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Spiegli – :
Woody – soil – green leathery
Color impression: reddish gray
Initiates with sombre green vinegar’ish smell that conjures up impression of petrichor in a conifer forest where no sun shines on leaf-mold-covered ground. With a hint of barbershop leather frags, mossy wood and wet soil, Bel Ami stands out much higher as a unique twisted leather perfume. The leather facets do not fully show up till the base comes up, and then it envelops whole sharp astringent mossy top and warm woody core and gives it a frown animalic twist. It’s a heavy macho masculine with kinky preferences! Strong longevity, medium sillage.
★★★★
hooligan20 – :
I have an almost full bottle of the original formulation circa 1988 and it smells amazing. It can stand tall with any scent on the market today and doesn’t feel dated in the least. Having read all of the comments above I don’t think I can add anything more. After approximately 30 years it still smells the same as when I purchased it. It helps I have kept it in the dark in a cool locker.
addmasterdle – :
I am so sad to hear about the newest reformulation not lasting. I have the second reformulation currently and it LASTS for hours, Usually all day, and I get a ton of compliments. I am not a vetiver fan, so I don’t care much for the Bel Ami Vetiver version. After my bottle is empty, I will either need to shop for a vintage bottle or rethink my top 5 fragrance list..
clt503elipseskism – :
My wife forbids me to wear this at work, because of the effect it has on women. Need I say more? BUY IT!
oxa – :
The original formulation of Bel Ami (’86-96) is certainly a dead-ringer for Puredistance M’s opening, and shares Fetish Pour Homme’s drydown. I actually enjoy vintage BA more than either of those. It is one of the few in which the juice measures up to the hype. An absolutely addictive scent!
botsmannik – :
Puredistance M with a less refined / more raw leather note. Picture Bel Ami as moccasin leather and Puredistance M as premium, smooth, leather bucket seats.
qwert71 – :
This is timeless, not dated at all. How is that even possible? Up there with Eau Sauvage, Acqua di Parma, Fahrenheit, and Green Irish Tweed as one of the all-time greats for men. I’ve sampled Roja Dove Fetish Pour Homme, and that modern $500 fragrance smells more dated than this. The Roja also smells too ostentatious. Bel Ami never stops being classy. It is the perfect scent for an accomplished, bold man. Pass on Bel Ami Vetiver and go for the original, you won’t be disappointed
vovik369 – :
The drying down becomes so tender. I melt with it. If I could lock in my most dear memories with the smell of this fragrance, I would. [Watery eyes].
zhirkov13 – :
Hermes’ masterpiece!
When you wear it, the notes are so perfectly in sync that you can’t help but smile confidently, knowing that you smell amazing.
Crazy_BABA – :
Yes it’s very refined, but a woman gave me a “mmm mmm mmm”, Unless she thought I was a can of Campbell’s soup, it’s sexy. Love this fragrance.
oprmininew – :
If you happen to find yourself a guest at the Reform Club and wish to leave no doubt as to your taste, refinement, and sophistication, simply follow this recipe:
Carefully combine…
1 – Snifter of Hennesy XO,
1 – Saville Row suit
1 – Turnbull and Asser shirt
1 – Hermes necktie
1 – Pair, John Lobb shoes
2 – Spritzes of Bel Ami
Welcome to the Club. Enjoy!
Mevng439Negeltzex – :
A rich, polished, cared-for leather that oozes class. More “Gentlemen’s Club” than “Nightclub”. More “Riding crop” than “Motor Cycle Jacket”. Hugely sensual.
REG96 – :
i had the original formulation……it was richer and heavier in all aspects…however…plainly the newer formulation(s) do not disappoint all in all…still an amazing fragrance..a classic and still adored.
qwasser – :
If you like chypres and leather you will love it. Puredistance M developed Bel Ami to perfection.
yaraa – :
Bel Ami ranks among the last of the great chypres, and remains one of the greatest masculine leather scents conceived. It is thrilling, easy to wear and deeply intoxicating.
Composed by Jean-Louis Sieuzac a full two years before his iconic Fahrenheit for Dior, Bel Ami followed closely in the steps of two of the best masculine chypres of the 1980s – Jacques Polge’s Antaeus for Chanel (1981), and Jean-Paul Guerlain’s Derby for Guerlain (1985). Bel Ami was less woody and animalic than Antaeus, less spicy and herbal than Derby, and more leathery than both, with a beautiful creamy-resinous incense note courtesy of prominent styrax.
Bel Ami also paid tribute to two earlier Hermes scents – master perfumer Edmond Roudnitska’s Eau D’Hermes (1951), with its hesperidic-leather accord, and Guy Robert’s Equipage (1970), with its rich blend of spicy carnation, vetiver and oak moss.
What sets Bel Ami apart from its contemporaries is its deft lightness. It strikes a rich leather accord, but never feels quite as buttoned-up as Derby or as scandalous as Antaeus. Much of that is due to the lightly floral facets of bergamot, along with a hesperidic-herbal twist of mandarin, basil and sage in the top notes. The overall effect is sexy yet secure – and it smells phenomenal.
Bel Ami truly is an outstanding accomplishment, and a great scent to this day. Truly wonderful stuff.
Mehps650Bessinepome – :
The Eighties… So many great things saw the world for the first time in that decade; Fahrenheit, Égoïste, me, and Bel Ami.
When I first fell in love with it, it was actually not really Bel Ami, it was Puredistance M. I got a decant of it, and I was instantly seduced by the rich leather, the alluring spices, the light but brilliant citrus dancing with the florals, and the warm and deep, woody base.
M was classy, but a bit over the top at times, as the intensity of the extrait concentration is immense.
After discovering that M (and another of Dove’s “creations”) was merely a facsimile, a clone, an hommage to Bel Ami, I decided to get my hands on this rare eighties icon.
Crazy thing is… It’s true. The balance… The beauty… All of it. It’s all true. Every single thing I heard and read about the original Bel Ami was never an exaggeration, but the unrefutable truth.
This fragrance is one the best leathers, if not THE best, I have EVER put my nose on. Cozy, charming, deep, warm and enveloping, yet toned down and with more citrus than Puredistance M, making it very easy to wear in the heat, without having to worry about the number of sprays. It has this inherent balance, that could only have been achieved by some arcane, dark and foul magic, because it is so unreal.
Perhaps that is why Sieuzac did not pen more fragrances? He might have sold his soul, so as he could burn as bright as a thousand suns to make only a few, yet immense, fragrances.
It is a funny thought, and if it has even a grain of truth in it, I and the rest of the fragrance community thank Mr. Sieuzac for his sacrifice.
This is one that touches the heart.
zlidny – :
Loltara, I agree with you wholeheartedly. This stuff is scarily sexy to me and yes, it sends my head somewhere else as well. Leather, styrax, basil, sage, citrus, hell, this is unapologetically seductive. Should come with the govt health warning *wear with caution around others, may cause palpitations and fevers*.
lzx410JeomiWogkig – :
this may smell similar to Roja Fetish and puredistance M, however there is something skanky / rough that i just don’t like in bel ami. personally, out of the three, fetish gets my vote. no arguments about the performance or sillage in this; this is a beast
tyliankin – :
Pure elegance. It’s loud but not too much. I like the leather and spices. I remember it from the 80’s but I think it travelled nicely through time. I have actually never met anyone else who wears it these days so that’s a bonus for me.
Performance is very good too. I reckon it’s definitely a scent for fall and winter. I tried the Belami Vetiver but it left me no good impression. I prefer the original and I pray that it never gets out of the shelves.
Tolstiy – :
Apre forte come un cocktail in spiaggia sotto l’ombrellone.
Maschile,maturo,agrumato.piccante anonimo dopobarba anni 90.
Buono.semplice.inoffensivo.
Un bel regalo per la festa del papa’.
smertnik842 – :
Bel Ami original is in my opinion the most seductive heady gorgeously constructed aftershave a man can wear. I absolutely adore it. Sends my head somewhere else.
maryanshpunt – :
Nobody up to now seems to have mentioned the opening smells like Halston Catalyst?
nat636JeomiWogkig – :
it is very deep and classy, opens with lots of woody notes and spices
for me, i loved it as it is my alley, i like strong though mysterious perfumes,
i felt in love with it because i adore something called “sandalwood” and i believed that it’s of sandalwood but i was surprised it is not listed above with the ingredients.
i did not smell any citrus or vanilla in it, it is just earth and earth and earth, layers of wood & leather and dust and spices… it is a call to love nature and earth, it is just Hermes, if i did not read the brand i would immediately recognize Hermes because i know Hermes and i know the orientation of this brand and i encourage it.
the bottle is very very pragmatic and practical… i do strongly recommend this perfume for those who like powerful presences and mysterious absences…
it will stay one of my favorites
trv072Diobtetty – :
I’ve never smelled a vintage version of this stuff, so here’s my take on a bottle I purchased in 2016.
At first, I wasn’t a huge fan of the scent. There’s definitely a spicy, woody note in there that mixes initially with a very natural smelling orange. Think of this as a navel orange note and not tangerine or clementine. It’s not a very fresh scent. It’s classy and very deep and that’s why it took me a while to appreciate. There’s a lot going on and there are a lot of layers to this. The spice that I smell is similar to opening up your spice drawer or cabinet at home. The dominant note I can smell is almost like a mix between curry powder, sage and cumin although neither are listed in the notes.
What I don’t get out of this is traditional leather like you’d get with TF’s Tuscan Leather or a Varvatos Dark Rebel Rider. This leather note is much lighter, almost like a smooth suede.
It took me a few wearings to fully appreciate this scent, and though it’s not 100% up my alley, I do really like it. It’s super versatile. It likely wont offend and the performance is great. 1 spray to the chest or neck and 1 on each arm and you are set for an entire workday. This is a mature fragrance in my opinion. If you are under 40 or under dressed, it may not be for you.
povezlo – :
Beautiful perfume! I adore it on my husband, and on myself. I think it’s truly wonderful.
WeeptzotGence – :
This, along with Santos de Cartier, Davidoff Zino (or Guerlain Heritage) and Chanel Egoiste (derived from Bois Noir) are, for me, in the top of 80’s powerhouse pantheon.
Even more modern gems like Gucci Pour Homme I and the CDG line are quite subtle when compared to stuff like this.
Still in honeymoon with this masterpiece, for now will give it:
9,5 out of 10.
devil-73rus – :
I understand I’m in the minority here but I like the current formulation just as much as either of the vintage formulas. Performance is still good and to my amateur nose the differences in the scent are pretty subtle. That may change as my nose develops but for now, I’m totally happy with the JCE concoction.
олегэм – :
I randomly picked up a small mini splash of the original vintage version without doing any prior research and it BLEW me away. I had no idea that in my hands was one of the greatest leather fragrances second only (in my opinion) to Fahrenheit but composed by the same guy who brought us Fahrenheit. I have since picked up a 100 ml of the latest reformulation in the orange box, and I’m not going to lie it’s not as bad as a lot of the purist will lead you to believe. The main difference is that it is lighter in the air, not as dense in the air as the vintage, but what 80’s fragrance is in these modern times we live in? Very few.
My main concern with buying the new reformulation was it losing that beautiful subtle animalic castoreum accord (I think it’s from spices not actual animalic notes) it has but it’s still there and very lovely. I’m sorry to say to the die hard vintage chasers that this new reform is very well balanced and easier to wear to work than the vintage at least for me. Other than the reformulation being lighter in the air, I would say it and the vintage smell 98% the same. Just because this new one is lighter in the air than the vintage doesn’t mean it’s weak, it’s still way stronger than most of the fragrances in my collection, I would be afraid to do more than 3 sprays.
Bel Ami is not dead trust me.
Vintage 11/10
Current 10/10
kxr985Bessinepome – :
HELLO, GENTLEMEN!
I’m sampling a different fragrance every day for the next couple of weeks (the search for the perfect work fragrance…). Today I swung by my favourite store to grab a couple of spritzes of Kelly Caleche. There was a man in the store browsing, and he was uhmming and aahing between getting a different scent or sicking with his usual, Bel Ami, which he had on.
… He should stick with Bel Ami. OH MY WORD. I am not at all surprised by the “People Who Like This” list; I find it very coherent. Bel Ami is indeed to Hermes what Antaeus is to CHANEL. Grown and sexy. Very mature, somewhat old fashioned, but suave and powerful, and is perfect for executive suit-and-tie types. Sexy, successful, mature bachelors, you know? Oh my goodness, yes.
I’m a little surprised by the note pyramid, as to my nose the scent had an old fashioned barbershop quality to it (as opposed to the heavy chypre implied by the notes here). I’m also pretty sure I detected a soapy lavender on him, and an animalic musky something (or maybe that was just him?).
Anyway, I just came in to report that if you are in search of a genteel, masculine, almost domineering fragrance that manages to evoke power without being unpleasant or overwhelming, this one joins Antaeus on my list of men’s scents that deliver this magic.
Bruce Wayne would wear this. 🙂
AM_Staff – :
An interesting aspect about the fragrances before the nineties and its simplification of the formulations is the richness in aroma details. Even perfumes that are even being adapted to current regulations continue to offer more complexity and nuances in aromas than many recent releases (provided they are properly reformulated, of course).
I remember a few years ago experiencing Bel Ami and being charmed with its leather, dense, classic, surrounded by aromatic resins and woods but with a sweet coconut nuance that appears at the end of its evolution and surprised by its lactonic creamy impression. The modernization made by Jean Claude Ellena which resulted in Bel Ami Vetiver left me apprehensive perhaps that the brand had also made the classic one a simple perfume, more transparent and more similar to some of the other Ellena creations.
My concerns proved not to materialize once i had the chance to use Bel Ami again in the skin. The reformulation that resulted in the current version seems to me to have a dry and serious aura and brought the fragrance more into a fougère than chypre direction, making it come closer to other perfumes of the its time, the eighties. The current Bel Ami still has the classic smell of drier leather, but not very smoked and without the sweet coconut nuance. I notice in most evidence the smell of spices and a combination of herbs and astringent citrus aromas, which are what shape my perception into a Fougere perfume.
But as I said at the beginning, Bel Ami still has a lot to offer and even at the end of its evolution is possible to see the perfume win ambery oriental nuances. There is a combination of amber with a velvety musk and a slight hint of vanilla that perhaps curiously brings me the aura of some current compositions that explore these elements within the oud theme. I do not remember if this aspect was present in the original, but it shows an interesting addition and matches with the composition as a whole. Bel Ami is like the perfume evaluated yesterday, Rocabar, a more mature and sophisticated creation and a scent that seems to focus on a very specific audience rather than trying to please everyone. Even reformulated easily beats many current releases.
b0res777 – :
(Vintage 1986) This was a very great blind buy, better than I expected.
Katie Pucrick on her YouTube review of Bel Ami (vintage) I believe, compared it to Tom Ford Private Blends, “they want to announce themselves, laud and proud”, she said. Thinking of Tuscan Leather perhaps, whereas Bel Ami is more smooth, herbal, spicy fresh.
My first impression was, where’s the leather, this smells dark, I got the styrax right off, some nice blending of oakmoss, and then some nice Mediteranian herbs and spices, reminding me of vintage Azzaro Pour Home, or vintage Equipage. Bel Ami also reminded me of another recent discovery, Tom Ford Man Extreme.
So I thought this is a great fragrance, but similar to what I have and know… Then, wooow, the LEATHER kicked in, wowy-wow. Yeah, this is the best leather; aromatic, rich , oily and smooth.
I like the review just below describing notes not listed, butter with salted caramel, that’s what I’m getting, making an accord with the rich leather.
Also Jack twist review said accurately that it’s in-between Equipage and Knize 10.
I thought it was going to be a heavy fragragrance, but it’s not, because of some fresh herbs, spices and light citrus. It can be suitable for cooler Summer days or nights, and of course great for Fall and Winter.
There is a timeless beauty to it. I have two great vintage classics, Givenchy Insense, and Hermes Equipage, now this will take it’s place with those two.
Note: For anyone interested in purchasing a vintage shaker bottle, I received a 100ml tester for $175. from sweet baby perfume plus.com. The tester bottle comes with cap and looks just like the regular bottle, 1/2 the best eBay price…
Some of the citrus and herbal top notes where faded from my vintage 100 ml compared to the fresher decant vintage I received earlier. When ordering a a 20-25 year old vintage bottle you take that risk of some having lost a bit with age.
Still good, and love the beutifull antique bottle, dark and classy.
PS: I got the 2006 vintage, and it is quite good, the leather is dark and rich, not as buttery rich as the 1986 BA. It is a very comfortable wearable classic.
I thought the 2006 vintage Bel Ami would be a shadow of the original, but no… It is rich spicy,dark. It could stand alone on the wood, spices, and Balsamic notes, and yet it has an aromatic dark leather that is very noticeable, but well blended in to the whole.
I stole a bottle on eBay auction for $75, but they are still less than half the price of the original 1986…
Rating:
1986:. 10/10
2006:. 9.25/10
2016: 8.75/10
God bless. John 3:16
Duepainee – :
I parted with my vintage bottle around 3 years ago, I gave it to my Dad who wears it sparingly and loves it. Yesterday I went to buy a bottle of the new formulation – here are my thoughts.
It is no longer the “extreme” elixir that it once was. To give you an idea – complimentary bottles of Bel Ami used to be provided in hotel suites of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai – that gives us an idea of the kind of luxury and opulence one might associate with the scent. It was heavy in notes of butter and salted caramel with vegetal undertones of sweat and moist leather. Totally masculine and the most erotic of the classics… (in my opinion)…
These notes are toned down in the current manifestation so fans of the old formulation may be left bitterly disappointed. To be fair though, it’s a more balanced and modern composition, but hey – purists and connoisseurs don’t always want absolute harmony – the want raw beauty, wild and untamed. For me, however, I had problems with the old Bel Ami in hot weather, it got quite sickly and cloying in certain climates. Where I live it’s hot all year round pretty much so even my rich/heavy/complex scents must have seasonal versatility. For this reason I prefer the new formulation and I can see myself wearing this much more frequently due to an added airy/clean factor. Yesterday’s wearing saw 12+ hrs performance (awesome), during which time it faired the cool temperatures of an A.C. chilled mall, a bit of outdoor humidity in the afternoon and a dry/comfortable heat in the evening. It remained subtle, balanced and got a few compliments. So all round, I am very pleased with this new bottle.
The older bottles are still widely available so anyone who wishes to seek them out can do so quite easily, surely that is what being an aficionado or a collector is all about(?). If a watch collector wants a 1950’s Rolex Submariner he will seek it out and aquire it, it won’t be as easy as buying a brand spanking new one but it will be much more satisfying and he will own a thing of timeless beauty, if that’s what he truly wants. (He certainly won’t approach Rolex and demand that they bring back the vintage model, if you get my meaning – for better or worse, things change. That’s life.)
To conclude, yes – Bel Ami has lost it’s old magic, but it is still a beautiful scent with great lasting power and I will take this over most of the designer/niche releases out there today.
vanlordgen – :
My first purchase of Bel Ami EDT spray was from a Hermes Boutique in the early 90s. I still have that bottle, about 25ml remains. Date of manufacture 1991.The heart and basenotes are intact. A few of the notes missing from the pyramid above are Cumin, Clary Sage and the Absinthe of Wormwood, possibly Caraway. A purchase of 1987 Aftershave and 1986 EDT recently, confirms.
The topnotes have faded particularily the lemon.
The charm for me was, although it was a BIG 80s fragrance for Hermes, it carried an elegant, restrained Leather heart, reminiscent of Knize Ten.It was ahead of its time in that it pointed to this direction of restraint at a time when bombast was King.
A few have said that it is Old Fashioned, dated.
I can agree in that it suggests an elegant, seasoned Masculinity.
The colour it evokes with me is Caramel its palette that of sweet butter. Brought to the door, led through, to the transcendence that is Meditative Mysore.
The current formulation suggests a contemporary Masculinity. It is brighter, cleaner,leaner, drier and carries the bold incense needed to compete. I find it luxurious, vibrant.
It’s colour is Conifer Green and palette is Dry White. Brought to a door, to the transcendence that is Meditative Fir.
Ellena has brilliantly brought Bel Ami into the present while still paying homage to the original. Brief sniff to the BA Vetiver leads me to believe that Ellena has done further masterful work and perhaps, leads me through the door.
The Vintage remains as the Masterpiece to this old man. Today’s,well not really, but certainly close.
Jackson81 – :
I am a BIG fan of traditional masculine scents, such as Leather, so this one should have been perfect for me. I did a sample swap awhile back and was able to get my hands on some Bel Ami. I was really looking forward to trying this. After putting it on and wearing it all day I was not that impressed. “Meh, Its OK, but not all that” I told myself.
At the time I did not realize that Bel Ami of today is a mere shadow of Bel Ami from yesteryear. Fast forward to a couple of months ago and I was able to find a bottle of the vintage Bel Ami in the shaker bottle. THIS is what I was expecting! A deliciously beautiful scent on my skin.
Wow! This stuff is AMAZING! A very well blended masculine leather with just the right amount of supporting notes to make this fragrance shine. The citrus, herbal, floral, woody and spices are blended so well, they are like a practiced orchestra with each note working together to produce a symphony of aroma.
It is a very rich scent, sexy and somewhat soft, but does not sit on the sidelines. I find Bel Ami to be very classy, with a bit of an old world feel, but not too dated. I love to wear this in a suit, but it also works well in casual attire.
I get a good 10 plus hours on my skin with good projection.
Bottom line: If you can find some of the vintage Bel Ami, you should try it. But I would pass on the current formulation.
Trane – :
I wanted to wait to have a vintage version of the fragrance for comparison with the present in order to give an opinion.
The current version of Bel Ami is not bad but when compared to the vintage, I’ll take the latter.
It’s like a car you put a less powerful and simple motor. Leather agreement now is as a patch in comparison.
citrus and aromatic delicious and fresh, promising, much like the current version opening, the rest does not look like much. The development is classic, old school, infinitely better done in the vintage.
Vintage is all a woody dry balsamic Cyprus dyes and has a delicious sweet and crunchy dried leather, rich in nuances, very powerful, durable and has a trail so well made, balanced it reaches perfection.
The vintage Bel Ami is arguably one of the pillars of men’s fragrances of all time.
Moreover, it is one of the finest leathers I’ve had, if you can get the bottle shaped shaker do not hesitate.
vintage Rating: 8.5
faqert – :
I have a 100 ml of the Vintage formula and have to confess , It is not all of that , It is a very bitter fragrance in my opinion , I have it for an estimated 6 yrs and only spray it once.
krotyra – :
This is currently my favorite scent. It’s incredibly seductive and intriguing ALL DAY LONG. When first applied it’s quite sharp but immediately settles down and morphs throughout the day into a kaleidoscope of wonderful notes. Not surprisingly, it runs out of steam after about six hours.
hig220elipseskism – :
Blind buy success
Oh my oh my 🙂 I just got a full bottle that was stored at 65 degrees in a cool dark and dry place, with that batch code 6LADF. This is from November 2006, almost 10 years old but still like new! So I got a decant of the original from 89′ and it smells NO DIFFERENT than my formulation. I can’t say the same for the newest formulation though, it really is different and just way toned down. This is coming from someone that thinks people make way to big of a deal out of reformulations. So that’s all about that…now…
This fragrance is just amazing. I get a hint of citrus but this fragrance is just dark smokey and leathery…so masculine. I can’t imagine any type of lady pulling this off
This is in my beast mode line up. This stuff just keeps going like the energizer bunny
That smoke is just there through out the whole composition
I don’t use the term “niche quality ” because it doesn’t make sense, that would be niche. There’s niche and there’s designer. I do however see what people are trying to say and it’s just that they see a correlation of what they would expect and experience from a niche house. This fragrance is definitely high quality. No complaints or corners were cut here.
This is something I would expect to smell out of a niche house too for sure.
Hermes is a high end designer that have been making fragrances longer than everyone else in the designer game almost too so they know what they are doing.
Scent 9.5/10
Quality 9/10
Longevity 9.5/10
Projection 8/10
Masterpiece- Yes
This is signature scent worthy and full bottle worthy hell even blind buy worthy (original formula) however, as a fragrance collector I will be wearing this in the cooler months of fall and winter. This is my top Hermes fragrance at the moment for sure
WEST62 – :
I just obtained a recent one (March 2014 batch code), and I’m surprised at how much I like it, considering what I’ve read. No, it’s not as complex or dynamic as the original (I have yet to try the second bottle design), but it’s a pleasant, dry leather scent with perhaps a hint of sweetness. There may be a slight woody element, but for me, as someone who likes leather scents (of the “old school” type especially), this could be worn by itself or layers with other leather scents. What comes across as some sort of citrus to me lasts quite a long time, but offers a little contrast without clashing. However, if you’ve already got some vintage Knize Ten and don’t want anything weaker, this might disappoint you (though spraying more might remedy that issue – I only used one spray to the chest).
UPDATE: Over time I do get a chemical-ish quality, but it’s not as blaring as in several other “masculine” designer scents with a similar element.
opn662JeomiWogkig – :
amazing! Imagine I have an after shave shaker- before 1990- and it lasts on my skin like an EDT. I tryied the new formula, sorry but it is light-years far from the original!
9669666 – :
I just received a vintage little bottle and this stuff is just too good. It’s all gentlemans club, leathèr wingback chairs, smoky, cognac and with a secret door leading off to an s&m dungeon. It’s boozy dry and sweet at the same time and deliciously Sexy skanky. I’m hooked.
assusena – :
It is unfortunate how reformulations happen where the original character is changed, and not for the better or even just different. The current incarnation of Bel Ami is a nice fragrance, but lacks the depth and character of the original.
The original Bel Ami comes in this artful bottle shaped like a cocktail shaker (see photos above). It is exquisite and does the liquid in side much justice. A unique leather, with spices, vetiver, oakmoss, woods, and more. It is strange to behold at first. You need time to get to know this beautiful friend, this Bel Ami. Is it very much like Moschino Pour Homme? Well, it is similar, but there is vetiver instead of rose. You could own both and feel you have two different fragrances.
I’ve tried Pure Distance M and don’t see much similarity to Bel Ami, at least the vintage version..
Vintage Bel Ami is something special. Get it and you will enjoy owning a legendary piece of perfume history.
Franca – :
@michael.j . You say the exact words about the differents eras of this fabulous scent. Why kill the art, Mr. Ellena? ??
elena_swistyn – :
Holy dilutions, Batman! I just received a new bottle of this from Neiman Marcus. It’s really beautiful, but I am shocked at how neutered it is compared to the bottle I last owned from 1993. It’s almost a completely different fragrance. Gone is the roaring leather and in its place is a polite patch of leather sewn on the elbow of a tweed jacket. I love you, Hermès, et vous aussi Monsieur Ellena, but you guys have really cut the huevos out of a once great pillar of leather fragrances, making it altogether too safe and “transparent.” I know “transparency” is your schtick, M. Ellena, but you should have left well enough alone, or at least have given your version a different name — something with “léger” in the title so we’d be fully aware that it’s definitely not Sieuzac’s beautiful monster. I do like the increased prominence of the citrus in the newest version, which is, Ellena, your calling card, but I miss the chest-beating proclamations of the original, which announced one’s presence two rooms away. It was jet wash in a bottle and I loved it. I suppose one can’t stop time or fashion, or even one’s shame at having given in to the latter, but every once in a while we need to recognize canonical creations for what they are and let them live peaceful lives untouched. Bravo on this new version, but let us remember also the institution that was Bel Ami’s first, glorious incarnation.
mgritchin – :
I wanted to try this perfume after so many years because I didn’t have a clear memory of the original, even if I’m sure it was a larger-than-life male scent or the typical “hairy chest” as someone mentioned.
I tried the new version at a counter and was not glad I did.
Along the years my tastes changed and I never wore male perfumes on myself (as a pure matter of taste, nothin