Yea know, ya think ya know somebody... We went to an outdoor music fest this evening to see a "clone" of the Beatles, and they weren't bad at all! But in anticipation of the evening which included two other couples, I thought it would be appropriate to go with a stronger Amouage frag (for once.) I gave my wife the choice. I presented her test strips of four frags: - Amouage Interlude 53, - Amouage Interlude Black Iris, - Amouage Reflection 45, - Amouage Opus XIV Royal Tobacco (would have been my choice). She said she liked them all a lot but picked the 53. In fact she was adamant that I wear the 53. I'm starting to see that ol' 53 is probably her favorite niche frag in my collection and maybe her favorite scent of all! I would have bet money she would have gone with the 45. Anyway, I've written at length about this frag and yes, I know there are several that find it completely objectionable, which is amazing to me, but we can debate that another time. For those of you unfamilar with 53, it's a flanker of the original "Blue Beast", Amouage Interlude. 53 is an experience of organized chaos to profound harmony. The high concentration (53% oil) makes the initial blast incredibly dense and rich. The opening is oregano and pimento, but it feels more integrated and less sharp compared to the the OG, which is a great frag too. The heart is where the intense incense and opoponax make a thick, smoky amber accord. IMO this stage is opulent and quite unique. This FINALLY gives way to the base, which is all about a masterful blend of DARK smoke, leather, and a little woody oud. Again, it's pure magic. Interlude 53 is a well-aged, complex masterpiece—deeper, wider, and more harmonious than the OG. Believe me brothers, I can go on and on about this frag, but I swear, even when I smell this stuff off a test strip, I get a rush like some kind of illegal drug completely engulfing my brain. Seriously, a RUSH... It's almost evil. 10.0/10.0.

while I’m in recovery with my shoulder surgery. I was lucky enough to meet up with my brother and explore of bunch of new fragrances. I’m blessed to be able to call him my friend and someone who still needs to learn what he is smelling. The brotherhood is strong and I’m grateful to have all of you.