This weekend I had the chance to try my sample of Palais Bourbon from Memo Paris, and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by how remarkable this fragrance is. It's often overlooked in the fragrance community, but it truly deserves more attention. The opening features a captivating blend, highlighted by a hint of spiced cardamom and incesne with amber notes that evokes the ambiance of a vibrant bazaar. It's an inviting start that certainly drew me in. After about 10 minutes, the fragrance evolves as warm vanilla and earthy notes begin to emerge, enriching the scent without overshadowing its initial intensity. About an hour in, the woods and resins make their entrance, adding a layer of warmth and masculinity that beautifully rounds out the aroma. In terms of performance, Palais Bourbon doesn't project aggressively; it stays relatively close to the skin. This makes it an excellent choice for a cozy, romantic date night in the winter. While it may not be a powerhouse in terms of projection, it certainly lasts well into the seventh hour—a solid longevity for a fragrance of this nature. I was genuinely impressed by how delightful and complex this scent turned out to be, especially considering the lack of buzz around it online. It was a happy find in my Memo discovery set. If you enjoy fragrances with notes of incense and amber, like Bottled Absolu by Hugo Boss, but are looking for a version with a hint of vanilla, Palais Bourbon could be the perfect match for you. Overall, I highly recommend giving it a try.

Off the bat, strong alcohol, then it hits hard. Tonka Cola is a gourmand fragrance that captures the effervescence of a soft drink and grounds it with a warm, spicy oriental base. Its gotta be one of the most popular releases to day thanks to that amazing opening. Yet another classic from Pierre Montale, released back in 2022. This is a winner for sure. What other fragrance can take you on a journey from a fizzy soda to warm Amber? ​The opening notes almost read like a cola can, Lemon, nutmeg, cinnamon & Black Cherry.The lemon & spices combo perfectly mimics carbonation, while the cherry gives it a Cherry Coke or Dr. Pepper kinda vibe.At its core there is a Fizzy Cola Accord, hands up who would love to know how they do that? Add some Patchouli & Orange blossom to the mix and you got a great heart where the soda takes center stage. With the Patchouli adding an earthy dept, preventing things from becoming to syrupy. As we reach the base, with Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Benzoin & Labdanum. All that fizz fades away into a creamy, resinous dry down. The Tonka provides a nutty, almond-like warmth that lingers for hours. True to the Mancera DNA, Tonka Cola is a powerhouse fragrance. You will easily get 8hrs without overspraying. Projection is quite strong for the first 2–3 hours. It fills a room easily, so be cautious with the atomizer. It leaves a heavy, sweet & spicy trail that is easily noticed. To be honest, all the designer houses should be holding their heads in shame. And those overpriced Niche houses need a big dose of Cop on. Mancera are killing it in my opinion, frags like this, at this price point can't be compete with. Tonka Cola feels nostalgic yet modern. It smells exactly like a freshly opened bottle of Coca-Cola or Haribo Cola Gummies. As it settles, it evolves into a sophisticated spicy-vanilla scent. Best for Fall and Winter, yet versatile. It’s a fun fragrance rather than a formal or professional one. My Rating: 8.5/10 Scent:2.5 Longevity: 2.5