Perfume Reviews by NorthByNorthEast

Kismet Magic by Maison Alhambra

I've never tried Killian Angels' Share, but the hype and high ratings got to me despite not being a sweet gourmand type of guy. So I thought I'd find the cheapest, yet fairly accurate dupe out there. Kismet Magic is very well regarded for it's accuracy, and for 30 bucks shipped it's cheaper than a small decant of the real deal.

This stuff is incredible. I understand the hype. The first time I tried it though, the cognac, chocolate, and especially the cinnamon were quite strong. The cinnamon almost crossed over to strong clove. Bordering on tobacco even. Liked it but still wasn't sold. My bottle was also leaking when I opened it so I cleaned it up with a tissue and set it aside. The next day I'm smelling caramel apple pie. It was that tissue. Smelled fantastic! I didn't throw it out, but let it sit on the end table for days, and that fragrance just kept going strong.

A few days I thought I'd give it a go again. Instead of that initial scent, it was that warm caramel apple pie. Just the right amount of booziness. The caramel/cocoa combo give that praline note. Hints of wood and vanilla. I do get that cooked apple note though not listed. On my skin it leans masculine, but on a woman it would be delicious. I get the hype. Still wouldn't buy the real thing. Too much money for something I wouldn't wear often. This scratches the itch. Highly recommend this though for those who want that itch scratched as well.

Dusk by The Woods Collection

Got this recently and my goodness it is nice. I have never tried Layton but wanted to try a good version of it and this usually gets the nod. Warm, spicy cardamom, woody, apple vanilla goodness. In the same wheelhouse as Le Male Le Parfum, and while I prefer LMLP, this is much more wearable and versatile for everyday wear. Sweet, but not overly so. A bit fresh. I get it now. I wore it for 3 days straight despite the warm weather and buying 2 other fragrances along with it.

The bottle is gorgeous. Love the magnetic cap and packaging. First rate... Except for that absolutely awful atomizer. It was just sputtering droplets the first time I tried it. Contemplated sending it back. But it's spraying a light mist now that is just adequate. Still needs a 1 or 2 pump priming before it sprays.

No. 11 Leo by Milton-Lloyd

Personally, I'm not fan of Sauvage because it's kind of average for the Dior price and also its general ubiquity. But No 11 Leo is excellent at this price. A very good copy. I find myself enjoying it much better with the extra 100+ dollars in my pocket. It has the citrus, pepper, and lavender which dries down to a bit of wood. And its strong and projects like a mofo. If you like/own Sauvage, try it and save some money and your Dior juice. If don't particularly like Sauvage, might be worth a shot at this price point.

Fahrenheit by Christian Dior

Scents are all about associations, and this immediately takes me to my vintage Jaguar sports car. The fuel-like smell. Perhaps an oil leak. Connolly leather seats. Burled walnut woods. Wilton wool carpets. All freshly cleaned inside and out. Overly romanticized in my head, but it takes me there every time I spray it. Aside from that it is just a uniquely beautiful yet masculine blend of citrus, florals, leather, and wood. And that classic bottle that cannot be mistaken for any other. Near perfection for me. Yet divisive. Others may not like as much as I do. And I don't care a whit.

Vetiver by Guerlain

The most masculine vetiver out there. It is "dated" in the same sense that Eau Sauvage is dated. It is of it's time, but still relevant and beautiful for modern times. A perfect blend of wood, grass, tobacco, leather, and soapiness. Freshly showered standing in a field wearing a biker jacket and handling an unlit cigarette. I don't wear it often, but when I do it is something special and some days you just have to wear it. Your hand beelines for the bottle without thought.

Tres Nuit by Armaf

Being a Green Irish Tweed fan, I bought this as a possible everyday alternative. Wasn't exact so I sort of wrote it off as clone. A bit too sweet. But that did it a disservice. Trying it today it is a really good fragrance on it's own. Because of the sweet iris, I'd say its a nice blend of GIT and La Nuit de L'Homme. More youthful than GIT and would make a good daily wear or even date scent. I'll have to wear this more.

Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche

Magic. Absolute magic. Having only tried my 2022 bottle, I have no attachment to some mythical elixir. So my reaction comes from the fragrance as it is, and it is very good. A strong, masculine scent with an underlying beauty. On skin its a peppery lavender. Complex and dark. In the air it is a slightly peppery shaving foam. Clean. Elegant. What holds it back is a name, price, and a cultural perception of who once wore it. Put it in a Tom Ford or YSL bottle and it would be rejuvenated and praised in the halls of Fragcom. Try it. Wear it. Enjoy it for what it is. A legendary classic fougere for men.

Green Irish Tweed by Creed

Masterpiece. That is the one word to review this. Another is timeless. Or elegant. Suave. Debonair. Gentlemanly. Rugged. Refined. Exquisite. It could go on and on.

It really is my favorite men's fragrance. I find myself just sniffing the atomizer if it is within reach. I'd wear it everyday for any occasion if it weren't so expensive. It's green. It's blue. But the color that stands out to me is purple. It's the color I see when smelling this. The iris/violet/lavender notes are the MVP notes. It's the green grass opening that many people comment on, but those floral notes are what tie it all together for me. And the ambergris smooths it all out so that it is effortlessly lush, yet retains a sparkle and life. Pierre Bourdon. Creed. A tip of the cap on this one. It will always be on hand in my fragrance arsenal. 10 out of 10 if there ever was one.