Still thinking about what I might want to wear tomorrow and now these two have entered the mix. Both of them are so good as winter scents. It's hard to decide sometimes and I ended up buying both of them at the same time when I did purchase them. So I thought maybe I'd see what the the group Brain trust thought. Which one do you like best and why? Which one would be a better holiday scent?

I really like Ref Man 45, and it's been awhile since I sampled the original, so that was my Christmas Eve daytime fragrance project. On my left arm was Ref Man, and 45 was on the right. I applied both at 9:30am and jumped in the shower at 4, ending this first side by side of these 2 classic fragrances. I had tested a small sample of Ref Man early in my journey, and something about it gave me a headache, but my nose has matured quite a bit since then, and thankfully I am now able to appreciate both creations without any olfactory short-circuits. Ref Man opens brighter, fresher, with just enough floral sweetness for balance. Like with many Amouage products, florals and woods are balanced beautifully here. 45 is a little darker, with deeper, edgier woods, smooth spices, some tonka, and a richer feel. At 2 hrs Ref Man projects a little more than 45, but 45 still has a deeper tone with slight woody edge. This is interesting - at 3 hrs both are very similar in scent, tone with mild sillage. At 5 hrs, both are close to the skin, but Ref Man maintains its blend, where 45 still has a distinct woody note. After this comparison, it's possible that I could live with one without missing the other, and I'll be giving them plenty of wears to solidify my decision. Both are luxurious, excellent fragrances, and it was pure enjoyment being able to smell them throughout the day. If I had to pick one right now, it would be the OG Reflection Man. It is so versatile, and I love the airy open, but the richness still comes out as the fragrance evolves. Merry Christmas brothers! Enjoy this great-smelling holiday!!