First spray was around 11:56 a.m. and I wanted to track how this one opens and settles on skin. 11:56–12:00 (opening): Right off the bat, the mix of peppermint, cardamom, cinnamon, and pink pepper comes through really nicely. It’s very fresh, but not green or herbal. The peppermint gives a cool lift, while the spices keep it warm and approachable. It doesn’t smell like spearmint gum or anything playful. It’s fresh, but refined. The first thing that came to mind was that kind of freshness you get from minty ice cream, like mint chocolate chip without the chocolate. Not because it smells edible, but because of the contrast between cool mint and soft warmth underneath. Around 12:10 p.m.: The sharpness of the mint has started to calm down. It’s still there, but it’s much softer and smoother now. The cardamom and cinnamon are still present, but they’ve lost their edge and feel more blended. Everything feels more cohesive at this point rather than bright and sparkly. So far, this is reading as a cool-warm contrast fragrance. Fresh, spicy, and very well balanced. Nothing harsh, nothing overpowering. It’s already feeling comfortable on skin while still being interesting. Update: It’s about 1:07 p.m. and I’m starting to pick up a faint hint of rose coming through. The profile is shifting into the heart now and it’s becoming more resinous and warm overall. The mint is still present, but it’s no longer sharp. It’s smoothing out and blending into the warmer core. Now at 1:25 p.m., there’s still a noticeable lift or “pop” in the scent. Not like the opening, but more of a lingering minty glow that keeps it feeling fresh and alive. The warmth underneath is stronger now, so it’s sitting in a really nice cool warm balance rather than being purely fresh. At this stage, it feels like the heart is fully taking shape. Rose is subtle, the resinous warmth is building, and the mint is still giving that clean edge without dominating.

Hey Guys, Joe A. here with another one for ya’, and today, I’m kicking off a brand-new series that might just change how you look at your entire fragrance collection! We spend so much time talking about bottles, notes, performance and hype… but how often do we stop and ask, “Okay, but who actually created this?” Behind every legendary scent is a creative mind, a perfumer with their own story, philosophy, inspirations, failures, victories and quirks. And honestly? Once you learn about the people crafting these olfactory worlds, the fragrances themselves take on a whole new meaning. That’s exactly what this series is here to explore. In “Who Is Perfumer”, we’re diving straight into the human side of perfumery: the careers, the backgrounds, the training, the passions, the signature styles each perfumer brings to the table. We’ll look at their early influences, the houses they’ve shaped, the iconic scents they’ve given life to and maybe even the surprising detours along the way. Some names you’ll know immediately. Others you may have worn for years without ever realizing they were the nose behind your favorite signature scent. My goal is to peel back the curtain and show you the artisans whose fingerprints are on the fragrances we love. More than anything, this series is about connection, like connecting the scent to the storyteller. When you know who crafted a fragrance, when you understand their vision and their journey, the scent hits just a little differently. It becomes more than a bottle on your shelf; it becomes part of someone’s creative legacy. So buckle up, guys, we’re shining a spotlight on the perfumers themselves, the unsung heroes of this hobby. Can’t wait to explore these incredible creators with you. What say you, Guys? Do you feel a series like this would be beneficial? Do discussions of perfumers and their stories aid you in your fragrance #Journey? Or is good ol’ Joe A. off his rocker again? Love to hear from ya’!

I love the Eros line, and this one was among the most hyped releases of the year. I finally got a sample to try, so here’s what I think. It opens with a burst of juicy sweet mandarin, followed by some creamy caramel and a touch of spicy sweet cardamom. Overall, it’s a sweeter opening that feels interesting and well balanced. Unfortunately, the mandarin fades rather quickly. As it settles, I get some weak oud, incense, and saffron (not listed but noticeable). As it dries down, the scent shifts from a spicy caramel fragrance to a woody mix of ambroxan, patchouli, and tonka. The more it dries down, the closer it gets to the true Eros DNA. To me, it feels like a mix of Eros Flame, Dylan Blue, and The Most Wanted EDP, with performance similar to Flame. In terms of performance, I got around 2-3 hours of solid projection before it softened into a skin scent by hour six. It lasted about eight hours in total. I expected it to project more like my The Most Wanted, but it didn’t quite reach that level. It’s a bit overhyped. A good fragrance, but not worth the early resale prices I saw online at £200-£300 before its Western release. Still, it’s a versatile everyday scent for fall and winter. Overall, I’d give it an 8/10 for now. It might grow on me or it might not. It’s easy to wear, easy to gift, and blind-buy safe without feeling redundant. Better performance would have made it a stronger contender. Not a groundbreaking DNA, but it just works. I don’t know many fragrances that balance sweetness this well. If I find it at a good price, I might pick up a bottle, but it’s not on my priority list.

The EDT is louder and projects a lot and the EDP is smoother and not as harsh as the EDT. My wins on the EDT because it has better projection. If you love Versace Eros like I own it as my signature scent, wear it with your own confidence, not to worry about that you will smell like every guy in the club, everywhere that you go, you will smell it and this fragrance is so popular.

Got myself a tiny sample to test out the hype. I can say none of the clones I smelled before had replicated Aventus accurately. It's a well made refined scent. Moderate on projection and silage. Becomes almost a skin scent in 1.5 hours. Others can smell it for few more hours if they are close to me. I've tried a clone of Aventus Absolu that had a prominent Pineapple that was far more likable. I'd continue to try out the 20 sprays I've got left. Get yourself a tiny sample or decant to try out the hype. It's not very fruity or sweet. The stories of reformulation seem 100% true! Old reviews and what I smell don't match.