Grand Soir by Maison Francis Kurkdjian

Grand Soir is another of the most popular fragrances from the Maison Francis Kurkdjian line of scents. It is a well-known and loved amber perfume that tops many people’s wish lists. But, how does it actually stack up. I grabbed samples of this scent to test it out and put it through its paces. How does it smell? Is it long lasting? Is it worth a try?

What does Grand Soir Smell Like?

Notes include: amber, vanilla, tonka bean, benzoin, labdanum

Click here to try: Grand Soir from Saks

My Full Review

Grand Soir opens up with its amber note in charge and quite powerful. It’s a very smooth amber note, with a nice spice adding to its overall appeal. Personally, I can pick up a slight smokiness in there at times, also.

Beyond that, there is a bit of vanilla early on and the sort of medicinal smelling benzoin creeping in as well. It’s super warm and enveloping and I do like that spiciness.

As it moves along, you will get more of the same, just with less of the spice. Then, the tonka bean comes in to join the vanilla. It actually comes off powdery at times and also creamy for other parts. Interesting.

It becomes very rich and has a full-bodied presence. Though, it will become lighter as it moves along. Also, the perfume is pretty linear for most of the wear. It’s an amber and vanilla show. It’s creamy buttery smooth and sweet, but that’s pretty much what I get here.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage of Grand Soir starts off strong and it can project itself pretty far. But, it does really lighten up, and will hang 2-3 feet from the skin for much of the wear. But, when you first apply it, you will get a heavy dose of the fragrance.

The good news is, that even in its lighter state, Grand Soir will hang around for a long time. Well into the double digit hours, so, expect 12+ hours of wear depending on the climate and circumstance you’re wearing it in.

The longevity is fantastic with this one.

Seasonally, you’re probably going to have to stick to autumn and winter with this Francis Kurkdjian scent. Maybe, further into the year, if you have particularly cold springs. Though, don’t expect this to be a summertime favorite.

While it is a unisex fragrance, it kind of does lean more masculine. Not a crazy ‘manly’ sort of perfume, but it could be something to take into account, if you’re looking for something traditionally feminine. That being said, it’s not too much of an issue, as I don’t think it’s all that masculine…just leans that way.

Overall Impressions of Grand Soir

Overall, do I like Grand Soir? I do. It’s a very nice fragrance, but not one that I want to necessarily own a bottle of.

The smell itself is great, especially if you’re into amber perfumes. It’s soft, warm, and has a fantastic resinous quality to it. This is a fine example of how to use amber in a scent.

Early on, you get some spice. Then, comes the powdery and creamy parts of the wear. But, overall it’s a pretty linear experience. Frankly, I get bored with it after a while and it’s not my favorite.

The performance is really good, particularly in how long it lasts. It isn’t a sillage bomb, if you’re expecting that. But for the high price, it certainly backs it up.

There’s nothing really too much to complain about here. I get why people really enjoy it, but it’s not something that I want to wear all that much.

This is one scent that has become popular, but it isn’t one that you should blind buy. Not only because of the price, but also because the aroma, may really not be what you’re looking for. If you want to experience Grand Soir, I’d get a sample before committing, unless you are a bonafide amber-lover.

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.