Hey guys, Joe A. here with another one for ya’! So this next meetup is a pretty cool opportunity to talk with @Marcelo Oillataguerre , aka, The Niche Fragrance Collector, and since time will be limited, I personally don’t want to waste the moment asking the usual “what’s your favorite fragrance?” type of questions! Don’t get me wrong, favorite scent questions are fun. We all love hearing what someone with a serious nose reaches for. But when you’re talking to someone who has smelled deep into the niche world, traveled through a lot of brands, explored different styles and built a real point of view around fragrance, I think the better question is not just 'what do you like?' It’s more like 'how do you think about fragrance now?' Right now, one question I’m leaning toward is this: ----------“With niche fragrance becoming more mainstream and more expensive, what separates a truly artistic niche release from one that is just wearing the "costume" of niche?”---------- That one interests me because we are living in a strange fragrance era. Everything is “exclusive,” everything is “extrait,” everything has a dramatic bottle, a moody campaign and a price tag that looks like it comes with a monthly payment plan. But does that automatically make it art? Or are some brands just throwing on a velvet jacket and charging admission? The other question I’m considering is: ----------“After smelling as much as you have, what has changed the most about your own taste over the years?”---------- Because honestly, that might be the real collector question. Most of us start this hobby chasing compliments, performance, hype or whatever bottle the algorithm keeps shoving in our faces. But over time, your nose changes. Your patience changes. Your standards change. Sometimes the fragrance you've ignored two years ago becomes the one that finally makes sense! What say you, guys? If you only had a few minutes with a serious niche fragrance reviewer, what would you ask? Would you go for something practical, like underrated houses and buying advice, or would you ask something deeper about artistry, taste and the direction of the hobby? Conversely, what is one fragrance reviewer question you are absolutely tired of hearing? Love to hear from ya'!

Have been waiting all week. I love the limited release Zed Creators releases. This house continues to amaze me!!! Zaharoff Soul Elixir – Rich, smooth, and seductive with warm spices, woods, amber, vanilla, and tobacco. Smells mature, confident, and luxurious without feeling dated. Zaharoff Pleasure Over Business – Modern, stylish, and easygoing with a smooth mix of freshness, sweetness, and woods. Smells polished without being overly serious.

A new release for summer. Argos doesn't put out many summer bangers. Coming this June!!!https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYxmT4TJtuV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

https://youtube.com/shorts/sB-Xdp5WH7E?si=GvbQPxxMvqKatnkB

Clone Warrior: Someone who strongly defends clones, dupes, Middle Eastern inspired-by fragrances, or budget alternatives. Sometimes positive, but often used as a jab when someone refuses to admit the original is better. Niche Snob:: A person who looks down on designers, cheapies, and clones because they prefer expensive niche or artisan fragrances. Designer Bro: Someone who mostly wears popular designer scents: Dior Sauvage, Bleu de Chanel, YSL Y, Invictus, Eros, etc. Usually wants easy compliments and mass appeal. Beast Mode Bro: Someone who judges fragrances mainly by strength, projection, and longevity. If it does not last 10+ hours or “fill a room,” they call it weak. “Beast mode” is widely used in fragrance groups to mean very strong performance/projection. Compliment Chaser: Someone who buys/wears fragrances mainly to get noticed by others, not necessarily because they personally love the scent. Fraghead: General term for a fragrance enthusiast or collector. Usually neutral or positive. Bottle Flexer: Someone who posts expensive bottles mainly to show status, collection size, or buying power. Aventus Bro: A person obsessed with Creed Aventus, Aventus batches, Aventus clones, smoky vs fruity batches, CDNIM, etc. Batch Hunter: Someone who chases older or “better” batches of a fragrance, especially Creed, Dior Homme Parfum, older Amouage, vintage designers, etc. Reformulation Cop: Someone who constantly points out that “the old version was better” or that a fragrance has been watered down. Dupe Detective: Someone who always tries to identify what expensive scent a cheaper fragrance is copying. Middle Eastern Hype Man: Someone who heavily promotes Lattafa, Armaf, Afnan, Fragrance World, Paris Corner, Maison Alhambra, etc., often saying they are better than designer or niche. Cheapie King: Someone who specializes in affordable fragrances and finds great value under $50. Niche Explorer: Someone who likes discovering lesser-known niche, indie, artisan, or unusual perfumes instead of mainstream designer releases