As you may know, I've struggled to write this review. My son made it embarrassingly simple. He smelled it and said, "It smells like your leather jacket, and strawberries... 10 out of 10!" Why does Godolphin hit so hard for me? The truth is, it takes me back to a pivotal time in my life, where I realized that substance mattered more than hype. I was a 22-year-old celebrity. A cool rock n' roll radio DJ. Everyone knew my name, they didn't really know me. I never paid for a drink, or a meal. I did wait in lines. People just gave me things for free all the time — I got my first computer and my first leather jacket as gifts from fans. But mostly, beautiful women gave me their bodies. I MC'd all the local live music shows. I was out drinking, being the life of the party every single night (including Christmas) for over 2 years straight... One night at the club, I was MC. I got the crowd going, introduced the band, and got off stage to get a fresh bourbon. Maybe 8 absolutely gorgeous girls threw themselves at me while I was trying to get my drink. Instead, I walked out. I crossed the street to the skuzzy bar, where nobody knew me. I paid for a pint of beer with my own money, and sat down. I was in a foul mood. The drunken young men were annoying me, and I started using my wit and verbal skills to fire humorous but cruel taunts and jokes at them — I needed to vent. The drunk boys didn't understand half of what I was saying, but a female laugh nearby clearly did. It took some time to identify the laugh's owner. She had a bald head, leather jacket, ripped jeans, 5 foot nothing. I sat down with her, and a much older, voluptuous redhead (her mother). These two ladies were sharp and funny, and we had laughs and great conversations, until my alarm reminded me I needed to be on stage again soon. I went back to the show, did my 3 minutes on stage, fought off the sycophants, and went back to the ladies across the street. That little bald punk girl had no idea that across the street, I was a king. (I had no idea she was so smart — turned out she was a member of Mensa.) She was funny, interesting, and completely unlike anyone I'd been spending my nights with.

Tonight's selection was specifically chosen in honor of my friend and brother @Thomas Chavez and his new status in this community as a Level 9. In my opinion, this selection exemplifies the essense that I believe is personified by our fellow brother and gentleman. It is a classy, timeless and pleasing fragrance that has endured and has been appreciated for decades. We all know the name Lalique as the pinnacle and benchmark in the fine crystal industry. We also know that Lalique does not play off the status of their name as others have, but instead simply focuses on providing top-notch quality fragrances at prices accessible to all. Lalique Pour Homme, often referred to as the "Lion" is a classic woody, aromatic fragrance launched back in 1997 and crafted by the renowned perfumer Maurice Roucel. It's a scent that embodies a sense of timeless, understated elegance and quality far exceeding its typical price point. This fragrance offers a beautiful and sophisticated journey of notes from the opening to the dry-down. The initial spray is a bright, aromatic burst of citrus and herbs. Notes like lavender, rosemary, bergamot, and mandarin provide a refreshing and slightly spicy kick that quickly transitions to the mid. The mid introduces a refined floral-woody accord. You'll find a dry, cedar mid balanced by the powdery touch of iris and maybe a little hint of jasmine. This is where the scent gains its classic, "gentlemanly" character, sometimes referred to as a "barbershop" frag. The base/dry-down is deep, warm, and comforting. It includes a blend of oakmoss, sandalwood, patchouli, vanilla, and amber for a lasting base. The vanilla is dry and ambery, not overly sweet, giving it a sense of sophistication and maturity. The overall aroma is complex. It evolves from fresh and zesty (love that word) to a dry, woody, and slightly smoky finish (my favorite) which is often compared to Creed Bois du Portugal, and much like Lailique, our brother @Thomas Chavez, both are classy yet unpretentious.