I'm not sure if it's me, where I'm at in the hobby, or if it is just generally not a great release year, but I've been struggling to get excited about most of the new releases this year. Flankers for brands and lines that I'd been collecting up to this point seem boring and flat. Is anyone else finding this year's releases less than stellar? I'm just wondering if it's that or perhaps I've hit a saturation point in my collection. M aybe it's both? Curious as to others experiences this year, and as always, open to recommendations to things that might be more exciting that you've discovered this year.

Match #36 features two relatively recent additions to my collection that I've quickly grown to enjoy: Narciso Rodriguez Bleu Noir Eau de Parfum versus Terre d'Hermès Eau Givrée. Bleu Noir EDP (2018, created by Sonia Constant) is an incredibly versatile woody-musky fragrance built around vetiver, cedar, ebony wood, amber, and that signature Narciso Rodriguez musk. It's smooth, understated, mature, and one of those rare fragrances I could comfortably wear in all four seasons. Terre d'Hermès Eau Givrée (2022, created by Christine Nagel) is less versatile seasonally, but what it does, it does exceptionally well. The opening burst of citron, juniper berries, and Timut pepper gives way to that familiar Terre combination of woods and mineral notes. It's bright and refreshing without ever becoming a generic citrus freshie. As much as I enjoy Bleu Noir, Eau Givrée is starting to make a serious claim to becoming my spring and summer signature fragrance. Every time I wear it, I'm reminded just how beautifully balanced it is. Terre d'Hermès Eau Givrée moves into the quarterfinals, while Narciso Rodriguez Bleu Noir EDP drops into the second-chance bracket.

Match #37 features two heavyweight fragrance houses and two bottles I expect to keep in my collection for years: Prada L'Homme Intense versus Parfums de Marly Greenley. Prada L'Homme Intense (2017, created by Daniela Andrier) is a fantastic blend of iris, amber, patchouli, tonka bean, sandalwood, and leather. It's powdery, woody, rich, and beautifully smooth. I struggled when buying it because the original Prada L'Homme is also terrific, but the added depth of the Intense eventually won me over. It's certainly not an ideal summer fragrance, but I'm staying home today, so who cares? Parfums de Marly Greenley (2020, created by Nathalie Templer) couldn't be more different. That opening blast of green apple and bergamot over cedar and other woods is bright, crisp, and wonderfully balanced. It's become one of my favorite spring and summer fragrances. I love both of these, and neither is going anywhere when this tournament ends. But I'm a Prada fanboy, and L'Homme Intense is just too good. The richness, depth, and that gorgeous iris ultimately carry the day. Prada L'Homme Intense advances to the quarterfinals, while—somewhat unbelievably—I just sent a Parfums de Marly fragrance into the loser's bracket. Wow.