Bandit vs Encre Noire

The community holds vintage Bandit in high regard as a unique, skank-forward leather-chypre classic, but considers modern reformulations to be disappointing shadows of the original. Vintage bottles are highly sought after by dedicated collectors despite being rare and risky to purchase.

The r/fragrance community views Encre Noire as an excellent value niche fragrance with distinctive character, praised for its woody, cypress-driven composition and quality at its price point. However, it's highly polarizing due to its dark, dry, and uncompromising nature that appeals primarily to fragrance enthusiasts rather than mass audiences. The flankers (Sport and A L'Extreme) offer more wearable alternatives while the original remains the most character-driven option.