So a couple of months ago l, I picked up a 15 ml travel atomizer of this fragrance. I just did a spray on the back of my hand to try it out and liked it a good bit. Since our winter was warm, I didn't really give it a full wear. Today, since we're in the middle of a cold snap and I've pretty much been wearing PDM and Initio fragrances for the last week or two ( coincidentally sister houses ), I thought I'd wear this one again for a full day. Very simple as far as note breakdowns go, but it's absolutely marvelous! Maybe the sexiest vanilla fragrance that I own. It has a beautiful leather undertone, with a bit of florals and musk with a slight animalic note from castoreum. It became a skin scent within 2 hours. Slightly animalic in the best way possible. Even though it doesn't project much on my skin, the scent is intoxicating. The skin scent is incredibly addictive for those who are in your personal space. . This may very well be my next full bottle of an Initio fragrance. Even if I have to wait till fall again to wear it. The castoreum, just like some other Initio or PDM fragrances are done so it adds depth instead of being overpowering animalic scents.. This one does that perfectly! Although it seems I need to reapply the smell is intoxicating. What do y'all think about this one? I absolutely love this fragrance and I'm ready to buy a full bottle

On my PDM streak. Today it’s their fresh release of 2025 Castley from Parfums de Marly. Here’s what I think. It opened bright and spicy: bergamot, pepper, ginger and grapefruit. It has a slight fizzy aspect to it, like Sedley. The mids are where the pepper is doubled down with the addition of neroli, petitgrain, timur and rose. It gives a herby, soapy nuance, but ginger is still very prominent for me. After a couple of hours, akigalawood, labdanum, benzoin and leather show up. Very soft and smooth, nothing sharp or strong. The soapy herbal nuance sits on top of this base. It’s different from Sedley. To me, this smells like a ginger kombucha that later turns into a luxurious herbal soap. Quite unique and not something I’ve smelled before or on someone. Performance is great. It’s been about 9.5 hrs and I can still smell it on my skin. Seems like a 10-12 hour fragrance, and that’s surprisingly good for a freshie. Although longevity is good, the sillage is rather weak. The first two hours were the best and then it becomes more of a skin-close scent. Today was a cold day though, so I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt. It does have similarities to some fragrances I’ve smelled, like the obvious one Sedley, Boss Bottled Beyond and Marwa. I’m still not a big fan of this herbal, soapy fragrance style, but I think I’ll eventually grow into it. I do wish it had a bit more sweetness. Overall, I’ll give it an 8.2/10. Better smelling and performing compared to Sedley. As of now, I’m still not impressed with the scent profile, but it could grow on me. Up next, I’ll complete the PDM trinity by testing Greenley.

Aqva Amara / Bvlgari — diving back into the vault today whilst prepping for the start of my work week and a long forgotten Bvlgari gem : Aqua Amara. The opening is aquatic, citrusy, and fresh. The primary notes I get are Sicilian mandarin, watery notes, neroli, and Indonesian patchouli leaf, the Indonesian patchouli leaf lingers in the background as a subtly sweet and earthy accord, giving the opening just a touch of "dirtiness", but in the best way possible; similar to Terre d'Hermes. The dry down is still citrusy, aquatic, and fresh, and the primary notes are still the Sicilian mandarin and watery notes. In fact, the dry down is very similar to the opening. … if you want a decent clone/dupe look towards Paris Corner Amorist or for something “similar” but unique unto itself Mancera’a Aqua Wood