Sybaris by Antonio Puig

Choosing between three Puig jewels is a tough call: Quorum, Agua Brava (that laurel is pure delight), and Sybaris, which is the absolute standout. The bottle is simple yet features Art Deco and futuristic details very much of the eighties. The scent is intoxicating; it hits hard with juniper, cumin, patchouli, citrus, basil, and cloves. It’s a tough, typical scheme of the era, but the real magic arrives when Sybaris drops its guard: ambered cinnamon, flowers (geranium, jasmine), and a perfect Mysore sandalwood intricately woven with the patchouli. The spices and herbs recede to support rather than dominate. The leather isn’t the star, but it adds a multi-layered, suede-like, smoky character. It starts sharp, herbal, and citrusy, then settles into something floral, patchouli-musked, and mossy with hints of cinnamon and sandalwood. That’s where it shines: warm, creamy, and cosy. An exquisite fragrance worthy of the icons of its time.

Will Puig ever consider relaunching its great fragrances like Moana, Zambra, Dore, Diagonal, Verte, or Azur? The ones that truly arrived and were treasures in every perfumery; today, not one exists. It all feels like a Primor-style supermarket where you have to search high and low just to find a box. Years ago, even the smallest detail was available in the Puig line. I can’t finish without remembering Estivalia, magical and unique. A friend of arts and design says that when Estivalia returns, everything will feel much more human.

I tried it today and it took a moment to get used to at first, but once it dries down it smells fantastic—animalic and earthy. Sybaris is a great eighties fragrance that reminds me a lot of Dior’s Jules, though lighter and less serious. It comes in a 30ml box with a 20g soap for $15. I still think I have time to pick one up.

This fragrance was a childhood dream. It was scarce in my country and when it launched I was a child with no money for something like this. I never heard of it, but the ad caught my eye: a fragrance for a man who loved beauty or luxury. Now, I never thought I would get it as a vintage find and that it would meet my expectations. It opens with soft citrus (mandarin) and strong green/aldehydic notes; it gave me an impression of being earthy or powdery. Then come the classic florals with sage and clove. At four hours it reminded me of parts of Givenchy Gentleman, Salvador Dali 1992 and Ralph Lauren Safari. At seven hours, strong patchouli and vetiver, more like Gentleman. At twelve hours, soft patchouli, amber, leather and incense. I believe it drew inspiration from the elegance of Gentleman, like a younger sibling, and that style continued with Safari and Salvador. The trail is moderate (it gets heavy with over-application) and the longevity is over 12 hours. It is for those who love the beauty of the classics.