Smellavision

The topnotes in Feuilles de Tabac are composed of a clove and incense with hints of pepper and pine opening that starts off with rather singular notes and later ends up in a very harmonious composition of both dry and sweet tobacco and woods. Definitely more masculine than feminine. FdT projects very well in the opening, but later in the drydown it calms to below an arms length. Mostly suited for colder weather and probably very interesting if you're a fan of the original D&G Pour Homme.

This may sound odd, but it reminds me quite a bit of Versace's Dreamer in an up-to-date version without the slight sourness that also follows in Dreamer.

FdT may not be overly daring, but it smells darn nice!

Opening with a peppery citrus, Strictly Private turns into a woody ambery vanilla with hints of tobacco and patchouli. Creamy, calm, soft and slightly sweet. A green floral with a herbal top and a floral heart. Sensual, warm and elegant and with just the right amount of spices - sort af a nutty creme brulée with basil. Fortunately, the rose note is quite subtle, as rose usually turn fragrances very feminine on my skin. The main accord is balsamic and longevity is good.

This being only the second Baldessarini offering I've tried (the first one being the equally excellent Ambré), I am so far quite impressed by the high standard of house. Looking at the ridiculous prices on Ebay at the moment, I have a sneaking suspicion that this one may be discontinued though ?

I'm not sure if it's the small traces of rose or almond that do it, but I find there to be just a hint of "Guerlinade" in the background of this woody oriental composition. If you're a fan TF Noir Extreme, you'll probably enjoy this one as well. Definitely more of a dating than a clubbing fragrance, and overall Strictly Private smells way more expensive than it is/was (based on the original retail price.)

RWA is a delicious and boozy warm vanilla, that may be very linear, but enjoyable none the less. At first I thought the creamy nuttyness derived from hazelnuts, later from roasted chestnuts but at last it struck me : it somehow smells like coconut. Very good projection and excellent for cuddling up or for dates. This is the kind of scent you'd want to wear on a cooler day with no wind, seeing friends or family you love for a warm beverage and later lounging up with your SO in a cozy chair.

Very sweet - bordering on gourmand - and slightly synthetic, but quite enjoyable for a casual winters day. Affordable, smooth and cozy - a very good deal for the price.

Heritage EdT somehow makes me think of Guerlain's take on the Classic Davidoff Zino, but yet it also has similarities to Guerlain's own Shalimar ?! Even if launched in 1992, you'd think it was older, as it bears a mood resemblant to many male classics from the early 1980s.

The opening of bergamot and slightly dusty lavender transforms effortlessly into the heart of coriander, pepper and patchouli and settles gently on a base of ambery vanilla and woods. I could swear there's cinnamon and quite a bit of tonka there as well, but these are not listed.

Heritage comes off very gentlemanly and luxurious - classy and sophisticated with a distinct Guerlinade. It is warm, elegant and subtle and has a timeless quality to it. I feel it's a great scent, but somewhat hard to use for casual settings as it actually demands you to be dressed up in a suit, shirt or other formal attire. On the other hand, when dressed appropriately, Heritage wears like an outer layer of confidence, quite impressive for a perfume.

It may not be tailored for the younger crowd, but to deny it as a classic male fragrance is hard - the statement that it "bears the heritage of old values in revelation of the new age" is actually spot on. Also, there is no room for the unisex fickle with this one - this is a man's scent no doubt.

In the opening apart from the pine I get a chocolate like vibe as well, not sure if that is due to the vanilla mixing up with the strawberry. Wait... is this incense? no... smoke ? yeah well... Oh, now I know... it's peat, goddammit! Definitely peat! I have absolutely no idea what hemlock smells like but if it smells like smoke or peat, that would be it. Kinda simple scent but very much playing on the nostalgia of childhood with the sweet strawberry, the coniferous pine and the smoky fog.

Cape Heartache is leaning slightly feminine, in fact so much that my girlfriend wants it badly.

A fine, fun and somewhat different offering from Imaginary Authors. Longevity is outstanding and sillage is very good.