Wearing this sample today…by the legendary Quentin Bisch The opening immediately feels vibrant and modern. Basil hits first - green, aromatic and slightly peppery - giving the fragrance a fresh, almost crisp herbal sharpness. Then Timur pepper steps in, adding a sparkling, citrus-tinged spice that feels energetic and refined rather than aggressive. Together, they create an opening that’s bright, edgy and confident without leaning citrus-heavy. As it settles, the woods begin to take control. Vetiver brings an earthy, slightly smoky dryness that grounds the freshness, while clean woody notes expand the structure, giving the scent a polished, almost architectural feel. There’s a clarity to the woodiness here - smooth, sharp-edged and contemporary rather than creamy or sweet. In the base, Akigalawood and patchouli deepen the composition. Akigalawood adds a spicy, woody warmth with a slightly resinous texture, while patchouli reinforces that earthy backbone without turning muddy. Ambroxan runs throughout the dry down, giving the fragrance projection, longevity and that modern, mineral-like glow that radiates off the skin. Performance is very strong on me - easily 8+ hours with solid projection in the first few hours before settling into a noticeable, sophisticated scent bubble. It leaves a clean, woody-spicy trail that feels expensive and self-assured. Bois Impérial isn’t sweet, gourmand or overly smoky - it’s sharp woods, vibrant spice and modern freshness blended into something effortlessly elegant. Versatile enough for year-round wear, but especially powerful in cooler air where the woods truly shine. Overall rating: 9.1/10 I absolutely adore this fragrance and will be purchasing a full bottle. It perfectly aligns with my taste - exactly the type of scent I gravitate towards. When I first looked at the note breakdown, I honestly wouldn’t have believed those accords would come together in this way, yet each one is clearly perceptible and beautifully blended. I even took the time to research a few of the notes to better understand what I was experiencing, which made the wearing even more enjoyable.

Day three of seven of my Xerjoff trial, so far very impressed. Today I’m trying Accento by Xerjoff which is a Chypre Floral fragrance for women and men. Top notes are Pineapple and Hyacinth; middle notes are Iris, Pink Pepper and Jasmine; base notes are Musk, Amber, Vetiver, Vanilla and Patchouli.