The opening is really weird, and I'll explain why. When first sprayed, it feels completely faint and not at all alcoholic. It strongly resembles a molecule fragrance that unfolds only on the skin. So the "disappointment" is indeed a deception, because after a few minutes it develops and becomes definitely noticeable with a good sillage. The longevity is surprisingly good as well; even the next day on the skin, it was still slightly perceptible. Since I don't own "Baccarat Rouge 540 (Eau de Parfum) | Maison Francis Kurkdjian," I can't compare and describe the nuances and differences exactly. But from memory, it’s clear to me that this is BR540. And it's a good rendition; it smells expensive. If I had smelled it on someone, I would say BR540. It is certainly wearable for men, but one should spray it rather subtly, especially due to the effect mentioned at the beginning. Otherwise, I’ve never been someone who wanted or needed BR540, even though I’m generally not averse to the scent, but I really like this one. And at the sale price of €9.99, you’d have to be foolish not to pick it up if you like BR540, even if it’s just for layering. If someone had told me: "Look, this is the new BR540 super dupe for €70," I would have advised everyone to save some money and get this one instead of the original. So, what are we discussing here? It’s not a performance beast, but it holds its own, and for the price, Kappa has delivered here, albeit in a bluntly counterfeit way. That something of this quality could even be possible at such a price would never have crossed my mind 15 years ago. Clear recommendation, and I like it even better than the already good Belle Icone by Caline.
