Bad Boy Cobalt Absolute
The strangest thing the house currently sells to men is Carolina Herrera Bad Boy Cobalt Absolute Eau de Parfum, and the material list alone tells you somebody was given room to experiment. It opens cool and resinous. Elemi has a lemony, peppery pine quality, almost like fresh varnish, and blue sage and blue lavender sit on either side of it, the sage herbal and dry, the lavender cold and slightly camphorous rather than soapy. Nothing here is sweet yet.
The middle is where it turns unusual. A mineral blue oud reads as the clean, inky, almost wet stone end of oud instead of the barnyard end, geranium adds a green, leafy sharpness, and white truffle is the material that makes the scent memorable: earthy, savoury, faintly garlicky, the smell of soil and of something expensive at the same time. The base pulls it back towards comfort, with golden vanilla rich and honeyed, oakwood dry and freshly sawn, and vetiver rooty underneath. Nine materials, and the pleasure of it is the argument between the savoury middle and the sweet finish. Whether that argument is enjoyable is a matter of taste, so this is one to sample before buying. At eau de parfum strength it lasts well, eight hours or so, with firm projection in the first hour and a dense trail afterwards. One or two sprays is sufficient and three is too many.
Cold weather and evenings suit it, and it is aimed at men, though the truffle and vanilla combination is not really gendered. It is a collector's bottle more than a daily one. The label grew out of New York fashion, where its founder, born in Venezuela, showed a first collection in 1981. Puig of Spain has been making the perfumes under licence since 1988 and has owned the clothing company since 1995.
Please note: images are a guide only. Packaging and bottle design may occasionally differ from those shown due to manufacturer updates or promotions.
Similar Notes
The Scent Vault
Join thousands earning on every order
Earn points as you shop, redeem for money off, and unlock member perks.
Find out more
The Scent Vault Gift Cards
Give the gift of choice
One card, every scent. Let them pick the fragrance that is truly them. Send it instantly by email, or schedule it for a future date with a message of your own.
Shop gift cards
