I wonder if my appreciation for Chanel's Allure Homme Édition Blanche was unduly influenced by the fact I smelled it after four days of intensive testing of Allure Homme (ho-hum) and Allure Homme Sport (a nostril-searing, abrasive fragrance)? If so, I’m sorry — I can’t rewind and erase those days (and smells); compared with Allure Homme and Allure Homme Sport, Allure Homme Édition Blanche is delicious, natural smelling and ‘peaceful.’

Allure Homme Édition Blanche (created by Jacques Polge) contains lemon, bergamot, cedar, sandalwood, tonka bean, white musk, vetiver, ginger, amber, vanilla, white and pink pepper. What I noticed immediately upon spraying on Allure Homme Édition Blanche was its quality — its ingredients smell more expensive than those used in the other two Allure fragrances I tested. Allure Homme Édition Blanche is a creamy fragrance but still has some sparkle thanks to its citrus, ginger, and vetiver notes.

Allure Homme Édition Blanche begins with lemon that smells like lemon — not a lemon or citrus note that reminds me of a cleaning bucket or dust rag. During the first phase of Édition Blanche, the lemon is joined by a perky ginger note that leads the way to vetiver and woody-sweet accords (as the fragrance dries down, sandalwood, ‘talcy’ musk and soft vanilla take over). Sure, this is a tried-and-true recipe that is in no way unusual, but, what a relief it is from the strident fresh citrus scents I’ve smelled recently.

If Allure Homme Édition Blanche came in a 30 ml size I might buy a bottle; a pleasant, “well-mannered”, light (but lasting) scent is always good to have on hand, especially in summer weather. I have a suggestion for Chanel: discontinue the dated Allure Homme Sport (so “1995”) and replace it with the new Allure Homme Édition Blanche.

Chanel Allure Homme Édition Blanche is a limited edition fragrance and is available in 50 and 100 ml Eau de Toilette Concentrée sprays.