The Different Company was launched in 2000 by nose Jean-Claude Ellena and art director/designer Thierry de Baschmakoff. De Bachmakov was inspired by the Grasse-born de Baschmakoff’s Russian heritage and was launched in 2010.

It opens with a cold blast of bergamot and alcohol – like lemon and vodka – how very Russian. Now, it gets interesting. As the top notes fade, craie douce appears, adding its soft mineral/musky/woody facet as the backdrop for the whole scent. Next, shiso leaf adds a green, herby, minty note, while coriander leaf adds a gentle spiciness – very exotic. The kicker is the freesia and jasmine, which add a gorgeous floral dimension right at heart and set the stage for the base of warm, spicy nutmeg and piney, woody cedar, with that craie douce always playing in the background.

De Bachmakov starts out cold and angular, and while it gets warmer, greener, and floral, it never loses its cool. It is a unique, gorgeous scent that stays close to the skin. A real winner from The Different Company.

Notes: bergamot, aldehydes, shiso leaves, coriander leaves, freesia, jasmine, nutmeg, cedar and craie douce.