Balfoin

While the note pyramid points towards a fresh floral fragrance this is definitely a dense sweet amber. Sure there are bright elements in the top, but from the get go a sweet rosey fruity amber dominates. Apricot and leather come from the osmanthus presumably but there is also a creaminess i can't really attribute to a singular note. There is definitely a caramel-like undertone. Overall, a bit confused, very busy, dense, definitely something that needs to be sampled first.

Please ignore the list of notes above: this one actually smells like TF Velvet Orchid EDP (the original formula), and obviously there are traces of Black Orchid in it as well, because Velvet Orchid was initially released as its flanker. I still have a few droplets of the original VO from 10+ years ago, so I can easily compare Balfoin to it. The initial blast is when they resemble each other the most, but after 20-30 minutes they start developing in different directions, and then return to a very similar point. Velvet Orchid is somewhat sweeter, the boozy rum note is quite prominent, and the sweetness is initially derived from honey, and then from vanilla and resins. Balfoin is slightly more bitter, without the gooey honey note; the initial sweetness is reliant on fruity notes (apricots, dates), somewhat resembling Amouage Sunshine, whereas the later stage sweetness is also based on vanilla and resins. Both scents contain opulent floral hearts, but Balfoin is more herbal-spicy. Bottom line: if you enjoy Black Orchid and Velvet Orchid and would like to try something in the similar vein, but not quite the same, then you should try Balfoin. Its projection and longevity are outstanding, and it is reasonably priced in comparison to perfumes released by other independent-niche and high-end designer houses.