Annick Goutal is one of my favourite perfume lines of all time. Annick Goutal Passion was my first “niche” perfume in 1990, and it sent me down the rabbit hole. I get so many compliments when I wear Passion and the best one was a friend who said I smelled like “weirdly sexy jasmine tea”. Yes please! In addition to loving Annick Goutal, I also just happen to love tea perfumes, so I knew when they launched their L’Ile au Thé that I just had to have it.

It’s funny because I was recently craving Bvlgari Thé Vert, which I have always loved. Now that I have L’Ile au Thé, it is the only green tea perfume I need.

To my nose, Annick Goutal L’Ile du Thé smells like the beautiful and unmistakeable citrus of Eau d’Hadrien met a pristine and perfect cup of jasmine green tea and they made a perfume together. The citrus notes really make this green tea scent a Goutal, as I recognize the mandarin notes from Hadrien immediately. It evokes a sense of calm, and smells impossibly clean, like a swim in a tropical waterfall. It is a soft fragrance, so spray away! I like to spray it head to toe after moisturizing. L’Ile au Thé is the perfect perfume to wear when you want to keep your scent close by, as it does not project a lot. I like those perfumes. It’s perfect in hot weather when it feels like a strong perfume will be just too much, and the citrus notes are soothing and cooling. It also smells lovely in cooler weather, and the crisp green notes are more prominent when it’s not hot.

The osmanthus note is gorgeous and one of my favourite perfume ingredients. Osmanthus blossoms smell tea-like but also fruity, with an apricot-peachy note that is mouth watering and yummy. There is a subtle suede-like note (think Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede) that is never strong or cloying. Just velvety and gorgeous.

Annick Goutal L’Ile au Thé has moved up to the first place in my top tea perfumes. Just gorgeous and must for lovers of tea perfumes and Annick Goutal. Easily a unisex perfume, it does come in two bottle types – the masculine square bottle and the classic smooth and rounded ribbed bottle, “le flacon godron”, for women.

L’Ile au Thé scratches my green tea perfume itch perfectly.

Annick Goutal is available online and in select stores – Saks has it online here. In Canada Hudson Bay carries Annick Goutal in select stores. Find a store near you here