Bleecker

Bleecker is Aromara's take on Bond No. 9 Bleecker Street, a fruity-woody unisex fragrance that built a genuine cult following for feeling effortlessly wearable rather than showy. The opening leads with bright bergamot and neroli, given a tart edge by blackcurrant that keeps things from feeling too soft or citrus-generic. Through the heart, jasmine and plum bring a gentle sweetness balanced by a woody facet that hints at where the fragrance is heading. The base settles into vetiver, musk, vanilla and pale woods for a warm, slightly sweet finish that reads clean rather than heavy. Where this dupe falls short of the original is complexity - Bleecker Street's blend feels more three-dimensional, with each note given room to develop, while Aromara's version compresses the same ingredients into a flatter, more immediate composition that peaks early and settles into a simple musk-vanilla base sooner. Longevity and projection are respectable for a 35% extrait, holding a soft presence for several hours. For fans of the original's easy, walk-through-SoHo vibe who don't want to spend £275, this captures enough of the character to be worth trying.