Rhinonet

It took me a while but I've come around to appreciate this fragrance. The bergamot gives the freshness, and the ambers/resins give it a nice deep sweetness. The florals give it a softness which make it a well-done composition.

However, the cumin gave it an animalic edge and the jasmine sambac added some musty sweatiness (personally, jasmine sambac is one of my most, if not the most, disliked notes.)

At first, I didn't like this. The cumin/jasmin combination wasn't overbearing but it was enough for me to put it aside. But I decided to give it some time and I see the potential. (Note: it smells better in the air than up close.)

The drydown is where this fragrance shines. This scent profile is reminiscent of most chypres from the past. A bit of nostalgia hits when smelling it. And yet, it's modernized to not make it outdated.

I'm glad I gave this one a chance before disregarding it.

In my opinion, this should have been called Coco Loco. I get a prominent, beachy coconut note with subtle fruit when I wear it. The "blue" aspect is there with the soapy shower gel feel.

It's not unpleasant to wear, at all. I enjoy it. Definitely aquatic, mass appealing blue fragrance. Personally, I would reach for other fragrances of this ilk but if you like summertime aquatics, this fits the bill.

Crewneck sweater with a leather jacket and boots. Sipping on warm apple cider at the fire pit on a cool fall day. Watching the kids enjoy themselves at the corn maze while smelling the kettle corn being popped. Admiring the beauty of the different color leaves sway back and forth and fall to the ground. No, this isn't what the fragrance smells like. This is where the fragrance takes you.

I get a fresh sweetness up top which may very well be the rum accord, followed by rich warm ambers, vanilla, patchouli and leather.

Performance is no slouch, either. If compliments is what you're after, you may get them ( I have).

This is comforting. If autumn/fall is your favorite season, this should be a staple in your wardrobe.

I haven't smelled the original BR540, the Extrait, or Alexandria's version of the Extrait but this is nice. You get the sweet, candy floss/cotton candy vibe but something keeps it from becoming too saccharine sweet. The oakmoss gives it a denseness, almost stuffy. It stays with you and people around you will smell it.

I like layering this with Aventus or anything with the Aventus DNA (Interplay on skin, Aventus on clothes). The shared notes of ambergris and oakmoss gives it a boost plus gives it some nuance.

If either the BR540 or Aventus DNA is getting too "samey" for you, try layering them.

If you're into citrusy, masculine fragrances, look no further than Eau Givree. Tart, bitter rind, piney and spicy notes. Imagine going Christmas tree shopping in late November to early December whilst wearing your favorite leather or suede jacket...and the trees are full of oranges.

This gives me the same sensation of the vintage formulation of Happy for Men by Clinique. The bright, effervescent orange opening is everything. Sadly, the current formulation is not even a shadow of it's former self, it's a complete departure.

Now, back to Eau Givree...to me, this is what Clinique Happy USED to be. This is what Clinique Happy WANTS to be. I enjoy this fragrance and if anything I wrote sparks intrigue, you very well might enjoy it too.