This has been an ongoing debate for a very long time. My bachelor's degrees are in International Studies with emphasis on the Far East and Mandarin Chinese as a foreign language. I spent 20 years working for Taiwanese and Japanese firms here in the United States overseeing shipments of materials from China, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, and far eastern Russia. When I was studying back in the early 90s, the topic of the word "Oriental" was already a big discussion, and we started shifting away from it. It was considered an anachronism. A holdover from a Eurocentric, colonialist, outdated mindset when Asia was considered an exotic and mysterious destination. Over the last 30 years, as the world has become a more global market, it just doesn't make sense anymore, so the term has largely been dropped in favor of more clear and descriptive terms. On the other side of the discussion, especially when it comes to perfume, the term is considered a compliment and does not poke fun at or insult anyone. It was born from the creation of Guerlain's Shalimar (which has recently seen a big resurgence in the market) in the 1920s, when "Oriental" was used to describe the exotic and mysterious blend of spices and resins used in its formulation. Over time, it became a category unto itself - not unlike the creation of "Blue" fragrances with Bleu de Chanel. It's not meant to poke fun of or minimize the vast and beautiful cultures of the Asian continent, but rather as a descriptor for the origin of the ingredients that make up the category. So if the category were to change, what should we use? I have a lot more to say about this, but would love to hear from you guys. What say you? And let's remember to keep the discussion civil and cordial. We are all brothers here, and this is meant to be food for thought.

This was a recent pick up, the latest release from fashion house, Jimmy Choo. Crafted by acclaimed perfumer Anne Flipo whom is probably best known for her work on the Invictus l& La Nuit de l'Homme lines. It falls squarely into the woody aromatic family, but with distinct spicy and golden-amber accents. Presented in a striking all-gold bottle with the brand’s signature textured detail on the cap, it's a fingerprint magnet, so be warned. The fragrance unfolds in a carefully layered composition, starting with a bright, invigorating opening of mandarin orange, pink pepper & cardamom. The citrus adds a crisp, zesty spark, while the spices deliver a warm, peppery kick. As it settles into the heart, the brightness softens to reveal a blend of lavender, clary sage & geranium. These aromatic herbs bring a clean, slightly floral, herby richness. Over time, the scent evolves into its rich, lasting foundation, built around sandalwood, amber, leather & vetiver. This base is where the parfum quality truly shines: sandalwood provides a creamy, smooth woodiness, amber adds a warm, resinous glow, leather brings a refined edge, whilst the vetiver grounds everything with an earthy, smoky nuance. In terms of performance, you can expect it to last almost 7hrs on skin. It projects well for the first 2hrs, radiating comfortably around you. Its noticeable to others without being overwhelming or cloying; it then settles into a solid, pleasant skin scent. It's quite versatile, but no doubt it will shine brightest in autumn, winter, and cool spring days, as its warm, spicy, woody-amber character thrives in cooler temperatures. You can dress this one up, yet it will work equally in a casual setting. My only issue here is the fingerprints. My Rating 7/10 Scent 2 Longevity 2 Sillage 2 Y/N 1