D&G Le Bateleur 1 (2009)
by Dolce & Gabbana

I would go so far to say that Le Bateleur 1 is the most masculine in the Anthology series.

Opening rather strong, with somewhat bitter herbs and sharp citrus, such intensity is usually found in men's cologne. Not to say that women can't wear this, I do see this as more of a masculine fragrance, something that a woman may struggle to wear.

The cedar note tends to dominate in this fragrance, like a freshly timbered forest. Amidst this interesting blend are subtle spices and oceanic saltiness.

Le Bateleur 1 isn't particularly subdued, with its sillage quite overbearing, especially when over-applied. There are elements of this fragrance that draws some resemblance to Escape for Men by Calvin Klein.

I don't refer to this fragrance as being anything even remotely sexy, however I find the scent itself somewhat refreshing and relaxing. I'd possibly place this fragrance in a casual, 'outdoorsy' category.

Since having discovered every single fragrance in the Anthology line, I find that each and every one of their fragrances demand an acquired taste. Le Bateleur 1 is possibly the hardest fragrance in the series to like, but the one most likely to grow on you.

7th November, 2011.

At my first testing of this I thought it was OK, but as I tested it more, I came to dislike it. It has that kind of aquatic / juniper accord that smells so disagreeably synthetic to me and I think the cardamom / coriander in it only make the combination more unpleasant. All I get from the entire fragrance is that annoying aquatic / coniferous accord made further disagreeable by the spice / herbal notes. There’s not much of a base that comes forth, either: I don’t even get hints of the listed incense or vetiver. Yes, Le Bateleur is a cliché, and I wouldn’t be surprised to find something similar (for a lot less money) on the Adidas fragrance shelf at a discount store.

16th July, 2010.

Interesting aquatic. It's very spicy. It's similar to another aquatic I've tried called Acqua di Gio. Perhaps you've heard of it? Anyways, turn up the spice and add "aquatic accord" to anything and you get this stuff. Also, if you liked this, check out the even spicier GF Ferre Bluemusk.

15th July, 2010.

I bought this on a whim, and almost immediately regretted it. It's so aquatic and fresh that it's beyond cliché. Makes Acqua di Gio smell like Old Spice. But then, when a scent crosses over that far into enemy territory, I confess that my "sympathy for the devil" gene kicks in. Oddly, I reach for this when I want to smell like someone else, someone good (apologies to Lou Reed). Sometimes, I want to walk out the door not feeling like a neurotic mess of complicated shadows (apologies to Elvis Costello).

This is very obviously as synthetic as they come. But again, this scent is so UNLIKE anything I'd wear, yet I find myself wearing it anyway. I have a beautiful, loving collection of the finest top quality fragrances waiting for me at home, yet I find myself stepping out with this cheap street corner floozy on occasion for reasons I can't fathom. (no apologies to Tiger Woods.)

13rd January, 2010.

A little better than the run of the mill aquatic mens' frags but nothing special. 90% of the frags I own my wife does not care for so I broke down and swapped for this b/c she loves it. Why is it that most women only like the generic frags on men? Why can't they love Hinoki One and other more inventive frags????

5th December, 2009.

Notes:
Top: Cardamom, Juniper berry, Alcohol
Middle: Coriander, Aquatic accord
Base: Olibanum, Vetiver, Cedarwood

1 Le Bateleur is for "an accomplished mediterranean Seducer". I like the specific ethnic reference in the promo material, as if that is the reason why spicy notes were added to this woody-aquatic **roll eyes**. The last of the D&G Anthology fragrances in my stash, the finale is anti-climatic... 1 is a by the numbers spicy-woods fragrance with an aquatic heart, a theme made popular 5-7 years ago. Although the execution is smoother than in other designer trash, its disappointing that the aquatic theme wasn't explored in a more daring manner.

1 bursts forth with a whole lot of alcohol with extremely watered down warmth of cardamom and a juniper berry molecule (yes, I added "alcohol" in the pyramid). A smooth and spicy coriander note with a well complemented aquatic accord blossoms in the heart notes .. more coriander than aquatic, a positive for people not big fans of aquatics in general. A couple of hours later, its time to touch base...there's barely any incense, with light vetiver and generic woods the only elements present to show you the door.

1 is extremely uninspiring and watery....but its also one of the few fragrances that does the spicy-aquatic theme well. Some cheaper alternatives such as Escada Moon Sparkle For Men exist on the market, but 1 might be a "classier" more discreet alternative. With the plethora of this type of fragrances on the market, don't expect a lot of seduction ....most women will have a "been there, done him" syndrome if you try to score some points being the 1.

Rating: 5.75/10.0

22nd November, 2009.