The Different Company has launched Sublime Balkiss, a "surprising fragrance, with a familiar touch to it". It is named for Balkiss, aka the Queen of Sheba, and is described as a modern chypre fragrance without oakmoss (real or synthetic) or animal-derived raw materials.
Sublime Balkiss was developed by perfumer Celine Ellena, and features two kinds of patchouli: the traditional essence, and a modified modern patchouli which emphasizes the cocoa powder notes. Additional notes for Sublime Balkiss include bergamot, violet, black and purple berries, blueberry, blackberry, blackcurrant, lily of the valley, rose and lilac.
The Different Company Sublime Balkiss is available in 50 and 90 ml Eau de Parfum. (via thedifferentcompany, osmoz) Update: see a review of The Different Company Sublime Balkiss.
Twice the patchouli? That's kind of too bad. Sounds kind of interesting to me otherwise, sort of like AG Eau de Charlotte.
But who knows…it isn't necessarily heavy on patchouli just because they used 2 kinds, right? We'll see…I haven't really adored any of the TDCs from Celine Ellena yet. Sel de Vetiver is the closest, actually, but that one probably has more patchouli than I like…
Including me…
I quite like Sel de Vetiver, too, just haven't felt moved to buy it. I'm pinning my hopes on it being a “chypre”, here, and hope you are right about the patch.
Ooh, that sounds interesting and even delightful! I think Celine is quite talented, and I love Sel de Vetiver. She is growing as a perfumer, and may become (dare I say it!) more versatile in her style than her dad, whose creations all seem to smell the same lately.
Hugs!
(Small voice)…how are you supposed to pronounce it?
Vi, I'm with you. I also like Jasmin de Nuit very much and think Celine has great potential.
I love the sounds of this new one!!!!
As far as Papa goes, if you haven't yet sniffed Un Jardin Apres la Mousson, you might want to. It's MUCH different than his previous efforts. Not many posters have said good things about it (our Robin included) but some, including this girl, think it's quite fascinatingly and deliciously different.
Doesn't PdN have a scent called Balkis (one 's')?! Talk about confusion…
I've been wondering what TDC's next launch would be. I of course want to sniff this — a lot of notes, but could be good if the fruit and floral is tempered by the patch. I'm still trying to get my hands on a 10ml Bergamote. I wish they released all their scents in the 10ml x 3 “48 heures” format. I love those tiny bottles!
Violetnoir, I agree she is talented! I did not like the trio they did last — it seemed rushed — but still, she knows what she's doing.
Bite your tongue about “more versatile in style” though, LOL…you know we don't allow anyone to diss JCE around here
Yes, and it seems to me there's yet another that I can't think of??? Maybe not.
I'm assuming this will be in the 10 ml things eventually? And in the 250 ml estagnon, which is great for splitting.
I want this!
I agree, I thought the trio was surprisingly poor. I love Jasmine de Nuit and Sel de Vetiver, so I was expecting better. I'm looking forward to this new one – is it actually out yet? As in, will Patty be bringing it back in her suitcase for us all to scavenge?
It seems to be for sale on the TDC site, so I'd guess yes, P will be carrying some home!
Hope it does not take too long to get to the US then
I don't think SdV was ever released in the 10ml version, so I didn't know if they were still doing that with the newer scents. The estagnons scare me… they look to be the size of torpedoes… but I'm sure they're great for splitting.
BTW, did I ever mention how much I love Bois d'Iris? I think it's the most calming scent I own.
LOL! I know, I know, but lately I have been feeling that his releases have all been stamped with that “transparency” thing he has going on, although the quality of his fragrances are the very best that money can buy.
Please excuse me if I offended any of his fans. I, too, have been one!
Peace!
Hint: Make sure you call it subLEEM if you want to be oh-so-Frenchified!!
The name is a bit unfortunate when placed in the anglo-saxon context…lol.
I know, I know, LOL…but I like the transparency thing, although I did not like Mousson. I will excuse you
Just checked the website — SdV is in the 10 ml refills. Don't know how widely distributed though…
Bois d'Iris is great stuff, and I'm all out!
Gosh, Robin, if you dislike Mousson that much, dram yourself a decant and sell the rest of your 100ml bottle to me. Ha! I almost cried a little yesterday when I broke my sample bottle and I'm going to need either another decant or a 50ml bottle soon.
I WILL be testing Un Jardin Apres Le Mousson this week-end, it arrived in Prague at the Hermes boutique. Finally!
I am a huge fan of JCE !!! Elixir de Merveilles works a merveille on me but I like the others too. He is pure elegance and QUALITY.
Drat. I was excited about a new TDC, but any kind of fruit/patchouli combo always turns to cat pee on me. I'll scrounge for a sample, though. *sigh*
Oh, so sorry you broke your sample!
As I said in another comment thread yesterday, I've given and/or swapped away so much of it that there isn't enough left to sell. Hope you'll be able to hold out until it goes to discount!
Oh dear! Well, that's more $$ saved.
Bois d'Iris, is definately my favorite of TDC's catalog. To me it is springtime in a bottle. The only one I don't like at all is rose poivre, which is dissappointing since I had high expectations.
Divine Bergamote is probably my favorite, but Bois d'Iris is a close second. Rose was not for me either, and after all this time I'm still puzzling over the Osmanthus…