Gentlemen, moving on to the next and last full bottle I own from Hugo Boss "The Collection": Courageous Rose. For a lot of us, Rose is a "scary" note because we associate it with being too feminine or "old lady." But this is a dark, spicy, and woody Rose. Boss combined Rose Accord with a very creamy Sandalwood, and the result is something incredibly smooth. It’s the perfect "gateway" rose for guys who want to smell sophisticated without smelling like a flower shop. This is not bright or "jammy"; it’s dry and woody. The sandalwood in the base really tames the floral side, making it feel creamy rather than flowery. It’s sophisticated, slightly mysterious, and has a "red wine" type of depth to it. It feels like the kind of scent you wear with a leather jacket or a sharp blazer. How it stacks up? To give you a real idea of where this sits, here is how it compares to some of the heavyweights in the community and 3 of my favorites: • Vs. Radical Rose Extrait (Matiere Premiere): The "Extrait" version is a massive, dark, and brooding rose with heavy pepper and saffron—it’s a "beast mode" scent. Courageous Rose feels like a simplified, more wearable version of that same dark DNA. It gives you that high-end "red wine" vibe without the $400 price tag. • Vs. Zaharoff Signature Black Rose: Black Rose is a moody beast. The Boss version is much more approachable and "polite." If Black Rose is for a motorcycle and a long night, Courageous Rose is for a nice dinner and a glass of bourbon. • Vs. Moschino Toy Boy: Toy Boy is a "pepper-bomb"—loud and playful. The Boss bottle is the "grown-up" in the room: serious, elegant, and versatile. Performance & Occasion • Longevity: I’m getting a solid 7 to 8 hours. • Projection: It’s not a "room-filler," but it creates a very classy scent bubble that people will notice when they get close. This is an evening scent through and through. It works perfectly for a formal event or a night out at a high-end steakhouse here. If you’ve been intimidated by Rose before, this is the one to try.

Hard to believe, I was 10 when this first hit the shelves. Launched back in 1986, from the nose of Robert Slattery. This was an 80's powerhouse, a classic that brings back so manyemories. It was the first fragrance that I ever bought. The fact that it's still available today speaks volumes and I would be of the opinion, that this was Calvin Klein's best ever release.Its a warm, spicy & amber-laden fragrance. Bursting with that old school masculinity thats seems to have disappeared lately? Ok so im sure its gone through a number of reformulations & owners over the years. .A dose of the 80's in a bottle with this Oriental/Woody fragrance. It’s known for being dense, resinous, and thick. The opening hits you with a sharp, herbal citrus burst of Bergamot, Lime, and Mandarin, immediately followed by a heavy dose of Cinnamon. It feels warm and slightly fizzy. As the citrus fades, the heart becomes more aromatic. You’ll detect Sage, Lavender, and Myrrh. Then there is that distinctive barbershop soap quality, but it comes across as darker and more exotic due to the addition of nutmeg and pine. A common theme with fragrances that appeal to me is the dry down. This is where Obsession resides. It settles into a creamy, smoky blend of Amber, Vanilla, Sandalwood, and Musk. There is also a slight animalic civetone that gives it a manly edge. Despite the numerous reformulations over the years, This edt still packs a mighty punch, last time I broke this out I got a good 7hrs wear from my usual spray routine. Bear in mind though, this is strong stuff you get extremely good projection for the first 2hrs and can easily go lood a room if over applied. No one wants that scent bubble that wipes out everything in its path right. Again, this is perfect for the cold weather and night time wear. Despite the release of a night version. Best suited for date nights, evening events, or cold outdoor days. Whilst it may not make my top shelf these days, it still has a special place for me and the score reflects its position in my collection.