BalMan (2004)
by Pierre Balmain

As rodent said "there are many more notes fighting for attention." This is a highly unbalanced fragrance that is also very "perfumey." If you want something similar to this, but less abrasive and more "masculine," I suggest Jacomo Silver/for Men. BalMan is good if you want to really stand out in a crowd (not necessarily in a good way), make people ill, or be known as "the cologne guy." It is quite powerful, though I don't consider that a positive characteristic with this one. There's really nothing good I can say about it, in terms of what I look for in a fragrance.

Somewhat faceless, fresh fruity-tobacco-y thing. I don't see any similarities to D&G PH other than the tobacco note lurking in the background. This one is far less citrusy, much sweeter, and there are many more notes fighting for attention.The bargain-basement prices for which this goes probably also reflects the budget that poor Antoine Maisondieu was likely given to compose this disappointing outing. If you're already a frag collector, you will smell the ghosts of many scents past in this -- yet no clear identity of its own. Pass.

Strong notes of fruit and anise over an even stronger tonka base. The sweet plum note is a bit disconcerting in the opening, granted, but it (fortunately) dries down to a warm and spicy note before too long.

Fans of both LeMâle and Catalyst should find some common ground here, as should (as Blue_Jay pointed out) fans of Dolce & Gabbana pour Homme. I even see some similarities (probably due to the tonka) to Arpège pour Homme (albeit mostly in the drydown).

Monster sillage here, so proceed with caution. Massive longevity, too -- easily one of the longest lasting frags I've purchased in the past year.

Probably not best suited for extremely warm climes, but I'll let you be the judge of that.

All in all, a fantastic bargain sleeper. (A definite try-before-ya-buy kind of frag, though.)

A very nice fougere oriental, fresh, a bit fruity, spices.
Hard to describe, although I don't see the similarity with D&G which smells very fruity and tobacco on me.
BalMan is spicier and woodier.

Looks like an earlier review slipped through the cracks. But I've had more time to think about this fragrance and I'd like to reiterate my view that the initial burst is very similar to that of Dolce & Gabbana PH, but the scent develops sweeter (yet more masculine) and lasts much longer. I have a problem with fragrances tending to die rather quickly on my skin and I can see some people finding BalMan a bit too potent, even crude, but perhaps gentle application can get around that issue. I would wear this to a party, with notes of mirabelle plum and liquorice accompanying the air-kissing and hugs at the door, tonka bean and cardamom declaring my distinctiveness amid the throng, and sandalwood and oakmoss breaking a heart or two when I leave. But I am thirty and attached, and perhaps I would choose something else were I ten years younger and single! (Disclaimer: The only way to be sure if a fragrance works for you is to try it out on yourself. The most positive second-hand review or the most critical hand-me-down appraisal is someone else's experience.)