119 Blue

Blossom Perfumery's No. 119 is built on the same skeleton as Chanel's Bleu de Chanel: a sharp citrus opening of grapefruit, lemon and mint over an aromatic ginger and jasmine heart, settling into sandalwood, cedar, vetiver and incense. The recognisable shape is there and it reads unmistakably 'Bleu-adjacent' on first spray. Where it falls short is the base - the incense and labdanum feel two-dimensional rather than smoky and resinous, and the whole composition sits closer to the skin with noticeably less projection past the first hour. It is a serviceable everyday-office scent at a fraction of the price, but anyone who knows the original will clock the difference in richness by the second half of the wear.