West Side (2006)
by Bond No. 9

Well, what should I say about this? It smells great and lasts but it smells exactly like By Night Jette from Jette Joop (which is much cheaper and also from Michel Almairac!!)...

I get floral, fruity, and a little drunky! Yes, I mean it smells a little like a person who is drunk. Very odd indeed.

I fell for this within the first 1/2 second of a sniff. It's a jewel of a perfume in an amazingly attractive bottle. When I fall for a fragrance I often read blogs and such for reviews, and the reviews I've read so far about West Side are fascinating. West Side seems to bring out a lyrical spirit and a poetic aura in its reviewers.

Aside from feeling kinship to the artistic air of the analyses, one review made me giggle a bit. The reviewer feels that West Side smells like the "child" of Tocade and Organza Indecence. The reason for my smile was that the thought was so similar to my own reaction: West Side seems like of "child" of Tocade and John Paul Gaultier Classique. I think West Side will bring many, many new fans to the Bond No. 9 line.

I have been underwhelmed by most Bond scents, but West Side is absolutely beautiful. Goes on smooth as silk, softly sweet with a boozy edge that is intoxicating. The florals are just right (never too high pitched), and they blend perfectly with the sandalwood, musk, and vanilla. Appropriate day or night, any season, for any event. If you're looking for sexy skin scent, give it a whirl. Chinatown gets all the buzz, but I prefer West Side.

I'm reminded of Dunhill Desire but with vanilla added instead of tonka bean. This to me is more feminine and has a powdery sweetness that doesn't appeal to me. The opening flowers almost smell like a half-drunk lager that's been sitting out for a while, which is weird because I find the aroma appetizing and memorable. Overall I don't like this one but I don't dislike it either.

It has only been 4 minutes since I put this on my wrist...and already I am on Basenotes talking about it. Yes, it is that significant. I have smelled this before, but not in a perfume, rather in a body cream for women that I thought was nice but my inexperienced nose at that time thought it was waaaaay too sweet and seductive (I think it was called TURA, yellow bottle, blue writing. Google it). Yet here I am willing to try this and not worried one bit that it might be too femme for a manly dude like me!
OK, back to the fragrance. It is super sugary sweet but it is tempered with a deep red wine note (the rose?) which I ma banking on to maintain my manly. Anyway, a must have in any respectable collection. Smells very different, 99% sure you have never smelled this before. Nicely done.