MARC-ANTOINE BARROIS
B683
2016
PERFUMER
Quentin Bisch
Saffron
Nutmeg
Black Pepper
Red Chilli Pepper
Violet
amber
cistus absolute
musk
Patchouli
Ambroxan
Sandalwood
Oakmoss
B683 is at the same time my least favorite between it, Ganymede, B683 Extrait and Encelade, which were the ones released by the brand at the time of writing, and also the easiest to recommend.
B683 opens exactly as I expected; as an older brother to Ganymede; it’s slightly darker and it feels less playful or eccentric. It’s less mineralic and especially lacking in the curry/immortelle vibe from Ganymede. B683 has more ‘conventional masculine’ elements for a leathery scent.
There’s a lot of nutmeg and pepper, a tinge of oakmoss. The violet in B638 is less extreme and dries down to a suede or leather scent, with a distinguishing vanillic sweetness. I really enjoy the drydown when the sweetness comes through, but it’s defintely a safer fragrance than the others from the house (hence easier to recommend, especially for men).