Cristobal Balenciaga 1998

This is a really strange fragrance… in an interesting way. I have had it for many years now. I spray it from time to time and it always leaves me with the idea, that I am missing something; that I simply do not get it.
Let me get this straight: this is NOT a bad fragrance. I simply just do not dig the final result. To me it is really strong at first and very masculine. I can not work out why, because I know and love all the top and heart notes. So where does this rough and a bit uncomfortably strong impression come from?! The scent takes a long time to settle well on my skin. When it finally does I get jasmine, patchouli and sandalwood in a nice combination - but there is always this odd note hanging in the background. And it is not the scent gone bad. I know because a fellow ‘fragnatic’ let me try hers. They smell the same. She loves it, btw.
The bottle is gorgeous. Frosted glass on the back, abstract pattern on the front and a beautiful golden top - and the matching golden juice inside.
Conclusion must be that no matter how old and anosmic I get, I will never understand this. I am therefore happy to see that so many of you here at Parfumo really like it.
34/365