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Portos Balenciaga 1980 Eau de Cologne

8.3 / 10 56 Ratings

A popular perfume by Balenciaga for men, released in 1980. The scent is spicy-leathery. The production was apparently discontinued.
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Main accords

Spicy

Leathery

Woody

Animal

Resinous

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Coriander

Bergamot

Mugwort

Heart Notes

Cedarwood

Patchouli

Geranium

Jasmine

Vetiver

Base Notes

Castoreum

Leather

Frankincense Myrrh

Myrrh

Moss

Musk

Labdanum

Ratings

Scent

8.356 Ratings

Longevity

7.839 Ratings

Sillage

7.438 Ratings

Bottle

6.645 Ratings

Submitted by Easyfish, last update on 05/19/2025.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Portos After Shave

Yacaré Eau de Cologne

Yatagan Eau de Toilette

Bel Ami Eau de Toilette

Kouros Eau de Toilette

Reviews

4 in-depth fragrance descriptions

11/22/2014

9.5Scent 7.5Longevity 7.5Sillage

Cappellusman
358 Reviews

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Cappellusman

Helpful Review 7

Beggar's Staff and Soup Kitchen...

... will probably soon be my constant companions if this continues. My plan to test all vintage and old-school men's fragrances is proving to be more financially burdensome than I initially hoped. Like-minded individuals will know this: You discover an old-school scent, and through research or recommendations, two similar ones come along, which then lead to four other fragrances. The rice/chessboard parable applied to perfumes...

Balenciaga 1980. It was crystal clear what to expect here, and naturally, I was not disappointed in the slightest. Take comparable classics from this era, replace the tonka bean in Aigner No. 1 with a good dose of castoreum, tune down Krizia Moods a bit regarding sillage and intensity, reflect on the attributes of men's fragrances from that time (spicy, masculine, self-assured, yet completely harmonious), and you get something like "Portos." Unfortunately, there are no details about the perfumer here, but it would have to be something special if they hadn't created other treasures as well...

A fragrance for wearers who know who and what they are, yet are completely at peace with themselves, far from any hustle or uncertainty. A scent also for "unconventional traditionalists." Contradictions do not have to be contradictory; on the contrary, they can unite and form a new, coherent whole. A fragrance composed with such sovereignty can achieve this.

04/15/2014

10Scent

Nikodemus

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Nikodemus

Helpful Review 8

When the World Comes to an End

Admittedly, there are sometimes somewhat peculiar thoughts that haunt you during long car rides. Sometimes sensible, sometimes less so, perhaps even a bit absurd at times...

As I drove through storm and rain last night, I wondered what would be an appropriate perfume if one knew that the end of the world was imminent. In storm and chaos, amidst the crashing of the elements, in the fury of nature. As the very last perfume, as a crowning conclusion of a fragrant life, so to speak. What would be suitable for this - well, let’s say “ceremonial” - occasion?

There are indeed a number of treasures that seem fitting to face the end with dignity. For me, Jovan's “Musk Oil” or “Sex Appeal” would certainly be a good choice. Or you can’t go wrong with Cerruti's “1881,” the classic “Halston,” or Azzaro. Lauren's Polo and of course Aigner's “Silver” and the good old “No 1” would also be worth considering.

But suddenly I had the scent of Balenciaga's masterpiece “Portos” in my nose and I thought, “Yes, that would be it!” That’s how you make an exit, that’s how you celebrate properly!

About the scent: There isn’t much known about Balenciaga by name. The few fragrances created during Cristóbal Balenciaga's lifetime are hardly known today. Even here on Parfumo, they are largely unknown. So we are left with the later releases, of which Portos from 1980 is surely the most remarkable.

Not an everyday scent by any means, not designed for the masses, “Portos” is still not a choice for daily wear today. Certainly a bit antiquated, but I also find it a bit too noble to wear to work.
However, for special occasions, it is a celebration, a delight that I can only warmly recommend to fans of the 80s.
Especially since the prices are relatively affordable, particularly for the 15 ml minis. “Portos” is still hard to come by, though...

So, the iron reserve Portos is ready, a good wine is chilled, and I’m sure I’ll find the right cigar as well.

So the apocalypse can come!

Warm regards from the (still) existing Saxony

12/10/2012

8.5Scent 9Longevity 8Sillage

Hordak
25 Reviews

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Hordak

Top Review 17

Perfumed Leather

Balenciaga has had brilliant men's fragrances in its range and still has some. "Ho Hang," for example, one of my absolute favorite scents, is the suit-and-tie-clad cousin of "Portos," which, although it owns good shoes and dress pants, wears a leather jacket instead of a blazer.

"Portos" is a spicy leather scent, where, as so often, I find it difficult to identify individual notes. Most likely mugwort and bergamot, a very intense but brilliant top note, a bit of clove, and the leather note that reveals itself after a few minutes and lasts until the end of the fragrance.
Characteristic of the brilliant scents of the 80s is castoreum, animalistic, strong! The absolute opposite of fresh or aquatic fragrances.

All in all, with this scent, you feel like you're in a leather jacket perfumed with "Ho Hang" or "Phileas" by Nina Ricci, understandably not a scent for everyone.

Sillage and longevity are above average. I could still smell the fragrance even after an evening shower. Unfortunately, it is now only rarely available on eBay or in small perfumeries, but for lovers of this genre, it is an absolute must!

03/19/2012

8Scent 7.5Longevity 7.5Sillage

Gentilhomme
120 Reviews

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Gentilhomme

Helpful Review 7

Another attempt...

...by Parfums Balenciaga to enrich the men's fragrance world with a leather note. Unlike Ho Hang Club, this has really succeeded with Portos!

It starts off loud, with a herbal, almost scratchy-fresh note, then evolves into a dry-woody character before yielding to a warm leatheriness. The scent had its own unique sex appeal and suited both the untamed Marlboro Man and the establishment's pleated-trouser wearer with a popper haircut and college slippers.

I loved it and will surely be sad when my last little bit is used up...

If you find it anywhere, definitely give it a try!!!