Hey guys, The Booze Wars was extremely successful so I was thinking "can we roll right into the next one?" Many guys mentioned gourmand, how about a good ole knock-down dragout fight between that quintessential question: Vanilla or Chocolate? So, for years we've debated woods, citruses, fougères and florals. We have analyzed structure, projection and performance as though they were engineering principles. But now we turn to something far more primal. The gourmand. Gourmand fragrances occupy a unique space in perfumery. They do not merely smell pleasant. They evoke appetite. They trigger memory. They blur the line between aroma and flavor. Vanilla, chocolate, caramel, coffee, tonka… these are not decorative notes. They are visceral. In The Gourmand Wars, I'm wanting to examine both designer and niche interpretations of dessert-inspired perfumery. Airy vanillas will stand beside syrupy chocolate constructions. Some will whisper warmth. Others will command attention with almost theatrical richness. This competition is not about sweetness alone. It is about composition. Density. Balance. Restraint versus indulgence. When does comfort become cloying? When does decadence become sophistication? When does edible become elegant? What say you, guys? When it comes to gourmand perfumery, do you lean toward the structured elegance of vanilla, or the dense, decadent gravitas of chocolate? And which fragrance in your collection truly blurs the line between edible indulgence and refined composition? Which fragrances would you like to see in the war? Or do you think ole Joe A. here had too much sweets and needs to lie down? Love to hear from ya!

A fresh spicy salted caramel ??? Nishane has done it again. I don’t reach for it often but when I’m in the mood for it Tero is a treat. Masculine with some sweetness but spicy enough to stay out of gourmand territory. Created by Carlos Benaim the top notes here are caramel, sichuan pepper, black pepper and salt mid notes are patchouli and cinnamon followed by a base of amber, oak and vetiver. This is a wafty sweet spicy salty fragrance grounded well by the oak in the base. Sample this if possible. Not a daily driver in my opinion but so nice when you pull it out.

Mixed up the pallette this week with fresh, creamy and bold fragrances. Cognac Cafe or Black Phantom part two is also created by Sidonie Lancesseur. They are pretty close in scent profile so this would be the cost efficient option if you've been eyeing Killian's Black Phantom. Argos Pour Homme created by Christian Petrovic is supposed to be a citrus gin and pine scent supported by lavender vetiver musk's, cedar patchouli. I did get a great wearing experience out of my sample but the full bottle smells nothing like the sample and is my most disappointing fragrance experience I've had from argos. Not sure how I could of gotten a bad bottle if they are hand bottled. I continue to try this a couple of times a year in hopes of a change Premium Blend Original Penguin Created by Harry Fremont is a excellent summer cheapie with notes of lime peel, peppermint bergamot sea notes sea salt violet leaf rosemary driftwood musk and vetiver. If you've never tried summer fragrances in the winter reach for one. You may be surprised by the experience. Sauvage edt is my favorite in the winter. Nishane Fan your flames created by Jorge Lee is my favorite boozey coconut fragrance of all time. With notes of coconut, rum, tobacco, tonka bean, Chinese cedar and Oak Moss this for me is perfection and is great in the winter. Sample of the week is Blockade by Mind Games. Created by Christelle Laprade this in my opinion is the top fragrance in the aventus vein. The mango and tomato leaf set this apart from Aventus in a good way. Christelle has a nice catalog of fragrances she's created many of which are under the mind games brand including double attack, french defense and queening. What are you guys and gals wearing for Valentine's day tomorrow? Tap in and let me know. Have a great day folks.

In this series, we’re doing something simple (and difficult): reducing each house to just 5 fragrances.. No hype. No rankings. No right or wrong answers. Just the scents that matter most.. based on wearability, legacy, impact, and personal connection. Comment your top 5 from the house of YSL:

To be more organized I am utilizing the bottom part of my shelf to pull out what I will wear for the week.