I am now at the last of my samples and it is honestly a bit of a let down. This journey has been fun, educational and it stretched me into a new discovery zone. When I first smelled Haymaker off the atomizer tip, it hit me with this clean, soapy cedar that honestly smelled amazing. It was the kind of cedar that makes you want to spray immediately, sharp, fresh, and almost sparkling. But once it hit skin, that cedar and soap combo stepped way back and the top turned into a bright citrus and ginger bomb with almost a little menthol-type edge to it. For the first 30 minutes it felt like the opening was determined to stick around forever. Eventually the ginger citrus eases up and lets the geranium peek through, and that’s where things start to settle into something really solid. A sweet amber starts to come in behind it, and that earlier soapy note creeps back in, cleaner, smoother, and honestly stellar at this point. This is easily the freshest of any sample I’ve tried from HappyLand. If E. J. Wells hadn’t made a freshie yet and decided to pour all of that fresh energy into one fragrance, it would smell like this. About an hour in, the citrus steps into a supporting role and the cedar returns, rounded out by the amber that softens everything without making it heavy. Even with the warmth coming in, Haymaker stays incredibly fresh from the opening all the way into the dry down. Even a woody-amber base does not discourage it. So this one, my brothers, was an ultimate pay off! With moderate projection for 3-4 hours, it will last on your skin throughout the rest of the day. For an evening out, one or two sprays to freshen it back up again and you are good to go.

Perfume houses are generally classified based on their brand identity, production scale, target audience, and distribution channels. The main categories are Designer, Niche, Indie, and sometimes an overarching "Luxury" tier, though the lines between these categories have blurred significantly in recent years. Here are the primary classifications of perfume houses: - Designer: These fragrances are produced by major fashion houses (e.g., Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Prada) as an extension of their main brand portfolio.Focus: Designer scents aim for mass-market appeal and are often trend-driven, versatile, and easy to like. They are developed to be crowd-pleasers with broad demographic appeal and availability: They are mass-produced and widely available in department stores, beauty retailers like Sephora, and online shops. Marketing: These brands rely on large marketing budgets, glossy advertising campaigns, and celebrity endorsements. Price: Generally more affordable than niche options due to economies of scale in production. - Niche: Niche houses focus primarily, or solely, on the art of perfumery itself, rather than being part of a larger fashion or lifestyle brand.Focus: Niche brands emphasize creativity, artistry, complexity, and unique scent profiles that might not appeal to everyone but are treasured by enthusiasts. They often use higher-quality, rarer, or unconventional ingredients. Availability: Historically, they were available only in specialized boutiques or high-end perfumeries, making them more exclusive. However, many have been acquired by large corporations (like LVMH or Estée Lauder) and are now found in major department stores alongside designer brands. Marketing often relies more on word-of-mouth and the story behind the scent than mass advertising. Price: Niche fragrances typically have a higher price point due to limited production, artisanal methods, and premium ingredients. - Indie (Independent): Indie houses are a subcategory of niche that are smaller and truly independently owned, often with the founder or a single perfumer (nose) responsible for the creations.Focus: They represent the most artistic and experimental end of the spectrum, with maximum creative freedom and limited commercial pressure.Availability: These are the most exclusive in distribution, often sold only directly from their website or a handful of specialized online retailers.Price: Prices can vary widely but are often premium, reflecting the small scale of production and ingredient cost. - Luxury/Artisan: These terms often overlap with high-end niche or exclusive designer lines. "Artisan" generally implies products that are handcrafted in-house in smaller batches, while "luxury" points to the highest tier of price, exclusivity, and ingredient quality (e.g., Clive Christian or exclusive lines like Dior Privée).