galahad

In The Bottle

Mainly soft pine - fir perhaps?

On Application

Eucalyptus and fir

Dry Down

I don't really get any berry. Not for me.

Rating (0-5)

1

In The Bottle

Jamine and spice

On Application

Strong jasmine and lemon. The lemon tames the jasmine somewhat

Dry Down

Not bad but I am not a jasmine fan

Rating (0-5)

1.5

In The Bottle

The jasmine scares me but surprisingly I can smell daffodil

On Application

Surprisingly plummy with a floral backing. The jasmine and orchid seem to be behaving

Dry Down

The combination of plum, florals and musk give this a surprising tea-like scent. I like it but don't love it

Rating (0-5)

2.5

In The Bottle

Veeery woody and spicy. Definitely clove and pepper. Love!

On Application

Wow this is powerful. Very, very dry and spicy.

Dry Down

There is almost a soft vanillary note in this which I think might be the skin musk which pulls the shapr spices back a bit. Overall this smells like an old wooden spice chest which has been well used. A definite bottle of this in my future.

Rating (0-5)

5

In The Bottle

Fruity and buttery brandy. I'm scared as butter doesn't work on me!

On Application

The butter note immediately dissipates on the skin leaving an incredibly rich brandy/pastry/fruit scent.

Dry Down

This really doesn't morph from the above. It stays rich, boozey and kind of foody. I like it but not a bottle purchase for me, I think

Rating (0-5)

3.5

In The Bottle

I get bay, bourbon vanilla and patchoulil with a touch of clove and a general greenness. Smells amazing in the bottle

On Application

As amazing as this was in the bottle multiply that by 100 once it touches skin. The sandalwood is definitely toasted! Dry, woody and slightly spicy

Dry Down

Damn! I wish I had ordered 10 bottles of this before it disappeared. As most of the other reviewers have pointed out this has the lovely soft and smooth clove that Beth uses. It is golden and glowing. Just stunning. I know Beth does amazing ice/snow and dirt based scents but it always amazes me how she can get the feeling of fur/feathers in a scent. Mole was a classic example and this is another. While this does go through an unsettling celery stage as it dries down I am sure that will disappear as the bottle ages.

Rating (0-5)

5

In The Bottle

Bay rum and OMG leather in the bottle

On Application

Quite cool and dank on the skin. Definitely leather and bay rum with a woody resin which i assume is the massoia bark.

Dry Down

This ranks up there with my favourite leather scents (Brom Bones, Western Diamondback, The Black Rider) yet is very different for any of those primarily due to the bay rum and opium residue. The wool note that I love from BPAL comes out quite quickly. This is the only scent from the Neverwhere range that I absolutely had to try and I am gald I did. I love it. The end result is kind of green herbal, leather and incense.

Rating (0-5)

4.5

In The Bottle

Tobacco and smoke with just a faint trace of leather

On Application

Seems to have a good dose of vetiver in this. Very smoky and that is all I smell at this stage

Dry Down

Surprisingly this softens quite quickly with the smoke/vetiver backing away to let through the glorious tobacco and something that smells suspiciously like a man's cologne. And then it becomes soft, papery and dusty with a whiff of incense. The leather backs everything up but is not really apparent. Gorgeous

Rating (0-5)

4.5

In The Bottle

Sweet and sharp. I get a strong liquorice/anise vibe

On Application

The mildew note is prominent and kind of funky and then the tea quickly comes through strongly with a touch of vanilla smoothness. It still has an anise quality to it.

Dry Down

I was really looking forward to the mildewed raincoat note as this is a really comforting memory scent for me and I am not disappointed as this dries down. This is a new love for me. It is strangely soft and very definitely masculine for me ( I rarely put masculine and femine attributes to BPAL scents). Lovely and I suspect will age superbly.

Rating (0-5)

4.5

In The Bottle

Boozy, boozy rum and lime

On Application

Definitely fruity with the rum. The lime keeps it from becoming super syrupy

Dry Down

This is an amazing morpher on me. From the initial burts of rum and fruit it changes to strong ginger and then if goes kind of perfumey floral before the ginger comes back. I kind of like it but I hope it ages nicely.

Rating (0-5)

3.5

Theodosius

In The Bottle

Rich red musk with a hint of strawberry

On Application

I can definitely smell both musks which collide uncomfortably initially and then settle down to play nicer together. No fruit

Dry Down

It takes a wee while for the strawberry to emerge through the thick red musk, but when it does it turns the whole blend into a lovely, sweet musky and slightly powdery scent. My male skin turns "girly" scents into smokey, sexy scents. I love it.

Rating (0-5)

4

In The Bottle

Definitely a bit of lily of the valley and some resins

On Application

Awful rose

Dry Down

This goes funky rose/toilet spray after a while. Not a good mix for me.

Rating (0-5)

0

In The Bottle

Not much of anything. Slightly floral

On Application

Man. This is one of the most "perfumey" of BPALs I have tried. It's not screeching floral though. It is smooth and creamy and lovely

Dry Down

The vanilla note is gorgeous. It is not pervasive but it is just there mellowing everything out. Strangely this is like a floral Black Lace for me (and I love Black Lace) - subtly smokey and decadent. An instant bottle purchase for me.

Rating (0-5)

5

In The Bottle

Ylang ylang and woods

On Application

The iris quickly comes to the fore with it's vaguely violet-like scent

Dry Down

This definitely has a blue feel, or more like deep lavender. It is not exactly smooth but it is deep and complex. Morphs from creamy floral to woody to herbal and flits between these.

Rating (0-5)

3

In The Bottle

Sweet, creamy floral

On Application

Much greener on first application. Greenery with moonflower

Dry Down

Almost a fruity vibe to this. Has a definite tropical feel. I love moonflower but can't differentiate the other elements. Would be a great spring scent.

Rating (0-5)

3.5

In The Bottle

Definitely purple and creamy

On Application

Whoa! Plum with a floral undertone

Dry Down

Blends out to a great combination of all three elements. The plums are tart and juicy. The wildflowers are herby and very summery. The cream is thick and rich. The blend never turns sour although it has a couple of moments of almost doing that. I absolutely love this one. I really need to give Marchen more attention!

Rating (0-5)

4.5

Kumari Kandam is quite icy for me

In The Bottle

Incensey/patchouli

On Application

Dusty/dry/ Patchouli and copal. Love

Dry Down

This is so not what I was expecting from this blend. So dry and dusty it makes my nostrils shrivel up. I love it! Smells of an old wooden chest. No heliotrope.

Rating (0-5)

4.5

In The Bottle

Abolutely dragon's blood and musk. I might actually like this dragons blood blend

On Application

Straight, strong dragons blood

Dry Down

The musks very quickly assert themselves, thankfully, cutting through the dragons blood. And then the DB is back with a vengeance. The dry down is very nice though.

Rating (0-5)

4

In The Bottle

Definitely vetiver with a light floral overtone

On Application

Vetiver with a little musk and opoponax

Dry Down

This reminds me so much of Smokestack to start with - all bitter, smoky creosote - which I like. This softens as it dries down but effectively doesn't morph. I ike it but not enough for a bottle purchase, which is academic now anyway since it has been discontinued.

Rating (0-5)

3

In The Bottle

Hmmm...slightly fruity and slightly aquatic

On Application

Initially, kind of green but this changes almost immediately to salty aquatic and rum with almost a caramel undertone.

Dry Down

This is a really interesting morpher. The aquatic aspect is always there but the musky leather and patchouli emerge later but disappear on occasion to let the other elements through. Eventually I get the "tang' of gunpowder. I love it.

Rating (0-5)

4.5

Has to be Western Diamondback

Reading this thread has made me want to add a snake to my next order! I've never tried any of the Snake Pits OR Snake Oil (I know, I know, it's some kind of BPAL blasphemy) but Western Diamondback, Habu, and Temple Viper seem like they might appeal. I'm leaning toward Western Diamondback because I like warm, soft scents and with the leather, tonka, and sandalwood that sounds like what it might be. Anyone have any opinions specifically on which are the cuddliest snakes?

Definitely Western Diamondback but don't overlook Banded Sea Snake which I adore, especillay when aged