Good evening, Brotherhood! Man, today had me running around like a caffeinated squirrel, but I finally carved out some time to tap in with you all. First off, huge honor hitting Level 9, not because the number looks cool, but because it’s a reminder of how much I’ve learned, how much I’m still learning, and most importantly, the connections made along the way. That alone is worth its weight in protein powder, creatine, AND a full tub of pre-workout! So today I dove into a few samples from the House of Dastan, and the one I landed on was… You? Who, me? No no… YOU? Yep, the fragrance is literally called “YOU?” According to the brand, this one is inspired by “discovering who you are and who you aspire to become.” And honestly, with a note list longer than my holiday shopping receipts and some wild, unexpected ingredients, I’m convinced this one is meant for you to interpret however your nose wants. It really leans into that “define what makes you, YOU” vibe. This is a Floral Fruity Gourmand from 2024 by Richard Herpin. The opening hits you with this waxy fig citrus combo dusted with cinnamon. It took me a minute to figure out what I was smelling, had me questioning my entire olfactory education. I had to keep re-spraying just to wrap my head around the opening because it doesn’t stay long before shifting into a smooth, milky, slightly vanillic, creamy phase with a woody base. On skin vs. clothes? Night and day.On skin, that milky vibe hangs around like it paid rent.On clothes, the jasmine, bergamot, and brighter florals take over and stay lively. Later in the dry down, the white chocolate makes an appearance, and surprisingly… it’s not bad. Actually, kind of unique. Overall, this is a very distinctive unisex scent definitely one of those “your nose tells its own story” types. For me personally? A bit too milky. Not quite my jam. But my wife? She’d absolutely rock this one and probably smell amazing doing it. Performance is above average still catching whiffs 6–7 hours later. Projection is just under an arm’s length, and the sillage is present but not beast mode.

Introduce yourself and level-up, it's that simple! You'll get at least 5 likes (oftentimes more!) which will move you to level 2 and on your way to level 3 (these levels give you access to prizes!). What to say in your intro? Share where you're from, your reason for joining, your profession, perhaps your favorite fragrance or a picture of your entire collection! Whether you're a seasoned cologne collector or just starting, have fun engaging with the group.

So unless you've been resting under a stone lately, you will no doubt have heard of this guy. He is all over Social media these days. An Indian perfumer, based in Dubai, known for recreating designer scents. He makes a lot of dupes but also has some of his own creations. I picked this up at the recent opening of a. New Dubai Perfume Shop location. There were numerous claims circulating that this was a special creation for the store and that only 50 bottles were available. And yet it is clearly listed on Fragrantica. Guess someone was being creative with the truth here! Passio was launched last year and would be an Oriental Woody fragrance, fragrance built around a blend of warm spices, creamy florals, and woods. The scent opens with a welcoming and slightly exotic blend of Cinnamon and Saffron, which provides a comforting, warm, and inviting start. In the middle Jasmine, Coconut, Ylang Ylang and Resins, reveal a smooth and creamy heart with tropical and floral tones, softened by gentle resinous notes. The dry down provides a warm and lasting impression with Cashmeran, Madagascar Vanilla, Musk, and Agarwood. Passio by all accounts seems to be one of Yusuf Bhai's better-received original creations. It is a complex, long-lasting, and affordable unisex fragrance with a profile that balances warm spice, creamy coconut, and deep woods. For the money this is above average for me, I get a little over 4 hours on skin, not bad for a budget scent. My Rating: 6/10 Scent: 2 Longevity: 2 Sillage: 1 Y/N: 1

This is one of the first (if not the first) overlooked and underrated alternatives to Parfums de Marly Althaïr, both lounged in 2023. ADSE offers a more fruity sweetness nuance at the opening in comparison with the most hyped alternative, French Avenue Liquid Brun. However, this twist doesn’t take any merits from ADSE, that smells amazing and has great performance and longevity. Al Dirgham Special Edition official website notes: Top Notes: Apple, Clove, Cardamom Heart Notes: Cinnamon, Geranium, Lavender Base Notes: Vanilla, Amber, Cedarwood

Been loving this one in the cold weather. I like this way more than I thought a would. A sleeper of a gem.