This one came in today and after the gym felt like the perfect time to get it on skin. Genre Parfums When in Puerto Rico was released in a single, highly limited batch in 2024 and has never been restocked. It opens with a burst of juicy pineapple and creamy coconut, laced with salty ocean air and a subtle hint of tobacco that appears quietly in the heart and dry-down, like the gentle scent of cured leaves in the warm evening breeze. That understated tobacco touch lends a refined warmth without ever dominating or taking away from the tropical vibe. Unisex, radiant upon opening, and pure vacation in a bottle, it’s a fragrance that’s going to shine in the heat. Like Virgin Island Water, however, performance is somewhat limited. I get moderate projection for the first few hours, then a nice skin scent that wafts in the air afterwards. It is an extrait, so it will linger on skin, but I do wish it lasted a bit longer up top. The original drop sold out through a handful of small retailers for $50 for 50ml (pre-orders shipped around mid-July 2024) and has stayed gone ever since. Bottles now only surface occasionally on the secondhand market, and what was never an expensive bottle retail now pops up at a slight markup. I’ve had my eye on this one for a while and had passed on one a few months ago before finally picking this up last week. This scent is paradise with a slightly sophisticated twist. I wouldn’t say you need to chase a bottle, but if you enjoy this scent profile, it’s worth snagging at or just above original retail if you come across one.

I was asked by a couple brothers to compare these two fantastic well done fragrances from the house of Aaron Terrance Hughes. Supernova and Supersonic by Aaron Terence Hughes share a familiar citrus-fruity freshness but they take that DNA in two very different directions. Supernova opens with an explosive burst of bright citrus and juicy pineapple, the kind of punchy introduction that immediately grabs attention and sets a vibrant, energetic tone. It feels youthful, loud, almost electric, and that early sweetness stays present as it moves into a musky and slightly spicy dry down. The performance is strong and the projection comes through confidently, but the base can lean a little synthetic and heavy, especially if you’re sensitive to white musk or ambergris-style accords. Supernova is the one that fills a room first, the one that wants to be noticed, the one you reach for when you want to smell bold rather than subtle. Supersonic takes that same opening idea of citrus and fruit but smooths the edges, balancing the brightness with a more refined progression into the heart and base. It still carries pineapple, apple and fresh notes, yet everything feels cleaner, softer and more blended. The dry down is where Supersonic really separates itself, settling into a woody, musky, slightly earthy finish that feels more mature and rounded than Supernova’s louder finale. It still projects extremely well and has impressive longevity, but it does so with a more controlled presence rather than a blast of energy. Supersonic ends up being the more versatile and wearable of the two, working just as well in the daytime as it does at night. In essence, Supernova is the extrovert with sparkle and punch while Supersonic is the polished version of that idea, smoother, more balanced and easier to wear in more situations. If you want impact and brightness that hits fast, Supernova wins. If you want refinement, versatility and a better-behaved dry down, Supersonic comes out on top.