You’re not imagining it: brands drop one big “pillar” fragrance… then milk it with a million flankers (Intense, Sport, Elixir, Parfum, Summer, Limited Edition). That’s not creative inspiration—it’s strategy. Why flankers exist (in plain English) 1) They’re cheap compared to a brand-new scent. A true new launch costs $$$ (R&D, testing, marketing, bottle design). A flanker reuses the name, the bottle, the shelf spot, and the hype. Lower risk, faster profit. 2) It’s a cash-in on a hit. Once a pillar becomes popular, the brand has a built-in audience. Flankers keep the line “new,” so people keep buying—especially collectors and gift buyers. 3) Shelf domination: Five boxes with the same name = your eyes land there first. Even if the flankers are redundant, the brand owns space in retail. 4) Trend + season flips. Market wants sweeter? Drop an Elixir if the Market wants fresh? Drop a Sport/Summer. Flankers are how brands chase trends without starting from zero. 5) Regulations + reformulation coverIFRA restrictions can force formula changes. Sometimes it’s easier to launch a “new” flanker than admit the original got adjusted. Why do so many flankers feel mid to cheap knock-off versions of the OG, or plain out redundant? Because they’re built to be sellable, not legendary. Fast yearly churn = “close enough to the original to sell” + “different enough to justify a new box.” Translation: sequels. Some are great. Most are filler. I have built in a self imposed defense mechanism, and every time I see the word flanker or a person saying they are completing a line, it automatically registers as suspect in my mind!. If it is highly promoted by the brand or by a person, I automatically ask myself these questions: 1) Is the person new to fragrances? Do they have experience? Brands are easy = ( Cash Grab) 2) If it is someone on this forum or on YouTube, is there a pattern? ( Is the collection always flanker after flanker? Are the products always on the inexpensive side? Or is it always something like Middle Eastern clones? Is it always the designers? usually systematically likes every or most of them.

Alright guys… this is it. Months of pours, polls, debates, hot takes and “wait—that beat what?!” moments. The lights are low, the bar is quiet and two bottles remain standing while the rest are just empty glasses on the counter (or floor, lol!) This isn’t about hype anymore. This is about presence. On one side, a fragrance that walks in like it owns the room: boozy, bold, unapologetic, and loud in the best way. The kind of scent that makes you lean back in your chair and say, “Alright… I see you.” On the other, a fragrance that plays it smoother. Less noise, more nuance. Warm, inviting, atmospheric. It doesn’t demand attention, it earns it. The kind of scent that stays in the air long after the conversation ends. Both have taken down giants. Both have loyal supporters. Both represent completely different philosophies of what a “boozy” fragrance should be. This final matchup isn’t just bottle vs bottle; it’s attitude vs atmosphere, swagger vs soul, the loud toast vs the quiet nod across the bar. So now it’s your turn. Which one deserves the crown? Which fragrance truly captures the spirit of THE BOOZE WARS? And which bottle walks out of this bar as legend? Cast your vote. Make your case. And remember, there’s no wrong answer here… just different drinks, different nights, different stories. One champion. One crown. WHAT SAY YOU?