Read about this one quite some time ago. Forgot that I had ordered some samples from Arquiste and this was one of them. Decided to try it today to ease out of the boozy tobacco fragrances I’ve been wearing for the last week. The write ups when this came out were all complementary, I just never tried it. More on that later. When I initially sprayed it at eight this morning, I wasn’t impressed. The opening burst came across as too sweet, but I figured I would see what developed. It’s 3 PM now. The scent is still strong, it has opened up nicely. The sweetness is long gone. I have a nice mix of wood, leather, Amber and a hint of something earthy. It’s too earthy to be the coffee note, which I don’t smell yet. Nanban’s dry down is impressive, shifted my mood to a productive yet easygoing mindset. It’s a scent I have not smelled before but triggers something in memory a kind of, “Tis what ‘X’ should smell like.” Definitely a good fit for cold weather, anything below say 35°. As I’m working from home today, I don’t have feedback from anyone else, but I like it. What’s interesting is I think the dry down is work safe, the opening, not so much. If you’re going into the office, maybe spray it early. Give yourself some time so that it starts to unfold by the time you’re into your workday. Definitely a later in the week fragrance. It’s a bit too mellow, in my opinion, for Monday morning. I think this one’s a go, and PR aside, I was not impressed with the other Arquiste fragrances that I had smelled a couple years ago when I ordered the sampler. This is a standout in their line up.

I put on Mission Fragrance Courage early this morning, right after getting dressed. It’s now 2:30 PM, and I can honestly say this scent has stayed with me through the day in a very steady, confident way. First Impression When I first sprayed it, Courage felt clean and purposeful. It wasn’t loud or overwhelming. Instead, it came across as calm confidence — the kind of fragrance that feels intentional, like you chose it for a reason and not just out of habit. How It’s Wearing As the hours passed, the fragrance settled nicely into my skin. By late morning, it had smoothed out and become more refined. It’s still noticeable, but in a close, personal way. When I move or gesture, I catch soft reminders of it, and it’s reassuring rather than distracting. Midday Presence (2:30 PM) Right now, Courage is sitting comfortably. It hasn’t faded away, and it hasn’t turned sharp or synthetic. It feels balanced and mature, giving off a quiet strength. This is the kind of scent that works well in real life — meetings, errands, conversations — without demanding attention. Overall Thoughts Wearing Mission Fragrance Courage today feels like wearing confidence without ego. It’s not about impressing others; it’s about how it makes me feel throughout the day. At 2:30 PM, it’s still doing its job — steady, grounded, and reliable. This one lives up to its name. Courage isn’t loud. It’s consistent, composed, and present — and that’s exactly how this fragrance wears on me today.