OK, I’m still a bit mad about losing my entire Sel d’Issey post on this buggy app yesterday and after a long crappy day at work, I still don’t have the energy to re-create it, but I definitely need some help so here’s a shorter version. Over the weekend, I battled Sel d’Issey EDT versus EDP and I love them both. I’ve tried a bunch of others from this house and nothing came close to being as enjoyable as these two are to me. Both have this unique salty fresh aquatic opening that’s just awesome, both are extremely well balanced, and both are easy to wear. They are relatively elegant in their simplicity. Here are the main differences I found. The EDP has a hint more seaweed that gives it a little bit of funk in the open, but it’s not offputting. The EDP also has a bit of a warm backbone of amber and incense - not enough to make this a heavy cold weather scent, but it is something that gives it more heft and makes it versatile for all but the coldest of winter and hottest of summer. The EDP definitely wins in the dry down, it has this delicious ambery almost vanillic finish. This thing projected for a good 5+ hours and then there was another 3-4 hours of that delicious skin scent. But the open for the EDT… Man it’s magical to me. The EDT is the winner by a smidge in the open and mids. It’s just got this light airy freshness that’s kind of unique — it’s not citric, it’s not particularly blue, it’s certainly not fruity… It’s just fresh aquatic. And the EDT lasts for a surprisingly long time - at 4 hours I was still getting wafts of it and it was a skin scent for several hours more after that. This one would be perfect for spring and summer, unique in my collection because nothing else I have smells remotely like it. I don’t even know what I’m smelling with this one – it’s just this salty aquatic delightful fresh scent. At least with the EDP I can kind of lock onto the amber and incense on top of this indescribable salty aquatic vibe. You see why I’m getting stuck? These are both really good, especially since you can find them both at discounters for under 100 bucks. I’m kind of drawn to the versatility and safety of the EDP because of the familiarity of the amber and incense, but I’m also kind of drawn to the EDT and its super fresh open and surprising performance. So yeah I don’t know what to do. I can’t get both but I definitely want one.

Weather today is in the teens, so I wanted a warmer fragrance to push through the cold. I sampled this at Disney World this year and knew right away I needed a full bottle. Released in 2024, it’s the most intense and concentrated version in the L'Homme Ideal line, crafted by perfumer Delphine Jelk. It's an Oriental Woody fragrance that intensifies the gourmand and boozy elements of the original, but still remaining masculine in its presentation. There is a prominent amaretto with a bitter almond liqueur vibe, fruity/cherry undertones, patchouli, musk, and woody accents. It opens with a boozy almond and liqueur, like an expensive amaretto, with a touch of cherry and spice. It then evolves smoothly into a polished base with deep patchouli and musky warmth. The dry down is smoky and sensual, with elegant funkiness that's relaxed yet refined. It’s classy, mature, and addictive. It’s the boldest iteration, with strong longevity at 8+ hours and solid projection, though it stays close/intimate at the 4-5 hour mark. It's versatile for spring/fall/winter evenings or date nights. It’s seductive without being overpowering. If you enjoy sweet leaning masculines with almond or cherry (similar to the EDP or Extreme flankers), this refines it into something more luxurious and elevated. Highly recommended if you’re seeking depth and quality.