Match #8 wraps up the play-in round of my 40-fragrance tournament. From here on, the field is down to 32 fragrances in the main bracket and 8 in the loser's bracket. This final play-in featured #27 seed Prada Luna Rossa Ocean Eau de Parfum against #38 seed Gucci Guilty. These were two of the first bottles I ever bought, so there's a bit of history with both. Gucci Guilty (2011, created by Jacques Huclier) is an easygoing blend of lavender, lemon, orange blossom, cedar, and patchouli that I've always enjoyed wearing. But Prada Luna Rossa Ocean Eau de Parfum (2023, created by Anne Flipo and Carlos Benaïm) is something special to me. Its mix of grapefruit, incense, vanilla, and oak gives it a smooth, modern character that I really enjoy—but it's also tied to one of my favorite memories. It was the fragrance I was wearing when I first met my now-fiancée in Hong Kong, and she still tells me whenever she catches someone wearing it around the city. I almost feel bad for Gucci Guilty because this matchup never really had a chance. Ocean wins without hesitation and moves into the main draw, while Guilty heads to the loser's bracket.

A recent purchase that's getting a re wear. The current heat wave had me considering either an ADG or Coolwater for today. Then I spotted this on my shelf. I’ve never been a huge fan of the Y line; I remember trying one previously that was just way too heavy on the lavender for my taste. However, after handing out some samples of the new Y Iced Cologne to my boys and seeing them enjoy it, I figured I’d give it a fair shot myself. Released in early 2026, this flanker is positioned as an "EDT Intense" alternative to the denser Elixir and EDP versions, aiming to bottle the sensation of liquid ice. It’s crafted by Dominique Ropion, the guy behind the original Y DNA and my personal favorite, La Nuit de l'Homme, but this iteration feels much sharper and more minimalist than its predecessors. As an Aromatic Fougère, this scent ditches the usual fruity sweetness of the Y line in favor of a serious chill. The opening is a sharp, immediate blast of fresh ice mint and Arctical, a molecule designed to mimic frozen air. As it moves into the heart, the Ourika Living Mint and blue sage take over, offering a crisp, botanical greenness that feels more natural than synthetic. The dry down is predictable but effective, relying on the signature "blue" base of Ambroxan and Indonesian patchouli. It keeps things clean and slightly woody, ensuring that the icy vibe doesn't just disappear the moment the top notes evaporate. In terms of performance, YSL’s claim of "12-hour intensity" feels like a stretch to me. In my experience, it’s more of a 4 to 5 hour performer, which is actually quite respectable for a fresh fragrance. It projects well for the first hour before settling into a consistent, clean scent bubble. It’s a perfect reach for the gym or a high-heat office day during the summer, especially since that mentholated cooling sensation actually lingers into the mid-notes. I had previously stated that at €115 for 100ml, it feels overpriced when you have alternatives like Hawas Ice or Montblanc Legend Blue available for much less. It’s a nice addition if you find it on sale, but at retail price, I’d probably pass. Well I did manage to pick it up on a great deal, so it now sits on the shelf.