One of the most popular lines in the blue genre, with a clean, versatile, and mass-appealing profile. It was released in 2010, the first release from Chanel since 1999's Allure Homme. Created by the now retired master perfumer Jacques Polge, a Woody Aromatic fragrance, it blends traditional masculine notes with a contemporary, citrusy freshness. It opens with an sharp, energetic burst of grapefruit, lemon & mint, accented by the subtle heat of pink pepper. This opening is fizzy & bright, with an immediate sense of cleanliness. As it transitions into the heart, the citrus softens to make way for a spicy aromatic blend of ginger, nutmeg & jasmine, which adds a nice layer of warmth. The dry-down is where the fragrance reveals its woody character, settling into a smooth foundation of New Caledonian sandalwood, cedar & vetiver. An infusion of incense & labdanum gives the base a smoky, slightly resinous depth. For an edt, it performs rather well, lasting almost 6 hrs with good protection for the first 90m. After this it becomes more of a intimate scent. Its equally effective in a formal office setting as it is at a casual gym session. While it can be worn year-round, its bright citrus profile makes it particularly shine during the spring & summer months. Whether you are dressing up for a black-tie event or heading out for a weekend brunch you can't go far wrong with this. My Rating 7/10 Scent 2 Longevity 2 Sillage 2 Y/N 1

Thanks to @Steve Hawker who I will now be referring to as The Rayhaan Lion (not really). It was his review here from 10/25 that (without hesitation I add) pushed me to purchase my own bottle — and I’m not disappointed. Out of respect for what Steve already articulated so well, I won’t dive into my usual full breakdown. He did a damn fine job. So instead, I’ll just share a few thoughts. - I’ve never smelled JPG Ultra Male. I’m aware of the comparisons, but I don’t feel compelled to chase them. I’m enjoying The Lion for what it is — not what it mirrors. From Steve; “It projects strongly for the first 2-3 hours, then becomes more skin-hugging but still noticeable. Longevity sits around 8-10 hours on skin, with clothing carrying the scent even longer.” - He’s right — spot on and top marks. Those first three hours? Noticeable. Present. Alive. One of my girlfriends kept herself close to my atmosphere while we watched TV, complimenting it without hesitation. Later at my bar, another girlfriend layered on her approval with a little extra affection. The scent didn’t scream — it lingered with intention. From Steve: “This opens with juicy pear, fresh lavender and a cooling hint of mint & bergamot - bright, fruity, and attention-grabbing almost immediately.” - That opening caught me off guard. The pear is juicy, the lavender clean, and the mint gives it that cool edge — but what I notice most is the dance between sweet vanilla and the spice of cinnamon and patchouli. There’s depth there. Clary sage rounds it out in a way that feels thoughtful, not loud. The first spray widened my eyes. The dry down softened its voice but didn’t lose its presence. It becomes subtle — but still persuasive. - I know JPG Ultra Male has its parallels — Afnan 9PM, Armaf Odyssey Spectra Rainbow — but I haven’t smelled the original or its counterparts. And honestly, I don’t feel like I’m missing anything. This feels like cool weather to me — Autumn into Winter — but the pear, lavender, and bergamot keep it versatile enough for Spring and Summer nights too, so I feel it’s an all seasonal fragrance, but feels like an evening wear; date night. Or even better — solo time when you’re dressing and out for yourself.

Memo Paris is one of those houses that really pulls me in.There’s something about the way they do fragrance that feels a little like escaping somewhere else in a bottle. Whether it’s the fresh tea and citrus scents or the darker leather and woodier ones, the house has a style that feels rich, memorable, and transformative fragrance experience in my scent growth. I’ve been spending more time with Memo lately, and now I’m curious what everyone else thinks. What’s your favorite Memo Paris fragrance? If you could only keep five from the house, which five would you choose? Have you tried others that aren’t as popular and think it should be? I’d love to know which one really stands out to you and you would love to own or own and love as well.