Ebonite Schlossparfumerie Wolff & Sohn Stuttgart 2011

There are legends in the world of fragrance that seem irretrievably lost. "Ebene de Balmain" is one of them - getting a sample of this rare material is difficult, obtaining a bottle is downright impossible or outrageously expensive. It's nice that there seem to be a few talented fans of the masterpiece at the Stuttgart Schlossparfumerie who dared to create a homage, a copy, or at least a similar scent. Since I unfortunately do not know the original, my comment today is based purely on "Ebonite," not on comparisons or nostalgia.

At first, "Ebonite" is hard to assess, definitely bright-spicy & woodsy, but the mint makes the ebony so unique. However, since I couldn't decipher it directly as such, the scent came across to me more like a classic, strong, masculine powerhouse fragrance, just brighter & more ethereal, almost a bit lacquer- or turpentine-like. But it is mint paired with the also fresh geranium (very strong!), lavender & the musk that give the fragrance, despite all its punch & chest hair, enough brightness, accessibility & friendliness. A strong, masculine scent, but in its own unique way. As if "Bel Ami" meets "Geranium Pour Monsieur." Certainly a discovery for fans of the 80s, but actually completely timeless & unclassifiable. That's a good thing. The guys & gals at the famous Schlossparfumerie in Stuttgart have already proven enough craftsmanship with this, and I am extremely curious about their further creations, some of which I have here as samples. Only the sharp sage & the rather faintly emphasized leather base let the percentages drop a bit.

Bottle: in the uniform look of the Schlossparfumerie.
Sillage: masculine, old school, with no small amount of punch.
Longevity: the scent breathes in & out for 8 hours.

Conclusion: I do not know Balmains "Ebene," but after "Ebonite," I can understand why some miss and revere it so much - however, "Ebonite" is also a characterful, masculine & woody anti-lacquer guy from a bygone era on its own!