Bel Ami

Bel Ami, inspired by Hermès Bel Ami (1986)

Bel Ami starts with citrus and herbs, bergamot and lemon lifted by sage and a cool thread of cardamom. The leather arrives early and from then on sets the tone. Carnation and orris give the heart a spiced, slightly powdery edge, while patchouli and cedar keep it earthy. Oakmoss, the lichen behind the classic chypre structure, and styrax resin make the base dark and dry, with only a trace of vanilla.

About the original

Hermès launched Bel Ami in 1986, and it is usually credited to Jean-Louis Sieuzac. Its name nods to Guy de Maupassant's novel Bel-Ami. Hermès itself describes it as a woody leather built on patchouli, leather and cistus labdanum. A flanker, Bel Ami Vétiver, followed in 2013 and is a separate scent. Long-time wearers report that today's bottles are lighter than those from the 1980s to the 2000s.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Hermès stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Men who grew up around classic chypres will recognise its structure at once. It is dry, animalic and mossy, with no modern sweetness to round it off, so a buyer expecting a smooth, vanillic leather may find it austere.

Related scents

• Moschino Pour Homme
• Hermes Terre d'Hermes

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: Sage, Bergamot, Cardamom, Mandarin Orange, Lemon

Heart notes: Carnation, Patchouli, Cedar, Orris Root, Basil, Jasmine

Base notes: Leather, Oakmoss, Styrax, Vetiver, Amber, Vanilla, Coconut

Bergamot, mandarin and lemon open it, with sage giving the citrus an herbal bitterness and cardamom a cool spice.

The middle is built on carnation, orris root and jasmine, with basil and cedar. Patchouli brings an earthy, slightly damp depth that leads straight into the leather.

The drydown is leather over oakmoss, styrax and vetiver, eased a little by amber, vanilla and a faint coconut note.

Is this the original Bel Ami or Bel Ami Vétiver?

The original Bel Ami from 1986, which Hermès sells as an eau de toilette. Bel Ami Vétiver (2013) is a separate flanker.

Is Bel Ami sweet?

No. There is a little vanilla and amber in the base, but the overall character is leather, moss and patchouli.

How does it compare with Moschino Pour Homme?

The two are often compared, particularly against older Bel Ami. Moschino Pour Homme leans more herbal, with lavender and rosemary, and is no longer listed by Moschino. We make both.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Hermès and Bel Ami are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Hermès in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.