El Born (2014)
by Carner Barcelona

Tuned up notes of citrus, boisterous angelica, gooey honey, and super-massive vanilla. Very rich. A spray or two will do ya. Middle becomes a bit smoky, dirty, with benzoin and jasmine. I get some fig - not too much. Strong sandalwood later. Vanilla mellows. Balsam and musk arrive. Assertive and not for everyone.

El Born is seemingly the most currently-discussed fragrance from the Carner Barcelona line-up, and since it's framed in many circles as being vanilla-centric, it's no surprise that it would make the rounds.

I agree that vanilla is main player, if I had to choose one, but for me there's a lot more going in El Born, which has a resinous, spicy, floral, and perhaps even citrus side. I get hints of the benzoin, balsam, and jasmine, and perhaps the musk, but the citrus is totally lost in me in opening, so on my skin it comes subtly.

Longevity is very good but projection is not impressive for the cold-weather-leaning nature of the fragrance. Still, it's certainly good enough as far as performance.

Overall it's lovely and provocative--resinous, spicy, slightly floral/woody. I quite enjoy it, and need to sample it more, but tentatively the only thing about I don't like is the retail pricing ($180 for 100ml, $120 for 50ml on Twisted Lily and other US sources), though I'm told there are much better deals to be found.

El Born is a very promising, interesting spin on an otherwise somewhat redundant vanilla genre.

8 out of 10

This is a fantastic gourmand from start to finish. Nice citrus, vanilla, benzoin and some honey. Amazing quality as well. Projection and sillage above average on my skin. For this price get a sample and see if it works with your chemistry. Awesome juice... Enjoy!

Stardate 20170425:

Don't like this one. Has similar accords as one of the Afteliers. Fig one perhaps. Just dislike it. Rotten fruits up top and too dry and dusty later on.
I think fig is not for me.

What a lovely fragrance this is. it reminds me of Autumn. When i smell it i get the image of sitting in a patio of a dessert shop having vanilla ice cream with raisins on an early autumn humid day surrounded by some plants. then it starts raining after a long dry period which leads to that unique smell of the water mixing in with the dust on the plants and the ground.
this is not a vanilla dominated scent by any means.
The performance is moderate
Overall Rating : 8.8 / 10