There’s been a lot of talk lately about the decline in participation here, so I figured I’d throw my two cents in. For me, I comment when I actually have something to add. If I own the fragrance, have sampled it, smelled it at a counter, know the house, or I’m interested in trying it, I’ll usually jump in. I like comparisons, first impressions, SOTDs with some substance, unpopular opinions, performance talk, clones versus originals, new releases, and anything that can actually turn into a conversation. But I also think the lack of engagement goes a little deeper than the posts themselves. I think people have become too sensitive to criticism and disagreement. A respectful difference of opinion is not disrespect. We are not all going to smell the same thing, like the same thing, or agree on what is better. That is actually where a lot of the learning comes from. I also think some good brothers have left because disagreements turned into resentment instead of just being disagreements. That is unfortunate. You should be able to tell me you completely disagree with my take on a fragrance, explain why, and we both move on. Maybe I even learn something from you. There is also a little selfishness with engagement. Some people want everybody commenting on their posts, but you rarely see them interacting with anyone else’s. If everybody only participates when they are the one posting, then eventually there is no real community. I have also heard people blame the AI bot for some of the decline. I think that is kind of ridiculous. I understand why people do not like the regurgitating and automatic bot engagement. I am actually not a fan of that part myself. But one comment from a bot does not prevent experienced brothers or newcomers from adding their own thoughts. If ten guys want to have a real conversation underneath it, the bot did not stop that. The human engagement is still up to us. Then I hear about the paid portion of the platform. I have not seen anybody kicked out of the Brotherhood because they did not participate in the paid side.

I'll be totally honest here, my first impression of this sucked. It smelled like old dirty coins. Luckily I'm a Sauvage fan and a lady at the Dior counter got me to try it on skin. Well I'm sure glad I did. Extrait is pure genius. A redemption of you will after the Eau Forte debacle andFrancis Kurkdjian's best work since taking over as creative director from Demachy. This is a darker evelution of the Sauvage story. But it takes a different direction from previous flankers, with the addition of oud. None of that Middle Eastern stuff that you find in all those Lataffa's. I won't bore you with the Dior propaganda, but they did good here. It opens with the familiar dna, Calabrian bergamot, Provençal lavender & a touch of Ambroxan. Just so you know you're in Sauvage territory. But it's a more refined opening than before. Then the shift happens. That Vietnamese Oud hits centre stage. Its resinous rich & a touch smokey. But instead of screaming it's arrived it plays a supporting role wrapping the heart with an unexpected warmth. The dry-down is where it settles into its true form. A combination of Virginia cedar, Indonesian patchouli, and Madagascar vetiver add a dense, earthy, multi-layered woody base that anchors everything beautifully . The Ambroxan keeps that signature salty warmth alive throughout, but the oud and patchouli give it real gravity. Performance is massive easily 8+ hours and it leaves a rich, intimate trail. Kurkdjian hasn't just cranked up the volume; he's added depth and darkness while keeping the soul intact. This might turn out to be the best Sauvage in years. My Rating 9/10 Scent 3 Longevity 2.5 Sillage 2.5 Would I rebuy? 1