Chaos And The Calm

Byblos Man

Byblos Man cologne

Byblos Man Cologne is a fragrance that has miserably gone nearly unnoticed, and that it's a sin. I came across it may be a while later its release, it was discounted and the 100ml was sold for less than a couple of bucks or so. I still remember I was immediately attracted by the bottle's shape and color, the bottle alone is quite striking and would likely delight those who are attracted to fragrance not just for the aroma but for the design as well, but not too much impressed by the scent when I tested it, yet when I left the store I couldn't take my nose off of it, so I went back and bought it straight away. In the hindsight, it was a real deal. Well, I may be crazy... but this juice you have to apply it close to the skin. Otherwise, the spices like cardamom, cloves, or nutmeg take a synthetic character. It's almost like a close application that highlights the floral aspect of the violet leaf on a woody, background. But all that happens on my skin, presumably. Byblos Man is quite an elegant, slightly dry juice based on vetiver from the same Italian house that lately conceived Byblos in Black. Man, however, takes it in a different direction: while In Black made its fair share of admirers as well as detractors by mimicking some of the notes in Terre d'Hermes, Man is an original and I am not able to find a similar one in my collection. Byblos Man is like Chaos And The Calm to me.

Byblos Man Cologne

First things first, with the creaminess of JPG Le Male and the obvious thickness of CD Fahrenheit, this makes for an interesting scent. It welcomes you with plenty of Fahrenheit sort violet leaf at first, not too harsh as in Grey Flannel, and there's no gasoline type quality here. After half an hour or so the violet leaf is almost all gone. I catch the absinth, which keeps the citrus fruits and the sweet pineapple a bit sour and dry. To me, pineapple and citrus are very dominant with something pepperish and bitterish lingering in the back that makes it different from other safe colognes. I must be honest, the opening that initially frightened me is the part that now I love most.

Byblos Man Cologne

Then it turns into a spicy and woody scent with a touch of fruit and floral. The core brings cloves, nutmeg, and cardamom into the composition. In my skin, it is pretty linear from now on, starting more prominently with the spicy notes and leaving more room for the fruity notes after a couple of hours.

Finally, the base unveils cedar and its pencil sharpener characteristic, a touch of dirty patchouli, sweet yet not all too sweetish amber, and plenty of rooty and earthy vetiver, reminiscent of more classic fragrances from the late 80s and early 90s in its simple, dry woods and amber.

Byblos Man Cologne

The only issue for some might be that it is more in the moderate range, in terms of strength, but at current prices that is not a reasonable complaint. Longevity is good, 3-4 hours with around 6 shots, sillage is average to low, but the scent is what matters here. It suits the cold seasons, fall and winter, can be safely worn at the office from early morning to late evening. My last word, this is a rare and precious gem that deserves a try and won't let you down if you blinded buy it.

-Elysium