Match #43 in the second-chance bracket features Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum versus the now-discontinued Dunhill Icon—and this one is a fairly easy decision. Bleu de Chanel EDP (2014, created by Jacques Polge) remains one of the most versatile fragrances out there and, for me, one of the most sophisticated takes on the fresh blue fragrance. Grapefruit, ginger, incense, cedar, and sandalwood give it freshness without sacrificing depth. Office, casual, evening, almost any season—it simply works. Dunhill Icon (2015, created by Carlos Benaïm) also starts in fresh territory, with bergamot, neroli, black pepper, and lavender over vetiver and woods. I enjoy the aromatic citrus opening, but there's a slightly synthetic quality to it on my skin that keeps it from competing with the smoothness of the Chanel. No real drama today. Bleu de Chanel is the more polished, balanced, and versatile fragrance, and it advances comfortably. Dunhill Icon is eliminated from the tournament. And Chanel continues to have an impressive run: two fragrances remain in the main bracket, with three more still fighting their way through the second-chance bracket.

That was a productive day, One bottle ticked of the bucket list @arnottsdublin. Was a struggle to make a choice but finally went for the Bvlgari. Also changed my opinion of the new Sauvage extrait. Then had my nose on almost every Tom Ford not already in my collection. The Black Lacquer is very interesting.was surprised they did not have the new ombre reserve in stock. Oh and a return to @handsomescent for a new selection. I picked up a couple of their Ouds, a leather, a lemon hello and Wild Atlantic Way. Their an Irish house, they buy their oils from one of the big French suppliers. Then add the alcohol and bottle in house. .Sadly @parfumarija & @cloonkeen were closed. Will need plan better the next time 🙏

Huge Shout out to @Edward Mooney for persuading me to grab one of the few Memo Paris Fragrances I didn’t own Eau De Memo. I didn’t go with the 75ml this time no room for it but definitely has a space in the collection

Been a moment since I've done a poll. Long story short, I got some free time tomorrow and two bottles that have been on my wish list forever have become available in one of the Dept stores. So off I go tomorrow, the plan Is to take one of them home for my collection, but which one. Yes I'm gonna test em both out, annoy the hell out of the staff and probably smell a whole lot more. But the goal remains. So which would you pick and why?

This one surprised me. Sauvage Extrait really doesn’t come across like another typical Sauvage flanker to me. It’s much drier, darker, woodier and more resinous, with the patchouli and oud giving it a completely different character from the familiar fresh Sauvage DNA. My first thought was actually Amouage. Not that it smells exactly like a particular Amouage fragrance, but it has that same type of dense, dry, woody, slightly smoky Middle Eastern niche feel. I can especially understand the comparisons people are making to the dry oud character of Amouage Royal Tobacco. This smells much more expensive and serious than I expected from the Sauvage name. Less blue designer fragrance and more like Dior decided to take Sauvage into Amouage territory. First impression: I like this quite a bit. It may actually be one of the most interesting Sauvage releases Dior has done because it doesn’t feel like they simply turned up the concentration. They changed the personality. Definitely a cooler-weather fragrance for me, and I’m looking forward to giving it some full wearings.