Maison Francis Kurkdjian Ciel de Gum was created as an exclusive for GUM Moscow. This explains the rather odd English word “gum” used in a perfume name.
Ciel de Gum opens as something that is distinctively Kurkdjian-y. It’s that lemon custard with indolic white florals (something I now associate with him). There’s a voluptuous jasmine and a grape-jelly orange blossom. The rose in this is fresh and velvety. This man knows how to treat a rose. The heart blossoms on the skin. The dry-down is a spiced amber cinnamon bun.
Ciel de Gum smells good and I like it, but you know, I like lots of things. I don’t really think this exclusive is worth seeking out as an American. I hate sampling country exclusive perfumes; I find it difficult to recommend them. I think Ciel de Gum is exceptional but it’s not attainable. It’s great but there are others in the line that smell as good. I’m such a practical perfumista…I’m also trying to talk myself out of this.
Notes listed include amber, pink pepper, jasmine, rose, cinnamon and vanilla. Launched 2013. PERFUMER – Francis Kurkdjian
You may like Ciel de Gum if you like floral ambers. Or perfumes like Maison Francis Kurkdjian Lumiere Noire Pour Homme, Serge Lutens Nuit de Cellophane, Estee Lauder Private Collection Amber Ylang Ylang and/or Malle Musc Ravageur (no floral cousin). Ciel de Gum is unisex. I find it best suited for cool weather or “evening” wear.
Like I said, it’s great but don’t lose sleep because you can’t get a bottle of this. Some U.S. decanting sites do have this so if you want to try it, go for it.
Projection and longevity are above average.
This is available at Ciel de Gum in Moscow and the Maison Francis Kurkdjian boutique in Paris. The Perfume Court is selling decants in the US.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Rose and jasmine Cinnabon. I like it. I wish Russia would have gotten a few of the Oud Moods as exclusive instead…
Want more reviews? Try…
The Scented Salamander – More info on GUM and the scent.
Hello!
Just in case anybody is interested: GUM is the abbreviation of Gosudarstvenniy Universal’niy Magazin,
which means state-run department store, a name it has kept even in post USSR times.
Petra
Thank you 🙂
[…] Maison Francis Kurkdjian Ciel de Gum EDP (decant, not pictured) – This spicy floral is a Russian exclusive. Full review. […]