Was invited to attend a Nordstrom Byredo event and left with a couple things and a ton of samples. When I got home, I had a box waiting for me from the awesome @Erick Tai Excited to test out some new and exciting scents tonight. Thanks again Erick and still love the community

When it comes to European clone houses, I look at them a little differently than Middle Eastern clone houses. Middle Eastern dupes usually win on price, bottle presentation, projection, and performance. Houses like Lattafa, Armaf, Afnan, Rasasi, Al Haramain, Fragrance World, and Paris Corner can give you a lot for the money. Some of them are excellent, and some are absolute steals. But Middle Eastern clones are not always trying to be exact. A lot of times, they take the original DNA and make it louder, sweeter, woodier, more amber-heavy, or more synthetic. That can make the fragrance stronger and more attention-grabbing, but not always closer to the original. European clone houses usually feel more straightforward. They are often trying to give you an easy-to-wear version of the original without making it too heavy or too loud. They may not always be beast mode, but they can be cleaner, simpler, and easier to wear. For me: Middle Eastern dupes = cheaper, louder, stronger, better presentation, sometimes rougher. European clone houses = cleaner, easier to wear, more straightforward, sometimes closer but not always as powerful. If I want the strongest and cheapest version, I usually look at Middle Eastern dupes first. If I want something easier to wear and more direct to the original style, I would look at European clone houses. My Top European Clone Houses: 1. Perfume Parlour / Alexandria, UK — tied for first. These are the two European clone houses I would put at the top. Perfume Parlour has a huge catalog, oils, sprays, extracts, and a long reputation in the clone world. To me, Perfume Parlour feels like one of the most serious European clone houses. Alexandria, UK belongs tied for first because Alexandria already has a strong reputation as a clone house, and the UK side gives European buyers easier access. I would trust Alexandria UK more than most European dupe houses because the Alexandria DNA is already proven: strong catalog, good performance, and solid clone-house credibility.

I heard there's a new Lataffa Khamrah flanker....