Carbone

I tried this thinking it would smell like the original Carbone de Balmain and it’s NOTHING like it at all. Good news is that I’m a sucker for a musk fragrance and this is predominantly a massive hug in a bottle. The challenge or edge to this perfume comes in the shape of translucent, plastic opulence giving saffron/patchouli feel and a gentle rose undertone. I love it. I mean it’s a bit heavy, like being rear naked choked by a Care bear but it’s pretty wonderful. I don’t mean this is cutting edge perfumery or the best thing ever but as I said, I love how similar this is to something like The musc by Essential parfums but still different enough to own both. I think they switched Carbone and Ebene because the new Ebene smells much more like how I remember Carbone being.

A dark scent ( the name I find perfectly fitting ) , deep and powerful, with very strong leathery shadows overwhelming a just hinted rose. An almost primordial fragrance, which with its intensity seems almost to comfort and warm the soul. The enveloping aroma slowly turns to dust and finally, as if reborn from the ashes, the rose emerges, carnal and passionate. Silky and sensual, like a black cat. I wore it on a cold evening, and I must say I found it perfect. Going then to learn about the nose...here comes Quentin Bisch, who, you may have guessed by now, literally stole my heart. His olfactory signature here does not stand out at first sight, but then his style comes through. I really liked it. “Girl with black cat in her arms” painted by Boldini.

Carbone 2024 by Balmain really took me by surprise. It is a daring and refined fragrance that redefines masculinity with a modern twist that musk really takes center stage. The scent opens with the softness of musk, creating a smooth, sensual base. At its heart, delicate rose blooms, adding a touch of elegance and contrast to the composition. The fragrance is anchored by luxurious suede, which gives it a warm, leathery finish, blendinperfectly with the other notes. Carbone 2024 is bold yet sophisticated, perfect for the man who seeks both strength and subtlety in his signature scent. It’s a captivating balance of softness and intensity, ideal for any occasion.

Evocative of smelling the inside of a black pepper grinder: Sharp, dry, and faintly woody. Up close, it’s quite spicy and austere, almost bracing in its dryness. Somewhat challenging. I find this stunning regardless. The more time I spend with it, the more I enjoy it. Refined dry woods with a restrained rose and that persistent, textured pepper (I'm guessing it's the strong suede + wood combo). It’s far more nuanced than the opening suggests. Like Orto Parisi's Boccanera, this is a fragrance you need to spend time with to truly understand.

This fragrance is straight-up opulence. Carbone has the smoky vibe that is comparable to Ombre Nomade but they are in completely different worlds. The suede is *chefs kiss*. The performance is insane - I sprayed it on a tester strip and could still smell it in passing days later (not exaggerating). Bisch nailed the rose-musk blend! It's technically unisex but definitely leans masculine. This stuff projects like crazy and lasts forever. Special occasion fragrance IMO - not for everyday. Potentially my wedding scent. 10/10