Match #63 in the second-chance bracket features two more fragrances I really hate to see facing elimination: Dior Sauvage EDP versus Givenchy Gentleman Society. Sauvage EDP is one of the quintessential mass-appealing fragrances—and I don't mean that as an insult. Bergamot and pepper provide that bright, spicy opening, while ambroxan, lavender, spices, and vanilla give it plenty of presence. It's versatile, performs extremely well, and there's a reason you smell the Sauvage DNA everywhere: it works. Gentleman Society travels in a slightly different direction. Cardamom, sage, vetiver, woods, and vanilla give it a warmer, smoother personality. It's woody, slightly sweet, and elegant, with a sophisticated drydown that I particularly enjoy. For cooler weather or a night out, it's terrific. And once again, we've reached the stage of this tournament where I'm not finding much wrong with either fragrance. This isn't about one being good and the other being bad. It's about choosing between two bottles I'd happily continue wearing. By the slightest of margins, I'm going with the Dior. There's something about the combination of that spicy freshness, performance, and versatility that keeps Sauvage alive. Dior Sauvage EDP advances. Givenchy Gentleman Society is eliminated from the tournament. Another very good fragrance bites the dust. Ruthless means ruthless.

This morning I wanted to wear my new Hermés Ginsing Balboa sample that I got last week. I got about 3 sprays this morning and the atomizer stopped working 😢 Here’s the difference for me. Things happen. I get it. It’s no-one’s fault just an issue. But because I have a relationship with “My Guy” remember I’m a lifelong NY’er 😜 I took these picture and a video of it not working and texted it to him. Within 3 min I received a reply. “My apologies, I’ll send you another one out today” I thanked him and offered to send this back and he said absolutely not. Keep it! If I had bought this online at a discounter or even from a reputable reseller I’d be sending an email and waiting for someone to reply and this is a holiday weekend and more than likely wouldn’t hear anything until Tuesday. Also not the biggest deal but come Tuesday I’m back at work and not thinking about this as much. I am also assuming the outcome from an email would have been the same as my relationship just delayed. But I’ll never know how fast they would respond or if they would need more evidence or escalate up to a manager etc. My sales associate made it his responsibility and will take great care of me. That is worth whatever price difference I could have found in my eyes. Another reason why relationships matter!!

Match #62 in the second-chance bracket pits the classic blue fragrance, Bleu de Chanel EDP, against the now-defunct Galleria Parfums By the Yuzu Grove. I've praised By the Yuzu Grove throughout this tournament, and for good reason. That enormous blast of yuzu, lemon, and mandarin is one of the most delicious citrus openings I've encountered. It's bright, energetic, and ridiculously enjoyable. The weakness is what happens afterward—or, more accurately, what doesn't. There's relatively little development, and the fragrance remains fairly linear. Bleu de Chanel EDP is simply playing a different game. Grapefruit and citrus lead into ginger and aromatics before gradually settling into incense, cedar, sandalwood, and amber woods. It's beautifully blended, sophisticated without being stuffy, and it develops wonderfully over several hours. Then there's the versatility. All seasons, almost any occasion, dressed up or dressed down—Bleu de Chanel remains one of the standards against which modern blue fragrances are measured. I love both of these, but this isn't a particularly difficult decision. By the Yuzu Grove may have the more spectacular opening, but Bleu de Chanel is unquestionably the better fragrance from beginning to end. Bleu de Chanel EDP advances. By the Yuzu Grove is eliminated from the tournament. Sometimes the citrus bomb wins the opening battle. Chanel wins the war.

I’m closing in on my “final” collection, having sold some bottles I found I wasn’t reaching for to make space for a few that I preferred, and to fill some holes in my seasonal collections. Got three freshies to close out my warm weather collection, and one cool weather bottle I’ve had my eye on. I’ve got room for just one more year rounder (Royal Oud is in my sights), and maybe two more cool weather bottles (Eight & Bob Serenite, YSL 6 and / or Memo African Leather are in my sights) then I’m done. Yep, no more after that, no sirree, all done - YSL Babycat: found this 125ml bottle for a steal, and could not pass it up. Smooth, elegant, lightly warm spicy sweet vanilla goodness with a luxuriously smooth suede backbone. I’ve been battling vanilla forward fragrances and this won by a landslide - DVN Crazy Basil: my first from this house, it has an intoxicating combination of citrus and aromatics with a powdery hinoki backbone that is unusual but just delightful. Found a tester at a steal of a price too - Atelier des Ors Riviera Drive: also my first from this house, and probably the single best citrus woody aromatic I have. The scent profile is just perfection to me - just a fantastic balance of citrus, woods and aromatics, nothing super unique (the marjoram and absinthe are uncommon though) but masterfully done. Performance is abysmal but I don’t even care - got a great deal on this and so I don’t mind shprrrrraying it on heavily - Hellenist Les Dieux aux Bains: also also my first from this house, I fell in love with this at first sniff. It’s deserving of the hype it got in fragcom. Yes it’s another citrus aromatic freshie, but it’s got a fluffy comforting presence from eucalyptus and electric sharpness from juniper and mineralic notes that set it apart from anything else in my collection

I used to think I was a connoisseur of cologne until very recently I realized I am very much a beginner. Which is great I have a whole world of discovery ahead of me. I’ve spent countless hours watching Noel Smells and Kaleidoscopescentindex and a few others I haven’t exactly bought into yet to explore and discover Designer and Niche scents. I then realized while I will be expanding my collection why not experiment with what I have. That’s where SOTD comes in. I did take to Google AI with my 5 top fragrances and see if I had any that could be great to layer. This was one of 2 options recommended. I really enjoy Le Male Le Parfum and would be lying if I said Sauvage EDT is one of my favorites however, this pairing is quite delightful. JPG is my base scent with a few spritz of Sauvage. I can’t give notes quite yet as I need to learn how to detect fragrance notes but the sharpness of Sauvage paired with the warmth of Le Male to soften that initial sharpness is really cool and certainly place me confidence I am smelling my best on this beautiful morning. Thank you for reading. Have a Feel Good Friday!