Smoetn

So, now I can finally give my mustard to this perfume, after I got hooked on the hype, which arose here on Parfumo, I also bought a bottle.

Even if this perfume is still very new on the market, but already now some myths and heated discussions about this fragrance. For some, it is actually the holy Aventus-Gral, for others just another cheap Aventus clone.
The hype even goes so far that some wrote that they had ordered 20 bottles and yet others advised to get the fragrance before the price goes through the roof and the fragrance is sold out. And indeed - as of today - the fragrance is nowhere to be found. Shortly after my order went through, it was also already sold out.

But now to the actual fragrance. I would like to evaluate this by the way detached - at least, as far as this is possible - independently of Aventus and see him as an independent fragrance. In fact, I also do not know the earlier Aventus batches and have for direct comparison only "Explorer | Montblanc" present.

And here I put then also, starts "Supremacy Not Only Intense | Afnan Perfumes" but indeed much nicer, more natural and overall less synthetic. Surprisingly, you can smell - of course always with a little imagination and good will - all three fragrances; bergamot, apple and currant. For my part, I can't pick out pineapple, but it's not indicated at all. And this is where "Supremacy Not Only Intense | Afnan Perfumes" differs from "Aventus (Eau de Parfum) | Creed", where both fragrances share all scents in the top note, except for the pineapple. The top note is also definitely the clear highlight of this fragrance.

In the heart note, so after about 30 minutes, the fragrance then becomes a little smokier, herbaceous and earthier. Lavender, patchouli and oakmoss I can not consciously smell out, but the fragrance notes make perfect sense to my nose. The fruity remains but now becomes a little more masculine or edgier.

In the drydown, the fragrance then no longer changes significantly, it becomes at most a little woodier and loses more and more of the initial fruitiness and sweetness. Ashtray I smell here best will not out. If anything, the fragrance could still be a little smokier for me.

Similarities to @540 one can recognize already rather, since mann the saffron note in the basis with it probably under circumstances could connect. But if anything, I would like to recognize a distant similarity to @540 in the top note, since something sweet still resonates here, which makes the fragrance as I said, especially at the beginning very pleasing.

The sillage is quite present and is clearly in the good midfield. Not necessarily room-filling, but well perceptible and over a longer period. But how you can rate the sillage with a 10, is a mystery to me. Either the hype horses have run away with you or the respective reviewers haven't smelled a real "beast" yet. But a tight 8 (7 would also be appropriate) is quite justifiable here. The durability is also absolutely fine and is 7-8 hours on my skin.

A few words about another confusion surrounding the fragrance. In fact, both on the plastic slipcase and on the real nice plastic box are the words "Extrait de Parfum". But then on the sticker below the bottle you find "Eau de Parfum". An oversight? Clever marketing?
At the same time, however, one also finds an 80% indication and a brief Internet search reveals that this is exactly in the gray area between "Extrait de Parfum" and "Eau de Parfum". Mostly 20% is used for intense versions of "Eau de Parfums" and this is even included in the name (not only intense). So for me it is an "Eau de Parfum" in Intense concentration.

So how does my overall verdict turn out now? Good! If the original Aventus batches have smelled so, then I can now understand a bit better the hype around @Aventus, because the current batches or bspw. "Explorer | Montblanc" have never really convinced me. "Supremacy Not Only Intense | Afnan Perfumes", on the other hand, is convincing to a large extent, even if it is not my favorite fragrance DNA overall and I still prefer "Hacivat | Nishane", for example.

The fragrance is fruity, somewhat smoky and exudes a certain masculinity. So ultimately, I can not share the enthusiasm around this fragrance to 100%, but understand a bit and am glad to have secured me a bottle. And for those of you who are looking for the original Aventus, feel free to strike here and try your luck. For the price, the fragrance is always a real bargain, even completely detached from the Aventus question.

"African leather" - this immediately evokes safari associations; exoticism, vast steppe landscapes and, of course, wild animals. And here first and foremost the "Big Five", that is: Elephant, Rhino, Cape Buffalo, Lion and Leopard. This term was once coined by big game hunters to refer to the five most difficult animals to hunt on foot in Africa, but is now also commonly used by safari tour operators. Incidentally, South African rand banknotes feature a different one of the Big Five animals on each banknote.

The leopard is considered the most difficult of the Big Five to hunt because of its nocturnal habits (it is most active between sunset and sunrise) and because it is suspicious of humans and tends to run away in the face of danger. Whether this is why Memo chose the leopard as the image for his bottle, I cannot say, but at least against this background the fragrance promises a certain exclusivity, since Memo has managed to tame this wild animal and to pour it olfactorily into a bottle. Whether "Cuirs Nomades - African Leather (Eau de Parfum) | Memo Paris" is also similarly shy and quickly warps, I would like to present in the following.

Fragrance
What I was looking forward to this fragrance. I had him for some time on my wish list and when there was now a good offer, I immediately struck.
"Cuirs Nomades - African Leather (Eau de Parfum) | Memo Paris" starts with an overwhelmingly beautiful top note, with which for me actually only "Intoxicated | Kilian" can keep up. Not that both fragrances have much in common, but if it were purely about the prelude and the first 60 minutes of a perfume, these two fragrances would be with me at number 1 and 2 of my absolute favorite fragrances.

And after all, both fragrances share a main fragrance note, namely the cardamom. This is here, as well as in "Intoxicated | Kilian", so beautifully set in scene, that one is quite warm around the heart and you wish, this would never end. In addition, a certain freshness is accompanied by saffron, which I usually do not like, but is used here discreetly and skillfully.

After about an hour, the top note then gradually fades and the fragrance can no longer quite keep its initial promise and is then somewhat sweeter and drier in the drydown, which unfortunately prevents the maximum rating of a smooth 10 (although really only very very close). Therefore, I rate the fragrance with a 9.5, because it is still quite great cinema and plays for me quite far ahead.

The fragrance is always underpinned by a subtle leather note and many spices seem to want to make their way into the nose at the same time. Here the fragrance then also reminds me slightly of "Trade Routes Collection - Halfeti | Penhaligon's" , because this also almost slays you with its mixture of spices (in a positive sense). Otherwise, there are not too many fragrances that you could use as a comparison, and so "Cuirs Nomades - African Leather (Eau de Parfum) | Memo Paris" is then also really very special in its fragrance composition. Overall, the fragrance also remains quite straightforward, which I appreciate here very much, simply because the fragrance is so beautiful from the beginning.

The leopard also comes through with a little imagination and a slight animalism can be discerned, which is far from drifting into the stinky. Rather, this Animalik (probably the Oud) gives the fragrance something exotic and the certain something.

Is he, so the leopard, is really so shy, as in the wild nature? The answer is quite clear - no. The sillage is just initially for the first 3 hours really good and the fragrance is potent in the African air. However, it's also not too strong that you have to worry about slaying someone with it. Just right. After that, like so many other fragrances, it becomes rather skin tight, but still easily noticeable on closer contact. The durability is also beyond reproach and the fragrance remains well and gladly 9-10 hours on the skin.

The bottle is quite pretty, but kept rather simple. There are certainly more beautiful designs. What really comes along great, however, is the packaging. The fragrance comes in a large, noble leather box, which presents itself beautifully. Surely the leather is not the best, but still spreads the box a nice leather smell, which is curiously more perceptible than the leather note in the fragrance itself.

Although the fragrance of the basic principle probably fits more in the colder season, he can be worn in my opinion throughout the year (certainly not in high summer). By its light freshness, coupled with a certain heaviness and profundity, it fits simply always and for every occasion.

Overall, I really love this fragrance and I will wear it very, very often. To me, it gives me a sense of adventure. Even though it may sound trite or cliché, but when I smell the fragrance, I am overcome with the desire to do something, take a trip or just explore the world. The scent just encourages (Pun intended) me to use it to have new experiences and to associate them with it forever. A higher compliment you can not actually make a fragrance.

Thank you for reading. I go now on experience safari.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to welcome you to tonight's heavyweight bout. Once again it's time for a slugfest, and this time it's in the absolute heavyweight class. In the crook of his left arm, #Intoxicated stands at a fighting weight of 4€ per ml in his black and gold shorts. In the crook of his right arm stands his challenger #007, who at 1€ per ml is actually fighting in a completely different weight class. Nevertheless, this promises to be an absolute top fight, the "stable" of the challenger is notorious for imitating the fighting style of the opponent to perfection

The fight will be fought over 4 rounds and there will only be one winner. Ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seat belts, here we go - Leeeeeeeeeeeet's get ready to ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuumbleeeeeee.

Round 1 (Scent)
"Intoxicated | Kilian" starts off powerful right away, hitting the ground running with his infamous green cardamom club. The audience is excited and cheers for the champion. But he doesn't let himself be put off and adds some coffee to his tactics. The longer the fight lasts, the sweeter and more seductive the champ becomes, but still retains his elegance. A true champ who "floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee". The judges give him a smooth 10/10.

"Alexandria's 007 | Alexandria Fragrances" wants to follow suit, of course, and in turn also launches with a broadside of cardamom. It almost looks as if this is a rehearsed fight, the movements of both opponents are almost identical. But "Alexandria's 007 | Alexandria Fragrances" has a slightly different fighting style in the beginning, which makes both fighters appear differently. But as time goes on, the challenger grows closer to the champ, although differences remain. If the champ fights more reserved, almost gentleman-like, the challenger is more impetuous, a bit sharper and more piercing in his executions.

Now the coffee and the great sweetness also come out in the challenger and both fighters give nothing to each other. But the judges have a trained eye and recognize that the champ acts a little more light-footed and the challenger seems a little cramped. That's why there's a very slight point deduction for the challenger. The champ is just the champ. 9.5/10

Round 2 (durability & sillage)
Now, ladies and gentlemen, we come to the round we've all been waiting for. The fight has been going on for 2 hours now and still both opponents don't seem to feel any fatigue. But what is this?! The champ's strength seems to be waning a bit, and the challenger immediately takes advantage. The blows of "Intoxicated | Kilian" seem to fizzle out more and more, while the effects of the blows of "Alexandria's 007 | Alexandria Fragrances" can even be felt by the spectators in the back rows. Now the light-footedness seems to turn into the opposite and you can clearly feel that the champ is slowly but surely running out of breath. But that's absolutely no wonder, the fight now lasts over 8 hours and many would have given up long ago. Alexandria's 007 | Alexandria Fragrances" is not the best anymore, but he is still superior to the champ and the judges give this round clearly to the challenger:
"Intoxicated | Kilian" durability 8/10, sillage 6/10, "Alexandria's 007 | Alexandria Fragrances" durability 9/10, sillage 8/10

Round 3 (Flacon)
This round went by faster than we could look, ladies and gentlemen. The champ delivers full and impresses once again with its elegance and class. There is really no one can fool him. 10/10

The challenger has to admit defeat here, as he seems to have put more of his potential, time and skill into his fighting ability than into his appearance. Nevertheless, there are certainly worse phenomena, for example the fighters from the house DUA, which drives a similar strategy. Here Alexandria can be seen then but, nevertheless, "Alexandria's 007 | Alexandria Fragrances" must be satisfied with the mediocre rating of the referees. 6/10

Round 4 (Price-Performance)
We now come to the fourth and all-important round. The champ knows what he can do and has almost perfected his technique and presentation. And he lets himself be rewarded accordingly and demands one of the highest fight fees this sport has to offer. The audience doesn't like this at all, even though the prices for subsequent fights are lower once you've paid for a fight. But the judges do not accept this and punish the champ here. 4/10

This is where the challenger finally gets to play to his strengths and proves that humility is a virtue. This is celebrated by the audience, especially since they have been delivered for a much lower price almost the same experience. The rating falls accordingly positive 8/10.

Decision
Ladies and gentlemen, this was indeed a fight at the very highest level and the judges have now discussed their final score and are announcing it at this very moment. Let's take a listen:

The champ "Intoxicated | Kilian" from the left corner has achieved a total score of 38 points.
The challenger "Alexandria's 007 | Alexandria Fragrances" from the right corner has achieved a total score of 40.5 points, knocking the champ off his throne.

Ladies and gentlemen, what a battle. The crowd here on site is unstoppable and has stormed the ring. The new champ is very happy, but the old champ congratulates as a matter of course, gentleman as he is. I'm sure he's also helped by the knowledge of his skills and that he will always be loved.

So, that's it from me. I say goodbye and wish all readers still a nice day. Until next time!

Another blind buy...actually I didn't want to do this anymore after all. But what to do if you are taken by the perfume description and you have no opportunity to test a fragrance in the perfumery. And if there is then still a good offer, then one just strikes :)

However, I am always very careful when I read a review in which a "blind buy" is evaluated. I'm sure some are familiar with the endowment effect, also known as the possession effect, which describes how we value a good (for example, a purchased good) more simply because we own that good.

Now, I've once expanded on this effect and simply call it the "Endowment-Blindbuy Effect". Ultimately, what I'm getting at is that we certainly all tend to value blindbuys better than we would have if we hadn't bought that fragrance. After all, we spent money on it and obviously don't want that money to have been spent "for nothing". If only to keep any "Buyer's remorse" as small as possible.

Therefore, I now try to evaluate the present fragrance as objectively as possible, although there can be no objective evaluation with perfumes anyway.

Fragrance

Since this is a classic Fougère fragrance, I try times to draw a few parallels to "Bois du Portugal | Creed", since this fragrance is probably quite well known and the inclined reader can thus get a good idea. But so that this is quite clear, both fragrances are relatively far from each other, at least within the Fougère genre.

"Eau Sauvage Parfum (2017) | Dior" starts off quite strongly citrusy. The first 10 minutes you perceive virtually nothing else. "Bois du Portugal | Creed" starts there much calmer and more relaxed, although bergamot is also included here in the top note. But here, the cedar wood and lavender are added directly, which really gives the fragrance an "old school vibe". This I take namely with "Eau Sauvage Parfum (2017) | Dior" only very conditionally perceived.

Rather, a certain licorice note comes in the heart note here in fact. The fragrance is thereby even slightly sweetish, almost vanilla. Also, I notice a powderiness, which makes the fragrance even a little reminiscent of "Habit Rouge (Eau de Parfum) | Guerlain". Anyway, it could almost be a Guerlain fragrance at this point.

While "Bois du Portugal | Creed" also comes along in the drydown almost unchanged and very dignified (which is why I like him so, would not be there the durability), "Eau Sauvage Parfum (2017) | Dior" changes yet another time and now the vetiver and elemi resin are added, whereby the fragrance then still gets a slight, nice "old school vibe".

Durability and sillage are unfortunately only average. While still quite acceptable, but what others have written here of 10+ hours, is not comprehensible. It is on my skin rather so 7-8 hours and the sillage takes you probably rather perceive if you are already quite close to the person. Thus but of course perfect for the office (or other work) or everyday life suitable.

The bottle is really quite beautiful. He reminds of a classic Rassierwasserflasche with a great magnetic lid. Only the black band around the bottle belly looks a little cheap and tarnishes the overall impression a little.

So how does my conclusion turn out?
Overall, I am ultimately somewhat disappointed, even if this is difficult for me to admit to myself due to the "Endowment-Blindbuy-Effect". Of course, the fragrance is not bad and I will wear it with pleasure, but I had just expected something more "old school" a la "Bois du Portugal | Creed". "Eau Sauvage Parfum (2017) | Dior" is there but rather playful and even something for younger people. Now I'm not so old myself, but I like the very classic Fougères just very well.

But who is looking for a citrusy, slightly sweet and powdery fragrance, which also comes along a bit classic, "Eau Sauvage Parfum (2017) | Dior" should definitely test times (must not be a blind buy :))

Like so many here, I first thank Raz for the great sharing. This allowed us to test this very new fragrance very soon after the release.

Amouage is clearly one of my favorite fragrance houses and so I have also already very, very many fragrances from the house could test (and 2 bottles at home). As it seems, me (and obviously others) but this is now the doom, because you can not help but smell out of #Boundless many different other fragrances.
Let's start from the beginning.

Boundless starts for me very(!) Similar to "Beloved Man | Amouage" , this is not surprising after a closer look but, share both fragrances in the top note but many fragrance notes, especially the orange and the Elemiharz. So who knows Beloved Man, knows how the top note smells. This is in itself already times strange, because Beloved Man is indeed a beautiful fragrance, but you do not need this a second time.

After about 15 to 30 minutes then comes through but also - as some have also already noted - a relatively strong similarity to "Spicebomb Extreme | Viktor & Rolf", so a smoky creaminess. Here it becomes really strange, because Spicebomb is very well known (in contrast to Beloved Man) and accordingly many will have this association. So something may work if the pricing would be the other way around, so the role model would be more expensive than the present fragrance, but so many people will wonder why they should then reach for the more expensive "Dupe".

In the drydown, the fragrance then becomes increasingly sweet and (incense) smoky and then still begins to resemble "Journey Man | Amouage", but not as strong, as with the other two.

Overall, "Boundless | Amouage" thus geriert to a Frankenstein (clear with so much frankincense, haha, attention pun) of various other fragrances; especially Beloved Man and Spicebomb extreme. That's a pity, because the fragrance is actually very appealing, but everything has been there before. If the fragrance had appeared 10 years ago, it would be something else, but so he is (unfortunately) a bit superfluous.

Thus, the fragrance for me rather belongs to the weaker Amouage fragrances, because it is simply not independent enough. The biggest criticism I have but (and also this was already partly mentioned in the statements), is the weak sillage. For an Amouage, especially from the sweet-smoky direction, this is still very disappointing; here it reminds then again of Beloved Man, which is nevertheless also quite skin-tingling. The durability could also be better, although this is fine.

The Flakon wiederrum deserves but of course again the highest rating; just this brown-purple color design makes already something her.

Overall, however, so unfortunately only an average Amouage and something disappointment spreads, the expectations were with the initial hype of the fragrance but quite high. Nevertheless, it is certainly worth it to test this fragrance once. Just for someone who does not yet know the other fragrances, Boundless may be a great experience, because the fragrance is not bad in itself ... would there only not the moderate sillage.