Gucci Guilty Absolute Review: Dark and Rugged
One of the most iconic designer brands famous for its daring, extravagant, almost gaudy style is indubitably the house of Gucci. This house is also known for its equally bold fragrances, especially Gucci Guilty which has spawned numerous flankers for both men and women.
Out of this lineup, though, Gucci Guilty Absolute pour Homme has quite a devoted following from fragrance aficionados who adore leathery scents. If you are looking for leather, this flanker is definitely worth taking a second glance at.
The nose behind this Gucci creation is the renowned Alberto Morillas who has composed numerous popular fragrances for designer and niche houses alike. Gucci Guilty Absolute debuted in 2017.
As I mentioned, this is foremost a leather-centric perfume. Although sources vary, the notes listed are leather, Nootka cypress, patchouli, Goldenwood, and vetiver. You may be wondering what Goldenwood is. According to a GQ article devoted to the debut of this fragrance, it is a new natural extract of Nootka cypress, which in this case, I think yields some tones warmer than what would usually be obtained from Nootka cypress. For the patchouli, three different kinds of patchouli oils were used in the composition of Gucci Guilty Absolute.
Right off the bat, your nose is greeted with a bold, unapologetic leather tinged with a medicinal, almost camphoric vibe certainly thanks to the cypress. When reading other peoples’ takes on this fragrance, a “bandaid” smell is frequently mentioned as an apt descriptor. But I also perceive something on the verge of spiciness in the opening phase, although there are certainly no spices employed in the composition. Perhaps it might be the result of the green tones of the cypress creating an imaginary accord with the woodier hues.
As the fragrance develops, the leather becomes darker, and even oily in some respects, as the woodier notes deepen. The impression I get here recalls an image of a mechanic shop and a woodshop combined in a single space hidden somewhere in a dark alleyway. You smell auto parts and hands smudged with oil and grease, while nearby, somebody is shaping a piece of sappy, aromatic wood on a lathe. Everyone, there is clad in leather jackets and other such accessories.
When Gucci Guilty Absolute enters its final phase on the skin, warm, even cozy, yet dry woody tones dominate edged with a bit of dirty, grungy earthiness from vetiver. Still even at this point, leathery shadows remain lurking in the background.
In terms of longevity, this fragrance easily lasts all day and even more on clothes, although the sillage and projection are considerably on the more reserved, moderate side of the spectrum. Still, Gucci Guilty retains an assertive, confident presence on skin. Whenever I wear it, the fragrance becomes almost like a second skin to me, it feels natural and comfortable, yet oozing that dark masculine leathery vibe.
Although primarily geared towards men, women with bold, unforgiving personalities could certainly pull off Gucci Guilty Absolute pour Homme. This would be a perfect choice for the cooler days, especially during the autumn, as a casual night out fragrance. It could work sparingly for a formal occasion as well.
So, if you’re in the mood for something dark and leathery, definitely check out Gucci Guilty Absolute pour Homme.
