Top Notes
Bergamot
Clary sage
Lavender
Rhubarb
Heart Notes
Lily of the valley
Cardamom
Coriander
Cedarwood
Base Notes
Amber
Oakmoss
Ebony
Amyris
Vetiver
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Notes04/17/2020
Drseid
808 Reviews
Drseid
Voyageur-Lite....
*This is a review of the original formula of Balestra pour Homme.
Balestra pour Homme (vintage) opens with slightly sharp citric mandarin orange coupling with a fresh green lavender spiked aromatic accord with hints of oakmoss rising from the base immediately detectable. As the composition enters its early heart the lavender driven, oakmoss enhanced fresh aromatics remain, now infused with basil spice and a lily-of-the-valley floral infused ambery aquatic accord, with co-starring sharp cedar wood adding significant support. During the late dry-down the composition sheds most of its cedar wood, leaving the just detectable remnants to meld with the diminished ambery aquatic accord and the still remaining oakmoss with hints of synthetic light musk through the finish. Projection is good and longevity excellent at around 12 hours on skin.
I blind bought a bottle of vintage Balestra pour Homme (most likely the re-release from the early nineties) several years ago, but after trying it on skin and coming away a bit disappointed set the bottle aside to try again later... After waiting, and waiting, and waiting... I finally gave it another go, and this outing I am coming to terms with what it is... No, this fresh aromatic composition with floral aquatic elements is not going to set the world afire... It is far from innovative with the fresh, almost minty aromatic aquatic tendencies conjuring up a number of other releases from the nineties and beyond. That said, when one gets past the realization that this is far from the notable releases of the 80's (or 90's if being honest), it can be mildly appreciated as a pleasant, fresh composition in the same vein as Voyageur by Jean Patou that at the end of the day gets the job done. The bottom line is the discontinued $150 per 100ml bottle vintage formula of Balestra pour Homme may not overly impress, but while not particularly memorable still smells "good" to "very good," earning a 3 to 3.5 stars out of 5 rating and a tepid recommendation. That said, fans of (the superior) Voyageur will particularly want to sniff this, as it should be up their alley.
Balestra pour Homme (vintage) opens with slightly sharp citric mandarin orange coupling with a fresh green lavender spiked aromatic accord with hints of oakmoss rising from the base immediately detectable. As the composition enters its early heart the lavender driven, oakmoss enhanced fresh aromatics remain, now infused with basil spice and a lily-of-the-valley floral infused ambery aquatic accord, with co-starring sharp cedar wood adding significant support. During the late dry-down the composition sheds most of its cedar wood, leaving the just detectable remnants to meld with the diminished ambery aquatic accord and the still remaining oakmoss with hints of synthetic light musk through the finish. Projection is good and longevity excellent at around 12 hours on skin.
I blind bought a bottle of vintage Balestra pour Homme (most likely the re-release from the early nineties) several years ago, but after trying it on skin and coming away a bit disappointed set the bottle aside to try again later... After waiting, and waiting, and waiting... I finally gave it another go, and this outing I am coming to terms with what it is... No, this fresh aromatic composition with floral aquatic elements is not going to set the world afire... It is far from innovative with the fresh, almost minty aromatic aquatic tendencies conjuring up a number of other releases from the nineties and beyond. That said, when one gets past the realization that this is far from the notable releases of the 80's (or 90's if being honest), it can be mildly appreciated as a pleasant, fresh composition in the same vein as Voyageur by Jean Patou that at the end of the day gets the job done. The bottom line is the discontinued $150 per 100ml bottle vintage formula of Balestra pour Homme may not overly impress, but while not particularly memorable still smells "good" to "very good," earning a 3 to 3.5 stars out of 5 rating and a tepid recommendation. That said, fans of (the superior) Voyageur will particularly want to sniff this, as it should be up their alley.
