Francique 63.55

The Scent Profile

Francique 63.55 opens with a cardamom blast. It's potent, a touch rougher than the refined spice in Gris Charnel. The fig note is present but less creamy, more of a green fig leaf. Black tea emerges quickly, lending a dry, slightly bitter counterpoint. The heart aims for iris and vetiver, but the iris is muted. The vetiver leans heavily into a woody, slightly harsh bourbon aspect. The sandalwood in the base is noticeable, but has a synthetic cedar-like edge that wasn't present in the original. The tonka is there, but acts only as a grounding agent. Side-by-side, it captures about 85% of Gris Charnel's DNA but lacks the smoothness.

The Performance Stats

Longevity is surprisingly decent. I get about 6-7 hours on skin. Projection is moderate for the first hour, then settles closer to the body. Not a room filler. You'll notice it, and others will if they're close.

Conclusion

This is a decent attempt at a popular fragrance, but the synthetic facets can be distracting if you're very familiar with Gris Charnel. If you want a sandalwood-forward, slightly spicy and woody scent and price is your main concern, Francique 63.55 is a serviceable option. However, if you crave the rounded, luxurious feel of the original BDK, it's worth saving up. Gris Charnel is easily 3x the quality and worth the extra cost.