Chanel is one of those houses I respect more the longer I’m into fragrances. When I first started collecting, I was chasing everything — inexpensive designers, every hyped designer release, Middle Eastern clones, and eventually niche and artisan perfumery. Going back to Chanel after smelling all of that makes me appreciate just how well put together their fragrances really are. Chanel isn't usually trying to beat you over the head with projection or create the loudest fragrance in the room. Their strength is refinement, balance, blending, and making fragrances that simply smell expensive. Bleu de Chanel is obviously the modern centerpiece of the men's designer line. Some people dismiss it because the blue fragrance category became so crowded afterward, but Bleu de Chanel helped define what a modern upscale blue fragrance could be. I particularly like the Parfum because it takes that DNA in a smoother, richer, and more mature direction. It isn't trying to scream across the room. It smells polished and extremely well composed. The Allure Homme family may actually be the strongest part of Chanel's men's designer catalog for me. Allure Homme, Allure Homme Sport, and Eau Extrême each have their own personality while still clearly belonging to the same family. Eau Extrême especially has become almost a benchmark fragrance because of how effortlessly it combines freshness, sweetness, woods and that creamy Chanel smoothness. Then you have Platinum Égoïste, which is a completely different side of Chanel. Green, aromatic, metallic, clean and masculine without smelling like another modern shower-gel fragrance. This is one of those fragrances that reminds you Chanel existed long before the current blue-fragrance era. And then there is Égoïste, which I think deserves much more attention today. Woody, spicy, and considerably more distinctive than most modern designer releases. It comes from a time when designer houses weren't afraid to put something on the counter that actually had some edges and personality.

Today is the day for the wedding reception we have traveled to Florida for. In true Florida fashion it was raining cats and dogs, however I had decided to wear Gris Dior since that is one fragrance I am trying to evaluate to see if it’s FBW. It’s perfect for a formal event, very subtle but still unique. The mixture of patchouli and rose is giving me a very cola like vibe. So far I am loving it!

It’s compared to Bvlgari Tygar (I don’t know how close it is to it, and I can care less) it’s perfect and beautiful on its own merits. It opens very citrusy and fruity sweet but well balanced and rounded with florals and spiced earthiness. The dry down tones down the citrus while keeping its undertone sweetness, giving space to the musky, woody and leathery nuances to shine. Perfect for warm weather, casual and daily use, with great projection and longevity. Website Notes: Top Notes: Grapefruit, Bergamot, Lemon, Lime, Pink Pepper, Black Pepper, Pineapple, Melon, Plum. Middle Notes: Lily of the Valley, Freesia, Jasmine, Magnolia, Geranium, Rose. Base Notes: White Musk, Woody Notes, Leather, Amber, Patchouli.