Basile Uomo Forte
Basile (1989)

Basile Uomo Forte by Basile Profumi (1989) is a short-lived early flanker to the original Basile Uomo by Basile Profumi (1987), a mostly-unsung Italian drugstore staple cologne that could be considered the Victor Aqua di Selva (1949) of the 1980's. Whereas Basile Uomo is an aromatic, fresh green leather chypre with a soft jasmine lift and heart of chewy artemisia and herbs, Basile Uomo Forte goes into an entirely unrelated semi-oriental fougère direction that doesn't really feel "forte" at all. It's easy to see why this was forgotten and never made it past the initial S.I.R.P.E.A. s.p.a. bottling run, as no Weruska & Joel or later bottles exist of it, and its mostly due to being in a style that was at the time over-represented on the market, and in direct opposition to the lighter and fresher fragrances taking over that level of the market when Basile Uomo Forte originally released. Being a little rarer and perhaps pricier too, I'd only seek this out if you absolutely love the style it exhibits, as it can feel a bit redundant to casual fans of semi-oriental "mature men's" fragrances. In my case, I love these things, and any reasonable chance to smell high-quality amber, sandalwood, and spices together is going to be taken on my end.

Of course, success or lack thereof does not a fragrance make, at least not on an artistic or substantial level, and Basile Uomo Forte is quite good if you're in the mood for a fragrance that can trace its DNA all the way back to Pierre Cardin pour Monsieur (1972). The opening here is classic semi-oriental territry with mandarin, lemon, bergamot, and cinnamon. The artemisia returns from Basile Uomo proper, but not much else save the jasmine comes back. The heart of spiced carnation really reminds me of Caron Le 3ême Homme (1985) although Uomo Forte doesn't stay that way for long, and this is because a noticeable sandalwood note like in the venerable Gucci pour Homme (1976) shows up alongside a significant oakmoss bite a la Gianfranco Ferré for Man (1986). Amber, patchouli, vetiver, tonka, and incense round out the finish. Performance is about on par with the original, but trades in some projection for longevity due to the density of the formula. I'd say Basile Uomo Forte could almost be a night time alternative to Basile Uomo's mostly daytime-centric design, although I would wear it anytime if weather permits. Some would call this formal, and I can see that being the case, as Basile Uomo Forte dresses up nice.

With things like Patou pour Homme (1980), Versace L'Homme (1984), and Creed Bois du Portugal (1987) already on the market, plus Tiffany for Men (1989) and Chanel pour Monsieur Eau de Toilette Concentrée (1989) released right alongside Basile Uomo Forte, it really had a snowball's chance in Hell to actually have the success of its older brother. Combined with the fact that Nicholai New York (1990), Avon Mesmerize for Men (1992), and Guerlain Héritage (1992) were all right around the corner, and who are we trying to kid here? Never mind the fact that aquatics and fresh fougères were changing the guard at this time too. That said, Basile Uomo Forte moves some equalizer faders to the left while these other options moved to the right, missing an evident lavender or petitgrain note, while also bridging the missing link between this style and full-tilt spiced woody-ambers like Halston Z-14 (1976) or Bogart Witness (1990), so it deserves some merit. Released as another fragrance five years earlier, or even maybe five years later, and the story might have unfolded differently for Basile Uomo Forte, because Lalique pour Homme (997) arrived exhibiting much the same style, but after the "storm" blew over, and did well enough. Thumbs up

Stardate 20180901:

Given the "Basile Uomo" in name and the note pyramid, I, like Martin Dean, was expecting herbal powerhouse.
Instead I got a dandified version of Basile Uomo.
The top is herbal and citrus - very much like a flanker of Basile Uomo should be. But then it changes course pretty quickly and goes in the direction of Tiffany for Men/Chanel Cologne Concentree. A bit more spicier but in a subtle way. The spices are like herbes de Provence rather than Italian herbs which was unexpected. Longevity could be better.

All in all a decent vintage frag still available at decent prices.

Strange how a name can mislead. From the name alone, I was expecting Basile Uomo Forte to be rather like Yatagan or Sud Est, a sort of raw, bitter, hebaceous scent. Or, perhaps, with a culinary herbal overload like MPG's Baime. The reality is rather different: Basile Uomo forte is actually rather soft and subtle, almost a quiet background scent. If a slight herbiness is there, it's hardly detectable, being soothed and smoothed in a pillow of soft spices. It's more than a touch powdery. Pleasant, relaxing, refined. Classic and elusive. Unusual and welcome.