Derby by Guerlain
Men 2012
Description
Guerlain Derby is a leather fragrance for men. Launched in 2012, this composition features an olfactory pyramid that begins with top notes of bergamot and orange; the heart reveals clove, spices, and exotic woods; and the base settles on leather, birch, woody notes, and patchouli.
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The olfactory pyramid
A guide to the opening, heart and lasting trail of the fragrance.
The community speaks
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In the collection
Leading answer I want it
1,583 votes
What do you think?
Leading answer Love it
497 votes
Season
Choose severalLeading answer Autumn
429 votes
Time of day
Choose severalLeading answer Night
249 votes
Each question has its own vote count. You can choose several seasons.
Fragrance profile
About Derby
Guerlain Derby is a leather fragrance for men. Launched in 2012, this composition features an olfactory pyramid that begins with top notes of bergamot and orange; the heart reveals clove, spices, and exotic woods; and the base settles on leather, birch, woody notes, and patchouli.
Flowers Spices Musk, amber and animalic Woods and mosses
It may remind you of
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How it wears
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Longevity
Leading answer Long-lasting
209 votes
Sillage
Leading answer Strong
292 votes
Character
Leading answer Traditionally masculine
84 votes
Value perception
Leading answer Fair price
70 votes
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Community reviews
4 reviews
Share what you noticed: opening, drydown, sillage and the moments when it works for you.
The 80s were the golden age of fashion, turning fragrance into an essential accessory. If the vintage Derby is an absolute classic, how does the modern version hold up? In my opinion, it retains about 70% of that original spirit, though it’s naturally deeper and denser. Guerlain has reinterpreted it for their «Les Parisiens» collection, which I really appreciate because I’ve noticed a flattening in the men’s fragrance sector lately. The bottle comes in a leather-touch box that protects the flask like a jewelry case. It’s very elegant and timeless, with surprising longevity and projection: 10 hours with a medium-high trail at the start that fades gently. It justifies its official price, though you can find it on sale with some patience. If you like this olfactive family, don’t think twice. The scent flows quickly into the woody notes after a brief, non-shocking citrus opening. Then comes the notable clove, wrapped in a dense veil of noble materials, leading into patchouli and leather that envelop everything with imposing warmth. It’s an exciting blend of chypre and leather, admirable for adding freshness despite the spices and dark woods, thanks to a revised old-school barber shop touch. It’s so beautiful and versatile that I sometimes get confused about when to wear it; perfect with a suit and watch for special occasions. Highly recommended if class and elegance aren’t just words for you.
It reminds me so much of Equipage and Mitsouko!!
Derby left the market a while ago, but this relaunched version from four years ago belongs to the exclusive Les Parisiens line. The original 1985 was a classic men’s chypre I never got to try, but this one still feels quite chypre, even though Fragrantica classifies it as leather. Guerlain’s official site defines it as fougère, chypre, and leather. It has that typical vintage Guerlain vibe, yet as a whole, it feels timeless. Very elegant and masculine.
Derby is a refined leather chypre without the classic Guerlinade, yet it still has something very Guerlain about it. It’s been one of the most pleasant olfactory surprises I’ve encountered; a fragrance in perfect harmony where no single note stands out or clashes. It’s elegant, sober, without any sharp edges, timeless, and classic—a perfume with all the hallmarks of greatness. I’m talking about the new version; I never had the chance to try the old one. In short, it’s a leather chypre that exudes class everywhere. As a fun fact, it lacks the Guerlinade, the house’s signature blend of tonka bean, vanilla, iris, and other notes found in Habit Rouge Heritage or Mouchoir de Monsieur. I recommend it for formal occasions given its price and category. As for seasons, chypres work well year-round as they are very adaptable. Age is subjective. I give it a ten. It’s quite similar to the elegant and timeless Equipage by Hermès.