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

https://robbreport.com/style/grooming/lists/best-colognes-1236879427/#recipient_hashed=2dac15bc2531e358fa46a480e2a7f722ecff97c94ed86a809bbf5f68faf4ba0a&recipient_salt=530a8a0b8aa5303f1cbb6171c8bf6b32cc8825018044a67a16f639560b43cda8&utm_medium=email&utm_source=exacttarget&utm_campaign=RobbReport_Daily&utm_content=652213_12-10-2025&utm_term=6437107?utm_medium=&utm_source=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&utm_id=

The latest from my Decant subscription, been wanting to try Montale for a while now, but the Oud/Rose combo is not one that I enjoy, so I have been putting it off. Straight off the bat this is a powerhouse, super strong, tread lightly with this. Instantly reminds me of those early days in the Dubai Perfume shop exploring all those Arabian fragrances that were so new to me. Perhaps the reason I don't like this combo is I may have been over exposed to it too many times. That aside this is a classic middle eastern pairing from a popular French niche house. And it was released 20 years ago! It opens up with a strong initial blast of Oud, it's obviously synthetic with a medicinal vibe to the concentration which is powerful. This is quickly joined by a dark, dry roseand a hint of an orange rind. As it settles into the heart, that medicinal edge dissipates, the fragrance settles into a blend of deep red rose and Oud. The rose is not light or dewy but rather dense, velvety, and almost jammy. The dry-down introduces Patchouli for an earthy, sweet or dark-chocolate feel, along with a warm Musk and Sandalwood or Labdanum, anchoring the scent and adding an animalic warmth. It is a scent that changes significantly over time, transitioning from a raw, sharp opening to a smoother, darker, and more luxurious rose-oud finish. This is exceptionally long-lasting, 10 hours on the skin and days on clothing. The projection is nuclear, a few sprays are enough to fill a room and leave a strong scent trail. Not an office safe wear, but definitely suitable for the winter and evening wear. This is not for the faint hearted so please don't blind buy. Not sure if I'd want a full bottle as although I like it, the rose Oud combo ain't my thing. It did however impress me enough to want to explore Montale further in the new year. If you have a favourite from this house, let me know. My Rating: 7.5/10 Scent: 2 Longevity: 2.5 Sillage: 2.5 Y/N: .5

Going with a cheap recent purchase. Drakkar Intense. Darker take on the fougere profile but still very nice. Had a sample and found it at a great price.

Hey Guys, Joe A. here with another one for ya’, and today, I’m kicking off a brand-new series that might just change how you look at your entire fragrance collection! We spend so much time talking about bottles, notes, performance and hype… but how often do we stop and ask, “Okay, but who actually created this?” Behind every legendary scent is a creative mind, a perfumer with their own story, philosophy, inspirations, failures, victories and quirks. And honestly? Once you learn about the people crafting these olfactory worlds, the fragrances themselves take on a whole new meaning. That’s exactly what this series is here to explore. In “Who Is Perfumer”, we’re diving straight into the human side of perfumery: the careers, the backgrounds, the training, the passions, the signature styles each perfumer brings to the table. We’ll look at their early influences, the houses they’ve shaped, the iconic scents they’ve given life to and maybe even the surprising detours along the way. Some names you’ll know immediately. Others you may have worn for years without ever realizing they were the nose behind your favorite signature scent. My goal is to peel back the curtain and show you the artisans whose fingerprints are on the fragrances we love. More than anything, this series is about connection, like connecting the scent to the storyteller. When you know who crafted a fragrance, when you understand their vision and their journey, the scent hits just a little differently. It becomes more than a bottle on your shelf; it becomes part of someone’s creative legacy. So buckle up, guys, we’re shining a spotlight on the perfumers themselves, the unsung heroes of this hobby. Can’t wait to explore these incredible creators with you. What say you, Guys? Do you feel a series like this would be beneficial? Do discussions of perfumers and their stories aid you in your fragrance #Journey? Or is good ol’ Joe A. off his rocker again? Love to hear from ya’!