Wearing a sample of Afnan Supremacy Collector’s Edition today. This is in the Aventus style DNA, originally inspired by Creed Aventus. However, instead of it reminding me of Aventus, it immediately reminded me of Club de Nuit Intense Man. The difference is how it behaves on skin. With CDNIM, I’ve always struggled with the opening. It comes across very harsh to me and I never really enjoyed that first stage. What it transitioned into came across as wet mildewed wood. However, the base, which doesn't come until hours and hours later on my skin is absolutely beautiful and remained that way through the night and into the morning as a slightly sweet, musky, woody, skin scent. Supremacy has been much easier from the start. It smells smoother and more balanced right away, without that sharp opening I get from CDNIM. So far it has stayed pretty linear, fresh citrus, fruity-smoky Aventus-style, and a steady drydown. I have a sense that this isn't going to change much other than to lighten, but we shall see. While I am not an Aventus fan, I think I struggle a bit with the whole, what's wrong with you? Everyone loves Aventus! I don’t think I dislike this style of fragrance, but where CDNIM tried to ruin the whole story, Supremacy gives me the same story line, just in a way that is way easier to wear.

Wore my sample of this one yesterday and my overall reaction was pretty simple: it's nice. Fresh, clean, easy to wear, and inoffensive. I got the citrus and aquatic freshness up top, and it stayed in that general lane for most of the wear. Nothing jumped out at me as particularly unique, and it didn't really take any unexpected turns on my skin. For those familiar with Invictus Platinum, I can definitely see the influence. That's not necessarily a criticism. Not every fragrance needs to be a journey. Sometimes a fragrance just smells pleasant and does its job. For me, Odyssey Aqua falls into that category. It never smelled bad, but it never gave me one of those moments where I stopped and thought, "Now that's interesting." If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be: pleasant. Not a regret. Just a solid, easy wear.