I was reading a post from @Jonathan Ventura recently where he gave very high praise to Happiness Oud as a very close rendition of Initios Oud For Happiness.I really put a lot of stock into his reviews and comparisons and Since I have tried Oud for Happiness and loved it I thought I would give this one a shot. I found it for a great price (around $30) on Amazon and had to grab it. I’m thinking I’ll wear it tomorrow and do a full review soon! Thanks for the recommendation brother!

As we get ready for this winter storm, it's a dreary looking Friday hovering around 50. Seemed like the perfect day to reach for this one. It's a coffee-centric scent; not strong and overpowering, but more soft and lingering, like what you pick up when you walk in a coffee shop. I don't consider it a gourmand for some reason though, definitely not in the same vein as Amore Caffè. It's more of a relaxed, casual fragrance. It's casual Friday, so I've got a flannel shirt and jeans on and it's perfect for that. It could dress up to sweater level, but wouldn't work past that. It's one of my favorites and was an early full bottle purchase for me. Y'all stay safe with this storm coming in.

Without getting into the specifics: 1. I kept my word when it cost me in the end. 2. I stood for those that could not stand for themselves. 3. I remained honest even at my expense.

Today we bury my aunt. Grandmas home from the hospital.

Just obtained a sample of French Avenue’s Liquid Brun Limited Edition which is an extrait de parfum that takes the familiar DNA of the original Liquid Brun and refines it into a richer, more polished, and more luxurious experience. This opens with a warm yet vibrant blend of bergamot, cardamom, cinnamon, and orange blossom. The bergamot provides a bright, citrus lift that prevents the opening from feeling heavy, while cardamom and cinnamon introduce an immediate spiced warmth. Orange blossom sits subtly in the background, smoothing the spices with a gentle floral sweetness rather than dominating the composition. Compared to the original, the opening here feels more refined and less sharp, with better separation between the notes. As the top notes settles, the fragrance transitions into a creamy and resinous heart built around vanilla and elemi. This is where the Limited Edition clearly distinguishes itself. The vanilla is fuller, smoother, and more enveloping, giving the fragrance a richer gourmand character without becoming cloying. Elemi adds a soft balsamic warmth that enhances depth and continuity, allowing the scent to evolve naturally rather than shifting abruptly. In the dry-down, this reveals its strongest qualities. Praline introduces a subtle nutty sweetness that blends seamlessly with ambroxan’s amber-woody warmth. Guaiac wood adds a faint smoky nuance, while musk ties everything together into a smooth, sensual base. The result is a long-lasting, warm gourmand-woody trail that feels polished, comforting, and quietly powerful rather than loud. As an extrait, the performance is a clear strength. Longevity is excellent, exceeded ten hours on my skin, with strong projection in the first few hours before settling into a consistent, noticeable scent bubble. The sillage is refined rather than aggressive, making it suitable for evening wear, colder weather, and occasions where presence matters. Right, comparing this to the original Liquid Brun, this Limited Edition does not reinvent the scent but significantly improves its execution. Both share the same core structure, but the original feels lighter, slightly sharper in the opening, and less dense through the heart and base. The Limited Edition benefits from higher concentration and improved blending, resulting in a smoother transition between stages, a richer vanilla presence, and a deeper, longer-lasting dry-down.