Yesterday was Galatea, so I’m sticking with the Maison Alhambra line today and reaching for Perseus. I know the community has moved a lot of its attention toward Pegasus Exclusif lately, and sometimes the original DNA gets overlooked, but let’s not forget: the OG Pegasus was a PDM best-seller for a reason! Perseus does a fantastic job of capturing that metallic, creamy, almond-heavy profile. It’s clean, it’s professional, and it has that unique "silver" vibe that stands out in a sea of blue fragrances. My Take: That signature bitter almond and vanilla combo is dialed in perfectly here. While I really like the Exclusif flanker for its added depth and woodiness, there is still something so smooth and addicting about this original DNA. It’s a classic for a reason. For the price Maison Alhambra is asking, the performance on this is hard to argue with. How do you guys feel about the Pegasus DNA in 2025? Are you still rocking the OG/Perseus, or have you moved completely over to the Exclusif side of things?

Having recently tried my travel size of Amber+Smoke by Michael Malul, I wanted to share my thoughts on this intriguing fragrance. Upon first spritz, I was greeted with a fresh burst of lemon zest that quickly fades within a minute. What follows is a strong resemblance to Baccarat Rouge 540, characterized by prominent notes of amber and saffron that emerge swiftly. It’s impressive how closely it mirrors BR540, but the true distinguishing feature makes its entrance around the five-minute mark. At this point, a delightful smoky, clean tobacco aroma layers itself onto the fragrance, shifting it toward a unique identity. The smoke is subtly sweet, reminiscent of a rich pipe tobacco that you might find in an elegant gentleman's study. Complementing this smokiness, I detected some green notes that play a crucial role in keeping the scent grounded and steering it away from becoming overly feminine. In terms of performance, Amber+Smoke boasts a strong projection for the first four hours. Even after this initial phase, the scent remains resilient, promising longevity throughout the day, especially when it clings to clothing. However, as with BR540, there’s a chance of becoming nose-blind to it after a while, so I consulted my wife to ensure its presence after eight hours post-application. Ultimately, Amber+Smoke is an ideal choice for those who appreciate Baccarat Rouge 540 but desire something with a more masculine edge. The added smoke and green elements adeptly balance the fragrance’s initial sweetness, making it quite wearable for men.