Myriad 86

Myriad 86 is The Parfum Hub's take on Byredo Bal d'Afrique (2009), one of the house's most iconic releases and known for its unusual use of African marigold (tagetes) in the citrus opening. The notes follow the original's structure: Amalfi lemon, tagetes, blackcurrant, bergamot and African orange flower open with a bright, slightly bitter-green citrus, violet, cyclamen and jasmine soften the heart, and vetiver, musk, amber and Virginia cedar settle into a warm, creamy base. The tagetes-citrus opening is the note that sets Bal d'Afrique apart from ordinary citrus-woody fragrances, and this version gives a fair impression of that slightly bitter, aromatic green quality. Longevity is a widely-discussed weak point even for the genuine Byredo version, with reviewers reporting anywhere from two to six hours, and this dupe sits at the shorter end of that range, fading to a faint skin scent within a couple of hours. A joyful, sophisticated citrus for anyone curious about Bal d'Afrique's signature marigold twist.