Today it was sub 8°C, so I thought I’d use the opportunity to crack open a winter sample I’ve been wanting to try before the seasons changed. I got three Shaghafs (Oud, Oud Elixir and Oud Tonka) and went with Shaghaf Oud today. A relatively linear fragrance that starts off with warm saffron, jammy rose, decadent praline and what I assume is “oud”. Once it fully dries down, the saffron disappears and the vanilla pops up. The rest remains largely unchanged. It’s a lovely rose oud gourmand with a youthful Middle Eastern touch. It has that jammy rose vibe similar to Satin Mood that pairs well with the “oud”. The quality at this price is very surprising, almost shocking. Performance is good. People online claim 12+ hours, but that is supposedly the older batches. The one I tried projected nicely for the first 2 to 3 hours at around 1.5 to 2 feet, then slowly settled closer to the skin by hour 6. I’m expecting around 9 to 11 hours before it disappears. I also get whiffs of the fragrance every time I twist and turn, which is quite nice. I always hear good things about Swiss Arabian, but I thought it was exaggerated. I understand the hype now. Super justified love and respect for the brand. Worth gatekeeping for some. Overall, I’d give it a solid 8.5/10. A very easy to like, high quality and beginner friendly rose oud fragrance. Nothing revolutionary, but at this price it’s a no brainer. I could pick it up for £23, but I’m going to try the other two and make a decision. I’m expecting a little more complexity from this DNA, and Elixir seems to have it.

Mine finally came!!! Had to try a test spray on my hand and I love it. Its a bit if citrus and spicy with some sweet that shows up after awhile. It sort of reminds me of Bal d’ Afrique meets Valentino Extradose with some leather and muskiness thrown in. From first impressions this might his most mass appealing scent in the lineup, but still a masterpiece. I will give this a full wear soon, but I can see this being a top seller. Stay smelling great my brothers.

Date night with the wife and going to the Texas Rangers game so I decided to wear ADG Absolu. Acqua di Giò Absolu is a modern, woody-aquatic fragrance that departs from the sharp citrus of the original, leaning instead into a warmer, more sophisticated profile. ​The Scent Profile ​Top Notes: Fruity notes, Bergamot, and Marine notes. ​Middle Notes: Geranium, Lavender, and Rosemary. ​Base Notes: Patchouli, Woody notes, Labdanum, and Tonka Bean. ​Key Characteristics ​Vibe: It strikes a balance between freshness and earthiness. While it retains the iconic sea-salt DNA of the Acqua di Giò line, the heavy use of clearwood and patchouli gives it a "forest-meets-the-ocean" feel. ​Performance: Generally offers better longevity and sillage than the original EDT, lasting roughly 7–9 hours on skin. ​Versatility: It is highly versatile but excels in the spring and fall. The added sweetness makes it suitable for evening wear, whereas the original is strictly a daytime scent.

Another debut today. I've tried Explorer, Explorer Platinum, and today I'll try Starwalker. I'm sure at some point I'll look at Explorer Extreme and one or more of the Legend flankers. Starwalker (2005) is a woody-spicy fragrance, designed by Michel Almairac. It is known for its light, fresh, and clean profile, characterized by a bright, citrus-bamboo opening that settles into a soft, woody, and slightly musky base. Top Notes: Bamboo, Bergamot, Mandarin Orange Middle Notes: White Musk, Sandalwood, Cedar Base Notes: Ginger, Fir Resin, Nutmeg, Amber It's been characterized as a "skin scent" that is fresh, slightly spicy, and clean. Ideal for daily office wear or casual occasions during spring, summer, and fall. Versatile but has moderate longevity (4–7 hours).