BYREDO
1996 (INEZ & VINOODH)

2013

Juniper
Black pepper

Iris
Violet

Amber
Patchouli
Leather

Byredo is one of the houses with the biggest hit or miss ratio’s for me. 1996 is a bit of a weird one, but it lands on the hit side (barely). This sits in between suede leather and a rooty vegetal (rubbery) accord that I think is mostly the violet. It’s not a crowdpleaser, but very interesting. There’s a slight sweetness that helps, yet it’s dark overall with just a ray of brightness shining through. Earthiness is predominant, but not in a dirty way. I’m not fully sold on it, but I was intrigued.