FRAGRANCE | Ganymede EDP by Marc-Antoine Barrois: A leather fragrance with just the right amount of strange

I got this cute 30ml bottle of Ganymede by Marc-Antoine Barrois. My first thought was that the box was too tight, as I had a hard time prying it open. Except for the sticker that acts as seal and keeps the sleeve in place, the brand doesn't use any plastic in its packaging. It's part of their sustainability efforts, says the text on the sticker. The bottle looks nice; simple and elegant but as with the box, the cap can be too tight for comfort, at least initially. The atomizer produces such a fine mist that I end up spraying more because I feel like I'm not getting enough. 

The scent immediately introduces leather, accompanied by a strange, plasticky accord similar to what I get in Succus by Liquides Imaginaires. I suspect it's due to some florals, most likely violet. It's a little eccentric—and I like eccentric. In this case, it gives the warmth of the leather an unusual contrast, and for me it works. There's a small squeeze of citrus in the opening. It's easily lost but noticeable up close, providing the scent a subtle brightness. There's also an underlying warm, BO-like smell. To my nose it doesn't appear to be cumin. I think it has something to do with the leather's animalic properties. Nevertheless, it's not as scary as it sounds. It gives the scent an added character but it does not define the scent at all. 

There's some saltiness coming through but on my skin it's not as dominant. It also doesn't come off as marine to me, so no, it doesn't conjure images of the ocean. Rather, it provides another interesting touch to the leather, much like how the saltiness in Clive Christian's Crab Apple Blossom gives a nice slant to the citrus and florals, only a pinch or two less. As the clock ticks, a mild sweetness creeps up, which I think is floral in nature. Eventually the citrus evaporates while the plastic melts into the leather, subtly flavored by salt and some floral sweetness, and creating this warm but dry scent that's light enough to wear in moderate temperatures.

The fragrance's development is not that stark, so it appears almost linear. Projection is pretty good; not beastly but good. It's quite a long-lasting scent, too, so you at least get your money's worth in that aspect. Ganymede's scent profile leans a little masculine by contemporary perceptions but if you're comfortable with leather, then wearing it shouldn't be much of a hurdle for the ladies. 

Named after Jupiter's largest moon, Ganymede teeters on the uncanny, as if to convey some futuristic artistry befitting the concept of space. However, the prominence of the leather keeps the scent grounded and prevents it from going full-on bizarre. I like it but it doesn't excite me as much as I'd hoped it would. Still, it's a keeper for me. It won't likely appeal to popular tastes but it's something worth checking out; you know, just to see if it clicks with you.