Bvlgari Man in Black was launched back in 2014, created by the legendary Alberto Morillas, the nose behind some of the biggest fragrances in modern history, and this one stands tall among them. It was released to mark Bvlgari’s 130th anniversary, drawing inspiration from Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and the forge. The bottle is a total work of art too: sharp, volcanic black glass with that signature pink-gold cap, it looks more like a luxury accessory than a fragrance bottle, and it commands attention sitting on any shelf. Over a decade later it’s still widely discussed and sought after, and you’re looking at roughly €145 for the 100ml bottle here in Ireland depending on where you pick it up. The opening hits you straight away with vibrant spices accord and that obsessive ambery accord, there’s no delicate citrus or soft introduction here. It’s warm, rich, resinous and enveloping from the very first spray. The spices don’t come across as sharp or peppery; instead they’re rounded out by that thick, deep amber, giving it an almost incense-like warmth that feels expensive and substantial. As it settles into the heart, tuberose absolute and leather accord take centre stage and this is the part that catches a lot of people out. Tuberose is a big, creamy white floral you usually find in feminine fragrances, but here it works perfectly. It doesn’t read feminine at all; instead it brings this lush, narcotic creaminess that wraps around the leather, softening it just enough while adding real depth and intrigue. The leather isn’t harsh or rugged, it’s smooth, refined, and pairs beautifully with that creamy floral contrast. In the drydown it deepens into Benzoin Siam absolute and guaiac wood essence, and this is where the fragrance really finds its feet. The benzoin brings that rich, balsamic, vanilla-like sweetness, smooth and warm, while the guaiac wood adds a distinctive soft smokiness and dry woody depth that grounds everything. It’s that combination of sweet resin and quiet smoke that gives it such a sophisticated, expensive finish. Performance not exactly what I expected. Considering some comparisions to my be loved Spicebomb Extreme. I only get about 4 to 5hrs on skin with this, but it lingers on clothes well into the next day. This is absolutely an evening and cooler-weather fragrance; it's a tamer more refined older cousin to SBE. Although the was released first? you wouldn’t be reaching for it on a hot July afternoon, but when the evenings draw in and you’re heading out for dinner, drinks, or anything that calls for presence? It’s hard to beat. Dark, refined, warm and quietly powerful a proper modern classic that earned a spot on my shelf

Match #49 begins another round of eight elimination matches in the second-chance bracket. Once we get through these, we'll head back to the main bracket for the quarterfinals. Today's battle features two luxury houses: Chanel Platinum Égoïste versus Parfums de Marly Greenley. Greenley (2020, created by Nathalie Templer) has one of my favorite fresh openings: crisp green apple and bergamot over cedar and woods. It also delivers impressive performance for a fresh fragrance. My one knock against it in this matchup is that what you get in that terrific opening is pretty much what you get throughout the wear. That's not necessarily a bad thing when the opening is this good, but it doesn't evolve much on my skin. Chanel Platinum Égoïste (1993, created by Jacques Polge) is almost the reverse experience. The opening is more subdued, with lavender, rosemary, neroli, and petitgrain, but give it time. As the geranium, vetiver, oakmoss, and woods emerge, it becomes increasingly sophisticated. The drydown is where this fragrance really shines for me. Both of these bottles will remain in my collection, so fortunately the stakes aren't quite as brutal as the bracket makes them sound. I prefer Greenley's opening, but over the course of an entire wear, the Chanel wins me over. Chanel Platinum Égoïste survives another elimination match, while Parfums de Marly Greenley leaves the tournament. That's a very good fragrance going home.

Match #47 in the second-chance bracket features two affordable, easy-to-wear warm-weather fragrances: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Pour Homme versus Montblanc Starwalker. Starwalker (2005, created by Michel Almairac) flies under the radar a bit. I don't see it discussed much on fragrance forums or YouTube, but it's a very pleasing woody spicy fresh fragrance, with bergamot, mandarin, bamboo, ginger, sandalwood, cedar, and musk. My biggest complaint is performance—it simply doesn't last as long as I'd like. Light Blue (2007, created by Alberto Morillas) certainly doesn't have an anonymity problem. Its blend of grapefruit, bergamot, mandarin, juniper, pepper, and woods has made it a warm-weather staple for years. It's bright, citrusy, slightly spicy, and about as easy to wear as it gets. This was actually a tough call. I like both quite a bit, and either is an easy summer grab. But I'm going to break with popularity today. There's something about Starwalker's fresh woody character that appeals to me just a little more when they're side by side. Montblanc Starwalker pulls off the upset and advances in the second-chance bracket, while Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue is eliminated from the tournament.

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.

Been a moment since I've done a poll. Long story short, I got some free time tomorrow and two bottles that have been on my wish list forever have become available in one of the Dept stores. So off I go tomorrow, the plan Is to take one of them home for my collection, but which one. Yes I'm gonna test em both out, annoy the hell out of the staff and probably smell a whole lot more. But the goal remains. So which would you pick and why?