I remember smelling this in store back in 2024, when BBA had just been released. I remember loving this one when I tried it, and not really enjoying BBA as much. Since then, I’ve always wanted to give it a proper wearing. So here are my thoughts. It opens warm and spicy with cardamom, alongside a balsamic, incense like quality from frankincense. This profile holds for a while before patchouli starts to share the stage. About an hour in, I gave it another sniff and could clearly pick up the balsamic leather from labdanum and the deep woodiness from cedarwood. Vetiver joins the party much later, but it plays its role well. Overall, it’s a spicy, leathery, very masculine DNA that feels unique while staying true to the Boss line. On my skin, it’s less spicy and more balsamic than I remember from the test strip. I also recall picking up something cumin like back then, but that may just have been my untrained nose. Performance is typical of Boss fragrances, in a good way. 6 hrs in, I can still smell it easily, with total longevity sitting around 8-10 hrs. Projection is about two feet initially, dropping to roughly a foot by the 5th hr. Honestly, it’s a strong performer. I do feel like I made the right choice by going with BBA. Don’t get me wrong, BBE is like Batman Begins, but BBA is The Dark Knight. The sequel simply outdid the original. That said, this is still a very nice fragrance. I’d give it an 8.3/10. I enjoy this DNA, but it does remind me of Tauer 02 L’Air du Désert Marocain, which has more character and complexity and therefore edges it out for me. Definitely not a blind buy, so sample it first. What do you think of the fragrance? And would you pick this over BBA?

Brothers- this has been a difficult week. My dad passed away on Tuesday, and we have his visitation and funeral tomorrow. I will be wearing a fragrance, so not wearing one isn’t an option. My question is, what type of fragrance would you choose? I’ve ever been the sentimental type when it comes to fragrances, so I don’t foresee me attaching his funeral to the fragrance forever, unless it’s something I wear just once. Let me know what you would choose.