Basala / Basara (1993)
by Shiseido

Shiseido Basala

Shiseido is, of course, the corporate influence behind Serge Lutens but they do put out scents on their own. Sad to say many of these scents are for the asian market only and they are difficult to find. Basala was created in 1993 by Dominique Preyssas who is better known for D'Orsay's Le Dandy. In Basala she has created what feels to me like a very asian feeling scent. Almost scent Haiku if you will as each transition is mostly made up of two notes which lead to the next. The top is a bright mix of citrus and lavender. The lavender is really in near-perfect balance with the citrus to create a dry astringent beginning. The heart is spice and woods which is very similar to the middle of Obsession for Men to my nose but somehow a little more reserved and a little better composed. The base is a classic pairing of sandalwood and vetiver and with the herbal feel of the vetiver to provide contrast to the creaminess of the sandalwood you bring to a close a well-constructed chypre. This is clean, austere perfume construction which shows, like haiku, even the simplest of themes can lead to beautiful artistry.

I was expecting smoke and spice and all the other excellent comparisons the reviewers in this forum mentioned. Unfortunately on me I couldn't escape the thought that I smelled like an expensive tea bag.

Basala and Basara in Japanese are the same word, meaning free, unrestrained, unconventional. It explains why this men's fragrance was release under both names. The fragrance lives up to its name --it is bold, unique and unconventional, with only enough allusion to traditional masculine fragrances to keep the wearer from initially dismissing it as unwearable. Wearable it is (though not for the faint or heart, and not for the heat of summer), with a lovely prolonged evolution through warm spices to leather chypre. The longevity is astounding. It also has Serge Lutens fingerprints on it, at times calling to mind the suede of Daim Blond.

Interesting fragrance. Dark green but not forest green notes mix with citrus and lavender. It hints at being a fougere and a chypre at the same time while being its own identity though \I'd tuck this under an aromatic fougere. I like.

An incredible mix of green and woody aromas, with a touch of florals, leather, oakmoss and patchouli. This would qualify as a chypre based on notes, but it's unlike any other chypre I've ever smelled. The mix of green and woody notes is unique to my nose. This is a fragrance that would really shine in cold weather, having enough projection to radiate from the skin without the aid of of warm air temperatures, but it can be worn well in cool weather as well, adjusting the application. Quite a coup for Dominique Preyssas, about whom I unfortunately know very little, except that she designed Le Dandy for d'Orsay, Talisman for Balenciaga, and a couple of men's scents for Jaguar. Definitely worth a sniff if you don't already know it.

Too much.
It is an overdose of exotic sensations on your skin. As much as I think the smell itself is brilliant the power and weirdness of it becomes a burden. I would wear it to a one time event or party for that "shock" effect but that is about it.
I bought a bottle used it a couple of time and I gave it away. I don't think is suitable for human consumption, if you know what I mean, better to keep it in the bottle and smell from there .
One last note, it is one of those exotic "masculine" fragrances.