Bentley for Men Absolute opens with a moderately sweet mix of frankincense and subtle vague synthetic woods. Moving to the early heart the moderately sweet synthetic Oud-like woods take the fore as waxy black pepper joins them in key support with the frankincense moving to background. During the late dry-down slightly powdery amber and relatively transparent sandalwood seize control as the synthetic woods finally vacate with only subtle cedar support shining through as the compositions turns relatively dry through the finish. Projection is slightly above average, as is longevity at about 9-10 hours on skin.
Bentley for Men Absolute is a composition I have had my eyes on since its release announcement over a year ago after being highly impressed with Bentley for Men and even more-so with Bentley for Men Intense. The lack of a US release added an additional air of exclusivity that only made me want to try the composition even more... Finally, after a wait of over a year I was able to secure an overseas blind buy bottle to give the elusive composition a try. I can't tell you how much I want to say I love it, but alas, Bentley for Men Absolute is a disappointment, albeit a minor one. The primary culprit is its use of norlimbanol to (poorly) recreate the smell of Oud wood. This is something I have noticed in a lot of compositions recently and I really wish it would stop. In all fairness, the perfumer does a much better job than most in toning down the synthetic woods effect so that it doesn't completely overpower the rest of the notes. Unfortunately, most of the rest of the composition doesn't impress either, as the waxy, peppery effect paired with the faux Oud has been done many, many times before and I didn't like it then any more than now. On the plus side, the late dry-down is quite pleasant with its amber and sandalwood led finish, but it is far from original and definitely not worth the wait when you consider the synthetics you have to get past to reach it. One final point of issue is I have heard many talk about Bentley for Men Absolute being a dead ringer for Gucci pour Homme I. Well, they do have the same perfumer, but even though it has been about a decade since I have worn that one, there are some similarities but I really remember it smelling differently than what I smell here. I should mention as I absolutely couldn't stand Gucci pour Homme I, this is actually a positive in Bentley for Men Absolute's favor as I like this a lot more than that stuff. The bottom line is the $100 per 100ml bottle Bentley for Men Absolute is a pretty decent effort that could have smelled much better, earning it an "above average" 2.5 to 3 stars out 5 rating and a neutral recommendation.
Your estimate is fair for a $ 100 product. But how would you rate it if it cost $ 33? That’s how much I bought it on the occasion just recently. This is my second bottle of the Absolute. I really like his non-perfumery character, although I must admit that sometimes some chemical sour note is heard. It depends more on the mood and state of health. My rating is maximum. For such a price! Only 33 bucks!
Vithally 6 years ago
