Series 5 Sherbet: Rhubarb
Fragrance notes
Character
Rhubarb stalks are notoriously tart, but Comme des Garçons takes a different angle here. The opening is a crisp, almost medicinal snap of green rhubarb and sharp bergamot, with litchi adding a watery, slightly fermented sweetness that never tips into syrup. It’s a strange, exhilarating tang, like biting into a chilled pie filling before the sugar’s been added. The heart blooms with camelia and orchid, but these florals are shy and powdery, dusted over the fruit rather than dominating it. Vanilla and oak tree finally settle into a soft, woody base that feels like the memory of a pastry crust left to cool on a windowsill. The overall character is a pale green sherbet melting in a porcelain bowl, all frost and sharp edges, with a sugary haze lingering just out of reach.
This is more intellectual than indulgent, a niche whisper rather than a mainstream shout. It feels natural in its astringency but slightly synthetic in that powder-dry finish, like a photorealistic painting of a fruit. The longevity and sillage are painfully low, barely three hours with a scent bubble you could pop with a finger. That makes it a perfect morning spritz for spring or summer, a private ritual before the heat burns it away. It suits someone who loves the idea of dessert but finds actual sweetness cloying, who wants a fragrance that stays close like a secret. Skip it if you crave projection or all-day wear, or if the word “rhubarb” makes you think only of pie filling. Is it worth the hunt? For the opening alone, yes, even if it evaporates faster than a daydream. 🍃
Smells similar
Built from the same materials — ranked by how unusual the shared notes are, not by how many.
