Balade De Figuer

Very, VERY well done cologne! I will go on to say that this could be one of the best Jo Malone's made for Zara, but there's a close competitor in my opinion (which is Petale d'Ambre from same collection). Major notes I get are petitgrain (bitter orange leaves), grapefruit/mandarine and vetiver supported by fig leaf. There's sage/lavender type aromatic and herbal touch, probably what makes the old-school cologne backbone and with addition of fig leaf greenery can also contribute to a "tobacco leaf" note. It could as well be a "tea leaf" note or generic "sage" for all I know. All the lactonic aspects are muted in the background giving way to the main citrusy and aromatic masculine overlay a la Essential Parfums - Fig Infusion or Banana Republic - 78 Vintage Green. The petitgrain persist almost like orange blossom due to the combination of the milky notes and Muscenone, which is a musk that smells like clean human skin, slightly powdery. It fits to orange blossom theme perfectly, creating a VERY nice effect that I personally adore. Perfectly unisex leaning a bit to masculine side. This could pass as some kind of heritage collection release from Acqua di Parma, Guerlain, Chanel, Givenchy etc. If this was the "Dioriviera" from Francis Kurkdjian, "connoisseurs" would lose their minds talking about the "genius" of him. I think this is quite complex, there's probably more to talk about in time. I am very impressed to say the least.

Another one of Jo Malone's great hits in her ZARA line. This is a complex, unusual, multifaceted scent that stands out not only in the house of ZARA, but from the rest of the usually way safer and more mellow scents in the same line. Fig leaf and fig milk (sap) are the central players in this. Robust, bitter, zesty green opening - courtesy of the fig leaf, vetiver and petitgrain, some powdery feel and denser green notes with the iris "concentrate" and tobacco leaf. followed by dense creamy woody base where the fig milk shines with the creamy, balsamic, slightly lactonic notes that can give hints of resins and fruity sweetness, backed up by the rather interesting synthetic musk molecule that for its part does not smell synthetic at all. It is a dense composition is marked as a 25% concentration, and it lasts on my otherwise dry skin that absorbs fragrance oils super quickly well enough. The price for these elixirs keeps creeping up with each release, but i have to say the quality isn't far behind either, and it is still more worthwhile and affordable than majority of what the top dollar designer scents can offer, and even challenge some in the niche world.

Balade de Figuier could be also a really good men's perfume. I cannot feel a fig anywhere, and that was the main point of buying it! I though that since it has it in the top notes, and in the mid notes, surely i'll smell it...nah. However it has that sweet tobacco leaves smell, that makes you linger in a tobacco shop, even though you do not smoke a pipe, and also a certain butter cookies impression, rum maybe...None of them are in the notes. It is strong, but balanced, interesting, and with the winter outside very ' leather chair, deep voices around, warm embrace' feeling. I'll try it later again, maybe in spring?... Hoping that the fig will somehow emerge. Edit: 2 hours later the tobacco is gone and a very pretty smoke-tinged aroma is left. I like it a lot. It's not only for men 😊😄

I've ordered this without any expectations and it blew my mind. It is modern and old school cypre at the same time. It opens with fig milk and turns into very light blonde tobacco at the drydown and I've got huge compliments wearing as a man. Also it really lasts on the skin and sillage is huge plus also. Reminds me of walking around fig trees in the middle of summer, perfectly balanced green-earthy fragrance. If you don't like green and earthy fragrances with an old school touch stay away from it tho. 9/10

It was love at first sniff. From the very first moment, this fragrance transported me back to Barcelona ten years ago. I don't know why, but it instantly brought back memories of wandering through its streets—I feel like everything smelled like this there. Warm, effortless, and unforgettable. Every time I wear it, I'm reminded of that beautiful place. I absolutely love this fragrance.