The wife and I spent a pleasant day fragrance (and clothes) shopping at our local shopping centre (the Trafford Centre, with Selfridges, John Lewis, Sephora, Boots, Zara and discount stores). On days like these, I card test on beast mode and pop 4 fragrances on skin: one on each wrist, one on the crook of each elbow. Here's what I skin tested: - YSL Tuxedo - Interesting smoky spicy floral, with a smooth suede feel. The drydown is a non-powdery floral with a peppery note that's very interesting. One for further investigation, it feels very sophisicated. - YSL Babycat - First time I've smelt this. Absolutely not what I expected. Literally no vanilla in the opening, which just confused me. I did like the spicy notes here, and it dried down into a very pleasant leathery mature vanilla. I expected something more creamy and sugary for the apex vanilla, but got a very mature take on the note which is still growing on me. - Chanel Égoïste - My wife prefers Platinum, but I prefer this. Fizzy and fresh cardamom opener into a lovely woody, smoky drydown. Another mature scent, which befits my aging status :-) - Creed Virgin Island Water - Clear winner here, lovely cold and fresh coconut with a citrus opener and a creamy drydown. Absolutely lovely, and the polar opposite of my favourite Creed (Oud Zarian). I'm thinking this one is on my wish list, and I'll also pick up some Rayhaan Aquatica for the dupe test. Overall, a successful day. I alway always save my skin real estate for fragrances I know I'll at least like, if not love. I had MANY MORE on card that were Meh or worse, believe me!

I’ve heard good things about this frag and now I know why. This opens with wonderfully bright citrus and rosemary burst that is really uplifting on a ridiculously cold day. It soon settles into a warm almond/tonka sweetness before drying down and giving a nice leathery cedar vibe. 2 hours in and it’s still projecting gently. A classic masculine scent in my opinion. As I am pretty settled in and awaiting what some call snowmaggeden, I thought I’d give this a try. I’d recommend this wonderful scent for anytime really. Full bottle worthy. Blind buy safe. Go out and smell your best gents.