Versant

Really awful, sorry! The melon is very strong as is the 'aquatic' element. The whole thing, for me, quickly dries down into a horrid smell that is reminiscent of really cheap, really bad 1980s aftershave.

Versant by Charrier The name means 'slope', ...I'm not sure why. Perhaps in reference to montane landscapes, ...or the sport of skiing? As a special treat, I am able to compare two versions of this scent, separated by 50 or 60 years. The earlier version is labelled as coming from 'Charles V', a now-defunct trade name for Charrier. The recent verison of Versant starts of with a note of sweet melonal, before changing to a vaguely diverse light aquatic floral; one so lightly fresh that 'aerial' might make for a better descriptor. Lotus, freesia, cyclamen, lys, pavoine, muguet, etc., all vie for top honors, but the result is only an undefinable and airily sweet floral delight. ...and then somwhat remarkably, the whole composition shifts again. Does it slide on its 'slope'? The deeper drydown becomes an acridly sweet blend of woody musk and powdery amber, with the remaining aquatic floral overscent supplying a startling contrast. It's all rather fascinatingly peculiar. The vintage version of Versant has undoubtedly deteriorated, but what remains is intriguingly pleasant. it smells like both powdery amber and something akin to a citric-toned aldehyde (or tolu balsam?). In all likelihood, Charrier has greatly changed Versant's formula in the intervening years, keeping only its odd name. I know that is the case with the two versions of Croyance, also by Charrier, that I compared recently. ...Yet, with Versant, there does seem to be at least some similarity in the base notes.

I bet it was good before they reworked into the standard oud or synthetic wood chemical drydown of so many fumes today.