Match #51 in the second-chance bracket features two fragrances I really enjoy, and my decision may not be the popular one: Bleu de Chanel Eau de Parfum versus Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club. Bleu de Chanel EDP (2014, created by Jacques Polge) is contemporary sophistication and, for many people, still the standard against which blue fragrances are measured. Grapefruit, ginger, incense, cedar, and sandalwood give it freshness, depth, and tremendous versatility. Four seasons, almost any occasion—it's hard to find a situation where Bleu de Chanel doesn't work. Jazz Club (2013, created by Aliénor Massenet) occupies a completely different world. Tobacco, rum, vanilla, pink pepper, and woods make it dark, boozy, warm, and inviting. It's much more limited to cooler weather and evenings, but in the right setting, it's terrific. I love both, and Jazz Club probably has the more distinctive personality. But this tournament has always come down to which fragrance I'd rather reach for, and Bleu de Chanel simply gives me more opportunities to do that. So the Chanel winning streak continues. After Platinum Égoïste and Antaeus survived the previous two elimination matches, Bleu de Chanel makes it three Chanel victories in a row. BDC advances, while Jazz Club is eliminated from the tournament.

Match #52 in the second-chance bracket features the now-defunct Galleria Parfums By the Yuzu Grove versus Givenchy Gentleman Original (2024)—two fragrances that approach masculinity from completely different directions. By the Yuzu Grove has one of the most powerful and delicious citrus openings of anything I've tried. Yuzu, lemon, and mandarin explode off the skin, with ginger adding a little spice over a base of vetiver and cedar. There's not a great deal of development as it dries down, but when the basic scent profile is this enjoyable, I'm not sure that's much of a complaint. Givenchy Gentleman Original (2024) goes decidedly old-school, with patchouli, leather, tarragon, and woods creating a classic barbershop-style fragrance. It's mature, masculine, and very nicely put together. As usual, though, the deciding question isn't which fragrance is more complex or sophisticated—it's which one I'd rather wear. And today, that answer is easy. Give me that huge blast of yuzu and citrus. By the Yuzu Grove survives and advances in the second-chance bracket, while Givenchy Gentleman Original is eliminated from the tournament.

Match #50 in my fragrance tournament is another elimination battle between two fragrances that couldn't be much more different: Chanel Antaeus versus Versace Eros EDT. Antaeus (1981, created by Jacques Polge) is unapologetically masculine, with patchouli, oakmoss, castoreum, leather, and woods underneath an aromatic opening. It's very much a product of its era, but rather than simply smelling "old," I think it smells mature and sophisticated. More importantly for this matchup, it evolves throughout the wear and becomes more interesting as the hours pass. Eros (2012, created by Aurélien Guichard) heads completely in the other direction. Mint, green apple, citrus, vanilla, and tonka bean make it sweet, bright, youthful, and immediately appealing. If I had to generalize, I suspect Eros would get more compliments from women, while Antaeus might be more appreciated by men—especially those of us with a few more years behind us. Like yesterday's matchup, though, development makes a difference. Eros is fairly linear on my skin: what I enjoy in the opening stays pretty much intact. Antaeus keeps changing and revealing different facets. Depending on my mood, I could easily choose either one. But today, subtlety, complexity, and sophistication win out. Chanel Antaeus survives another round, while Versace Eros is eliminated from the tournament.

Look at your collection, no matter what size it is. What do you think is the weak spot in it? And no, I'm not referring to FOMO. It's not about chasing the latest release or completing a lineup. I'm talking about what area seems to be lacking? It could be a situation (formal events, work options, etc.). It could be a season. I live in the South, so it's summer (or at least warm) the majority of the year. I focused on building that part up this year and feel good about where that part is now. I'm good with fall and winter. But my weak spot is spring. That time of year I find myself scrambling to find options that seem to fit the way I'd like. What are you working on with your collection?

I decided to go with elegant for tonight‘s Christopher Cross/Toto concert, and I arguably have a no more elegant fragrance in my collection than YSL Tuxedo. There’s a reason that apart from Aventis, this is possibly the most duped modern fragrance. This is a spectacular citrus-patchouli-vanilla-amber blend with increasingly impressive performance. When I first acquired it, I would only get about four hours’ wear. Now it’s about 10 hours. Supposedly elevated-level designer fragrances are pre-macerated. I don’t know about that. The term “masterpiece” is thrown around much too cavalierly today with respect to fragrances. This is a masterpiece.