Gypsy Water Absolu

The fragrance opens in a bright and confident way. At the start, I perceive a juicy, slightly tart bergamot with a pleasant bitterness. Black pepper is quite noticeable as well, adding a touch of spiciness and gentle sharpness. Interestingly, the suede note unexpectedly appears right from the opening and sounds rather expressive and bold. As the fragrance develops, it becomes softer and calmer. The suede gradually smooths out, turning into something tender, cozy, and enveloping. The vanilla here is very delicate, soft and warm, perfectly blended into the overall composition. In the base, the scent on my skin unexpectedly reminded me of YSL Babycat, but in a lighter, more airy interpretation 😄 I understand that a lot depends on skin chemistry, so I want to emphasize that these are purely my personal impressions of how the fragrance wears on my skin. A blind purchase that turned out to be absolutely worth it! I find the fragrance very appealing and will happily wear it. It is beautiful, comfortable, yet still has character. My main advice: don’t be afraid of the slightly sharp and bold opening. Give the fragrance some time to settle and fully unfold , it will surely reward you with a soft, cozy, and beautiful dry-down. The longevity of the fragrance is good! I applied it to my wrist at around 2 p.m., and now it’s 10 p.m. and I can still smell it quite well.

This scent is smooth, perfectly executed, and it's brimming with character. I have not smelled the OG G-Water, so I purchased the Absolu with zero expectations of what it "should" smell like - and I love it! To me, the interplay between the bergamot, suede, and incense is brilliant and unlike anything else I've smelt. The pine adds this cozy comforting vibe, and the orris and vanilla smooths everything out and brings it all together. I didn't know carrots had seeds, but I'm sure they're bringing something to this scent party too. Overall, it kind of smells like those roasted chestnuts you buy on New York street corners during the holidays...such a pleasing aroma. Projection is ok, great for the office because it sits relatively close. Longevity is decent, but nothing great - I get about 5 hours before it begins to fade away. I do find it slightly masculine-leaning, but really anyone can wear this. I do need to sample the OG at some point, but if the Absolu truly smells nothing like it, then bad on Byredo for getting the OG fans hopes up for a stronger, more intense version of their beloved scent. If you're like me an have no idea what the original smells like, you might really dig this one. 9.1/10

I have completely fallen for this fragrance, contrary to the distaste of my first impression. The original g water has been one of my lifetime favorites, even after growing my collection and adding so many beautiful creations, there’s something so special about it, I can never get enough of it. So when I saw byredo was coming out with the absolu version, I got so giddy. I ran to the shop to smell it, but the second I sprayed it on the paper, my excitement died. I couldn’t smell the perfume that had become an extension of myself. I sprayed it on my arm and walked away with my head down. It was pretty, don’t get me wrong.. but where was my gypsy water? As I went on with my day, the scent bloomed on my skin... and there she was! Hidden at first glance, but when she made her appearance... she was older and wiser and sexier. She’s the nighttime counterpart to the original. Ethereal still, but more sultry and bold. And my goodness does she project! One spray and I was dreaming of her for the whole day. I’m so smitten. 10/10. Like if you mixed the sexiness and performance of babycat with the innocence and beauty of gypsy water.

I ordered this perfume without even trying it and, for a moment when I smelled it and sprayed on my jacket, I was like “Eh, whatever, will definitely finish the bottle and not repurchase ever.” The fragrance seemed heavy and spicy. But when I opened my closet the next day, I was shook, that dreamy OG dry down, but somehow sooooo much stronger, was taking all the closet space. I am in love with the fragrance. It’s not 100% OG, it’s like 65% similarity with OG, they definitely enhanced the same dry down, the opening is more spicy than OG, the mid notes are muuuch more intense. This one plays with your senses much more and longer in an amazing way, while OG was going from bright citrusy opening straight to vanilly dry down in minutes. The absolu version is definitely autumn or winter for me. Bravo to Byredo!

I love this version! I can't compare it to OG since I don't smell a thing there. It's vanilla, pine, peppery and smokey. One thing that I would prefer that is used less here is ambroxan. It's quite prominent but I understand that it's one of the components that hold this composition up and boost it for better longevity and sillage. Also it's quite elegant scent so to my nose this is more suitable for the night and perfect for formal events. Right now I'm using my sample and I will see if I want to buy a FB.

As someone who can't smell/sense anything from og gypsy water, this one SMELLS! Black pepper is really showing through; it gives it a smoky touch. Love it. Can assume that oris, carrot seeds, and butter give it sweetness and a kind of addictive, magnetic vibe. I can't describe it any other way than WOW. Long-lasting (byredo lacking it, but not in the absolu line), polarizing scent!

I adore this scent. My fiancee says it's smells like a cathedral on Easter Sunday and I feel like that is a great descriptor. The pepper, incense and suede blend beautifully into a regal, elegant scent. I think it's perfect for a special occasion or anytime you want to smell unique.

Gypsy Water Absolu takes everything i love about the original and makes it a little bit richer, deeper and longer lasting. The woods feel smoother, the warmth stands out a bit more, and it has that effortless luxury feel that keeps making me want to smell it again and again 👌🏻🔥

I super love this. It smells just like the OG, but it's SO much stronger and actually lasts on my skin. First time I wore it I got two compliments. But I have never received a compliment wearing the OG because it's so dang weak. So in my opinion, it's worth it!

To my nose, Gypsy Water Absolu is much more vanilla-forward than expected. The vanilla is clearly dominant, supported by a strong powdery iris and a warm amber base. Overall it feels creamy, powdery and ambery rather than fresh or citrus-driven.

Walking through a forest in the high desert. Bone dry dirt and the sun shining down. You step on pine needles and dry wood as you traverse the dusty landscape. The faint smell of forest fire smoke lingers in the air.

Don't listen to what others are saying about this, it maintains the sweetness/citrus and overall DNA of the original but adds a layer of smokyness that I think goes very well. Love the original, love this even more.

Gypsy water is a good name for this. I hated it at first, but 20 minutes later it had me under a spell or something because I started to become obsessed with it. I keep smelling my arm and it is glorious 🙌

Vanilla, carrot, inccense and orris. That's it and I'm not complaining. Someone said "cathedral" and someone else said "churchy gypsy water". Both are right.

This is so much better than the OG! Deeper and lasts longer. I love it!

I’m a long-time lover of the original Gypsy Water...currently on bottle number two (and I have a large collection for your regular person) it’s as close to a signature scent as it gets. It’s my ultimate grab-and-go fragrance, the one I reach for when I don’t know what to wear and still want to smell like myself. The Absolu version is dense. On me, the incense and vanilla are immediately front and center. I understand why many describe it as ambery, but for me the incense is more dominant, giving it a darker, denser feel while still staying firmly woody. It’s richer and heavier than the original and honestly feels like it would have been a perfect fall release but it works well for this mild winter we've been having in the Chicago area. I blind bought this, and while I don’t regret it, I probably could have waited. It’s not a casual reach in the same way the original is. That said, the performance is excellent. There is an incense-vanilla pairing here that may remind some people of YSL Babycat (or Vanille 44, The world according to Arthur, etc), though this smells nothing like it overall. The resemblance is more about the combination than the execution, and it only really stands out if you’re familiar with that note pairing. On clothing, the incense is more dominant; on skin, the overall scent feels closer to the original. It’s an interesting contrast. Overall, this feels like the moodier, more grown-up sibling...beautifully done, just not as effortless or universal as the original. Definitely be patient and sample first. 😏

I 100% agree with the bulk of the previous reviews. I looooove Gypsy Water OG. It makes my heart skip a beat while I have it on for the first 20 minutes or so. I think I'm safely speaking for the masses when I say...We all just want it to last longer! I was insanely psyched when I saw an Absolu version was coming out - I want to smell like GWater all day long. Who wouldn't? Then I got a sample... (I almost blind bought it...)...If you turn your head just right, sniff close to your skin with your eyes closed, you can maaayyybbeee get a little whiff of the original scent hidden underneath all the harsh, smoky, peppery, amber here with this new version. Otherwise, this is completely different. This is very masculine. This is Replica By the Fireplace smoky. This is Catholic-mass-swinging-brass-incense-ball smoky. Then the dry down is almost a weak gourmand smoky vanilla. Not the same vibe. Not the same anything. Aaannndd now I'm sad. I am not quite sure why they even decided to call this Gypsy Water at all. This could have been its own thing with a new name and we all wouldn't have been so disappointed :(

My expectations were pretty low after reading the first few reviews on here that said it didn’t resemble the original fragrance. I disagree... To my nose this is a much stronger and more textured, peppery version of the OG. I never got a full bottle of the original because of its poor performance, but I am considering a full bottle of the absolu. They have certainly corrected the sillage/longevity issues, but the black pepper is a little overwhelming and somewhat unpleasant. I’m going to have to wear it a few more times to decide if I like it, as it kind of goes back and forth on me.

Pepper water, with some pine, citrus and a faint hint of carrot. It is nice but there are better options, this might be the fifth or sixth best from Byredo for me.

I tried G Water Absolu for a couple of days now and I am pretty surprised by their choice to go with this as a release. For me, it doesn’t smells like the original. Yes, I find kind of the same DNA at the base, but it’s pretty different overall. On my skin, it is very incense forward at first spray, with vanilla and pepper. There is also bergamot but it is a little burried by the incense. It feels kind of religious, like a wooden temple in the forest on the mountains in Asia, with monks burning incense on a fall sunny day. While evolving on skin, the incense calms down a little (even if it never disapears) and we get more suede and vanilla. The perfume is dense, and while the opening was repulsive to my nose at first, I got used to it and I think that for people who likes incense, holy or meditative sents this could work. But at the end of the day I am disapointed because as a huge fan of the OG, it’s not much like it. I never repurchased the OG even if I loved it because of its appalling performance, so I was expecting the same perfume but with better performance for the absolu since everyone liked G Water with just a complain about longevity. But I think this absolu should have been a distinct release, a brand new fragrance, so I am surprised that they chose that as the absolu version. It’s a pitty. (Sorry if I made mistakes as english is not my first language)

This does NOT smell like the edp gypsy water (it kinda does slightly distant cousins relevance) In the opening it doesn’t have the juniper lemon citrusy fruit opening this feels synthetic and distant it has a cotton candy like sweetness unlike the natural juniper note Along in the opening and dry down that vanilla sandalwood base is ever present in the edp while the absolu has incense orris dry down.. They’re very different perfumes and the edp is a much nicer scent. Im convinced if i were to show this to an edp fan he wouldn’t even guess its the same dna at best its one of those dupes that attempts at making an og fragrance last longer but their low quality oils end up making it synthetic and distant from the og

I had high hopes for the absolu because I like the original GW, but sadly I don't like it. It's very incense-heavy on my skin, and I think combined with the leather, it becomes too smoky and masculine for my liking. I wish the perfumer had chosen to enhance the aromatic pine rather than the incense and amber. I can see how others might prefer this version over the original, but as a woman who prefers unisex scents that lean more feminine, this is a step in the wrong direction for me.

Churchy Gypsy Water. It's a mood, just not mine. I love the original Gypsy Water mostly for the aromatic clean vibe, so this was never going to be my favorite out of the two. Worth a try if you love the original though.

On my skin this is simply black pepper and suede. I thougth I'd be able to have a more potent version of the EdP (which I can barely smell), but to me this is different and way more masculine. Strong but boring.

For me, the EDP version is better. But I understand that someone other than me may like it. So try it first before you purchase.

This one made me sad because I love the OG so so much but it disappears after an hour. All I need to be happy here is intimate-to-moderate projection for 4 hrs, so I was really looking forward to this release. Unfortunately, to my nose this is not close to the OG in the way the other Absolu releases were. I smell the suede and incense strongly and none of the beautiful blend of juniper, lemon, and vanilla. I hope Byredo can give this another go in some way because there is nothing like the OG and none of the dupes hit the same way, but I can’t justify repurchasing with how quickly it evaporates. If you like these notes then this is well blended as you would expect, but to my nose this is a different fragrance and I unfortunately don’t love these notes.

I feel like this one needs to be evaluated as a new perfume, and not as a comparison to the OG as it is quite a far cry. The Absolu is a straight up incense fragrance with pine. Which is great if you love incense which I’m not the biggest fan of. I blindly bought this even having read lots of reviews saying similar things, and they are all right. Again, it’s a good incense frag, but it is distinctly lacking the familiarity of the original.

“Water and incense”. Not a good Combination. It’s ok. I feel like there should be more Warmth or gourmand with it. But there is not. It’s very stoic and uninviting which is common With incense fragrances

The weird pine needles ruin it.

On my skin, this smells like Babycat—and nothing but Babycat. It is slightly less peppery than Babycat, but still very much pepper-forward—with an added hint of Band-Aid. Unfortunately, Babycat is in my top five most-hated fragrances. This smells nothing like the OG. It’s absolutely not what I expected. I can’t complain too much overall, since Byredo has always been an easy love for me and a safe blind-buy brand. One miss out of 30 bottles I own isn’t terrible—but I’m genuinely disappointed. This was the fragrance everyone loves, and the Absolu version was highly anticipated as an upgrade to the original formula. Instead, they changed it entirely. The differences between the OG and the Absolu are so vast that this should have been released as a separate addition to the lineup with a new name. It’s a completely different fragrance. It’s not even the OG’s step-uncle twice removed.

Very linear and spicy aromatic incense. With none of the fresh bright charm from the original. Not even vanilla to my nose. Was very much hoping for the answer to longevity of the original and disappointed that the absolute doesn’t even resemble the EDP.

I love the og & this was almost a different perfume. The Byredo boutique sale associate mentioned to me that the main difference here was the black pepper. It indeed was dialed up to a 200% making it TOO sour. The og is way better.

Coincidence has it that both Byredo samples that i acquired recently were the Absolu version of the only two fragrances i smelt from the house: Bal d’Afrique and Gipsy Water. Just a few days ago i reviewed and compared Bal d’Afrique to its Absolu version and found them different enough to consider getting one over the other. I liked that aproach considering that perfume houses sometimes release an objectively better version of their original release as a flanker, making the first one obsolete. Jeremy Fragrance talked about this years ago and despite his unfortunate downfall, he was right about this. Whilst i found Bal d’Afrique to be a memorable scent, even if not exactly worth my hard earned money, Gipsy Water was far less impactful to me and admitedly it was the one that turned me away from the brand. Not because it was an unpleasant experience, but its one of the weakest scents i got to put on my skin and at those price tags thats insulting. On top of being a weak scent, it lacked a clear personality and thats not something you expect from a perfume named Gipsy Water. Basically, it’s a soft creamy-woody, lemony, vanillic amber accord. This pleasant pseudo-oriental accord sits at the base of great perfumes like Shalimar EDT or Boucheron Jaipur Homme but in Gipsy Water its severely anemic. Right off the bat, Gipsy Water Absolu is a different thing altogether. There is no soft woods, no citruses, no obvious sweet vanilla or amber but instead im getting a peppery-spicy fragrance with a resinous incensy, almost nutty tonality. The only common ground i can find between the original and Absolu is that the original’s amber has a tiny pinch of resinousness but it is so minute that in the grand scheme of things it is still a generic “amber”. Absolu bases itself on a distinct resinous facet and ditches the generic amber part. The texture from the pine needle accord and the spicy side provided by the black pepper highlights this resinous nouance. Being a fan of textured perfumes, of resins, incense and peppery spicyness, Gipsy Water Absolu caters to my tastes and call me crazy, it has a churchy and mysterious feel to it. It softens in the drydown but remains in the olibanum realm, only rounded off by a gentle hum of vanilla. Armani Prive’s Sable Nuit has me covered on this scentprofile but i like this one nevertheless. Regarding performance, Absolu is a more present fragrance then the original but not a strong perfume eighter by any means. Im questioning the choice of labeling this fragrance as a flanker to Gipsy Water because they do not seem related to my nose. I had this experience with Dior Sauvage Elixir, where the Elixir could have been a completely new, standalone fragrance in their portofolio and no one would have questioned it. Im guessing Byredo’s reasoning for this aproach was identical to Dior’s, to capitalise on a well estabilished name in order to help with sales. Then again, what do i know about business. If you ask me, the Absolu version is deserving of the name Gipsy Water whilst the original wasn’t in any way. Gipsy culture has many mystical elements tied to it and incense is probably the best way to represent mysticism so this time they got it right. I believe people who resonated with the original (or Bal d’Afrique for that matter) will find this a bit too niche for their liking.

Full disclosure... I hate when the brands give us a flanker and it smells exactly the same as the one before, or just slightly tweaked. If I'm spending this kind of money, I want some creativity and thought put behind the new release. So if you're one of those that wanted the original EDP, but just stronger, I'd sit this one out. And honestly, this is a fragrance that's been around for almost 20 years... why on earth would you want them to release it again? What they've done here with the Absolu version is take a perfectly versatile freshie and turned it into a smoke-filled christmas tree with amped up notes of vanilla, powdery orris and leather. I've always considered the original to be unisex, or at most, just slightly masc leaning. But now we have a whole different beast on our hands with GWA and I'm ok with that. Incense dialed up to about a 9. Leather/suede now taking the role of the fresh juniper, so if you can imagine that freshness that used to exist being completely void now. I always felt like the orris in GW didnt get enough credit. More discreet, more supporting role than a lead, but still vital to what made it what it was. But here, it booms, especially the longer this sits on skin. As well done, and as next level as I feel like we've taken a true classic, I still kinda low key miss that creamy lemon. Absolu is beautiful in its own right, but I wish we could have found a way to keep that aspect involved. My favorite of the Absolus from Byredo.

Glizzy Water is the Byredo I was most longing for as a beefed-up Absolu. While the MoGho Absolu is a near clone and the BdA Absolu a sibling scent, this creature is maybe a second-degree relative. The OG is twinkly, cuddly, and very lemon cupcakey – basically a vanilla citrus. The Absolu is an evergreen incense, prickling with pepper. If you’re looking for a grown-up Glizzy Water with less sugar, more bite, and a proper lifespan – this delivers. It really shines in the drydown, when the incense matures into a silken spice. If I had to liken it to any other scent it’d be Stora Skuggan’s Mistpouffer, which also does something smokey, sweet, and boreal. That said, the first hour of ambroxan got my hackles up (the same salient amber note I found in Alto Astral and the BdA Absolu), and was enough to keep me from shelling for a bottle. Mental Snapshot: If the OG feels like a gnome feeding you a cartoonishly small lemon cake, the Absolu is Lee Pace as King Thranduil, fixing you with a lingering side-eye for eating it. tl;dr: spicy elf 🧝🌶️

I truly hoped that this Absolu version would solve the major longevity issue of my beloved Gypsy Water. Unfortunately, aside from sharing the same name, this is a completely different fragrance — in my opinion not comparable to the classic Gypsy Water at all. While the original was a beautiful vanilla-leaning cologne with a slightly playful character, here we find a very strong incense and amber component that overwhelms everything else and removes any sense of lightness. It certainly gains in longevity, but I really don’t see the point of continuing to call it Gypsy Water when the scent is something entirely different. I don’t know... it didn’t fully convince me, regardless of my disappointment about the lack of similarity.

I just tried it at Stockholm airport. It still has the Gypsy Water DNA, it does smell like the original(unlike the many claims on here it has nothing to do with the original). Maybe the initial spray is a bit confusing, but the mid- to dry down is definitely similar to the original. It’s richer, denser, more rough on the edges. Like a real-life Gypsy😅 Would I buy it? Me, personally no. It’s not for me. But I can easily see whoever really enjoyed the original would like a slightly stronger, more potent, more long-lasting (3-4 hours on my skin, with moderate projection and a decent scent trail), more herbal/medicinal version. So yes, not bad, Byredo. Keep up the great work!

Purchased at Harrods before the US release date. To say I was awaiting this release is an understatement. At first I absolutely hated it. The opening is so harsh. Burns the nostrils. Pine cleaner mixed with something rotten. I kept wearing it daily just to give it a fair test. So my final thoughts are, I enjoy the deep dry down. That's when the vanilla comes out. But the first 45 minutes are too rough for me. Sadly I decided to sell my bottle. I'm not big on wearing fragrances that I don't enjoy at all stages. It's just not worth it. Bummed out over this one. I had such high hopes.

Amazing fragrance !!! Fresh opening tied into beautiful Smokey incense , with a creamy dry down !!! Bal and ghost always get the most love Which I own as well , but out of the 3 I’m writing a review on this one and not the other two because this is by far there best fragrence , many won’t agree Due to the fact this isn’t a mass appealing scent But I’d like freshness , with incense ,you’ll love this . ALSO unlike Bal and ghost absoul The peformence on this is superior !!! For 3-4 hours projecting and 9 -10 hours on skin !!

I agree this is an excellent fragrance. You should wait at least 15 minutes and let the top notes (incense and spice) fade a bit before deciding if you like it or not. It’s not immediately apparent that it smells like the OG, but after a few wears you’ll see it does (a cousin not a sibling). However it is spicy and ambery, not light and fruity like the OG. It really is a nice fragrance, but It’s not for everyone. If you give it a chance you might love it. I’m enjoying my GW EdP and enjoying this as well. Both great.

The fact that people keep saying it’s just incense , smoky, woody, etc make me laugh because they’re not giving the rest of its note structure a chance. Most of what I mention above melt away beautifully and leave what I can only describe is an aura . This is a meditative, hypnotic, a little bit holy , Calming , comforting, and grounding scent . As someone who has actively smelled over a thousand perfumes, this one caught me off guard. Hopefully I can love this forever 🙏🏼 hopefully I’ve found one of my signatures

As a lover and regular wearer of Gypsy Water, I was excited to finally smell the extrait. I have to say, I was surprised by how much they dialed up the pine needle note. It’s extremely strong, almost essential-oil-like, and very present. For me, it’s a bit too much and ends up being distracting enough that I can’t fully enjoy the nuances of the fragrance. If you really love pine, you’ll probably enjoy this version, but I personally much prefer the eau de parfum. I’m also not a fan of the burned-looking cap.

Love this one ! Big fan of the OG and will always purchase the OG for its airy clean warm vibe of nature AND lemon cookie “feel good vibe “thing. OG is light and easy to wear and love . Absolue is more of the same fragrance minus the bergamot lemon cookie , it’s more of an insence and almost suede like feel . You still know it’s Gypsy water. Absolue is almost a gourmand version of the OG , it’s very very good , it’s a bit like a caramel candy like. But it fuzzy and musky also airy but more dense.

I really like this. Im not sure why people are saying its not like the original. The lemon is slightly sweeter and bolder and takes centre stage for me. Its more peppery too and less green. It does have a moment of too much incense,but this passed in 5 minutes and isnt babycat strong. When did the absolute lids change to plastic? Theyre hideous and look like butt plugs

I've gone out of my way to leave a review to say if you're excited for this because you love the original, please save your money. You're going to be so disappointed. I found this absolutely repulsive. Maybe I don't appreciate it like other people will but all I could picture when smelling this was stables/farm.

This one doesn’t work for me at all. I enjoy the original, but the Absolu opens with a St. Marc pine cleaner vibe and dries down in a way that reminds me of Babycat (which I don’t like). While I don’t mind these notes individually, something in this blend feels nauseating.

Nothing like the OG, the black pepper and pine are very very dominant at first then starts to settle into the base notes, I blind bought and I’m not a big fan of the Absolu, much more prefer the original. To me this leans more masculine. Definitely will be selling mine.

I can’t smell this after 3hrs unless I’m purposely trying to. It smells great for 2 hours but after that projection is a joke. No way I’m going nose blind. Skin scent with maybe 1-2” of projection if I put my nose to my applied area. 6 sprays around the neck fyi

Does not smell like the original, this smells like imaginary authors memoir of a trespasser but this is more fresh but dry down is closer. Too much incense ruining this fragrance, but performance is definitely much better than original

Performance to price ratio is disgraceful. No one will ever smell this on you unless you bath in it. Scent-wise: it's a just a boring hit of spice/citrus/pine anyway, so you're not missing much.