Wearing this classic woody chypre today. It’s a powerhouse classic thats bold, masculine, and very much a product of its era. It opens with a sharp, aldehydic burst of citrus, herbs, and myrrh giving it a green, slightly bitter, soapy fresh start. In the heart is a spicy warmth evolving into a rich, dry base of leather, oakmoss, vetiver, sandalwood, musk, and amber. Overall it’s aromatic, woody, leathery, earthy, and mossy. It has decent longevity for an EDT and good projection/sillage. It’s economical and performs reliably. This is a mature, confident, “man’s man” fragrance. Not a blind buy as some find it polarizing or “old-fashioned,” while some call it a masterpiece of masculine perfumery. If you’re into vintage fragrances and strong performance without sweetness overload, give it a try. It’s still widely available, and one of the last in the pre modernization of the brand to be so.

Had a fun time at my local Car Boot Sale today. For US readers, this is equivalent to a Flea Market / Swap Meet. Usually trestle tables piled with stuff, lined up under the blue sky of a farmer’s field. First stall had a bunch of random stuff, including a storage box with some opened Middle Eastern perfumes in it. I was checking one out. It was Armaf Niche Oud. The seller spoke as I opened a box to check the bottle. “Lovely scent, that. Costs £140 new.” Of course, everyone reading this will know that what he said was absolutely false. So I told him, gently. “Nah, it’s a Middle Eastern fragrance, but Armaf are a decent one. It’s likely about £30.” He looked disgruntled. I continued looking, and he turned to his mate and said, “that’s why I usually just keep my mouth shut, y’know? Any time you say anything, people just chelp up and think they f***ing know everything.” I mean, I could have just left it, I suppose. Instead, I got my phone out and googled the fragrance. It was £25 new, from reputable discount e-shop JustMyLook. I showed him the screen, which led to the following exchange: “Twenty-five quid new from here, mate,” I said. He looked. “Yeah but what about eBay?” he said. “EBay? Why?” I asked. “JustMyLook is a shop.” “I don’t trust buying from a random shop,” he sneered. “… But I should trust buying from a table in a field?” I asked. His mate burst out laughing at that, but he just glared at me. So I doubled down, and checked eBay. “Oh look,” I laughed. “Twenty two quid on eBay. Even cheaper!” He dead-eyed me. “You’re an arsehole,” he said, which of course I am. I laughed and skipped away.