190 Ans de Création 1828-2018

The Verdict

Guerlain's 190 Ans de Creation 1828-2018 is a fragrance born of celebration. Composed by Thierry Wasser in 2018 to commemorate the house's 190th anniversary, this limited release of just 761 pieces was designed to encapsulate nearly two centuries of perfumery tradition. Available in Eau de Parfum, Absolu, and the even more concentrated Double Absolu, it represents a love letter to the Guerlain DNA of warmth, florals, and gourmand richness.

Community reception has been largely positive, though reviews remain scarce given the fragrance's extreme rarity. Those fortunate enough to experience it describe a beautiful orange blossom composition with an almond-nougat heart that manages to feel airy and luminous rather than heavy. A small number of testers have noted inconsistencies that suggest batch variation, but the prevailing consensus places this among Guerlain's more elegant commemorative efforts.

What It Smells Like

The opening delivers what reviewers describe as a majestic blast of very sweet orange blossom with a honey-like nectar quality. This is no simple soliflore. The orange blossom carries an almost edible richness, evoking blossoms heavy with morning dew rather than a clean, scrubbed-out citrus interpretation.

As the fragrance develops, almond and benzoin create a nougat-like warmth that sits beneath the florals. Reviewers compare the effect to strolling through an orchard in the early evening, with luscious mock orange blossom resting on a bed of almond nougat. Ylang-ylang adds a creamy, slightly tropical floral dimension, while sandalwood in the base provides a soft, woody foundation.

The overall impression is of a gourmand fragrance that defies the category's typical pitfalls. It is airy, heavenly, and pervasive rather than sticky or cloying, marking it as distinctly Guerlain in its balance and restraint.

When to Wear It

This is a fragrance for meaningful occasions. Its warmth and depth make it best suited for cooler months and evening wear, though the orange blossom brightness gives it enough levity for spring. Formal dinners, cultural events, and romantic evenings are its natural habitat.

The moderate sillage keeps it from overwhelming in intimate settings, making it a considerate choice for close-quarters occasions where you want to leave a refined impression.

Longevity & Projection

Performance varies significantly by concentration. The Absolu version has been praised for its impressive staying power, with reviewers reporting 10-12 hours of longevity and a pleasant, extensive scent bubble. The Eau de Parfum version appears to offer more moderate endurance. Sillage is rated moderate across concentrations, sitting close enough to feel personal but detectable by those in your immediate vicinity.

The Community Says

With only 761 pieces produced, community feedback is understandably limited. However, those who have experienced the fragrance speak highly of it on Fragrantica and Basenotes. The prevailing view is that Thierry Wasser created something genuinely beautiful, a composition that honors Guerlain's tradition without merely copying past releases. One reviewer described it as a gourmand unlike the sugary modern ones, calling it far from cloying. A dissenting voice noted an unexpected saffron-like sharpness in their sample, suggesting possible batch variation or individual chemistry differences.

Who Should Buy This

This fragrance is primarily for serious Guerlain collectors and house devotees. Its extreme rarity means casual buyers are unlikely to encounter it, and its commemorative nature gives it special significance for those who follow the brand closely. Orange blossom enthusiasts who enjoy gourmand-adjacent warmth will find much to appreciate here.

If you happen to find a bottle at auction or through a specialist dealer and you love Guerlain's signature warmth, this represents a genuine piece of perfumery history worth experiencing.

The Bottom Line

Guerlain's 190 Ans de Creation is a beautifully composed anniversary fragrance that successfully captures the house's aesthetic in a single bottle. The orange blossom and almond nougat combination is executed with the kind of refinement that justifies Guerlain's storied reputation. Its extreme scarcity makes practical recommendations nearly impossible, but for those who encounter it, this is a fragrance that rewards attention and embodies the art of French perfumery at its most celebratory.