Mitsouko

Mitsouko is a perfume by the French house Guerlain, introduced in 1919 and created by Jacques Guerlain. It is regarded as one of the earliest and most influential chypre fragrances, notable for merging a fruity top accord with a mossy, woody base.

Scent profile descriptions typically describe a peach-like fruit accord at the top, complemented by citrusy notes such as bergamot. The heart is said to reveal floral elements, including jasmine and May rose, while the base settles into oakmoss, woods, and musk, creating a lasting, smoky-chypre character. The exact formula remains proprietary, contributing to Mitsouko’s legendary status.

Historically, Mitsouko marked a departure from many contemporaries by pairing a fruity impression with a firmly structured chypre foundation. Its bold blend helped establish the modern chypre category and it has been celebrated as a defining milestone in perfumery. Over the decades it has remained in production, undergoing reformulations to accommodate changing regulations and material availability while striving to preserve its signature balance.

Variants and continued production: Mitsouko has been issued in multiple concentrations, including reformulated Eau de Toilette and Eau de Parfum versions, along with Parfum iterations. Each version maintains the core character of the original while adapting to contemporary fragrance markets.

Legacy: Mitsouko’s influence is enduring, shaping the development of many later fragrances and earning a permanent place in perfume history. It is frequently cited among the most important and enduring scents of the 20th century, and it remains a reference point for the chypre genre.