Going Beyond the Notes: Understanding the Materials Behind the Fragrance Today we're taking a different approach to fragrance reviews. Instead of simply discussing what we smell or repeating the advertised notes, I want to dig a little deeper into the actual raw materials used in perfumery, what they smell like, and what they contribute to a fragrance. For our first Perfumer's Edition, we're looking at Red Fever by Aaron Terence Hughes, a 35% extrait de parfum. THE OFFICIAL NOTE BREAKDOWN Top: Bergamot, Pear Heart: Lily, Raspberry, Plum, Peach Base: Almond, Vanilla, Amber, Oakmoss, Ambergris, Rose Absolute Now, here's where things get interesting. THE KNOWN RAW MATERIALS ATH's published information identifies several aromatic compounds, along with rose absolute. Let's look at what these materials actually smell like and what they can do in a perfume. 1. Linalool Smell: Fresh, floral, slightly citrusy, with a lavender-like character. Purpose: Adds brightness and floral freshness while helping transition from citrus top notes into the floral heart. 2. Geraniol Smell: Sweet, rosy, geranium-like, with a slight citrus nuance. Purpose: Commonly used to build rose accords, adding floral body, richness, and sweetness. 3. Limonene Smell: Bright, fresh citrus peel, particularly orange-like. Purpose: Provides citrus sparkle and freshness, especially in the opening stages of a fragrance. 4. Eugenol Smell: Warm, spicy, clove-like, with a slightly woody undertone. Purpose: Adds warmth and spicy complexity. It can also complement rose and other rich floral compositions. 5. Citral Smell: Sharp, intense lemon and lemongrass. Purpose: Adds a bright citrus edge and helps reinforce fresh, sparkling citrus accords. 6. Farnesol Smell: Soft, sweet, delicate floral with slightly green nuances. Purpose: Can soften floral compositions and support lily-of-the-valley-style accords. 7. Rose Absolute Smell: Rich, deep rose with honeyed, green, slightly spicy, and sometimes fruity nuances.

BOS crew, here are a few standout posts from the BOS community this week. 👏 Big shoutout to @Massimiliano Hajny for “? How to choose a new Perfume ?” and the genuinely thoughtful questions he brought after his first days in the Brotherhood. His curiosity created a valuable, high-engagement discussion where members could share practical fragrance guidance and personal recommendations. Post: https://www.skool.com/bos/how-to-choose-a-new-perfume 👏 Shoutout to @Tony Longshore for “Urbane Aromatics- The Drew Goetz Interview” and a personal, in-depth feature on a fragrance creator and his work. Bringing stories from the people behind fragrances adds depth and heart to the community’s scent conversations. Post: https://www.skool.com/bos/urbane-aromatics-the-drew-goetz-interview 👏 Shoutout to @L Gonzalez for “SOTD Bleu Noir EDP” and a clear wear-based review of Narciso Rodriguez Bleu Noir EDP. Specific notes on the opening, drydown, performance, and overall character help members make more informed fragrance decisions. Post: https://www.skool.com/bos/sotd-bleu-noir-edp-2 👏 Shoutout to @Raymond Reeves for “Finally some fall weather” and a seasonal scent share tied to a real day and occasion. These personal fragrance moments make recommendations more relatable and give everyone new ideas for what to wear. Post: https://www.skool.com/bos/finally-some-fall-weather 👏 Shoutout to @Lon Chaneyfield for “SOTD: Aaron Terence Hughes HOMBRE” and a useful review covering its citrus, aromatic, and woody profile alongside its strong longevity. Detailed firsthand wear reports are an excellent resource for members exploring new scents.

On Sunday October 18th we were celebrating my father in law’s birthday and my wife wore this one and I decided to wear it also. She immediately noticed I stole some sprays of it 😅. Only down side of this fragrance is longevity but it’s a beautiful citrus & floral fragrance.

#sotd... For Him Vetiver Musc by Narciso Rodriguez... This is a woody aromatic fragrance. Opens with a cool, fresh, aromatic scent. The mid gives you a blend of musk and an mineralic scent. To close this out, you will experience a smooth, clean woody dry down as it becomes a skin scent. Moderate projection for the first hour before it drops off into a skin scent. I got about 4 hours of longevity. If you are wanting something to get you through the whole day, this is not it. Refresh will be needed throughout the day. Nice smelling fragrance. I give it an 7 out of 10.

Red Fever is still one of my favorites from Aaron Terence Hughes. This one is bold, fruity, sweet, floral and absolutely performs. Right from the opening I get that juicy mixture of pear, peach, raspberry and plum, but the star for me is the rose. It has a rich, almost jammy quality without turning into something overly syrupy. As it settles down, the amber, vanilla, almond and oakmoss give it more depth and smooth everything out. What I really enjoy is that Red Fever doesn’t smell like a light fruity rose. It has some weight behind it. The fruit keeps it lively, while the rose and amber give it that richer, more luxurious feel. Performance: Projection: 9.5/10 Sillage: 9.5/10 Longevity: 10/10 This is definitely one where I don’t need to go crazy with the sprays. A few sprays create a serious scent bubble, and it hangs around for a long time. Red Fever is loud, smooth, sexy and unapologetic. Exactly what I expect when ATH decides to make something with some horsepower. SOTD Rating: 10/10 Add this is my favorite fragrance or at least in my top three just had to get the 10 out of 10