Sybaris

I bought a sample of Sybaris based on the reviews here and it arrived today. So blown away was I that I paid £150 for 125mls edt that will be sent from Spain as it is so rare from what I could see. This is by very very far the most I have ever spent on a fragrance. It is just so deep, so complex, so multi layered, subtle and beautiful that I had to have it. It is sophistication and mystery encapsulated in a genius formulation of fragrance. It has a hint of vintage Quorum sitting in the background overlayed with beautiful, fresh , orangy sweetness. But not too much sweetness. Just the right amount to contribute to a deep enticing whisper for you to follow down the corridor to a dimly lit chamber of sensuality. And so much else. So enigmatic. I have all the big hitters from Antaeus to Kouros, Paco Rabanne por homme (the vintage versions to me is king of men's fragrance) to Fahrenheit, vintage eau sauvage. Sybaris sits right there on front row. But it is discontinued and rare. So unless you get very very lucky expect to pay the premium.

It opens with a blast of aldehydes, supported by cumin and cinnamon. The aldehydes and cumin will tone down in the heart, to let appear a nice sandalwood note, supported by patchouli. The base is all about an moss and incense. A beautiful chypre, possibly the most refined and interesting one in its category (Montana PdH, Aramis Havana, Balenciaga Ho-Hang Club to cite just a few...). Highly recommended assuming a good price can be found, but keep in mind that it is pretty much redundant with the previous ones I cited, as well as a few others of that time. As for the comparisons with Kouros and Balenciaga pour Homme, it is only a remote facet for each of these, at a certain stage of development. In a nutshell: the similarities are very remote, but none of these two came to my mind when I wore Sybaris, tbh. (unlike the other 3) Even if lacking a bit of originality, this is definitely a solid chypre, made as it is expected to be made.

This is one of those unbelievably superb men's chypres from the 1970s-1980s-early 1990s that reminds you of how excellent and complex the art of perfumery can be. I can pick out so many notes I love: cloves, cumin, leather, juniper, incense, vetiver. There are also aldehydes, lemon and juniper to lighten this so its much less of a heavy statement than (beloved) similar scents from the era, but it is just as excellent: I would put it alongside Vendetta per Uomo, Maxim's Pour Homme, Red by Giorgio of Beverly Hills and Giorgio for Men from the same house. That means I'd rate it among the very best elegant men's scents of all time.

This is absolutely STUNNING. From the opening to its last traces on the skin, Sybaris is a phenomenal experience punctuated with notes that accentuate the animal magic of man's (or woman's) chemistry: cumin, cloves, cinnamon, artemisia—a bewitching concoction. So many textures resulting in a brilliant synergy: supple, sexy, erotic, pulsating with all the divine smells of the earth: animal, vegetable, and mineral. There is a roundness however, that sets it apart from other shape-shifting chypres, no spikes that reach out an accost the nose; it's all smooth and sauve, with a wink suggesting a naughty side.

I had the chance to buy this perfume a few weeks ago--it's a gift set containing a 25 ml. EDT bottle + a 30 gr. soap bar, for around $13. When first applied on skin, Sybaris smells very animalic, which might seem a little unpleasant at the beginning, but then it evolves into a woody earthy scent that is really nice. It smells like a softer, more casual version of Dior Jules. I've learned that it is no longer produced, which makes it a very appealing collector's piece. I may buy the gift set in a few days (I hope it is still for sale) as Sybaris is a great representative of 80s male fragrances. Cheers!

A delight to the senses! This is a fragrance with simultaneous layered construction. The lemon top note manifests at the same time as the clove/cinnamon, while the slightly animalic accord lurks underneath somewhere. The incredible thing is, you can detect all three at once, maybe more too, in palpable “levels”, where my mind can shift awareness from one level to another at will. I haven’t experienced very many fragrances that are constructed like this. Sybaris is unabashedly old school, make no mistake about that. But man, they sure knew how to construct fragrances back then.

A very sophisticated fragrance for a very sophisticated man (moi!). I'm not going to dissect Sybaris - Marco Chau has already done that. I'll just say that it's discontinuation was a major mistake. If you can find it (and afford it), buy it - but beware a couple of poor copies out there. I have an unopened bottle and a small one that I use infrequently. It is the holy grail - on my skin at least.

Simply sublime! A swirling cloud of spices, woods, herbs, and resins, with a touch of leather and a twinkling aldehydic sparkle. A masculine powerhouse perhaps, but a cozy one, like a perfectly worn flannel shirt. While the cumin note seems to put others off, it steers well clear of BO stank to me, being rounded by clove and soft sandalwood. Love love love!

A top powerhouse fragrance from the ’80s. Splash it on after your grooming routine for a fresh, spicy, and unmistakably masculine scent. A true standout from the iconic collaboration between Mateu and Morillas. This style of fragrance isn’t for everyone, but if you’re here looking it up, there’s a good chance it speaks to your taste.

Originally meant to be a Paco Rabanne fragrance,Sybaris was turned down by the Paco Rabanne marketing excecutives as being not "the right image",now it is a very sought after fragrance.Possibly discontinued? Edit:-Bigsley..smells nothing like Havana by Aramis.

A wonderful chypre. Divine and addictive. They don't make them like this any more. The subtle balance and elegance is Guerlain level, while the scent itself is a unique masterpiece. The drydown is almost-pissy, benzoin ambery warmth, I can't get enough.

I love this stuff!!! I've never bought a 'backup' bottle of anything, but I ordered a backup of this (before it's gone completely). Old school in the very best way. Spicy, rich, great performance. What's not to love.

Outstanding quality, a chypre floral, stunning. Very Nino Ceruti alike. Gem, concibed when perfumery was respected as an art. Outstanding.

What a beautiful scent , so masculine

Based on the juice from a vintage (possibly the original) 50ml spray bottle that I got, the fragrance smelled very natural and vegetal with plenty of fresh herbs and warm spices. It opened with a very intensive Caraway like note together with soft mint and warm citrus. The heart was fresh, green and aromatic but also full of warm spice and light floral notes. The heart lasted for quite a long time until a somewhat softer Sandalwood note joined in. The base was mossy, warm, slightly sweet and woody and it lasted for well over 10 hours on my skin. IMHO, Sybaris is a classic masculine kind of fragrance most suitable for those who are more matured and enjoy natural smelling fragrances.

Do not by this on eBay especially the splash I bought a EDT spray from Germany, and an EDT splash, (same seller) two very different items. I remember this in it hay day, along side Quorum. It was once a very fine frag. Woody, spicey. I remember me buying this and the girls went wild. A thoroughly intoxicating smell. It is what men should smell like. Masculine, rather than the homogeneous one size fits all rubbish of today!

A beautiful fragrance that should be in the hall of fame! I need add no more.

Continuing my tour of classic frags of yesteryear, I alighted on this Spanish offering, drawn by the promise of cumin and cinnamon, sandalwood, supported by patchouli and a base of oakmoss and incense. In my experience it opens with that familiar eighties fugg of spicy green notes (essence of men's changing rooms, post-match), then hovers around a floral/patchouli heart for a while before fading into a soapy musk. Not momentous, not memorable, just OK.

First thing I’ve smelled that Rosendo Mateu worked on that I didn’t love. I heard that there was a big cumin note that was really challenging. I got a mini dabber bottle. I got none of it. Instead I got main notes I hate in perfumes. That dingy 80’s cinnamon note found in things like Halston Z-14, ODL Pour Lui, and Bijan man, and a loud ambery/powder note I also find to be sickening. I wanted to like this. This is really dated and likely to be enjoyed by nobody near you. Maybe it’ll grow on me.

So, I went and bought a little mini of this in hopes of finding another love. The comparison to Chanel Pour Monsieur & Kouros (my #1) piqued my interest. Well... this doesn't quite remind me of Kouros. However, in an unexpected turn of events, this heavily reminds me of Balenciaga Pour Homme (but not as strong, and perhaps with a small dash of cumin or something?). And immediately before writing this review I searched a review page to see if there's any mention of BpH in comparison to this - and yep, there is! Bingo. I wouldn't be real surprised if Balenciaga Pour Homme took Sybaris as the inspiration/foundation for itself. Note: What's funny is that Señorlancetti and I both noticed the similarity to Balenciaga Pour Homme, and the cumin? If you're a fan of the Balenciaga, you may appreciate/love this one as well.