Carbone De Balmain by Pierre Balmain, 2010

There's a candy called "Nik-L-Nips" which are essentially little wax bottles filled with colored fruit flavored sugar water. The opening of Carbone smells very much like these candies to my nose. But since that's an obscure, personal reference, I'll put it in simpler terms. Carbone opens with a slightly sweet, slightly dark fruit note (fig, I guess) over some woods which predominantly smell of cedar and possess a definite waxiness. It reminds me very much of a new pencil with an eraser, freshly sharpened with some of the shavings still lying around. However, the incense, elemi, and benzoin are blended very well with the woods, and maintain a certain kind of low vibration which envelopes the cedar and restrains it. What results is a soft, round fragrance that is accentuated by just a touch of sweetness. Carbone is quiet and stays close to the skin. I wouldn't mind if it were a little bit louder, but there is something I appreciate about its reservedness as well. It is easy to wear and I can't see it ever becoming intrusive or offending anyone. A nice, casual choice for Fall and Winter wear, Carbone bears some resemblance to Gucci Pour Homme,Eau Des Baux, and even Tommy Bahama original, though it is quieter and ultimately different than both. As stated earlier, projection is soft to moderate. Longevity is moderate also. The bottle is nothing to write home about and I find the cap and atomizer below average. Still, a 100ml bottle can be had for under $35, and in my opinion, it's worth the juice inside.