SOTD: Aswan by Widian (07/02/2025 Review) I received Aswan yesterday and didn't hesitate to make it my choice today. Widian's Aswan is a fruity-spicy fragrance that blends raspberry, bergamot, and pink pepper in the top notes; cedar and violet leaves in the middle; and leather, tobacco, vanilla, and musk in the base. There's also a realistic leather (not like smooth suede) that's subtly blended and stays constant throughout the experience. While initially fruity, the scent develops into a warmer, more amber and spicy fragrance. Aswan, for me, while having a notable leather note, is rather different than other leather-dominant fragrances like Parfums de Marly's Godolphin and Tom Ford's Tuscan Leather. This is primarily due to the fruity, bright and warm notes playing a relatively more significant role in Aswan. This makes Aswan more versatile, and while masculine leaning is also a great unisex option. The composition is rather unique, but not ground-breaking. While it may not be mass appealing, it is not offensive in my opinion.

I think this was actually recommended by our very own @Antonio Centeno, Ok so yes It was a blind buy, but I had been hunting it for a while. And boy was I super happy to find it and only €32 for a 100ml edp. Its a classic Oriental/Spicey fragrance with a touch of booziness to it. Released back in 2013 from the nose of Nathalie Lorson. As car frags go this is second only yo my Bugatti Amber. It opens up with a strong, even "harsh" or "synthetic," burst of herbaceous notes (Geranium, Clary Sage), black pepper, and that prominent boozy rum note. The fragrance quickly transitions into its core, where leather & cinnamon become dominant. Woody notes, frankincense & labdanum also play a significant role, keeping it from becoming overly sweet. The drydown becomes softer & more comforting, with vanilla & benzoin adding a delicious sweetness, supported by tender patchouli, cedar & some other woody notes. The leather and rum linger in the background. I cant see why you would not want this in your collection. It punches well above its class in the performance, with both projection & sillage. A cheap nut beautiful fragrance. Junt dont tell Bentley, they might up the price on us. Bentley is a long-lasting & projecting fragrance. If you enjoy a bold, boozy, leathery, spicy scent. It offers excellent value for its quality and is best suited for cooler weather and formal or evening occasions. My Rating 7.5/10 Scent 2.5 Longevity 2 Sillage 2 Y/N 1

Definitely been a while, and just as good as I remember. Fresh, deep, masculine, and compliment grabbing to say the least. Excellent dna and such a great everyday wear for most of the year. Smell great brothers. Have the best day.

Working from my home office today and I continue to test and review decants I have received. The opening is a blast of sweet Apple and Cinnamon. After 15 minutes, I am starting to pick up some of the darkness and dryness from the Leather note. At 30 minutes in, I am getting a deeper dryness from the Leather and Moss notes, with a very slight Rose/Floral undertone. 60 minutes into the wear, the fragrance has settled down nicely and I am getting a soft leathery and slightly (very light) spiciness off of my skin. The dry down of this fragrance is a slightly dry leather scent with some earthy undertones. Performance: Projection of this fragrance is moderate with a scent bubble of about 2 feet for about 2 hours. Longevity on my skin is about 7 to 8 hours with the fragrance becoming a skin scent at about hour 6. Sillage is a scent bubble of about 2 feet for about 90 minutes.

---Choose a designer classic over a niche choice.--- What say you, Gents? As my nose developed, I naturally moved away from designers and more toward niche and indie offerings. But that's truly a disservice, there's many designers that are just as good, if not better than many niche out there! Which designer brand are you wearing today? What designer frag is as good as, if not superior than, niche? Post here or in the SOTD. Love to hear from ya'!