Byzance (2019)

First off, this fragrance doesn’t resemble the original Byzance at all—it’s entirely new. Second, you really have to spray it on warm skin to fully experience its complexity and how it evolves beyond what the notes alone suggest. If L'Instant Magic and Hypnotic Poison had a baby, this would be it. Upon first spray, it feels similar to L'Instant Magic, with anise and iris notes, along with a heavenly powdery vanilla scent that reminds me of Guerlinade. But then, as the fragrance dries down, it shifts from that angelic, fluffy quality to something sultry and sensual—carnal flowers, almond, sandalwood, leaning into an oriental bouquet. It’s like a modern take on the genre that’s both beautiful and addictive. The longevity is impressive too—I sprayed it on my neck in the morning, and I could still smell it at night after four sprays. Plus, the bottle is stunning, possibly even better than the original.

I can tell this is similar to Dior Addict. The vanilla scent lingers long after washing, even with vigorous rubbing.

When I first spray Byzance, it hits as pretty spicy with a strong male energy. I don’t think there’s any vanilla in here. It then settles into this musky, earthy vibe, which makes me think of the patients from the Middle East I've cared for. Their rooms always had this distinct scent, though I can't pinpoint which exact ingredients are causing it—though I know it's something you get a lot over there. And honestly, I’ve never seen anything like it in Western perfumes. It fades fast into a warm, woodsy skin scent—that’s not bad, but I might not reach for it again though.

This sweet Byzance perfume gradually reveals itself as a soft and elegant vanilla powder after a few moments. It reminds me of how Shalimar's vanilla legacy is to Shalimar what this new Byzance is to the original—both share that oriental, dreamy vibe. While the DNA of classic perfumery is still present, it’s far from being weighed down by those old-school, tobacco-numbed nostrils. Instead, it’s a wake-up call for modern senses. The bottle itself feels like it's capturing that dreamy essence. I compared the new version to the older one, which I still have in a small vial. I tested both on my wrists. The original didn’t do it for me—too much like Poison for my taste. This new one is entirely different and I’m really glad I got it.

The note structure of the 2017 version is pretty similar to the original formula. However, a friend who tried it mentioned it doesn't come close to the original formula's depth. Since I haven't had the chance to compare it to the original, all I can say is that this new version seems quite different from what I remember. The only sure way to know if Rochas managed to capture the magic of the original is to try it yourself—it might not hold up.