Jasmin by Guerlain was originally launched around 1835, composed by Pierre-François Pascal Guerlain. The name, Jasmin, is the French word for jasmine, pronounced "zhaz-MAN". The word evokes images of sun-drenched gardens, trailing vines heavy with delicate, white blossoms, and the heady, intoxicating aroma of the flower in full bloom. Emotionally, it suggests romance, elegance, and a timeless femininity, capturing both the purity and sensuality associated with jasmine.
The perfume was introduced during a period of refinement in early 19th-century France, a time when the country was recovering from political upheaval and women’s fashion emphasized graceful, flowing silhouettes, often complemented by delicate floral scents. Perfumes were becoming increasingly popular among the bourgeoisie and aristocracy, with jasmine serving as a particularly beloved motif due to its natural sweetness, complexity, and long-lasting fragrance. Women of the period would have immediately associated a perfume called Jasmin with sophistication, luxury, and refined femininity, as jasmine was celebrated both in perfumery and in decorative arts.
In scent, Jasmin was interpreted as a rich, luminous floral fragrance, emphasizing the lush, indolic warmth of true jasmine blossoms. During the 19th century, nearly every perfumery offered its own version of jasmine, based on a general structural formula. Perfumers often adjusted ingredients to create a signature style, and Guerlain’s version stood out for its refined balance and the house’s meticulous craftsmanship. Early formulations relied heavily on natural extracts, tinctures, and infusions, capturing the authentic essence of jasmine. By the close of the century, however, modern aromachemicals and synthetics began to appear, either to substitute for costly raw materials or to enhance the natural note, adding clarity, longevity, or subtle lift without overshadowing the flower’s inherent richness.
Jasmin remained in production for many decades, still being sold in 1853, and its enduring popularity prompted Jacques Guerlain to release updated versions in 1906 and 1922, reflecting both changing olfactory fashions and innovations in fragrance chemistry. While jasmine perfumes were widespread on the market, Guerlain’s formulations were recognized for their elegance, refinement, and the masterful integration of natural and synthetic elements—a hallmark of the house’s artistry.
Originally housed in the Carre flacon (parfum), it remained in production for many decades, still being sold in 1853. It continued to be offered until at least the 1950s. Over the years it was presented in several iconic bottles, including the quadrilobe flacon (parfum), the Amphore flacon (parfum), Lalique’s Bouquet de Faunes flacon (parfum), and the Goutte flacon (eau de toilette). It is classified as a soft floral animalic oriental fragrance for women with a dominant jasmine note.
Fragrance Composition:
So what does it smell like? Guerlain's Jasmin is classified as a soft floral fragrance for women with a dominant sweet jasmine note.
- Top notes: orange blossom, apricot, jasmine, lemon, bergamot, cassie
- Middle notes: methyl anthranilate, lavender, rose, honey, sambac jasmine, indol, ylang ylang, lily of the valley, orris
- Base notes: blond tobacco, sambac jasmine, civet, oakmoss, leather, vetiver, ambergris, balsam, sandalwood, vanilla, storax and Tonkin musk
Recently, I was fortunate to obtain a sample of Guerlain’s Jasmin from my good friend Alexandra Star, who curates an impressive collection of rare antique Guerlain treasures in her Etsy shop, Parfums de Paris. For those eager to experience the refined, floral elegance of this historic fragrance, her collection is well worth exploring.
Scent Profile:
Guerlain’s Jasmin is a masterful soft floral fragrance, where jasmine dominates with a lush, enveloping sweetness. The top notes open with a sparkling, sunlit bouquet of orange blossom, apricot, lemon, and bergamot. The citrus notes—bergamot from Calabria, known for its crisp, slightly spicy nuance, and Sicilian lemon with its bright, clean sweetness—create an immediate freshness that awakens the senses. Orange blossom brings a soft, honeyed floral facet, while apricot adds a delicate fruity warmth. Cassie, or acacia, rounds out the top with its natural honeyed nuance, adding a soft, velvety texture that contrasts beautifully with the citrus and fruitiness. The initial sweetness and subtle “bubblegum” character of the perfume is primarily due to methyl anthranilate, a naturally occurring aromatic ester found in jasmine and orange blossom. This chemical emphasizes the creamy, slightly fruity facets of the flower, creating that playful, almost gourmand nuance without artificiality.
As the fragrance evolves into its heart, it becomes richer and more complex. Sambac jasmine, sourced from India, contributes an exotic, heady opulence that is deeper and more intoxicating than the more delicate jasminum grandiflorum from Grasse. The indolic quality of jasmine introduces a soft animalic undertone, heightening the perfume’s sensuality. Ylang-ylang imparts tropical creaminess with subtle hints of banana and floral spice, while lily of the valley provides a cool, dewy green brightness, and orris root introduces a powdery, slightly nutty softness. Rose adds classic elegance and depth, and lavender infuses a gentle aromatic lift. The natural honey note melds seamlessly with these florals, offering a warm, golden sweetness. Together, these middle notes form a multi-dimensional floral bouquet, where sweetness, freshness, and soft green nuances coexist harmoniously.
The base notes provide warmth, depth, and longevity, anchoring the florals beautifully. Blond tobacco lends a delicate smokiness, while leather and civet introduce subtle animalic sophistication. Oakmoss, vetiver, and sandalwood contribute earthy, woody textures, giving the fragrance a grounded, elegant structure. Ambergris and balsam provide a resinous, slightly marine warmth, while vanilla softens the composition with creamy sweetness. Storax adds balsamic richness, and Tonkin musk creates a lingering, intimate trail. Sambac jasmine reappears here as well, weaving through the base to maintain continuity of the floral heart. The combination of natural absolutes and synthetics like methyl anthranilate enhances the longevity, projection, and clarity of the jasmine, allowing the perfume to retain its signature soft sweetness and floral elegance over time.
Experiencing Jasmin on the skin is a journey: the sparkling citrus and apricot top notes gradually give way to a lush, exotic floral heart, which finally settles into a warm, intimate, and subtly animalic base. The bubblegum-like sweetness, exotic richness, and harmonious depth exemplify Guerlain’s artistry, blending natural extracts and aroma chemicals to create a perfume that is at once timeless and sensually modern.
Recently, I was fortunate to obtain a sample of Guerlain’s Jasmin from my good friend Alexandra Star, who curates an impressive collection of rare antique Guerlain treasures in her Etsy shop, Parfums de Paris. For those eager to experience the refined, floral elegance of this historic fragrance, her collection is well worth exploring.
Guerlain’s Jasmin is a masterful soft floral fragrance, where jasmine dominates with a lush, enveloping sweetness. The top notes open with a sparkling, sunlit bouquet of orange blossom, apricot, lemon, and bergamot. The citrus notes—bergamot from Calabria, known for its crisp, slightly spicy nuance, and Sicilian lemon with its bright, clean sweetness—create an immediate freshness that awakens the senses. Orange blossom brings a soft, honeyed floral facet, while apricot adds a delicate fruity warmth. Cassie, or acacia, rounds out the top with its natural honeyed nuance, adding a soft, velvety texture that contrasts beautifully with the citrus and fruitiness. The initial sweetness and subtle “bubblegum” character of the perfume is primarily due to methyl anthranilate, a naturally occurring aromatic ester found in jasmine and orange blossom. This chemical emphasizes the creamy, slightly fruity facets of the flower, creating that playful, almost gourmand nuance without artificiality.
As the fragrance evolves into its heart, it becomes richer and more complex. Sambac jasmine, sourced from India, contributes an exotic, heady opulence that is deeper and more intoxicating than the more delicate jasminum grandiflorum from Grasse. The indolic quality of jasmine introduces a soft animalic undertone, heightening the perfume’s sensuality. Ylang-ylang imparts tropical creaminess with subtle hints of banana and floral spice, while lily of the valley provides a cool, dewy green brightness, and orris root introduces a powdery, slightly nutty softness. Rose adds classic elegance and depth, and lavender infuses a gentle aromatic lift. The natural honey note melds seamlessly with these florals, offering a warm, golden sweetness. Together, these middle notes form a multi-dimensional floral bouquet, where sweetness, freshness, and soft green nuances coexist harmoniously.
The base notes provide warmth, depth, and longevity, anchoring the florals beautifully. Blond tobacco lends a delicate smokiness, while leather and civet introduce subtle animalic sophistication. Oakmoss, vetiver, and sandalwood contribute earthy, woody textures, giving the fragrance a grounded, elegant structure. Ambergris and balsam provide a resinous, slightly marine warmth, while vanilla softens the composition with creamy sweetness. Storax adds balsamic richness, and Tonkin musk creates a lingering, intimate trail. Sambac jasmine reappears here as well, weaving through the base to maintain continuity of the floral heart. The combination of natural absolutes and synthetics like methyl anthranilate enhances the longevity, projection, and clarity of the jasmine, allowing the perfume to retain its signature soft sweetness and floral elegance over time.
Experiencing Jasmin on the skin is a journey: the sparkling citrus and apricot top notes gradually give way to a lush, exotic floral heart, which finally settles into a warm, intimate, and subtly animalic base. The bubblegum-like sweetness, exotic richness, and harmonious depth exemplify Guerlain’s artistry, blending natural extracts and aroma chemicals to create a perfume that is at once timeless and sensually modern.
Bottles:
Presented in a flacon by Cristalleries de Baccarat design # 678, in the Amphore flacon (parfum) during the 1950s and in the beautiful frosted glass Lalique Bouquet de Faunes flacon (parfum) in the 1920s. Also sold in the quadrilobe flacon (parfum) in the 1940s and Goutte flacon (eau de toilette) from the 1920s-1950s.
photo by ebay
photo by rago auctions
bottle by Baccarat. photo by rago auctions
Photo by ellenaa
Fate of the Fragrance:
Guerlain’s Jasmin was first launched as early as 1835, a remarkable testament to the house’s enduring mastery of floral perfumery. Throughout its long history, the fragrance remained a favorite among women for over a century, still being sold in 1953, though the exact date of its discontinuation is unknown.
This longevity reflects the timeless appeal of its composition: a soft floral bouquet centered on jasmine, balanced with citrus, fruit, and powdery green notes that evolve into a warm, animalic, and resinous base. The perfume’s ability to charm multiple generations of wearers demonstrates Guerlain’s skill in creating fragrances that feel both classic and perpetually fresh. Jasmin’s continued presence on the market for more than a century underscores its status as a signature floral, capturing the elegance and sophistication that defined the house’s creations throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
Even decades later, the perfume retained its distinctive character, with the delicate sweetness of sambac jasmine, the airy brightness of citrus and apricot, and the gentle warmth of vanilla, musk, and ambergris providing a layered olfactory experience that resonated with women across changing fashions and eras. Its enduring popularity illustrates the power of a well-crafted floral to evoke beauty, refinement, and quiet luxury, hallmarks of Guerlain’s perfume legacy.
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