Gave Fall of Phaeton a proper wear today, and I wanted to see if this one would change my mind on the house after Triumph of Bacchus. First spray: ~2:27 p.m. Opening: Right from the start, the opening felt very subdued. The citrus notes are there on paper, but there’s no real fresh pop. I get a little bit of cardamom, but the lavender and agarwood show up early and immediately tone everything down. The ginger and bergamot don’t really get a chance to sparkle. ~30 minutes in: At this point, it shifts into a sweet, powdery profile, with the lavender leading. It’s more powdery than citrus-forward. The cardamom adds some warmth and a touch of sweetness, but I’m not getting any funk or animalic edge from the agarwood. In the air it smells fine, and projection is about two feet, but nothing here is jumping out. ~3 hours in: By this stage, it’s settled into what smells like a soft tonka-vanilla sweetness, without much leather presence. I’m not getting the animalic leather or depth I was hoping for. It’s smooth and well blended, but it never hits that “wow” moment for me. Overall: This is the second fragrance from Argos that hasn’t really clicked with me. Between this and Triumph of Bacchus, I’m starting to think this house might just not align with my taste. Nothing is badly done, but it all feels a bit too safe, powdery, and restrained for what I personally look for. Calling this one a pass for me. Curious if others have had better luck with this house, or if Argos just leans a certain way that doesn’t work for everyone.

Brothers, I’m wearing Layton by Parfums de Marly today, and honestly, this stuff just feels classy. From the first spray, it gives off that smooth, confident vibe without trying too hard. It’s warm, slightly sweet, a little spicy, and incredibly polished. What really stands out to me is how versatile Layton is. It works just as well during the day as it does at night. I could wear this to the office, out to dinner, or even to a formal event and never feel out of place. It has presence, but it’s not loud or obnoxious. People notice it, but in a refined way. Layton feels like the kind of fragrance that fits almost any situation. Dressed up in a blazer? Perfect. Casual jeans and boots? Still works. It has that rare balance where it smells luxurious but also approachable. While I’m wearing it, I feel put together—like my outfit is complete. This is the type of scent that makes you stand a little taller and move with a bit more confidence. To me, Layton isn’t just a fragrance—it’s an easy reach when I want to smell clean, classy, and well put together.