This is such an interesting and underrated release, nothing like the usual Le Male DNA, and all the better for it. Released back in 2010 from the nose of Francis Kurkdjian. It opens with plum front and centre, juicy, dark and fruity without being syrupy or over-sweet. It’s a rich, ripe opening that feels luxurious right from the first spray, and it settles fast into something smoother and more aromatic rather than sticking purely to that fruitiness. It’s a bold choice to lead with plum like this, and Kurkdjian balances it so it never feels like a dessert scent. There’s depth and warmth there from the very start that hints at what’s coming. As it develops, lavender steps in and takes the lead, and it’s not the sharp, soapy kind you get in every generic men’s fragrance. Here it’s soft, velvety and slightly sweet, cutting through the plum with a calm aromatic freshness that grounds the whole composition. It’s a really elegant transition, the fruit softens into the background while the lavender adds that refined, slightly herbal warmth, and the two sit together beautifully without either one overpowering the other. It gives the fragrance a sophisticated edge that sets it apart from so many other sweet orientals. The dry-down is where it all wraps up beautifully around tonka bean, and this is where it really shines, smooth, creamy, warm and slightly nutty, with that soft vanilla-like sweetness that never turns heavy or cloying. It lingers on skin , easily 6+ and often longer on clothing, and it maintains that perfect balance between the three notes all the way through. An interesting point, this is frequently overlooked because of the massive popularity of the original Le Male elixir that came out 6 years earlier. But it’s a far more refined, cohesive and better-crafted scent. It’s versatile enough for evenings and autumn days, and it’s one of those fragrances that people consistently ask you what you’re wearing, a true hidden gem from Kurkdjian. My Rating 7.5/10 Scent 2

Match #55 in the second-chance bracket features YSL Y Le Parfum (2025) versus Montblanc Starwalker. Starwalker (2005, created by Michel Almairac) is one of those sleeper fragrances that deserves more attention. Its blend of citrus and bamboo over a soft woody base is clean, pleasant, and very easy to wear. The biggest drawback is performance: both projection and longevity are pretty modest on my skin. Y Le Parfum (2025, created by Dominique Ropion) brings considerably more presence. Pine, ginger, citrus, sage, amber, patchouli, and woods give it a fresh but substantial character, and that pine-tree note remains one of my favorite aspects of the fragrance. It also performs far better than Starwalker, lasting and projecting with much more authority. I still think Starwalker is a terrific addition to a collection, especially considering the price. But today, the stronger performance and that distinctive pine freshness give YSL the edge. Y Le Parfum survives and advances in the second-chance bracket, while Montblanc Starwalker is eliminated from the tournament.