Bond No. 9 Astor Place: The Good, The Bold, and The Honest Truth

Look, Bond No. 9 fragrances have a reputation for being a bit extra, and Astor Place definitely lives up to that. If you’re looking for something subtle that whispers instead of speaks, you can probably stop reading now. But if you’re curious about a fragrance that actually smells different from everything else on the market, stick around.

Bond No. 9 makes fragrances inspired by New York neighborhoods, which sounds like a marketing gimmick until you actually smell them. Astor Place is supposed to capture that downtown Manhattan vibe – you know, the area around NYU with vintage shops, that weird cube sculpture everyone takes photos with, and a general mix of students, artists, and people who dress better than you do.

Does it actually smell like a neighborhood? No, obviously not. But does it have personality? Absolutely.

Here’s what you’re getting: Astor Place opens with lavender, but not the boring, sleep-inducing kind. This lavender has some attitude – it’s bright and almost sharp in a good way. Think more “trendy boutique” than “grandmother’s garden.”

Then it gets into violet leaf and geranium, which creates this interesting tension. The violet leaf has this green, almost metallic edge that keeps things from getting too sweet or predictable. The geranium adds a peppery kick that makes the whole thing feel more modern.

The base is tonka bean and white musk. The tonka gives it warmth without being cloying – it’s got this subtle almond-vanilla thing going on that’s cozy but not obvious. The white musk keeps everything feeling clean instead of heavy.

First spray? You’ll definitely notice it. This isn’t background fragrance – it has presence. The lavender hits first and it’s pretty bold, so don’t spray it right before getting in an elevator with other people unless you want to be That Person.

After about an hour, it settles into something more interesting and less in-your-face. The florals come out but they’re not typical – there’s an edge to them that makes the whole thing feel current rather than old-fashioned.

Longevity is solid – easily all day, sometimes into the next morning if you spray it on clothes. The sillage is moderate to strong, meaning people will smell it when you walk by, but you’re not going to clear a room.

This is weekend fragrance territory, or for jobs where being a little different is actually an asset. It’s great for evenings out, art events, coffee dates, or any time you want to smell interesting rather than just pleasant.

Fall and winter work best for this – the warmth in the base feels right when it’s cold outside. Spring is okay too, but summer might be pushing it unless you really love bold fragrances in heat.

Don’t wear this to conservative offices, job interviews (unless it’s somewhere very creative), or family events where your aunt might comment on your “strong perfume.” Save it for times when you actually want to smell distinctive.

You’ll probably love Astor Place if you:

• Get bored by typical department store fragrances

• Like wearing things that start conversations

• Don’t mind spending money on something unique

• Actually enjoy the smell of lavender (this is important)

• Work in creative fields or hang out with people who do

You’ll probably hate it if you:

• Prefer fragrances that no one notices

• Think spending this much on perfume is ridiculous

• Generally dislike floral scents

• Need something appropriate for very professional environments

Let’s be honest – Bond No. 9 is expensive. You’re paying for the uniqueness, the quality ingredients, and frankly, the brand name. Is it worth it? Depends on what you value. The ingredients do smell high-quality, it lasts forever, and you definitely won’t smell like everyone else.

The bottle is pretty wild – colorful and impossible to ignore. Some people love that, others think it’s tacky. It’s definitely not going to blend in with your other perfumes.