Mr. Blass by Bill Blass

I needed to try a fragrance shipping site and decided to use an affordable scent for the test so if anything went wrong I wouldn’t lose much money. On that site this one was offered at a great deal and after reading the positive reviews on fragrantica.com I decided to take the risk and ended up with one of the best (if not the best) price-to-quality fragrances. Now this fragrance is quite special since it contains no declared floral notes (and I didn’t perceive any either); it is exactly what it claims to be: aromatic and spicy. At the start the combination of bergamot and nutmeg is felt strongly serving as the top notes. Shortly after application the cedar note feels quite intense reminding me of the cedar in Encre Noir (which shares 3 of its 4 notes). Seven hours after application I perceived the incense well along with soft leather and vetiver. I believe these constitute the heart notes. The dry down is somewhat classic with amber and musk but not sweet. The note I didn’t perceive was vanilla. In any case the cedar note accompanies it until the end. Nevertheless the nutmeg takes the lead and the fragrance is soft with the woods. As a curiosity all the notes of this fragrance fit within Givenchy’s Xeryus but the latter has a heavier load of woods and cloying florals. This Mr. Blass is like a more minimalist version ideal for the office given its moderate sillage which nonetheless feels good for many hours and exceeds 12 hours of longevity with the last three hours staying closer to the skin. The fragrance is made in Italy and truly has performance that more famous brands charging $100 or more per bottle would envy. This one including shipping came to around $15 a ridiculous price for the quality it displays. Being an aromatic-spicy fragrance I’d say it has multi-season capability except for an extremely intense summer. Its use is clearly for the office and daytime. If for some reason you don’t like floral notes you like soft spices want something for daily wear and seek practically unbeatable value this could be a great option.

Mr. Blass by Bill Blass is for men seeking a retro or vintage aroma—the type of fragrance that defines the man between 40 and 59: classic yet current. It evokes that wave of 80s woody aromatics like Azzaro Pour Homme Escada Pour Homme or Quorum by Antonio Puig; they aren’t identical but they follow that line. It showcases a man’s maturity at its peak: not for kids or the elderly; it’s what ‘Lefty’ (Al Pacino) would wear in ‘Donnie Brasco’. It seems excellent to me with a well-defined appeal that makes the scent warmly received by mature women (35 and up). It’s that classic aroma that requires a certain maturity presence and personality to wear. It’s magnificent! The notes of leather incense nutmeg and a beautiful cedar wood with a hint of detected musk create a fine harmonious combination in the purest virile style for a man wanting to project maturity. Made in Italy though Bill Blass was American and one of the best fashion designers. It’s very versatile for any time of day or season though I prefer it for night. I think it would be a magnificent choice. Hard to find but not discontinued. Scent: 9.0. Projection: max 2 hours. Longevity: between 7 and 8 hours. Recommended.

This perfume explodes with bergamot and nutmeg flooding the room instantly though projection drops quickly to moderate within the next hour. I detect a wet leather note which I love blending perfectly with the incense. The cedar gets a bit lost against the bergamot and the dry down features long-lasting vanilla amber and an appealing musk. It reminds me of classic Avon scents from my youth but with my favorite twist: the nutmeg. It just needs a bit more projection; I wouldn’t mind if someone else smelled it while being transported.