Absolute Blu
Bulgari (2002)

The ginger in both Blv and Absolvte Blv does nice, warm things on my skin. I definitely notice the ginger in this one but would agree that it is somewhat de-natured. I find that I stop being able to smell it within an hour, except as a skin scent, but others do still smell it if they get close to me, and I have received several random compliments wearing this out-and-about. Awesome daytime and work-safe fragrance, as all report it as a "fresh, clean" scent on me, with only modest projection. I know ginger doesn't work on everybody, but Bvlgari's versions of it work miracles on me. I prefer this over the regular Blv (Blv is murkier, spicier, more (apparently) complex, but less fresh), and am deeply sorry that I can't seem to find it anymore, except in (expensive) sample sizes. (Do I use enough parentheses? (-: )

I am not a fan of the original Blus. The Nottes are a little better because they have greatly tempered the dreaded ginger note. This one, Bulgari Blu Absolute, in a way does not belong in the same family: The ginger note has been greatly reduced, or at least greatly disguised. But what is left? …a ghost version of the original Blu's that has rather the same positives and negatives as the originals. Except for the dry but very soft tobacco note and the receding tea note (both quite temporary) there is only the reticent vanilla and the ghost of ginger in a neutral, barely spicy, rather abstract accord – nthny may be right about identifying it as nail polish remover. Whatever this abstract accord is, it is a bit mysterious and I think I find it beautiful – but I'm not sure. Let me put it this way: I would find it extraordinarily beautiful to catch a whiff of it from a passerby. But I wouldn't find it beautiful if I had to smell it for any kind of extended period. I think that this is a trickster of a fragrance: In spite of its seeming light and neutral compared to the originals, Bulgari Blu Absolute is a potent fragrance and it has the same potential of the original Blu's to become cloying if too much is applied or if a person is exposed to it for too long of period. Whatever…it is not an ordinary fragrance…it is challenging and it is a hard call…today I will vote thumbs up; maybe not tomorrow.

I don't see how this is more feminine than any of the other frangrances in the Blu line-up, including those for men. Continuing with the ode to baby wipes theme that pervades these fragrances, but with a alcohol/glass-like clarity at the beginning. With the other Blu's I sense they will get richer (especially the Notte's), even at the beginning when the fresh notes hang in the air... this one tells me it will stay lighter, fresher. The opening is almost like The Dreamer, but please don't get me wrong, it's not even close to the genius that is the Versace. After the initial burst I get a dry tobaco leaf coupled with tea leaf note that still doesn't hint at being particularly feminine at all. A bit later a slight anise note comes through slowly but very surely, and it almost hints at nail polish remover. Actually, that olfactory memory hovers over this composition from the beginning. Is this mysterious note the ginger from the other Blu fragrances? This fragrance is so clear and crystaline. It's actually quite beautiful in an alcohol type of sweetness that can only be explaned in the chemical sweetness that comes from nailpolish remover. That sounds bad but it's actually not. It's unique and that's why I can appreciate it but would never imagine buying it.