B683

It's nicer than Ganymede. I do genuinely think that. It is a hugely masculine fragrance from high end Parisian house Marc-Antoine Barrois that just sings to me. It is woody and leathery from the outset but the nutmeg, black pepper and chilli add spice and a lot of interest. The drydown reminds me a bit of AdP Colonia Intensa at the end but this is a finer and more subtle finish that really benefits from the leathery, suede-y noted that the AdP doesnt really have. I always thought the latter was a bit musty and antique-y in the drydown, I felt the minerality in it wasn't enjoyable and I never really got on with it as a result but this, despite being similar, is a more accessible and balanced frag that walks the line a lot better. It is "old money" if that makes sense and I feel like there is more going on here than with Ganymede (which I also love). It is more "me". Quentin Bisch is the master perfumer nose behind this one and you have to just admire how well judged and balanced it is. Leathery, woody, spicy frags are a bit of a minefield as even a slight mis-step in the balance can throw things off but this is just superbly done. The suede in the drydown is something I have a real weakness for. It is woody, spicy, slightly minerally suede and not animalistic. Pure class. This is one of the most sophisticated fine fragrances I own and such a smell isnt and could never really be a daily wearer, but it is perhaps surprisingly accessible for such a heavy and woody masculine punch. It would be a superior office wearer; anything even vaguely formal and you'd rock this. It is little shock that this is a powerful juice and you don't need to overspray this. Two on the chest and one on each inner elbow. Performance is a little underwhelming and once it calms down you can get a good four or five hours from this. I particularly like the way that it sits close to the skin after four or five hours and you can go to bed in the evening with it still there but subtly, in a really sexy way. It should go without saying, this would be a formidable date night frag. Scent - 10/10 Sillage - 8/10 Drydown - 8/10 Packaging / bottle - 7/10 Performance - 5/10 40/50

A long-overdue proper sampling of Marc-Antoine Barrois B683, the house’s first release, the initial version of B683 from 2016 in EDP concentration, not the more recent Extrait released in 2020. The original instantly hits as a modern gentlemanly creation, a woody, leathery, spicy blend with just a hint of sweetness, slightly fresh but still appropriate for a night out. Its note variety is interesting, a mix of spices (peppers, nutmeg), resins, woods, patchouli, and violet—providing the sharp and fresh bits, along with ambroxan and musk. It’s a very fashionable yet still classic-enough signature scent for a man, a more toned-down alternative to something like Gucci Guilty Absolute Pour Homme, which, by many accounts (albeit not mine), employs leather and patchouli in excess to the point of smelling petrol-like. Now, 683 has no listed leather note, but the effect is that of a leather fragrance but with a slight pivot toward sweetness and freshness. This is an easy recommendation for all to try—it may not be groundbreaking but it incorporates useful elements and achieves a very nice, agreeable blend. A modern men’s signature scent is an appropriately moniker. Marc-Antoine Barrois fragrances are sold at great boutiques like Perfumology, and the B683 EDP pricing is $195/115 for 100/30ml (Ganymede’s pricing is the same; B683 Extrait’s is higher). I look forward to sampling the Extrait as well as Ganymede (I’m behind on my sampling!), which I’ve both smelled in store but have not done full samplings of. 8 out of 10

#715 in my "Tour de Fragrance" This is a Quentin Bisch creation. I have a dozen of his fragrances on the shelf. He's also made a few I didn't care for, but out of 154 they can't all be winners, which this saffron and amber scent definitely is. Some reviewers smelled Penhaglion's "Terrible Teddy" which Bisch also created. Same musk and incense I suppose, but there the similarity ends. Enough oakmoss and patchouli to lean green, enough incense and spice to make it a grown up fragrance. Just under $100 an ounce, so you should get a sample before you buy. Some on here are not as enthusiastic as I am because of a "synthetic" note? I assume they mean the ambroxan? I hate synthetics that give me sinus issues like synthetic bergamot oil. I don't mind ambroxan. But I get it. At this price range it's natural to question ingredients that aren't natural. Good longevity, yet the sillage is moderate enough (3 feet) for this to be acceptable office wear. For me it's more a dinner date scent, unless of course there's someone at the office you want to date. Not something I recommend, but it's your career.

I love all Quentin Bisch's works. There is always his signature touch on all the perfumes he did. B683 is smoother and more sophisticated version of Ganymede. I love this more than Ganymede but I wish this would perform like Ganymede. It still has enough performance even as it is. Back to how B683 smells... B683 has a unique base note which is similar to blackpepper note from cdg but it is more than that note. You can easily detect this unique base note from start to finish but there is also beautiful Smooth leather and violet accord which are suit well to the fragrance. I think because of the aroma chemicals that in the base note, B683's sillage is enormous, it fills the room with one sprey. This happens even stronger in Ganymede and with Bois Imperial which has similar performance to B683. This doesn't come off easily on clothes. Ganymede, Bois Imperial, B683 are the weirdest performing perfumes in my collection. When you sprey it and smell it from your wrist. You wouldn't believe it's such a strong perfume. As you use it, you realize that it has extremely high sillage and lasts long.

B683 starts off with a warming combination of saffron, nutmeg and black pepper before developing a metallic, mineral violet leaf note which begins to take the lead. The musk, labdanum and sandalwood give this fragrance a robust and creamy backbone which blends perfectly with the other notes. Once B683 has had some time to settle, you’re left with the most beautiful combination of sweet saffron, metallic violet leaf and spicy nutmeg - creating one of the smoothest compositions I’ve ever come across. The dry down has similarities to Ganymede due to the mineral-style violet leaf and leathery base notes, however this is sweeter and spicier and much better suited to evening wear. This fragrance is an absolute masterpiece and a must-have for colder weather. It’s perfectly executed and the materials are of a fantastically high quality. It’s very easy to like while still being very unique and different, all with fantastic performance as Marc Antoine Barrois always delivers.

This has just become a 10/10 fragrance for me. I already loved it when I bought it but I couldn't quite put my finger on why I loved it. I do now - this reminds me of my dad. My relationship with my father was wonderful when I was a kid. For various reasons, we got into tense territory and lately we've been repairing that. He was a kind and loving man who'd make sure he talked to us and put us to sleep everyday even after coming back from a really hard day's work. Smelling the warm amber with spices and subtle florals just took me back all the way to my childhood. This perfume somehow reminds me of how my dad's Ray Ban case smelt, the way his wallet smelt (even though this doesn't have leather), the way his clothes smelt when he came back home (he worked in a lab, so the warmth of the Singapore air, mixed with the metal and cool from the equipment labs is the mix) This one then reminds me of a father's love. 10/10

I can't believe that so many voted against this smelling like ganymade. I'm trying it for the first time right now and it's almost identical. Lacks ganymade's "coolness" meaning its warmer, but still airy, leather, wet paint smell. I guess the leather in this is less suede-like, but still soft and approachable. I may like this better due to it feeling less aloof and distant than ganymade, but will need to test further. Either way it's great, highly recommend. On second try I confirm its way too similar to ganymade to own both, I'd guess the extrait would be a better one to get if you already have ganymade. One on each wrist, ganymade is like the sport version of this, juicier and less spicy due to no nutmeg or red/black pepper. Still very professional and not immature despite my using the term "sporty," more like rich guy in a polo and slacks being called sporty. This is more workday, but again its close

Amazing olfactory experience! Great craftsmanship behind this elegant and sophisticated juice. Use this fragrance if you want to be taken seriously. Signals the transition from boys to men. 'Doors will open, people will give way, you have arrived!' Think Bentley not Porsche. Great in all seasons except hot humid days. Indoors and controlled temperature is fine. I've noticed that this scent has a tendency to attract people; they'll often take a sniff and then another :) Expect numerous non-verbal compliments; keep an eye out for them!! This is not to be worn dressed-down, no t-shirts and sneakers, a crisp white or black shirt is also good enough. Carry the perfume with panache and not the other way around ;) No complains about performance. P.S Gany is a great fragrance but nothing like this one, doesn't have the same effect.

My olfactory love story with Quentin Bisch continues. B683 represents a planet, Barrois's personal one, with evident reference to the famous B-612 of the Little Prince (renamed 683 after the designer's year of birth, 1983). A planet full of smells, memory, private and untouchable. The opening finds the olfactory imprint of Bisch, which I would recognize among a thousand: slightly animalic and leathery (reminiscent of his father's leather bag), then with violet (reminiscent of his grandfather's elegance), green hints (the walks in nature) and finally the warmth of saffron which recalls the warmth and safety of staying at home. I can only love this creation, full of imagination and with a great evolution. Ideal for all seasons, very high persistence and sillage. In my wishlist. “Harlequin's Carnival” painted by Miro.

Post modern leather. A unique (well...unique to Quentin Bisch overall rather than just this scent, since a lot of his scents evoke this one!) combination of woody and ambery and musky and mossy aromachemicals slightly sweetened with maybe a bit of citrus and hints of wine-like and fruity damascone-type notes and seasoned with cleverly used piquant spices. The overall effect is that of a transparent, skin-like leather with slightly "human" or lightly animalic qualities from cumin, pepper, nutmeg, or whatever spice cocktail is in this. I love it. It took me a few tries to understand it. I appreciate the EDP especially--its greater transparency than the extrait--and how it melds with your skin, creating an aromatic and subtle aura.

B683 by Marc-Antoine Barrois, created by Quentin Bisch in 2016, is all about rich spices and bold character. Unlike the fresh, mineral feel of Ganymede, B683 opens with a punchy mix of saffron, black pepper, and red chili. It’s strong and attention-grabbing right from the start. As it settles, nutmeg and cedarwood bring warmth and depth, making it more intense and full of personality. The base of patchouli, musk, and sandalwood adds a smooth finish, but that bold, spicy edge stays throughout. While Ganymede might be more popular now, B683 stands out as a confident, unapologetic scent for those who like fragrances with bite and character. Definitely worth trying if you’re looking for something with a strong presence.

dreamwithinadream is spot on when reviewing this. This is a sweeter, warmer ambery sibling to Ganymede that people can relate to. In my review of Ganymede I wrote that it has a metallic, medicinal, dental practice kind of smell. It leaves a distance between the wearer and the people around the wearer. Since people don’t have any reference points to grab on to. This one has the sweetness and musk on top of that Ganymede base making it an evening fragrance with a unique twist. If you are doubting which one to get, think of Ganymede as an android pretending to be a human, but not quite nailing the role. This one is the opposite, a human pretending to be an android.

it’s a statement. Imagine the scent of an old library, but one where the finest cognac is served while you lounge in a brand-new leather armchair. On the first spray, the sharp saffron and black pepper wake up your senses, but then that incredible, smooth leather takes over, blending seamlessly with woody notes. It’s not loud, yet its presence is undeniable. It carries this "Interstellar" vibe futuristic, yet warm and familiar. When I wear it, I feel like I’m carrying a secret weapon; people don’t just ask what you’re wearing, they look at you with a new level of respect. This is a scent for someone who doesn’t need to shout to be heard. Pure magic in a bottle.

Woody leather It's my first try and I kind of like it, a lot :) This is a nice leather, woody, spicy fragrance. The leather top note mixed with spices gives an interesting unique opening, and then layers of woody, earthy metallic give depth and character to the fragrance. Even looking at the main accord colors, you can see the contrast of sharp top notes and grey, transparent dry-down accords. It is a very modern fragrance. Another thing is that B683 has no relation with Ganymede and to me, these are completely different fragrances. Don't judge one of these fragrances with another one. 8/10

B683 – A Quiet Storm in a Bottle It enters the room not with fanfare, but with purpose. A gentleman, dusted in spice and starlight, carrying the memory of leather chairs and long-forgotten laughter. B683 does not shout. It hums—a baritone of woods, warm amber, and smoke that clings to the soul. It reminds me of nights when confidence was currency, and time lingered long enough for love to find its breath. There is gravity here—serious, deliberate, yet tender as a hand on silk. I wear it not to be noticed, but to remember that I am— a whole universe, steady and fragrant with quiet power.

This isn’t perfume it’s a knowing smirk in liquid form. Spice and murmured florals, effortless as a bespoke shirt. Not loud, not meek just impeccably composed. Every note in harmony so well blended, it is most deserving of its hype. "Masculine"? Only if you still gender your whiskey. Anyone with polish can pull it off. Office-appropriate, date-smooth, brunch easy. Daily? Yes. Special? Why not. Boardroom? Let it speak for you. Verdict: A debonair little victory. Apply with purpose, note a little goes a long way.

This one smells extremely nostalgic to me because that’s exactly how our spice cupboard smelt like when I was a kid. It’s so photorealistic..! Apart from that, I’m disappointed with the lasting power - it’s fairly weak. This price point and brand simply could not afford to have a fragrance with such a saddening longevity. Surprisingly, reality is different. Just to be sure, I love the fragrance and its composition, but be sure to check before you buy it. Maybe your skin chemistry will bring better results.

It really smells nice and äcts as a second skin for many hours. It has a very soft suede-like saffron nutmeg opening and amber starts to push in heart notes. Base is i think pure ambroxan that we see in many fragrances nowadays but still all in all this smells very nice. It's real soft and calming that I don't think you can overspray this. Pretty office friendly and perfectly unisex. My only concern is price, when i checked it was 145 euros/100 ml, i don't think it is worth that, 90-100 max.

Marc Antoine barrois B683 (2016) - fruity saffron - #quentinbisch ‘s first perfume for the brand. Off the bat, Pepper, Rhubarb with a sweet Saffron accord create a cross between a gourmand & a fougere. In its heart, the saffron becomes more cold & metallic, yet it gets interesting as I have never smelled a Violet leaf-saffron accord. Think, melon-pepper-amber-metal: very unique! As it dries down, amberwoods & musk are meshed together a modern chypre structure of earthy Patchouli and Oakmoss.

My first introduction to Marc Antoine Barrois was through encelade, soon after which I ordered myself a sampler, and immediately ended up falling in love with b683. It opens up with an immense spiciness/ pepperiness, soon drying down to a musky Woody ambery scent, it is perhaps one of the most unique fragrances I own, and while not exactly as "niche" as some would hope, I definitely wouldn't expect to find anybody else wearing this on the street. Truly a unique scent