, which is a big white floral. I wonder how they manage the fruits, like peach, in Visa.
    EU. Thank you!

  • Firstly mangoes are the most seductive fruit.

    I’ve tried and liked Casbah and Chai.

    I really like pears, but they often come across pear or peach fragrance, but they often smell like cheap wine coolers. So I’m interested in a fruity pear/peach chypre that smells natural.

  • Firstly mangoes are the most seductive fruit.

    I’ve tried and liked Casbah and Chai.

    I really like pears, but they often come across pear or peach fragrance, but they often smell like cheap wine coolers. So I’m interested in a fruity pear/peach chypre that smells natural. Here in California

  • I loved the wolf analogy! And I would love a peach perfume. I am in U.K. I’ve never tried any Visa perfumes but would love to.

  • Shamrock1313 says:

    Such a great mix of uplifting fruits. Vanilla and patchouli holding it together sounds incredible.
    Fantastic review – thank you for the giveaway.
    Pennsylvania USA

  • I love the detailed description by Nicoleta, especially the comparison to the chiaroscuro in still-life. I’d love to smell it.
    According to some sources, the perfumer of the original Visa is not Cellier, but Jean Carles. The original is said to be reminiscent of Carles’ Tabu for Dana.
    Thanks for the draw. I live in EU.

  • Reading Nicoleta’s review I really started craving for some peaches. I didn’t have any, so I made due with a juicy pear. Wonderfully written article. Thank you.

    I live in the UK

    I have not tried any of Robert’s or any Piquet fragrances yet.

  • What a lovely, romantic description by Nicoleta. I enjoyed the attached illustrations and the description of this perfume as being classical and exuberant. The fragment containing Keats’ experience with the nectarine was spot on – selected as well, adding a gustatory dimension to the article. I have tried Fracas and Bandit. The latter blew me away particularly. I am in the EU. Thanks for the draw!

  • Top notes: white vineyard peach, pear, violet leaf, Italian bergamot, yellow mandarin; Heart notes: ylang ylang, rose, orange flower absolute; Base notes: patchouli, sandalwood, vetiver, moss, vanilla, benzoin, leather, civet, musk, castoreum, cistus. I am intrigued by the notes as well as the beautiful description by Nicoleta about still life. A brand that has been on my radar. Thanks a lot from the UK

  • The still life is slowly darkening at the corners with the chiaroscuro of the earthy notes of patchouli and moss, and the creamy sandalwood adding new dimensions, turning the fragrance into a seductive and mysterious chypre. A delicate hand, wearing light suede gloves hangs the picture and signs it with a perfectly calligraphed “V”. A evocative and beautiful description by Nicoleta that left a mark with me. I am intrigued by the notes and especially Robert Piguet as a house. I am curious and interested to find out more. Thanks a million from the United Kingdom

  • Jannick85 says:

    Love peaches and fruit in scents so would love to try this, sounds very interesting, and i’ve never tried any Piguet fragrance
    Greetings from Denmark

  • I loved hearing about how they modified Visa to modernize it. And, like Nicoleta, I find the peach to be the most sensual fruit. From Robert Piquet, I have not tried Visa but I have tried Fracas and Bandit. I adore Bandit, but can never find an opportunity to wear it. I am in the US.

  • mleenstra says:

    The peach is my favourite fruit. I love the smell and its sweet juicy flesh. The best peaches are sunripened ones on summer holidays in France. Therefore I love a beautiful peach note in a perfume to transport me there. Nicoleta describes the power of the image and smell of a peach well and this perfume sounds magical. I have never tried Piguet Visa, but I’m familiar with Germaine Cellier Chypres so it must be a stunner. Marit UK

  • How have I never encountered this masterpiece?? Nicoleta has made it sound absolutely irresistible! Who really could resist a ripe peach in all it’s juicy elegance? Thank you for the mouthwatering article. Eager to try this…

  • This sounds heavenly! I love peach so much, & the description of the perfume is mouthwatering. I have not yet tried any Piguet fragrances.

    I am in the EU.

  • doveskylark says:

    I loved the mention of the letter from Keats. I love the joy of eating a peach or a nectarine. They bring boundless joy. I like that V has earthy notes in it. I am a big fan of Bandit.
    I live in the USA.

  • I’ve never smelled this one but I wear & love Bandit and I’ve tried Fracas. Thank you for the review & the draw. The quote about “this store is not a museum” made me so grateful for the fragrance community and my favorite perfume shops. So many great scents aren’t big sellers.

  • “Breathtakingly seductive and unapologetically punch-in-your-stomach beautiful” sounds elegant to me! Would love to give this mysterious chypre sounds a try. Thanks for the introduction to Piguet fragrances. Regards from the US.

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    Wow! This sounds wonderful, I love peaches and nectarines and Fracas. I have never tried Visa, but after this review I know I will. Thanks for the draw, I live in the EU.

  • Sunny Chaudhary says:

    Pear is a great note in perfumery, and one that I don’t come across often enough. I quite enjoyed the fruitchouli comparison as that is a genre of fragrances I want to explore! I have not tried Visa nor any other Piguet fragrances.

    Am in USA

  • Jake Dauod says:

    I really love the story of how a nectarine saved John Keats’a life and how the review touched on the beauty of the fruit. Sadly I haven’t tried Robert Piguet Visa, or any Robert Piguet fragrance for that matter, but I would truly love to try Visa. Kind regards from Illinois, USA.

  • NiceVULady says:

    You had me at peach. This sounds totally gorgeous. How have I never heard of it? Well thank you for this great review and this most generous draw. I’m in the USA waiting patiently.

  • I like how Nicoleta describes Robert Piguet Visa as…”breathtakingly seductive and unapologetically punch-in-your-stomach beautiful”. I love peaches and I can imagine how amazing they smell in perfumes.
    I haven’t tried Robert Piguet Visa, or any Piguet fragrance.
    I live in USA.

  • I loved the visuals – from the vintage ad, to the wolf and finally the Caravaggio.
    I’m in EU (Slovenia)

  • Steliyan Syarov says:

    Never tried anything from this brand but after reading this beautiful review my mouth began watering. Love juicy sweet fragrances. Thanks for the draw! Love from Austria, EU.

  • Peach …. very fragrant, juicy and summery, with a sweet but not cloying taste, in this perfume I really like the mix with the pear, surely the reinterpretation has created a very stimulating perfume. I don’t know this brand
    Linda EU

  • herman2625 says:

    In the review, soft white peaches, sparkly pears, mouthwatering mandarins, sweet dripping plums are all my favourites!!!

    Living in US!

  • Lovely review by Nicoleta! Peaches in the orchard of a godess! I also thought the picture of the girl in white with peaches in her arms was amazing. I have never smelled Visa but I have tried Fracas a classic! Thank you, USA

  • Lovely review! I love a bit of history thrown in! Peaches are also one of my favorite fruits so this perfume sound glorious. The only one I’ve tried/owned from this brand is Fracas. Thanks for the draw. California, USA

  • I really liked the Chinese mythology in the review. I live in Montana, USA, and have not tried any Piguet fragrance.

  • Camille Sheil says:

    I have never tried any Piguet fragrances, much less Robert Piguet Visa.

    I didn’t know much about the significance of peaches in history and am glad to know! This fragrances sounds like a literal blast from the past. I feel drawn to chypres and am happy to hear that this has a tinge of that. And to have a succulent fruitiness that isn’t too “mainstream” is exactly up my alley. Juicy fruit without the sugar, please!

    Thank you so much for this opportunity! Much appreciated! I live in New Hampshire USA!

  • The review is great! The peach notes definitely make me intrigued. I have not tried any creations by this house so I really hope that I get the chance to do so!
    Florida, USA

  • Nice, sounds interesting. I haven’t got the chance to try any Robert Piguet fragrances. I like peaches and also that the fragrances combines vanilla and some woods. Thanks for the giveaway, Ca

  • I love the brightness and how sparkly this fragrance sounds! Beautiful set of notes in it. I have not tried anything from this house.

    I’m in Canada and thanks for the draw!

  • Brygantor says:

    Nicoleta put her foot into this review. This is what I enjoyed: “The start of Robert Piguet Visa is a cornucopia overflowing with ripe, juicy fruits: soft white peaches, sparkly pears, mouthwatering mandarins, sweet dripping plums. Even if the top notes are effervescent and as over the top as a display of slow exploding fireworks, the perfume never crosses the border to the mainstream ubiquitous fruitchouli genre, remaining classical in structure and exuberantly elegant in mood.” She had me at “fruitchouli”. LOL! I’ve never tried any fragrances from this house, but definitely want to, specifcally because of Sebastian’s Youtube reviews. I live in Waldorf, MD, USA.

  • wallygator88 says:

    How true it is that the sexual connotations of the peach are numerous!

    Thanks for the great review Nicoleta. I chuckled looking at that picture of the the MGM Wolf.

    I’m really excited about this fragrance – the combinations of the top and heart notes are what catch my eye – peach, pear and mandarin with rose, orange flower and ylang ylang! Wohooo!

    Cheers from WI, USA

  • This perfume sounds delicious! Ripe peaches are my all time favorite fruit and it sounds like the new Visa is a wonderful translation of fruit to scent! Thanks for a interesting (and mouth-watering) review!

    I’m in the USA.

  • I understand Visa was re-introduced in 2007 but may I ask what year they re-named it V and was it reformulated again at that time?

  • Linda Klabou says:

    I have an unopened box of the original perfume. Yellow box. Now l’m tempted to open it..