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What does Sables smell like?

Wearing Sables is like walking through the sun-baked dunes of Corsica at high summer. The fragrance is a bold study of immortelle, a flower that carries a complex scent profile ranging from caramelize...

Details

House: Goutal
Gender: masculine
Year: 1985
Longevity: 8.5 / 10
Sillage: 7.1 / 10
Scent Profile: Woody, Spicy, Earthy, Resinous, Oriental
Best Seasons: Fall, Winter
Best Occasions: Leisure, Evening
Perfumer: Annick Goutal

Community Insights

Based on 3 discussions

The fragrance community widely regards this as the definitive immortelle fragrance, often used as the benchmark against which all other scents featuring the note are measured.
Performance is a major talking point; despite being an Eau de Toilette, it is noted for exceptional longevity, often lasting upwards of eight hours and projecting significantly even with minimal application.
It is highly polarizing due to the natural facets of immortelle, which some enthusiasts perceive as smelling like curry powder or maple syrup, leading to a "love it or hate it" reputation.
Most users recommend Sables for cooler weather, specifically fall and winter, noting that its resinous warmth can become overwhelming in high heat.
Frequent comparisons are made to Dior Eau Noire for its handling of herbal notes, though Sables is often cited as being more rustic, earthy, and "unfiltered."

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sables suitable for a professional office environment?+

Because of its potent sillage and the polarizing nature of the immortelle note, many consider this a challenging office scent. It is better suited for leisure time, evening wear, or outdoor occasions where its bold character has room to breathe.

How does the sandalwood in the base affect the overall scent?+

The Indian sandalwood provides a creamy, sturdy foundation that balances the dry, spicy heat of the pepper and immortelle. It prevents the fragrance from becoming too medicinal, adding a smooth woodiness to the long-lasting dry down.

Is this fragrance strictly for men?+

While marketed for men, the fragrance community largely views Sables as a unisex composition. Its lack of traditional "barbershop" notes and its focus on resins, amber, and immortelle makes it wearable for anyone who appreciates spicy, oriental fragrances.

Has the fragrance been reformulated since its 1985 release?+

Long-term users note that vintage bottles were famously "huge" and even more intense. While current versions are described as slightly softer and more refined, they are still praised for maintaining the original’s distinct character and excellent performance.

Appears in Collections

Casual & Leisure Fragrances2484 Evening Fragrances2333 Masculine Fragrances1670 Fragrances Starting With S615

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What does Sables smell like?

Wearing Sables is like walking through the sun-baked dunes of Corsica at high summer. The fragrance is a bold study of immortelle, a flower that carries a complex scent profile ranging from caramelize...

Details

House: Goutal
Gender: masculine
Year: 1985
Longevity: 8.5 / 10
Sillage: 7.1 / 10
Scent Profile: Woody, Spicy, Earthy, Resinous, Oriental
Best Seasons: Fall, Winter
Best Occasions: Leisure, Evening
Perfumer: Annick Goutal

Community Insights

Based on 3 discussions

The fragrance community widely regards this as the definitive immortelle fragrance, often used as the benchmark against which all other scents featuring the note are measured.
Performance is a major talking point; despite being an Eau de Toilette, it is noted for exceptional longevity, often lasting upwards of eight hours and projecting significantly even with minimal application.
It is highly polarizing due to the natural facets of immortelle, which some enthusiasts perceive as smelling like curry powder or maple syrup, leading to a "love it or hate it" reputation.
Most users recommend Sables for cooler weather, specifically fall and winter, noting that its resinous warmth can become overwhelming in high heat.
Frequent comparisons are made to Dior Eau Noire for its handling of herbal notes, though Sables is often cited as being more rustic, earthy, and "unfiltered."

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sables suitable for a professional office environment?+

Because of its potent sillage and the polarizing nature of the immortelle note, many consider this a challenging office scent. It is better suited for leisure time, evening wear, or outdoor occasions where its bold character has room to breathe.

How does the sandalwood in the base affect the overall scent?+

The Indian sandalwood provides a creamy, sturdy foundation that balances the dry, spicy heat of the pepper and immortelle. It prevents the fragrance from becoming too medicinal, adding a smooth woodiness to the long-lasting dry down.

Is this fragrance strictly for men?+

While marketed for men, the fragrance community largely views Sables as a unisex composition. Its lack of traditional "barbershop" notes and its focus on resins, amber, and immortelle makes it wearable for anyone who appreciates spicy, oriental fragrances.

Has the fragrance been reformulated since its 1985 release?+

Long-term users note that vintage bottles were famously "huge" and even more intense. While current versions are described as slightly softer and more refined, they are still praised for maintaining the original’s distinct character and excellent performance.

Does the vanilla note make Sables a gourmand fragrance?+

Not exactly. While the vanilla and immortelle together can create a "burnt sugar" or maple-like sweetness, the presence of oakmoss, Madagascan pepper, and heavy woods keeps the fragrance firmly in the spicy-woody category rather than a dessert-like gourmand.

What is the best way to apply Sables given its strength?+

Community consensus suggests a "less is more" approach. One or two sprays are usually sufficient for an entire day, as the resinous base notes adhere strongly to both skin and clothing.

from $110.59· Checked Jul 11 Compare

$110.59

Typical priceChecked Jul 11

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Buy now

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$110.59

Typical priceChecked Jul 11

FragranceNetTrusted

Buy now

We may earn a commission.

Accords

Notes

TopMandarin orange//Bergamot

HeartMadagascan pepper//Jasmine//Oakmoss

BaseCorsican immortelle//Amber//Vanilla//Indian sandalwood

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Eau de Monsieur

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Encens Flamboyant

Eau De Parfum

Goutal

Ambre Fétiche

Eau De Parfum

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Eau De Parfum

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Appears in Collections

Casual & Leisure Fragrances2484 Evening Fragrances2333 Masculine Fragrances1670 Fragrances Starting With S615

Where to buy Sables

from $110.59 (100ml) · 1 retailer

Every retailer shown here is a seller we’ve vetted.

100ml

Checked Jul 11

FragranceNet

$110.59Buy

Today's best price of $110.59 is about the typical price for this size, based on 16 days of tracking.

Price history

100ml price trendAt tracked low of $110.59

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Prices are collected from third-party retailers and updated periodically. Always verify the price on the retailer's site before purchasing. We may earn a commission on purchases made through our links.