Velours Yves Saint Laurent 2016

Over a year ago, I walked past the then-new bottles of the Le Vestiaire series at Oberpollinger. Even then, I was enchanted by Velours, but I had already spent my budget on other bottles that day. The price of Velours (€246) made this dream fragrance feel somewhat distant, and I thought back then, "Who came up with this silly idea of launching 125ml bottles, and who needs that much?" Just before Christmas, I happened to come across it again at Breuninger in Stuttgart; the YSL counter then told me that they had just added the series to their lineup. I had to spray it on myself again immediately... and bam... a day before Christmas, it literally knocked the Christmas ornaments off the tree, along with the candles... Two days after Christmas, it was time to get it. The exact words at the counter: "No... unfortunately, it's no longer available... it's sold out!" Since then, the counter has a bite mark from me;-)! In that moment, I knew how Schalke must have felt in May 2001, 1.5 hands already on the championship trophy/bottle... and at the last moment, the mother snatches the lion cub away again!!! After an apathetic 5 minutes, I was able to speak again, and the nice lady at the counter managed to track down a bottle through the Düsseldorf branch, which was then sent directly to my home... Thanks for the great customer service at this point!
Velours is a dream fragrance for me, a jewel, a masterpiece. A scent of the kind that makes me flip out a maximum of only 3 times a year, just like with Oud Radieux or Fars. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen to me more often. This gem, as if it came from a manufactory, makes me revel down to the tips of my hair; I have rarely experienced such fineness, such velvetiness, except as mentioned above.
This dry-powdery opening immediately captivated me, a blend of muted Dior Homme (sweetness), the velvety-powdery Oriental Express, and the dry-woody and mildly incense-like Bois d'Argent makes my heart race. Especially since I unfortunately cannot perceive Dior Homme and BdA for long. Sensual... yes, also soft... slightly feminine-tinged, but still masculine enough... but it is precisely this velvetiness that is unparalleled.
As it develops further, a wonderfully dry teen note emerges, which I can best compare to the note from Neroli Outrenoir; the similarly high-quality vanilla could also be from Guerlain. For me, Velours maintains the optimal balance in every respect; nothing pushes itself vainly to the forefront, neither the spice nor the sweetness is intrusive, thus the fragrance does not wear off because it does not constantly occupy the nose yet is always present. Throughout the day, it becomes slightly more robust, resembling a buttery soft leather note, which evokes comfort and warmth in me. I was able to perceive the fragrance all day long; it never became too much, even today in relatively mild temperatures. The sillage is strong at first, then settles into the upper mid-range... perfect! For me, it acts as a membrane (only lets the beautiful through) and a shield at the same time! Anyone who lets themselves be misled and influenced by the YSL mainstream program, who is deterred by the seemingly "unmanly notes" from a test... and does not recognize or want to recognize the still existing superb quality of YSL... is simply to blame if they miss out on this fragrance!