An early niche favourite of mine and yes I am most certainly biased here. IL is without doubt the crown jewel of the house’s Cuirs Nomades collection. Launched in 2013, it was designed to capture the essence of a frosty morning in the Irish countryside, the scent of a stable, wet grass & the rugged outdoors. It was created by my personal favourite perfumer Aliénor Massenet, who has been the primary architect for many of Memo Paris’s most iconic scents. Most will know Memo was founded by Husbamd & Wife duo John & Clara Molloy. Irish leather is said to be a nod to one half of Memo Paris. Unlike the heavy, smoky, old school leathers, Irish Leather has an aromatic green character. With top notes of Pink Pepper, Clary Sage & Juniper Berries, It hits with a sharp, bracing blast of juniper berries and clary sage. This provides a gin-like, herbal crispness that feels like inhaling cold morning air. At its core Green Maté Absolute, Iris & Flouve. As it settles, the Maté tea note takes center stage. It’s bitter, grassy, and slightly smoky, providing a bridge between the fresh opening and the darker base. The iris adds a subtle, powdery "silver" sheen that keeps the scent elegant rather than purely rustic. Moving on to the base notes, Leather Accord, Birch, Amber & Tonka Bean. The leather here is clean, think of a high end, well oiled saddle rather than a raw animal hide. The birch adds a touch of woodsy smoke, while the tonka bean provides just enough smoothness to keep the edges from being too sharp. Performance here is super good, you will get 7 hrs on skin with a strong protection that creates a noticeable scent bubble. It isn't cloying, but its aromatic nature allows it to cut through cold air. This is Incredibly unique; there are very few "green leathers" that achieve this level of realism. My Rating 8.5/10 Scent 3 Longevity 2.5 Sillage 2 Y/N 1

Not everyone lives near a luxury mall or boutique fragrance shop. For many, access is limited to whatever sits behind a locked glass case at the nearest department store. If niche isn’t stocked locally, exploration becomes dependent on online ordering...often blind! Sampling is the lifeblood of responsible collecting. It protects the wallet and sharpens the nose. But when samples are hard to find or overpriced themselves, the barrier becomes logistical rather than financial. Geography plays a bigger role in this hobby than we sometimes acknowledge. Fortunately, the rise of decant services and online sample programs has helped level the playing field. Still, access remains uneven. The more brands prioritize approachable discovery options, the healthier the hobby becomes. What say you, guys? How easy is it for you to sample where you live? Have you ever blind bought simply because you couldn’t test first? And who else has rolled the dice on a full bottle because patience left the building? Love to hear from ya'! Continue the #Journey Part 4 Gatekeeping & Elitism – The Unnecessary Barrier