Training your nose is not just about smelling more bottles. It is about smelling with purpose. Start with the basics first. Learn the families: citrus, woods, aromatics, florals, amber, musk, spice, green notes, incense, leather, and sweet notes. Don’t try to pick out every single note right away because that’s where people get frustrated. The best thing I’ve found is using real-life references. Smell lemon peel, grapefruit peel, fresh basil, rosemary, coffee, cedar, leather, vanilla, incense, grass, pepper, and things like that. Then when you smell a fragrance, your brain has something real to connect it to. Also, don’t judge a fragrance by the first spray. Smell the opening, then come back 30 minutes later, then again a few hours later. That’s how you start noticing transitions. A lot of fragrances smell one way in the opening and totally different in the drydown. Side-by-side comparisons help a lot, too. Smell two fragrances in the same style and ask yourself which one is fresher, sweeter, woodier, cleaner, heavier, more natural, more synthetic, or smoother. You don’t have to be a master perfumer to notice differences. And don’t overload your nose. After a few fragrances, your nose gets tired. Fresh air helps more than coffee beans, in my opinion. The biggest thing is keeping it simple. Pick one note or one style at a time and build from there. Over time, you start recognizing patterns. You learn what real citrus smells like, what ambroxan does, what Iso E Super does, what clean musk smells like, what incense smells like, what cheap sweetness smells like, and what better blending smells like. That’s how your nose gets better. Not by pretending you can smell 40 notes in every fragrance, but by building scent memory one piece at a time. Buying small natural raw materials is one of the best ways to train your nose. You do not need huge bottles. Small samples are enough. Good places to look are Eden Botanicals, The Perfumer’s Apprentice, Perfumer Supply House, Creating Perfume, and Pell Wall. The Perfumer’s Apprentice specifically notes that essential oils and absolutes are very strong and should usually be smelled diluted, often around 10% or even 1%

Have you ever had an experience where you smell something and then recall something that you had forgotten? For me personally, it is Tommy Bahama Men (discontinued) and I have about 2ml left in the original bottle. It was my bottle on our anniversary cruise to the Bahamas. 16 years later, I can still see the lido deck when I smell it. Getting dressed up for dinner. The ocean breeze. Swimming with dolphins. There is a part 2, but first what does it for you?

Good morning, everyone! I decided to kick off my week by wearing 1419 Madeira from Leme, a special bottle gifted to me by my wife during her trip to Portugal. Right from the opening, 1419 Madeira greets you with a bright and refreshing burst of apple. There's a mild sweetness that prevents the fragrance from feeling overwhelming, making it an excellent choice for those hot days. However, as you wear it for about half an hour, the fruity apple notes begin to recede, giving way to a heavy floral aroma. This is where the scent really shines, but it’s important to note that the middle notes are quite floral, so you should be comfortable with that profile if you decide to try it. The dry down occurs around the two-hour mark, transitioning from the bold florals to a clean and light skin scent characterized by creamy woods and musk. This pleasant base lingers close to the skin, lasting around 3-4 hours depending on the weather. I found it to be a bit more enduring on warmer days, sometimes reaching just over the fourth hour of wear. Overall, 1419 Madeira is truly a springtime-in-a-bottle scent. It's light, fresh, and floral—ideal for daytime wear on warm occasions. The fragrance is marketed as unisex, but with its floral heart and musky finish, it definitely appeals to those who appreciate floral notes. Personally, I enjoy florals, so I felt right at home with this one. If you aren't a fan of floral fragrances, you might want to sample it first, as that element is quite pronounced. In summary, if you’re in search of a refreshing and floral scent that embodies the essence of spring, 1419 Madeira is worth a sample.

When the air cools down - everything shifts. Clothes get heavier. Nights get longer. And those bright summer scents? They just don’t cut it anymore. This is the season to bring out the dark and mysterious side of your collection. Why Fall Loves Dark Notes Cool weather gives your skin the chance to carry richer, deeper accords - the kind that would feel like overkill in the heat. - Oud - smoky, resinous, unapologetically powerful. - Leather - rugged confidence in a bottle. - Incense - spiritual, mysterious, timeless. - Smoke & Woods - that bonfire, autumn-night vibe These aren’t just scents - they’re statements. They don’t whisper. They command attention. 🔥This Month in BOS All through October - we’re diving into the Dark & Mysterious theme. Each week - I’ll drop a challenge to push you deeper into your collection - whether it’s rocking your boldest oud to work, layering leather on a night out, or finding the perfect Halloween beast-mode scent. By the end of the month - we’ll crown our Darkest Fragrance of 2025. 👉 So let’s kick it off: What’s the one dark fragrance you grab as soon as the weather cools down?

Hey gents, I'm thrilled to announce the winners of this epic giveaway: Watches: Citizen Promaster Skyhawk A-T Eco-Drive Black Titanium Watch - @Steven Hotchkiss Melbourne Carlton Chronograph in Classic Rose 42mm - @John C Style Gear: MAHI THe Columbus Leather Travel Bag In Brown - @Justin Tillery MAHI The Cornell Leather Satchel Brown - @Dillon Carson MAHI The Messenger Leather Satchel In Brown - @Alex Kilpatrick Fragrances: Mei Bisous A Wondrous Flight - @Devin Christensen M. Micallef GNTONIC Eau De Parfum - @George Hernandez Omanluxury Overdose Eau De Parfum - @Scott Ripley Spirit of Kings Arrakis Eau De Parfum - @Joel Keefer Jacques Zolty Me Gustas Eau De Parfum - @John Palermo Mystery Prize Winners: @Fernando Mendoza @Rich Toczynski @Christopher Trujillo @Blake Merl