Challenged my self by reviewing a few of Gucci The Alchemist’s Garden sample I received. From left to right. A Song for the Rose This fragrance is all about one thing: pure rose. Note: Bulgarian (Damask) Rose Projection: Soft Sillage: Intimate, close to the skin Longevity: Moderate (5 to 7 hours) It smells like freshly cut rose petals, dewy, a touch green, and very natural. No added sweetness, no powder, no spice just rose in its simplest, most elegant form. It doesn’t really evolve, which gives it a calm, serene quality but might leave some wanting more variety. My thoughts: Beautiful and refined, but extremely minimal. Best suited for true rose lovers, daytime wear, or layering. If you’re hoping for complexity or drama, this might feel too understated. _____________________________________________ The Voice of the Snake A smooth and polished take on oud that keeps things elegant. Notes: Oud, Saffron, Patchouli Projection: Moderate Sillage: Noticeable but controlled Longevity: Strong (8 to 10+ hours) This oud is refined with no funky or animalic bite. Saffron brings in a dry, leathery spice while patchouli gives it a grounded, earthy feel. It’s warm, rich, and serious, more spiritual than seductive. My thoughts: It’s luxurious and easy to wear. Not the most daring oud, but that’s part of its charm. Great for someone who wants depth and polish without stepping into overly bold territory.

One specific area of my life where applying the 80/20 principle would create the greatest impact right now is how I allocate my professional time and energy. In practice, a relatively small portion of my work—roughly 20%—consistently produces the majority of meaningful outcomes, such as progress on high-value projects, relationship-building with key stakeholders, and decisions that move initiatives forward. The remaining time is often absorbed by lower-impact tasks like routine emails, meetings without clear objectives, and administrative work that, while necessary, does not significantly advance results. By intentionally identifying and prioritizing that critical 20%—high-leverage projects, strategic planning, and focused problem-solving—I can significantly improve effectiveness and results. Applying the 80/20 principle here means protecting time for what truly drives impact, delegating or streamlining lower-value tasks where possible, and being more disciplined about how my attention is spent. This shift would lead to better outcomes, stronger performance, and a more efficient use of my professional capacity.

Released in 2020 as a standout flanker in the iconic Gentleman line, Givenchy Gentleman Boisée is a masterclass in modern, woody sophistication from the nose of the legendary Olivier Crespwhom not only worked for many of the European designer house, but has also worked with Middle Eastern Houses and done some Niche work too. While other entries in the series (like the EDP or Reserve Privée) lean heavily into powdery iris or boozy notes, Boisée strikes a unique balance between earthy & elegant Think spicey florals mixed with Wood. Its the Iris that stands out wrapped on an almost burning wood to create an amazing contrast. Boisée (French for "wooded") lives up to its name, but it is far from a simple forest scent. It is a Woody Floral Spicy fragrance that feels velvety and smooth rather than sharp. With top notes of Black Pepper, Coriander & Geranium, the opening is a dry, spicy burst. It’s slightly peppery but softened by the geranium, which keeps it from being too aggressive. At its heart, Iris (Orris), Cacao Pod & Cedarwood. This is the soul of the fragrance. That signature Givenchy iris provides a lipstick or powdery texture, but here it is mixed with a dry, bitter cacao. It doesn’t smell like a chocolate bar; it smells more like high-end, unsweetened cocoa powder. Finally the base contains notes of Sandalwood, Burning Wood & Patchouli. The dry down is where the "burning wood" comes in. It provides a subtle, smoky warmth that feels incredibly cozy, and it's grounded by the creaminess of the sandalwood. Despite its beauty, there is a flaw with many of these edp's from Givinchey. They are a lot more restrained than some of their counterparts. Much like the Replica range from Maison Margeila, I sometimes wonder might this have been done on purpose? It beggers belief as too why, but perhaps it's what the perfumer intended? At best you will get 5, maybe 6 hrs on skin before it fades into a skin scent. It won't fill a room. It creates a "scent bubble" about arm's length, making it very safe for the office or close-up dates. Definitely an intimate scent, perfect for a date night. It's there to be discovered, not announced. Definitely a winter scent, but enjoyable none the less.

This one feels familiar the moment it hits skin… and that’s not a bad thing. The Scent Right off the spray, lavender and mint come through clean and confident—classic barbershop energy with a modern sweetness. As it settles, the heart turns creamy and warm with vanilla and orange blossom, backed by a smooth, lightly sweet tobacco nuance. The drydown is where it really earns its name: tonka, benzoin, and labdanum create a resinous, ambery sweetness that stays close but feels intentional and masculine. This is not raw or challenging. It’s comforting, seductive, and very wearable. Scent Rating: 8.3 / 10 Longevity This one holds its own. On my skin it runs 8–10 hours, with the sweet amber-tonka base hanging around well into the evening. Longevity Rating: 8.5 / 10 Sillage / Projection Strong out of the gate for the first hour, then it settles into a steady, noticeable aura. Not a room-filler, but people around you will catch it—and usually lean in. Sillage Rating: 8.0 / 10 Comparison: Le Male Elixir vs The Kingdom Let’s be honest, brothers—Lattafa The Kingdom is clearly inspired by Le Male Elixir. Le Male Elixir is richer, thicker, and more honeyed. It has that unmistakable designer polish and a syrupy warmth that feels bold and indulgent. The Kingdom takes that DNA and makes it slightly cleaner and airier, especially in the opening. Less honey weight, more smooth vanilla-amber balance. Performance-wise, both are strong. Le Male Elixir edges ahead in density and luxury feel, but The Kingdom delivers serious performance for a fraction of the cost. Final Brotherhood Verdict If you already love Le Male Elixir, Lattafa The Kingdom won’t surprise you—but it will impress you for the price. This is one of those fragrances that reminds you why clones exist—not to replace the original, but to give brothers a strong, confident alternative that still gets the job done. Overall Score: 8.4 / 10

Out to a club with my wife and friends tonight and out of the four Asads I have this ended up being the favorite tonight, as per my wife 😏. Excellent scent definitely, with a slice of the og Asad dna added alongside cacao, lavender and nutmeg. Definitely a boozy feel and sweet. Geared for cool temps and definitely pulls compliments. Good longevity, projection and sillage here. 40min-1hour pushing out , easy 40min scent trail, then 6-7hrs on skin, but I still made up a 5ml decant for my pocket 😉👌🏼. Smell great frag fam. Have the best night.