Baladin Parfums de Nicolaï for men

This one is an oriental in the same vibe as Jicky-Guerlain and L'Heure Defendue( aromatic cocoa). It does smell dirty in the beginning, but it continues with a masculine and delicious aura.

Parfums de Nicolai’s masculine fragrances show an appreciation for subtlety and a range of gender that most lines appear not to consider. New York is dramatic and lush; Vetyver is soft and refined; Patchouli Homme is a blockbuster, but relies on classically feminine notes to hit you. Baladin doesn’t fall into any typical fragrance genres, but is recognizable to the nose for the clarity of its composition and the use of identifiable notes. Citrus, culinary herbs, wood---notes you’d find in many men’s fragrances. So why is Baladin like no other men’s designer fragrance?

The top notes are citrus/herbal, including lemon, oregano, lavender, tarragon and pepper and add a bit of traditional herbal bouquet from the kitchen. But the raspy lavender also ties the lemon to the soon-to-appear vetiver and birch notes. Overall, Baladin is bracing rather than warm: the lavender and lemon, tart; the birch and tarragon, cool; the vetiver and pepper, dry and sharp. I’ve read from others’ comments that this is considered a leather and I imagine that birch wood can convey a birch tar feel, but I wouldn’t classify this as a leather, more an herbal-woody masculine.

Another example of Patricia de Nicolai giving men the benefit of the doubt and not equating masculine with faceless and drab.

While I can't count Baladin among the most distinctive releases in perfumery I surely can classify it as an honest and dignified masculine fragrance. A nice concoction of culinary herbs (mainly thyme) introduced by a very classic citrus-lavender opening. Birch tar and vetiver add some edge and a pleasant twist to this subtle composition.

Discreet, easy to wear but not banal. A perfect office fragrance that's still head and shoulders ahead of today's masculines. Reasonably priced and honestly crafted. Very nice.

Rating: 7/10