I was going to be "fiscally conservative" and reach for the Lattafa Asad (which I think is a very nice clone), but I thought since I'm going to be watching the Bears/49'ers, I'll go with the real deal. This is one of my favorite designer frags in my collection. I really enjoy the intensity of spices, the woody notes. The longevity on this is legendary, so no more than a few sprays will do the trick. The opening gives you a blast of cinnamon and cardamom with a touch of grapefruit if you pay attention. The mid is a earthy yet it too is very pleasant. Then in the base the liquorice, woody, and patchouli are unmistakable. You still pick up some ambroxan, but it’s not easy to pick up over the woods and spices. It took me a while to pull the trigger on this one, but I don't regret it for a minute. Again, it's a favorite of mine. 8.5 / 10.0

Let me start by saying I’ve always been obsessed with leather; the rich scent of it filling every car I’ve owned and almost every piece of furniture in my home. Baseball gloves, boots, well-worn saddles… bring it on! But when it comes to leather fragrances, I’m very selective. Tom Ford’s Ombre Leather, with its heavy, smoky campfire intensity, is a hard pass for me. And in scorching Phoenix heat, most leather scents quickly become cloying and overwhelming. Tonight, though, in the crisp, clean Oregon winter air, Guerlain Cuir Intense delivered pure luxurious leather. Think the supple elegance of fine dress gloves or the inside of a new designer bag. Refined, sophisticated, and remarkably smoke-free. It opens with a honeyed sweetness from osmanthus that quickly gives way to plush, animalic musk, warm tobacco leaf, creamy sandalwood, and grounding cedar. The result is an intimate, deeply sophisticated drydown that clings beautifully through long, serene winter evenings. Performance is excellent with solid projection and impressive longevity. This isn’t just any leather; it’s somewhat dirty in an aged and lived in kinda way, and that makes it undeniably sexy. If you’re searching for an authentic, non-smoky leather that truly shines in cooler weather, Cuir Intense deserves a serious spot on your list.