My favourite fragrance by a country mile. That 80-year-old Oud is tempered with a delicious spicy sweetness. This stuff lasts for literal days, even at one or two sprays. Not blind buy or office safe. I’m WFH today so I get to wallow in the decadence. 100ml bottle was a gift from my amazing wife.

Not Cuba but me. lol. But I agree with all of these!!! https://youtu.be/EGqL-uX32Fo?si=iCEjnHNhAOc4J0J5

What I am loving most is how it doesn’t project. It stays close, almost private. Then every so often, a soft waft rises up, just enough to remind me it’s there. Quiet, intentional, reassuring. There’s something here that echoes Gris Charnel, that same calm, woody introspection, but Inverness leans cooler and more austere. Part of that comes from its use of maté absolute and amyris, notes you don’t see often, which give the woods an earthy, slightly bitter edge and a smooth, aged warmth. The result feels dignified and timeless, like stepping into an antique museum. Polished wood, old stone, hushed air, time slowing down. It brings a kind of tranquility that isn’t cozy. It’s grounding. A scent for stillness, inward focus, and moments where silence says more than volume ever could.

Alright guys, the #Brotherhood has spoken! After weeks of matchups, message-thread debates, hot takes, reconsidered votes and more “wait… smell it again” moments than I can count, The Booze Wars Champion has officially been crowned! I hope you've had some fun and learned about some fragrances along the way! ****** XERJOFF TONY IOMMI MONKEY SPECIAL ****** This wasn’t a squeaker. Monkey Special didn’t just survive the bracket, it controlled it! Dark, boozy, smoky, and unapologetically rich, this one balances rum-soaked indulgence with a surprisingly disciplined backbone. Boozy grit, warm sweetness, woods, and that unmistakable rock-and-roll swagger… it smells like confidence that’s already been earned. What really pushed it over the edge? Versatility without compromise. It’s bold but wearable, loud without being sloppy, indulgent without tipping into novelty. You can wear this out, you can wear it in, you can wear it just because you want to smell like the main character in your own damn story! And honestly, this win says as much about the #Brotherhood as it does the bottle. Favorites went down. Dark horses made noise. Opinions shifted. Palates evolved. That’s the beauty of these Wars, the #Journey matters just as much as the crown. So raise a glass, give your bottle another spray, and tip your hat to a champion that earned every vote. #Brotherhood first, bottles second, memories always. What say you, guys? Did Xerjoff Tony Iommi Monkey Special take the crown because it’s the boldest, booziest thing in the room, or because it somehow balances all that swagger with real polish? And looking back at the bracket, was there a matchup where your vote genuinely surprised you once you sat with it a little longer? And no, this isn't the part where we ask, “But is it office-safe?” Guys… if you’re wearing Monkey Special to the quarterly budget meeting, that’s a "you" problem! Love to hear from ya'!

Good morning to the Fragrance Family and welcome to day three of Black Owned Fragrance Week. Today I wanted to reach for something that feels uplifting, vibrant, and full of life on the opening, yet transforms as the hours pass into something deeper, richer, and more contemplative. My scent of the day is Italiano Africano by Savoir Faire, and from the very first spray it makes its intentions known. The opening greets you with a bold burst of spicy, sweet citrus that immediately energizes the senses, bright and radiant without feeling sharp or fleeting. As the fragrance begins to settle, it reveals a beautifully composed heart where rose and jasmine rise to the surface, adding a lush floral undertone that feels elegant and confident rather than overly soft. These florals are perfectly balanced, never stealing the spotlight but instead enriching the composition and giving it depth and sophistication. Moving into the dry down is where Italiano Africano truly shines for me. It becomes more sultry and smooth, with spicy and incense-like nuances weaving through the scent, grounded by a moist, earthy vetiver that anchors everything and gives it a refined, almost meditative quality. This is a fragrance that evolves with intention, telling a story from start to finish and rewarding patience as it unfolds on the skin. It feels thoughtful, bold, and unapologetic, the kind of scent that takes you on a true fragrance journey rather than delivering everything at once. Italiano Africano is a standout example of artistry and vision, and it easily earns a 9.5 in my book. Wishing everyone a strong and inspired day three—support Black-owned brands, enjoy the journey, and as always, smell incredible doing it.