Delivering my first lecture to a top-drawer, high-octane summer youth academy warrants nothing less than a top-drawer, high-octane fragrance. Of the 20 full bottles and 20 samples that I brought, none is more top-drawer and high-octane than Eau Sauvage parfum. What chiefly distinguishes this from the equally impressive EDT is the elemi in the base. This accord is resinous and peppery and a bit citrusy without coming off as a citrus itself. It is deep and rich and resinous and refined. It lasts 8-10 hours. No wonder it has a 4.41 rating on Fragrantica.

My wife and I are both collectors and enjoyed visiting one of the beautifully appointed and well-stocked niche shops of La Jetee Perfumery. We acquired Dear Polly (Vilhelm Parfumerie) for my wife and Portrayal Man (Amouge) for me. Last week I tested Portrayal Man and was on the lookout for a bottle (it’s discontinued). An advance call to La Jetee Perfumery alerted me they had none on hand but could order a bottle. Yet providentially when we walked into the shop there the uniquely reflective holographic bottle was sitting on the shelf, so I snapped it up pronto. Like Beach Hut Man, when the retailers sell out, this will be long gone. The signature Amouage DNA manifests in masculine violet with vetiver and a smoky cade oil and Amouage-level performance: 10-12 hours. This fragrance is equally masculine and beautiful.

We often hear citrus fragrances are “fresh,” “bright,” and “juicy,” but this citrus-forward offering from Hugo Boss‘ elevated niche-adjacent The Collection is quite different: it is elegant and refined, much closer to Eau Sauvage (1965) than to Eros Energy. Summer designer fragrances tend to possess brightness but lack depth. In Vigorous Cologne, this is reversed. This is an opulent fragrance at a less-than-opulent price if you can snag it at discounters.

Gentlemen… I have again encountered a problem. All of the amazing niche fragrances I got to play with and get samples from Nordstrom I was in love. Creed, Parfums de Marly, Tom Ford, Initio, Amouage, Clive Christian, Louis Vuitton, and Xerjoff. I shared all of these tester strips with the Mrs. And guess what? She hated them. Made the stank face and everything. “Why would anyone wear that?!?!” I’m still developing my nose and figuring out what I like and haven’t really found anything yet I don’t like. All of this is still new and very exciting for me. I wear fragerance for me, for me to feel good in, for me to be a new person everyday. But I also want to wear something that impresses her. For lack of a better term I labeled her a “designer groupie”. The only time I have received WOW compliments is Art of Universe, Born in Roma Intense, and Nautica Voyage freaking Sport. FREAKING SPORT!!! I literally had a 500$ fragerance on my skin that made my head spin in a good way and she hated it. I wear Nautica and she wants to give me hugs and kisses. Why can’t I accept this and be comfortable with it? Am I a scent snob? All constructive criticism welcomed. 😬

Hey guys, Joe A. here with today's Scent of the Day : Electimuss Caspian Cherry - Day 287. Parfumo lists top notes of amaretto, black cherry, and dark chocolate, with main accords of sweet, fruity, gourmand, creamy, and spicy. This is a hot, heavy, seductive cherry dressed like a sultry woman off the Silk Road, with honey, coconut, and creamy woods giving it more velvet dress than fruit basket. First Sniff: like cherry liqueur put on red lipstick, lowered the lights, and ruined somebody's evening plans. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ao2yoakQOIE