Carbone de Balmain

This was a blind buy for me based entirely on the reviews on this very page. Like another reviewer I had ordered from a vendor whose image displayed the "Carbone de Balmain" bottle, but instead sent me the "Carbone", which disappointed me somewhat because based on the reviews above I understand that there is a significant difference. Nevertheless, I am wearing it right now and must say that I am very pleasantly surprised. A few years back I was with colleagues at a restaurant in Tokyo when a very distinguished looking European gentleman walked past my table, and as he passed I caught a subtle aroma of the most supremely elegant, masculine and classy scent I have ever smelled in my life. Perhaps the effect was augmented by the qualities of hot sake we had been drinking, but after he returned to his table I summoned to the courage and approached him to ask about the incredible fragrance he was wearing. From the years I spent in Europe I could tell that he was clearly one of those old-school European aristocrats who probably spent the heyday of his formative years on the transatlantic liners, as he was of a certain age, but in a way ageless, and the poise, bearing and demeanour of this impressive gentleman radiated "dignitas" and imperturbable and effortless grace that reminded me of the aristocratic couple I lodged with when I first arrived in Paris many years previously, anyhow he was delighted that I had appreciated the scent he was wearing and said that I was his favourite: it happened to be Ebene - a vintage Balmain creation that is nowadays both extremely hard to find and extremely expensive, but I never forgot the effect that even a gentle hint of that sublime fragrance had on me and ever since I have been obsessed with trying to find something that has a similar "aura". What strikes me about "Carbone" is that the progression is so subtle as to be almost undetectable - to my nose anyway - and the notes are so beautifully complimentary that the overall effect is to evoke the familiar and the exotic at the exact same time, creating an aura of mystery, and class. For me, woods (done well) can be the absolute epitome of masculinity, and by that I don't mean the garish, vulgar, chest-beating, Ron Burgundy "Sex Panther" notion of masculinity but the simple, effortless and classy masculinity of a well-tailored suit, that conjures up images of a wood-panelled library in a stately home or a smoky gentleman's club in the 1920s filled with Chesterfield armchairs and cavendish pipe tobacco. I like "Carbone" thus far mainly because of that woodsy mystery created by the sense of familiar and the exotic, its understated dignity, and the associations that it creates in my mind of classy refined "gentlemanliness". As soon as I am able I will get hold of some of the earlier "Carbone de Balmain" to compare. Edit June 30, 2020: Today I came across an old flacon of Gucci Pour Homme and applied it to experience the trip down memory lane it triggers due to all the fond memories I associate with it. Perusing the Fragrantica reviews for GPH I was quite baffled to read that some people think it’s similar to Bentley Absolute. GPH does not smell anything like Bentley Absolute. If I had to name one fragrance that reminds me of GPH it would be Carbone. I am wearing both right now, on different arms and although there are subtle differences, the two really are remarkably similar. Carbone really does remind me of GPH.

This was a blind buy for me based entirely on the reviews on this very page. Like another reviewer I had ordered from a vendor whose image displayed the "Carbone de Balmain" bottle, but instead sent me the "Carbone", which disappointed me somewhat because based on the reviews above I understand that there is a significant difference. Nevertheless, I am wearing it right now and must say that I am very pleasantly surprised. A few years back I was with colleagues at a restaurant in Tokyo when a very distinguished looking European gentleman walked past my table, and as he passed I caught a subtle aroma of the most supremely elegant, masculine and classy scent I have ever smelled in my life. Perhaps the effect was augmented by the qualities of hot sake we had been drinking, but after he returned to his table I summoned to the courage and approached him to ask about the incredible fragrance he was wearing. From the years I spent in Europe I could tell that he was clearly one of those old-school European aristocrats who probably spent the heyday of his formative years on the transatlantic liners, as he was of a certain age, but in a way ageless, and the poise, bearing and demeanour of this impressive gentleman radiated "dignitas" and imperturbable and effortless grace that reminded me of the aristocratic couple I lodged with when I first arrived in Paris many years previously, anyhow he was delighted that I had appreciated the scent he was wearing and said that I was his favourite: it happened to be Ebene - a vintage Balmain creation that is nowadays both extremely hard to find and extremely expensive, but I never forgot the effect that even a gentle hint of that sublime fragrance had on me and ever since I have been obsessed with trying to find something that has a similar "aura". What strikes me about "Carbone" is that the progression is so subtle as to be almost undetectable - to my nose anyway - and the notes are so beautifully complimentary that the overall effect is to evoke the familiar and the exotic at the exact same time, creating an aura of mystery, and class. For me, woods (done well) can be the absolute epitome of masculinity, and by that I don't mean the garish, vulgar, chest-beating, Ron Burgundy "Sex Panther" notion of masculinity but the simple, effortless and classy masculinity of a well-tailored suit, that conjures up images of a wood-panelled library in a stately home or a smoky gentleman's club in the 1920s filled with Chesterfield armchairs and cavendish pipe tobacco. I like "Carbone" thus far mainly because of that woodsy mystery created by the sense of familiar and the exotic, its understated dignity, and the associations that it creates in my mind of classy refined "gentlemanliness". As soon as I am able I will get hold of some of the earlier "Carbone de Balmain" to compare.

If you truly enjoy unusual fragrances, this one is for you! I blind-bought a reasonably priced tester a month or so ago and it is a true powerhouse of wood, smoke and incense. Of course, I've never sniffed a Balmain that I didn't like so it wasn't much of a risky blind buy for me. I don't get the "barbecued beef" odor that others perceive but the pepper, elemi resin and incense do combine to create a "smoke from a camp fire" feeling which I like very much. And I agree with reviewer Rob Frost who says he gets a whiff of "pencil shavings", which I like very much also and normally only get from cedar notes - and I don't see cedar listed among Carbone's notes - go figure. Not that I can parse them out individually but I suspect the ivy and fig notes are what lighten what could have been a solidly bitter mixture. In the midst of the smoke there's a watery/juicy freshness that makes it perfectly appropriate on my female skin. My guess is that if you enjoy the green & woody forest notes in Yatagan you'll like Carbone. And if you love the pencil shaving vibe in Serge Luten's Daim Blond you will LOVE Carbone. A few sprays last 8-10 hours on me and I notice the scent in rooms I've walked through as I move about the house (haven't worn this one out in public yet but I do wear Yatagan to work occasionally, so it won't be long until Carbone makes an appearance).

I have no idea why this happens but there are some peppers I put on and immediately my whole body relaxes. It's almost like a drug! Can't really say what that's about but I'll take it! Anyway, to the point at hand... For me, this frag hits a lot of right marks. I love pepper, incense, figs. I also enjoy cedar as a wood note. What amazes me though is that there's no cedar shown in the notes, but when you concentrate on what's going on, it becomes apparent that with the addition of the elemi, vetiver and green notes joining with the fore mentioned creates a very definite cedar effect especially in the top. That said it carries on into the dry down where the elemi gives the cedar a resinous effect, and it smells dam fine I might add! Almost gummy. It's like a rich gummy cedar. That gummy aspect is aided by the benzoin which adds a very subtle but right on the mark slight sweet vibe. This for me is a great winter scent, it's got a nice toasty warmness and one I have no doubt I'll be turning too often. It's worth every cent you pay for it and well beyond imo. Well pleased.

the feeling you get when you just *know*... the holy grail in my collection, finally! what else to say? i tried this and the Balmain Homme for men on respective arms. it was like day and night in comparison, or rather dusk and dawn. where Balmain Homme was loudmouthed, nightclub-vibe, literally one-in-a-million-scent; Carbone on the other hand spoke in whispers, calm and soothing; "Come closer if you are the man I think you are" I was a little worried that the scent would disappear, but the lady at the store (or maybe the good witch?) reassured me that I wouldn't be disappointed if I chose this. later today when I was out jogging, the scent got even stronger (probably due to the body heat) and even after showering it's still there, again reassuring me "I'm still here, even though I don't fuzz or brag like the other guys on the shelves" Finally, I am glad that I remembered to thank the 'good witch' saying that I was very pleased to see a cologne like this amongst all the common, well-known brands. My new signature scent for sure!