Layton Exclusif Parfums de Marly 2017

The Layton was my first niche fragrance and is still one of my favorites. A few days ago I ordered me then (spontaneously ;-)) the Layton Exclusif, because I have fascinated me over time more and more woody notes and I had the hope to get a more animalic, less youthful Layton.

Preliminary: the expectation he has also fulfilled, yet I'm of the opinion that you do not necessarily have to own him.
Right at the beginning I perceive a little of the Layton DNA. Especially this menthol(?)-like tingling in the nose has the Exclusif also. Dominates the fragrance but by a rather pronounced woody note, which makes the fragrance in my opinion also less suitable for the masses. If one comes still rather from the designer area, a Layton Exclusif will probably first confuse, because he smells after spraying on but quite tart.

Over time, it becomes a little rounder and more balanced towards the Drydown, but still gains something of the normal Layton DNA. In the Drydown smells the Exclusif best, but is then from smell totally the Marley and has only discreetly the Animalik in the background.

Why do I now believe that one must not necessarily own the Layton Exclusif?

1. Especially in the drydown Layton and Layton Exclusif (except for the wood note and minimally less sweetness) are just too similar to me.

2. It's less beginner-friendly and requires a bit of time to get comfortable with.
3. It is more expensive than the house's regular Royal Essence range. For this, he smells different, but not higher quality than other PdM fragrances.

Conclusion: I like him, but wear my normal Layton rather.

PS: H/S are incidentally already directly with a freshly unpacked new bottle phenomenal (mine is from 2020, so still quite current). So no need to worry ;-)