PARFUMS DE MARLY
BYERLEY
2014
Cardamom
Bergamot
Guaiac Wood
Cedarwood
Vetiver
balsam
‘Byerley by Parfums de Marly is a woody olfactory. The narrative of notes showcases a rich, elegant and long-lasting signature. At the top, bergamot and cardamom are found and met with a heart of earthy cedarwood and guaiac wood – smoked and intense in character. To conclude, this masculine eau de parfum is a base of amber and vetiver, which develop a rich scent that is memorable and with heart. This eau de parfum is a signature olfactory that intensifies when the notes of cardamom and vetiver unveil themselves on the skin in full splendour. Further highlighted by a characterful smoked effect, Byerley is an ode to masculinity.’ – Parfums de Marly
I think it’s easy to see why Byerley isn’t named among Layton, Herod, Pegasus or Percival. Byerley won’t be for everyone and it feels a lot less modern than most of the offerings from Parfums de Marly.
This sort of feels like the Parfums de Marly, for people who don’t like Parfums de Marly (a.k.a. people who criticize the brands’ mass appealing fragrances, but might overlook their other releases). You get a strong spicy, green woody scent. Someone on recalled the scent of orange juice and even though it’s not listed, that’s uncannily accurate; it’s like the bits of orange pulp left at the bottom of your glass, maybe with a mint leave in it. Combined with that green woodiness, which for me, as someone who doesn’t love green, is pushing up on the edge of being too strong.
It’s a bit sharp, bitter and even tangy. Byerley contains vetiver, cedarwood and guaiac wood, but it resembles more of the resinous tree saps than the wood. It’s a heavier, thicker fragrance, that has an almost syrupy quality to me.
You have to love a strong woody scent and green touches and I’m sure it will be a hate it or love it situation, even for that audience. I think it’s done very well and if you come in with the right expectations, this gives you a realistic representation. It’s harsh and a bit challenging, yes, but so is tree sap. It leans masculine and is probably best suited for a more mature wearer.