Well guys, my search for a classic year-round versatile scent led me down a rabbit hole and I stumbled on a pretty interesting scent that I’ve really been enjoying while test wearing: Ormonde Jayne Isfarkand. We have a niche boutique here in Seattle and I was perusing their shelves, just going down the Ormonde Jayne line sniffing potential candidates until I picked one up and was like whoa, what is this??? Isfarkand has a really unusual yet appealing scent profile for me. It has a bit of a citrusy open but kind of launches straight into this extremely smooth, woody mildly peppery and mossy vibe that is just savoury and delicious to me. It’s pretty linear and projection is very soft and limited; I get maybe 2 hours of half foot projection and maybe 4 more of just above the skin. But it’s really pleasant and I’m really enjoying wearing it. Apparently the founder of Ormonde Jayne created it to be a signature scent for her husband - it is definitely a masculine versatile scent that can be worn year round. Jomashop has an 85ml bottle for $130 — by no means cheap, but feels like a good deal for a high quality, well blended and unique fragrance. I think this is full bottle worthy in a large collection, I just need to figure out if it fits in mine or if there’s something else I should get instead. I feel like Santal 33 or maybe Byredo Gypsy Water could be contenders with a similar woody versatile vibe, although I think I like this one more. Has anyone tried this one? What do you think?

I was never a fan of the CDN line, the Aventus comparison total put me against it from day one. But I was recently coerced into putting my nose onto this absolute gem of a fragrance. Yes it's marketed towards the ladies. But to be fair, this got his dark floral can easily be worn by anyone. It's not a clone of, but does give my nose some Noir de Noir vibes. It's a floral Chypre released in 2013, by UAE house Amraf The fragrance opens with a bold, almost sharp explosion of saffron & rose. Unlike fresh, dewy garden roses, this is a deep, jammy rose that feels heavy & velvety. It quickly settles as the geranium adds a touch of green crispness to balance the saffron's leather like warmth. As the initial sharpness fades, the spices take center stage. Nutmeg & caraway provide a dry, earthy warmth, while pepper gives it a subtle bite. The violet note is present but plays a backing role, acting more as a bridge to soften the spices and prevent them from becoming overly aggressive. The drydown is where the fragrance truly shines and mimics the luxury of Tom Ford. The patchouli is earthy & chocolate like, blending seamlessly with vanilla & amber. The oud here is beginner-friendly; it provides a smoky, woody structure without being in your face. The result is a gothic sweetness that lingers for hours. This will certainly perform super, I'm getting up to 7-8 hours with a strong projection.It is a room filler for the first 2 hours, so a few sprays are sufficient.Best suited for evening wear, formal events, and colder months. It is a masterpiece of budget perfumery. It feels expensive, dark & serious. Its not a safe blind buy for those who prefer light, citrusy, or sugary-sweet scents, but for fans of dark florals or woody orientals, it is an essential addition. My Rating 8/10 Scent 2.5 Longevity 25 Sillage 2 Y/N 1