Top Notes 
Aldehydes
Tarragon
Bergamot
Galbanum
Gardenia
Neroli
Orange
Ylang-ylang
Heart Notes 
Carnation
Jasmine
Rose
Violet
Paralyzed Stapler
Base Notes 
Oakmoss
Leather
Civet
Musk
Myrrh
Patchouli
Amber
Coconut
Vetiver
shengnu
94 Reviews
shengnu
2
Bandit does it best.
Review is for the Eau de Toilette vintage concentration.
This is a bit similar to Cabochard (1959) Eau de Toilette once Cabochard gets to its leathery chypre drydown, and notably harder to get than Cabochard, in its original formulation. It is still very worth buying Bandit - or even the reformulation - because they are not the same at all. The most notable difference is, Bandit is not as noticeably and miserably aldehydic. It doesn't smell of piss/sour wine upon opening. The top of the pyramid has instead: my favorite, my love, galbanum, which makes the opening herbal, bitter-green, and almost leathery in and of itself. There's a strong shot of this galbanum, with a light hint of something vegetal-floral-herbal, and then on to business: the rough, almost rubbery leather base that it's all about. It's a bit powdery and dusty, and the color is inky black. Very dramatic.
Overall, Bandit makes a full commitment to bracing bitterness, and comes out on the other side as much more pleasant for it - compared to Cabochard which tried to dress itself up with aldehydes, and caused a disaster. Bandit is the perfect leather chypre, and there are no alternatives I've found.
Original Azurēe is the only leather chypre that’s just as good. It’s a lot more powdery, though, so not the same.
This is a bit similar to Cabochard (1959) Eau de Toilette once Cabochard gets to its leathery chypre drydown, and notably harder to get than Cabochard, in its original formulation. It is still very worth buying Bandit - or even the reformulation - because they are not the same at all. The most notable difference is, Bandit is not as noticeably and miserably aldehydic. It doesn't smell of piss/sour wine upon opening. The top of the pyramid has instead: my favorite, my love, galbanum, which makes the opening herbal, bitter-green, and almost leathery in and of itself. There's a strong shot of this galbanum, with a light hint of something vegetal-floral-herbal, and then on to business: the rough, almost rubbery leather base that it's all about. It's a bit powdery and dusty, and the color is inky black. Very dramatic.
Overall, Bandit makes a full commitment to bracing bitterness, and comes out on the other side as much more pleasant for it - compared to Cabochard which tried to dress itself up with aldehydes, and caused a disaster. Bandit is the perfect leather chypre, and there are no alternatives I've found.
Original Azurēe is the only leather chypre that’s just as good. It’s a lot more powdery, though, so not the same.
Updated on 05/19/2025
Paloma58
