LES BAINS GUERBOIS
1986 Eclectique
2021
PERFUMER
Bertrand Duchaufour
yellow mandarin
cardamom
davana
geranium
honey
leather accord
tobacco
patchouli
amber
‘Nighttime. A procession of taxis. Amber lights. Car doors slam shut. At the foot of the stoop of Les Bains, they stir, and cluster. Leather jackets, double-breasted suits, ripped jeans, endless necklines, eighteen-, thirty-, sixty-year-olds. Presiding over the stairs, Marilyn selects. Who will she take from the street to create the eclectic tribe inside the wildest Parisian nightclub? Hearts beat. “Come in, yes, you. Enjoy your evening. Not you. It’s not gonna happen tonight.” You climb the steps, and then descend the arena. Light touches. Mingling of davana, honey, tobacco. Exhilaration. The night is ours.
RETRO & GOURMAND
A brown tobacco dressed in leather and honey sets the tone from the entrance. Both rich and powerful, the elixir is no less subtle and delicate. Powdery flowers add patina to this fragrance of a woman… or perhaps a man? It doesn’t matter. Patchouli reigns, dark and triumphant, at the top of the steps of the most popular nightclub of the moment.’ – Les Bains Guerbois
Amidst a slew of honey releases, 1986 Eclectique seems rarely mentioned, but it is one of the best ones out there in my opinion. Making my favorite discoveries list in 2023; this bottle was gifted specifically for that coinciding giveaway. It was one of the few that I’m a bit jealous of not keeping for myself.
To me, Eclectique feels a little bit like a companion to Duchaufour’s other Les Bains Guerbois, 1978 Les Bains Douches. Both have this interesting mix of sweet and aromatic qualities, with davana in the opening and a soft tobacco during the wear.
Whereas Les Bains Douches moves into more of a boozy gentleman cologne style, Eclectique leans more into the sweeter realm. With a beautiful honey core. It’s not overly sweet however and it doesn’t feel like a real gourmand. The honey itself seems to have a strong herbal facet and as it dries down leathery and earthy tones join.
Very classy and up there with the best from this, generally excellent, brand for me.
