Hermes, Bel Ami - Review

Apart from reviewing the current version of this classic Hermes, I thought i'd also do a little comparison with a 2007 vintage sample I had on hand.
What's your experience with this one? Tried any of its more expensive 'inspirations'?
Here are my other Hermes reviews:

As always, comments are loved, likes are appreciated, and subscribers are my friends.

[BlogJustice]

Very nice review, Pep. This is my SOTD on a sunny early spring day here in Bristol, England. As I potter around the garden in old jeans and a sweatshirt, I'm feeling a tad underdressed for this beautiful, complex fragrance. I haven't worn them side-by-side yet, but I detect an echo of Antaeus here too (although Antaeus is more forthright). If you like this one, check out Bel Ami Vetiver, which clearly shares the same DNA; I marginally prefer the latter, but both are sublime. Class in a bottle.

[MsDuke]

Thanks for review! Thoughtful and honest as always. It's interesting to me to see how more expensive fragrances than original are called inspirations and cheaper one's clones. I think there should be one common name for all.

[benchampion]

Nice one Pep👍🏻 love Bel Ami and interesting to hear your thoughts on these two formulations. I have the current one which I think is great. I may get a mini of the deep vintage one day.

[RamseytheRam]

I love the first reformulation the best the one you are comparing with the shoulder pad looking shoulders not the original shaker. If we are going with newer iterations bel ami vetiver takes the cake. And i do own fetish pour homme and in my opinion it is rojas "improvement" if you will on bel ami. Opens with that coca cola vibw you get from enigma but as it reaches the dry down it will really remind you of bel ami or moschino pour homme if you know that one. Very similar to both but of the 3 i think i prefer bel ami.
-Ramsey

[UnknownChap]

A house in general I've criminally overlooked, great to learn more about this one from you 🍀

[mioshkah]

Wow! So often you pick up the very same vintagies I have and love which is amazing. I enjoy the current Bel Ami a lot. Totally agree with the comparison to Puredistance M. Puredistances in general remind me of some very good oldies. Not to say they were dupes but at least inspired by the vintages.

[alonsonomad]

I'd say it's balsamic to my nose. Very manly fragrance it is! Thank you for the wonderful review, sir!

[EastMontana]

Glad that you made this review on it. Not a lot of people know about it. 👍

[bobperricone]

I had the original yrs ago and i feel the difference was in a more "rich" warmer scent profile..the current one as of 2023 at least is "thinner" and somehow drier..That could be because of a less floral use in the new one?...In any case I enjoy the current formulation in that it holds up to the original

[JONATHAN-dbry]

I enjoy the comparison video Pep... In the last year I've started to explore indie, niche, and naturals houses.... And have learned of the process of maceration since some of these houses release fragrances directly after bottling... I wonder then if the maceration or maturing process doesn't also apply to older perfumes... Including the dissipation of top notes.... Most wines and fine alcohols are most sought after with age.... So there are my thoughts and I wonder why I never hear an exploration of this idea... Thanks again Pep. ✌️

[MrBassrazz]

Hi Pep. Having spent time with all three versions, I have to agree with your opinions on the newer editions. In my opinion, Pure Distance M is a close dupe to the original bell jar version. But vintage bel jar is even more expensive than M!

[tinkeviitanen]

Really enjoyed this video Pep! I think that the current version is really good. I was lucky to get the original bottle lately and it’s wonderful but the differences between all these versions are not that big. That mossy part that you mentioned and in the original I actually get more of that actual leather that has bit more kick in it but other than that the current is doing really good job and yes I find it also more ”refined” and smoother. So I couldn’t be happier with the original but it’s not worth the crazy 200 eur prices that people are asking for it.

[CH-ypby]

I have tested a decant of Bel Ami and Bel Ami Vetiver, I bought Bel Ami Vetiver its a Jean Claude Elena masterpiece! But I seriously like both of them. Would be keen to see your comparisons on these two.

[theudopantograph]

Well, when you put it that way, you make me want it, Pep!

[Jonathans_Watches_Fragrances]

Nice video as always Pep! I’ve only sampled the newest version and thought it was fantastic!

[JohmathanBSwift]

I have the 3rd iteration . It's only 15 mls, but I do want to get the other previous .
That would be 45 mls and that's more than enough.
I do very much enjoy Bel Ami

[iammai]

I've been considering the vetiver variant of this as a professional's daily driver for an upcoming career change. Once again you do justice to your subject, Pep. Thanks.

[robertperricone]

I purchased the original version back in the "day" and I must say it was very potent..the melange of the notes were somehow much more "present" and up front..so it was a stronger composition. I bought a few of them over those first years and then I went away from the scent. About ten yrs ago i purchased the second iteration which i think might be the older version that you have?..and i do have a few ml's left..in fact its odd that i was just considering buying the new version a few minutes ago before seeing your review pop up...it was a click away but i said..ill use my few mls up first..lol.. I will sometime in the coming month or so purchase the new version. I have loved this fragrance for much of my life. I am not a person who really enjoys gourmands at all and i never loved really sweet or sweet leaning perfume. So Bel Ami has been a solid part of my fall/winter rotation. I guess i appreciate Chypre fragrances best...and i know they are not "in" mainly now but I wear what pleases me. Thank you for your review..its much appreciated...Bob

[simoncooney]

A well balanced review. I have sniffed but never owned. Its going on the list to try and maybe buy.

[impsire]

I have a bottle of the 1986 original, about two-thirds full. How sought-after is it?