Hawas is a fragrance that never held my attention. It's a series of atomic-strength clones. The first was similar to Invictus so I lost interest. And Fire? It's some weird amber aquatic with no spices? But I'll tell you what I love, the Noya Aqua line. These are a new line from an Italian niche house. Abyssal Odyssey is one of the easiest to wear. It's a refreshing aquatic patchouli with an amber base. It isn't too strong and the ingredient quality shines through as it ages on your skin. The Aquas are somewhat simplistic, but to their benefit. The price and availability is the only problem with getting a bottle. I was looking for similar scents and noticed everyone compared it to Hawas Fire. I tried to find a bottle of Fire at retail but they aren't showing up like the rest of the line in stores. I picked this one up at $33 to save myself $170. The fragrance is practically 1:1. The notes are even identical. The only reason this isn't common knowledge is that most people don't know what a Noya is. Hawas Fire is an amber aquatic. It opens with jasmine and mineral notes, clary sage, and ambroxan. That's about it, this is a linear fragrance. The mix of aquatic and amber has an odd fruity signature but I suspect this is a side effect of using calone for the seawater note. At the intensity of this fragrance the notes can bleed in strange ways. What I don't notice is any defined patchouli. I do notice that it projects like a liberal arts major. This fragrance is so intense I haven't bothered spraying it twice yet. The atomizer blasts this dense oil out and it's enough to make my head throb. I wish this was more subtle like the Noya. Longevity? About a day, projection is roughly one foyer. It's a good fragrance but off the beaten path for most people. If you like Hawas but want a richer version of it, try to find the Noya.

Alright guys… this is it. Months of pours, polls, debates, hot takes and “wait—that beat what?!” moments. The lights are low, the bar is quiet and two bottles remain standing while the rest are just empty glasses on the counter (or floor, lol!) This isn’t about hype anymore. This is about presence. On one side, a fragrance that walks in like it owns the room: boozy, bold, unapologetic, and loud in the best way. The kind of scent that makes you lean back in your chair and say, “Alright… I see you.” On the other, a fragrance that plays it smoother. Less noise, more nuance. Warm, inviting, atmospheric. It doesn’t demand attention, it earns it. The kind of scent that stays in the air long after the conversation ends. Both have taken down giants. Both have loyal supporters. Both represent completely different philosophies of what a “boozy” fragrance should be. This final matchup isn’t just bottle vs bottle; it’s attitude vs atmosphere, swagger vs soul, the loud toast vs the quiet nod across the bar. So now it’s your turn. Which one deserves the crown? Which fragrance truly captures the spirit of THE BOOZE WARS? And which bottle walks out of this bar as legend? Cast your vote. Make your case. And remember, there’s no wrong answer here… just different drinks, different nights, different stories. One champion. One crown. WHAT SAY YOU?

Vote… and in the comments: tell the story. What happened, what fragrance was involved, and what did you learn from it? 👇

Hey guys, Joe A. here with another one for ya’! Well…WOW, what a ride! After weeks of intense head‑to‑head matchups and passionate debates, The Booze Wars have boiled down to two finalists: Tony Iommi Monkey Special and Maison Martin Margiela Jazz Club. Many considered Kilian’s Angels’ Share a favorite, but in a shocking upset worthy of the national football league post season (the way underdogs sometimes take down titans), it was eliminated in the semis! Now the #Brotherhood must choose between two very different philosophies of “boozy” fragrance. Xerjoff - Tony Iommi Monkey Special – The Barrel Archetype Vibe: Indulgence with swagger; rum and leather collide with smoky attitude. Why it’s here: Monkey Special dominated early rounds by embodying pure indulgence, it’s the champion of the Barrel archetype, where cask‑aged notes and a touch of animalic power create a bold statement. Clutch performer: Like a veteran quarterback marching down the field in a championship game, Monkey Special stayed cool under pressure. It steadily won over voters thanks to its unapologetic richness and leather‑spiked rum heart! Maison Martin Margiela - Jazz Club – The Barfly Archetype Vibe: Atmosphere and nostalgia; smoky rum and waxed wood with a hint of old‑fashioned cocktail. Why it’s here: Jazz Club advanced as the champion of the Barfly archetype, beating out favorites through its ability to recreate the vibe of an after‑hours lounge. It’s less about realism and more about memory, think plush leather chairs, vinyl crackling and an expertly muddled drink. Underdog energy: Its path to the finals mirrors a football wild‑card team catching fire at the right time. Dismissed by some early on, it never tried to out‑project its opponents; instead, it charmed voters with nuance and storytelling. ------------------- This matchup forces you guys to decide: do you value raw indulgence and swagger (Monkey Special) or mood and atmospheric storytelling (Jazz Club)? There are no wrong choices, just different ways to celebrate what “boozy” means in perfumery! The energy surrounding this final is akin to the buildup before a Super Bowl: everyone’s got a favorite, everyone’s got an opinion, and upsets are always possible.