Sublime Balkiss

I have to put on my "Sophisticated" gentleman's fedora to describe this one. Late June. Walking through a freshly watered garden, painted with rows of glistening, aromatic green bell peppers, unrelenting but softly and persistently projecting. Somewhere there's a token Bergamot tree. The day is overcast grey and pleasantly breezy. The greyness is enhanced by an eerie silence in your surroundings, accented only by the faint murmurs of the polite conversations of strangers. Not directly in this garden but somewhere in an adjacent lot, someone has recently mowed a small stretch of grass. But there's also something else painted among the green, vegetal rows here, though you haven't found it yet. Something with a touch of floral sweetness yet somehow teasingly gourmand. You search only to stumble upon some odd, purple budded flowery thing. You don't know if it's edible or poisonous, you're just resolved to quietly observe how the scent is tantalizing in it's subdued sweetness. You resolve to ask the gardener, >>if<< you happen to see him/her, but for now, You're reminded that you had originally intended on getting in a few chapters of that new, page turning mystery novel that you haven't been able to put down since yesterday. So you're just satisfied with looking for a dry place to sit so that you can continue to enjoy the green, cool, misty, aromatic environment....undisturbed.

Like father, like daughter. You can really smell that it's an Ellena creation, good or bad, but it just is. I am not a fan of JCE, although I agree that he's a master and although I do like minimalist compositions (minimalist a la Kurkdjian to be exact: a different take on minimalism, but it's another story). SUBLIME BALKISS is an anorexic chypre, just like some of Celine's father's perfumes are anorexic woody florals. It's still a positive review, by the way. I quite like this perfume, there's something very appealing about it. The opening is just glorious: juicy citruses and tartly sweet black currant berries (like in my beloved L'Ombre Dans L'Eau), after that the freshness of lilac and the soft powderiness of violet leaves, and then, yeah, ISO-E Super. I like its juniper-y woody smell, but only in thicker, denser compositions, in JHaG line, for example. SUBLIME BALKISS falls a bit flat on my skin. I'm not in love, although overall it's just right down my alley. I would like to receive it in a swap, but would not buy it. For my black currant fix I have L'Ombre Dans L'Eau, which is much cheaper and unmistakably better. For aquatic floweriness I would choose some Heeley, his fragrances all smell very natural. However, I see how people can fall in love with this one. If you like JCE's signature style and/or Perles de Lalique, try it, you might fall for it.

I don't know why but this reminds me of Istanbul during summer... such a beautifully mixed perfume. this isn't for the daytime, in my opinion, however, that is just my opinion but you do you and wear it in the daytime and be sure to please the crowd... it's such an original citrusy blend of sweetness, so yeah this definitely will compliment you and your collection, and I can see why this is targeted for both males and females as it has this aquatic almost earthy feel to it that would work for any fresh scent lovers. I think I have not smelled anything like this, this is a definite win. however this could almost be like an air freshener, but it's on the verge of it because the lovely rose in it saves it. strong powerful yet not too heady and a very mature scent that could maybe lean towards female fragrances but fret not wear it even if you are a man and like sweeter perfumes Update: Weeks later and I still want to smell that scent again... it is like a story you wish to hear again or a place you want to visit again, it is very memorable.

I have to admit that I'm dying for chypre perfumes so it was an absolutely must-try for me. Especially as The Different Company describes Sublime Balkiss as a chypre, but a modern chypre, which uses two types of patchouli instead of oakmoss. Those who, like me, might be scared by the patchouli in the description of Sublime Balkiss, fear not; the accord is very soft. I am also unable to smell the leather here. So, what one really get? I'm pretty sure that it opens on a sweet elderflower note even though it is not mentioned amongst the notes. The elderflower is combined with soft creamy flowers. Although Sublime Balkiss is classified as a chypre I think of it as an aquatic floral - it took me quite a while to figure it out -, it permanently makes me think of a summer day near the sea lounging in the sun, sipping icecold teas and doing nothing... However, for either category I find it light as opposed to heavy and very easy to wear, it works beautifully as a spring or summer-time fragrance. A fragrance I hope never be without.

The Different Company describes Sublime Balkiss as a modern chypre, which is ridiculous. Adding a dash of clean, completely innocuous patchouli does not a chypre make. Nonetheless, SB is a wonderful fruity floral with the transparent, ethereal quality that seems to distinguish an Ellena fragrance. The top notes are a mixture of berries and bergamot. Without the tartness of the bergamot, the blueberries in particular might be cloying, but the two in combination are effervescent and lovely. The floral heart notes of lilac, rose and lily of the valley are balanced by the green, herbal note of the violet leaves. If there's a leather note in the base, it's too subtle for my nose. The patchouli is bright and gentle, and therefore doesn't weigh down this delicate fragrance. Overall, SB has an evanescent, otherworldly quality, and even though it fails utterly as a chypre, it is certainly a thing of beauty.

Sublime Balkiss evokes the greenery of spring. It reminds me of walking through a meadow of wildflowers right as the winter chill is lifting. It gives me that “new growth” vibe the changing of the season brings. It’s a very cool, sharp floral, yet still sweet and calming. It opens with the bergamot, but by second or third whiff, it morphs into a grand assemblage of greenery and flowers. The black currant and heather are rather pronounced, with the patchouli helping to reign it all in. I don’t think I’m detecting the cacao, but however they formulated this, it works. There’s enough sweetness for daytime wear, but also a mysterious earthy tone that would make it perfect for a cool Spring night. Very nice sillage and longevity, as well.

How I can describe your amazing smell? Sublime Balkiss by The Different Company really has a different odor rather than my others fragrances. Lovely, lush, seductive & reminds me of elegant lady. Same as very silky smooth skin on your skin. This is a chypre-floral scent. Lilac & Violet leaves are most remarkable notes in my nose. Also there is strong green-ozonic vibe in this regard that I cannot related to special notes but totally is wonderful sense. I just want to have it on my skin again & again. Moderate longevity & sillage. Good for all season & wherever you want to make someone to fall in love with you

ecco un profumo molto diverso dal solito. e infatti ho qualche difficoltà a descriverlo. ci sono i frutti di bosco, predominanti, ma assai lontani dai soliti accordi alla frutta caramellata. ci sono le foglie di violetta e il mughetto. c'è la rosa e il cacao, che spuntano dopo parecchie ore. e nel tempo spunta pure il patchouli. anche se è un profumo fruttato e floreale, è per me molto gradevole, perchè mantiene sempre un sentore di erba appena tagliata così verde che pare riassumere tutto il senso della primavera.

I agree with Mellybee, this does not have the standard characteristics of a chypre floral, and yes, thankfully, the patchouli does not overwhelm. This is a refreshing, sparkling fragrance well-suited to summer days and spending time in the sun. The middle notes of lilac, lily of the valley and leaves are a joyous combination with the berry notes. making this a sweet, soft scent and one that seems to last all day without overwhelming you or those around you.

Like walking through a natural garden of flowers inside a forest after a rain on a mild spring day. Mostly green and floral but a little earthy too. Very different from most of what I own but in a good way. Never smelled anything like this and that's what I wanted. This is something you wear for you, not others but don't be surprised if you get compliments. This emerald jewel will keep a smile on your face.

A citrus with some depth. This isn't a super sweet fragrance and the patch isn't overwhelming but blends well.

Perfect summer fragrance. Fresh and elegant. The best citrus-lime parfum i've ever known. I want it!

Beautiful scent, but I agree it is not long-lasting. Tocca Maya is similar. I love that, too.

Sister Clodagh ( Deborah Kerr ) in Black Narcissus 1947

Larkspur - Frank Townsend Hutchens 1918

Sublime Balkiss has brought tears to my eyes, tears of joy. I applied this to my wrist, and the moment I inhaled, I was transported back to when I was 13 and saying goodbye to the first boy I ever loved. It was a strange occurrence that took a while for me to figure out. Back then I wore a deodorant called Moon Grass by a brand, Impulse. It broke my heart when they discontinued it because I no longer had a scent to remember him by. Seven years on, I've remembered him once again. Sublime Balkiss is green and refreshing, with a subtle fizziness. The berries are wonderful and very unique, as is the herbaceously green quality of the scent as it settles on the skin. This is a somewhat odd fruity scent, almost alien in nature. I'm quite excited for Spring and Summer which will allow me to test this fragrance in a different environment. While fruity, earthy and slightly floral, Sublime Balkiss gives me a clean sensation. A sense of purity and happiness. As this fragrance dries down, lily of the valley and wet, earthy patchouli becomes more prominent. Like the other reviewers here, I unfortunately didn't sense the leather note. I agree strongly with Mellybee who stated, although "Sublime Balkiss is classified as a chypre - it is more of an aquatic floral". It indeed has a slight watery feel that is very obvious to my nose. The lasting power and sillage are very good and I'm actually very impressed with Celine Ellena's brand and composition. I'm eager to test more from The Different Company in the future.

Sublime Balkiss is early spring in a bottle, and not the romantic version of spring either: it's just about as green and wild and unpredictable as those wonderful few weeks in march when the weather is still cold but you can feel every green thing around you coming back to life, and the excitement of it is so intoxicating. Dominant notes to my nose are a lifelike violet leaf whose natural, slightly prickly greenness is nicely complemented by a lovely bitter lime note, and a cassis note that's juicy in a realistic, unsweetened way that has nothing to do with the artificial, bright juiciness that's found in most fruity-florals. It's a similar concept to L'Occitane's (more recent) Herbae, but much better executed, I think - in contrast to Herbae, this one is very well balanced. It's not the kind of scent that suits any occasion or mood, so I'm not sure how often I'll bring out my little decant of Sublime Balkiss throughout the year, but I think I'll return to it every spring (and when I'm longing for spring to return).

What a scent! Very interesting! I sprayed from tester and was immediately hooked! It's not my usual type of scent. I actually don't feel it as pretty, floral, intense, feminine and the alikes. It's not elegant in a classical way. I would say that it is a "sophisticate and complex run in woods". It smells very unisex. I didn't notice it was a chypre before reading here. It smells like raw fresh wood (living trees) and it has a vague smell of vegetable humid thick leaves and some flower. It reminds me a bit of enchanting Dyptique L'Ombre dans L'eau, but not as much nostalgic and dark. It is like the sunny side of the dark pond in the forest. Extremely true to its nature in every stage, very longlasting and clinging to fabrics, I agree it's a chamaleon and phantom scent. It's intriguing and could be suitable for man or woman in the same way.

Sublime Balkiss is a superb perfume for spring and summer days. It opens with a sweet accord made up of its top notes and the florals. You get plenty of bergamot and violet leaves along with the blackberry, blackcurrant and blueberry along with the Damascus Rose. There's a moderate projection for about two hours. There's a change about an hour in when the patchouli and cocoa powder base notes make an appearance and the top notes are turned down. The florals become the leading players as the rose gets the lilac and lily becoming a bit stronger. The violet leaf and bergamot keep a gentle sweetness in the background as it blooms into a modern chypre. I get about 6 - 7 hours in total. I'd say it is a genuine unisex perfume. Worth a try.

This fragrance is fresh, floral, and very beautiful. It opens with a main note of violet leaves, with a touch of bergamot. The other floral notes are gentle, fresh, and pale. The violet leaves note has an ozonic scent with a rainy vibe. When combined with other floral notes, it creates a poetic and romantic floral watery scent, like a watercolor painting. It reminds me of a garden in the spring after a shower. The perfumer of this fragrance, Celine Elena, follows in the footsteps of her father, the famous Jean Claude Elena, who was known for creating watercolor-type fragrances. This fragrance has a feminine French style and is perfect for daily use. 8.5/10.