Hey guys, Joe A. here with another one for ya’! Today’s bit is one that pops up a lot in the fragrance hobby: “What discontinued fragrances do I need to get before they’re gone forever?” Listen, I get it! There’s something exciting about "The Hunt." A bottle gets discontinued, the price starts climbing, people start whispering about reformulations, backup bottles and “you had to be there” batch codes like we’re discussing ancient scrolls under candlelight. But here’s the boring-but-necessary truth: Before you go chasing discontinued fragrances, you really need to know what scent profiles you actually love!! Because discontinued does not automatically mean legendary. Sometimes it means the fragrance was underappreciated. Sometimes it means the brand made a bad decision. Sometimes it means the market moved on. And sometimes, gentlemen, it means the fragrance was standing in the clearance aisle for a reason... There's some absolutely great discontinued bottles out there. Acqua di Gio Profumo. Valentino Uomo Intense. Dunhill Icon. Certain Tom Ford releases. Older designer gems. Vintage formulations that fragrance folks still talk about like lost treasure. But “great fragrance” and “great fragrance for you” are two very different things!! Don't let FOMO grab you by the wallet and drag you into a $250 blind buy just because a fragrance now has “discontinued” attached to its name. My advice? Don’t chase discontinued fragrances first. Chase your own taste first. Once you know what you love, the hunt becomes smarter. You’re not just buying because something is rare. You’re buying because it fits your nose, your style and your collection. And let’s be honest, guys… there are still plenty of excellent fragrances available right now. Missing out on a discontinued bottle is not the end of the hobby. Sometimes the dragon you’re chasing is legendary. Sometimes it just smells like regret with a batch code!! What say you, guys? Do you chase discontinued fragrances, or do you usually let them go? What’s one discontinued bottle you think is actually worth the hunt? And what’s one that people hype up mostly because they can’t easily get it anymore? Love to hear from ya'!

Greetings from San Diego, friends. This week, I find myself down here for my sister's graduation ceremony. So, due to the heat I knew I was to expect, I decided to pack my new travel size of Myself EDP by YSL. After enjoying it for a couple of days, these are my thoughts. Upon first spray, this fragrance delivers a scent that feels comfortably familiar. For me, it opens with an ambroxan note reminiscent of the Sauvage line, beautifully intertwined with white floral elements similar to those found in my wife's Libre. Imagine blending those two iconic fragrances and adding a fresh citrus twist from Polo 67—that's the essence of this scent. On my skin, the fragrance remains quite linear, with minimal evolution throughout the wear. This could be seen as a downside for those who prefer more complexity, but there's a certain charm in its straightforwardness. In terms of performance, the projection is impressive during the initial hour, creating a pleasant aura around you. However, after that, the scent becomes closer to the skin but retains a noticeable presence. I was able to detect it on my body for about seven hours before it faded to a subtle skin scent and eventually disappeared. Ultimately, this fragrance embodies a blend of familiarity and distinctiveness. It may not be groundbreaking or particularly daring, but it's a scent that garners compliments and can be worn on various occasions. If you're looking for something that smells great and feels versatile, this bottle is definitely worth considering.

Ok, I see what the hype is about for this one! This has now become what of my top 5 favorite scents for sure! Bal d’Afrique strikes a beautiful balance between brightness and softness. The citrus opening feels bright but never sharp, before it melts into a smooth, musky floral warmth. Just clean, luminous and quietly elegant without ever becoming too much. ❤️ Just wish it lasted a lot longer, I get about 5 hrs before it becomes a skin scent without much projection. But I keep smelling it and makes me want to spray more!

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).

A complex and multifaceted aroma that is an original from the brand, created by the french master performer Pascal Gaurin, VP Senior Perfumer at IFF, that has worked on creations for Michael Kors, Vera Wang, Tom Ford, etc. Interesting fact: There is a misconception about the”crème brûlée” note here. In an interview to the perfumer, he stated that the starting point of this fragrance came out of a “pineapple brûlée” (caramelized or burnt pineapple) on top of a “crème brûlée” he had for desert, but not the dessert itself. It opens with some of the burnt pineapple sweetness (without being too sweet), along with the turmeric and mossy nuances. As it dries down the balsamic and spiciness from the meddle accords intensifies while keeping its sweetness, for a couple of hours. Then, the scent turns to a slightly smoky, woodsy, mossy and sweet delightfulness. Projection and longevity are great and could work for any season (the amount of sprays are key).