Match #48 in the second-chance bracket is a study in contrasts: Lattafa Mashrabya versus Prada Luna Rossa Ocean Eau de Parfum. Mashrabya (2024) is an affordable powerhouse—a rich amber vanilla fragrance built around apple shisha, cinnamon, tobacco, caramel, vanilla, oud, and patchouli. It's sweet, smoky, and strong, and I can certainly see reaching for it when the weather gets seriously cold. Prada Luna Rossa Ocean EDP (2023, created by Anne Flipo and Carlos Benaïm) feels much fresher, particularly in the opening, with grapefruit leading into incense, vanilla, amber, and woods. It has plenty of depth, but it's considerably more versatile than Mashrabya. And ultimately, that's the test I've been using throughout this tournament: which one would I actually reach for more often? For me, it's Prada every time. Add in the emotional connection—Ocean was one of the first fragrances in my collection and the one I wore when I first met my fiancée in Hong Kong—and this decision becomes even easier. Prada Luna Rossa Ocean EDP survives for another round, while Lattafa Mashrabya is eliminated from the tournament. I'm glad Ocean is sticking around. This bottle has a story attached to it.

Today we had a lunch with our business personnel in a restaurant beside the sea and this was a perfect opportunity to wear this marine, aquatic fragrance. We had a good time and my wife complimented & rated 9.2/10. That’s tough to beat in today’s ambient, sad is discontinued but what a beautiful fragrance for being close to the ocean.

This is an affordable, timeless classic that is well regarded within the community. A fresh, sweet, spicy, and earthy scent that is very versatile, easy to wear and inoffensive, for any season or occasion, with moderate projection and longevity. A grab and go staple. Website Notes: Top notes: Artemisia, mandarin tree and violet leaves. Heart notes: Nutmeg, Virginia cedar wood and white pepper. Base notes: Vetiver, musk and tonka beans.

SOTD — Creed Iris Debonair I was able to score a tester of the new Creed Iris Debonair pre-release last week at a really good price, so of course I had to give it a proper wearing. This is definitely a different direction for Creed. Right away you get that smooth, powdery iris with a little pepper and lavender around it, but it doesn’t come across overly lipstick-like to me. Once it settles down, the iris gets creamier and the sandalwood and musk start showing up, giving it a much smoother, slightly woody feel. There are going to be Dior Homme comparisons, especially early on, and I understand why. But after it develops, I think Iris Debonair starts separating itself. It feels a little airier, cleaner and more polished rather than being that dense makeup-bag iris style. What I like most is the balance. It has some sweetness, but it isn’t really a sweet fragrance. It is floral without feeling feminine, powdery without becoming dusty, and has enough woods underneath it to keep everything grounded. Projection and sillage have been very good so far without it being obnoxious. This smells more like something I would wear dressed up, dinner, evening out or when I just want something a little more refined. Is Creed reinventing iris here? No. But they did a very good Creed interpretation of it, and I think this is one of their more interesting recent releases. I need a few more full wearings before I decide where it ranks in the Creed lineup, but my first impression is definitely positive. Iris Debonair is one I think people are going to be talking about once it officially hits the shelves.

Released in 2025, Wild Atlantic Way seems to be a popular option from the in-house line at Handsome Scent. As the name suggests, this one is a love letter to Ireland's famous coastal route, and it's actually quite refreshing to see a fragrance inspired by home soil rather than the usual tropical or Mediterranean destinations. Its said to be in the vein of Imagination by LV, but I've never tried it to make the comparison myself. It opens bright and crisp — citron, juicy Sicilian orange, and that smooth Calabrian bergamot hit you straight away with a zesty, sunlit freshness that feels like morning air off the Atlantic coast. The citrus is clean, natural, and like so many, burn of my skin like a flame. As it settles, the heart takes over with black tea a touch of ambroxan. On my skin not even the heart appears to be able to save this one. The dry down fairs no better, guaiac wood and olibanum are meant to create something smooth, woody, and subtly smoky. This one really has me annoyed, perhaps it was a bad batch, I do wanted to enjoy this one, but as it stands it sucks. Forget all that descriptive side. Its just not here. Performance longevity sillage. Based off this 8ml travel size. My first fragrance too hot a zero score. If so do recover from the shock of this. I might return to the handsome and try it again. But for now, this is sadly one to avoid. My Rating 0/10 Scent 0 Longevity 0 Sillage 0 Would I rebuy? 0