u/Sure_Night_8091

Doussan by Bourbon French Parfums was named after the founder of this house, August Doussan.

The opening has a nice little burst of fresh bergamot, but it doesn't stick around long. It quickly settles into a really smooth leather and patchouli combo that's rich without feeling heavy. Oud is listed as a note, but I think it is extremely subtle. It just adds a little depth and makes everything feel a bit darker and more refined. I do not get any barnyard or medicinal oud qualities in this fragrance. As it dries down, the vanilla starts to come through and rounds everything out with a soft warmth that keeps the leather from feeling too sharp.

I personally love to wear this fragrance after a nice shave. The leather adds a bit of a punch, and the patchouli-vanilla combination in the drydown is so smooth. I feel well-groomed and distinguished when wearing Doussan.

This fragrance has average longevity, and it wears somewhat close to the skin. It is perfect for a more intimate setting.

Eau de Cologne by Bourbon French Parfums is a classic citrus-aromatic fragrance that was created by J.H. Tindel in the 19th century. The house, Bourbon French Parfums, was founded in 1843 in New Orleans, and it is considered the oldest perfumery in America.

Eau de Cologne is a wonderful, unidimensional fragrance that contains the notes of citruses, bergamot, lime, and rosemary. I believe this is one of the most natural, hyper-realistic green citrus fragrances that I have smelled so far. I grew up on an orange grove as a child, and Eau de Cologne reminds me of how it smelled while walking through the grove of trees with unripened, green oranges on them. It captures the essence of citrus peels perfectly, and the rosemary gives the scent a bit of a green earthiness.

Longevity is poor on this one, however, it was created with the intention to be reapplied throughout the day. It is a perfect fragrance to freshen up with, similar to the idea of 4711 Cologne or Florida Water.

If you are looking for a fragrance that realistically captures the essence of citrus trees, this fragrance is definitely one I recommend. It's perfect for the summer and hot weather.

I've been wearing Chanel Antaeus for about a decade now, and it still has a permanent spot in my rotation. I've tried plenty of newer releases over the years, but I always come back to this one. It has a character that's getting harder to find in modern fragrances. Although this fragrance is 45 years old, it has a timeless appeal.

The opening is herbal, spicy, and a little sharp, however, it transforms into this rich blend of leather, woods, patchouli, and a bit of rose that feels incredibly smooth and confident. The castoreum adds a bit of depth, but it isn't too intensely animalic. I feel that there is a perfect balance between ruggedness and elegance that makes Antaeus such a unique fragrance.

Performance has always been reliable on my skin. I consistently get a full workday out of it, and it projects well without filling a room. It's especially good in the fall and winter, but I've never been afraid to wear it year-round if the occasion feels right.

Antaeus is a classic, and I highly recommend it if you enjoy leather fragrances.

I found a Shulton-era Old Spice that still smells incredible, so I had to pick it up. I've always liked to use Barbasol shaving cream and splash on some Old Spice after. Once the Old Spice has dried completely, I like to put a bit of Yardley Gentleman Classic talcum powder on.

It's definitely a nostalgic thing for me. I remember my dad and my grandfather doing the same when I was a kid, and I remember loving how it smelled.

Are there any old colognes that bring back memories like this for you?

Released in 1976 and created by perfumer Vincent Marcello, Yatagan by Caron remains one of the most distinctive and daring masculine scents ever made.

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The opening is sharp, green, and intensely herbal, with notes of pine, artemisia, and spices creating an almost rugged wilderness atmosphere. Within minutes, the fragrance develops a dry, earthy character dominated by patchouli, oakmoss, and woods. Yatagan embraces a raw, natural quality that evokes forests, leather, and dry leaves underfoot.

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Yatagan fits nicely with its other contemporaries such as Ralph Lauren Polo, YSL Kouros, and Quorum by Puig. When wearing it on my skin, I get whiffs of these other fragrances. Yatagan has the green, forest-like aspects and the oakmoss of Polo and Quorum, but it also contains some of the animalic features of Kouros. I love fragrances like this, so Yatagan is a very welcome addition to my collection.

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Performance wise, Yatagan lasts on skin for a while, and it has moderate projection. It is louder in the first 10 or 15 minutes, but it settles quite nicely.

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If you appreciate scent profiles that were popular in the 70s and 80s, then I would highly recommend trying Yatagan by Caron.

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I've always liked the original Grey Vetiver because it smells mature, confident, and put together. Eau de Grey Vetiver takes that same idea and makes it feel lighter and more relaxed.

Right from the start, the citrus is what grabs you. It opens with lemon, aldehydes, and fennel, but I also get a bit of grapefruit, even though it's not listed in the notes. This gives it a bright, sparkling opening that feels fresh without smelling like a generic "blue" fragrance. It's clean and uplifting, but still has that polished Tom Ford touch.

Other standout notes in Eau de Grey Vetiver is the orange blossom and iris. The orange blossom is prevalent giving this a beautiful white floral touch. The iris is detectable, yet subdued. This makes the fragrance feel quite smooth and elegant.

As it settles, the vetiver starts to come through. It has a bit of that same earthy, slightly dry character that the EdP has, but this feels a bit less pronounced. Here, the vetiver feels smoother and more transparent. It's present throughout the fragrance, but it never dominates. Instead, it blends into the citrus, light florals, and soft woods, creating something that feels effortless and easy to wear.

What I like most is how natural the ingredients in this fragrance smell. Nothing feels overwhelmingly synthetic to me. It just smells crisp, refined, and well put together.

Overall, Eau de Grey Vetiver feels like the Grey Vetiver for someone who wants a fresher, brighter take on the original. It's sophisticated without being stuffy, modern yet mature, and incredibly easy to wear. If the original is a tailored charcoal suit, Eau de Grey Vetiver is the same suit with the jacket off and the sleeves rolled up.

Notes:

Top Notes - Aldehydes, Lemon, and Fennel

Middle Notes - Iris, Orange Blossom, Artemisia and Clary Sage

Base Notes - Vetiver, Oakmoss, Musk and Amberwood.

Amouage Gold Man was first created in 1983. It is one of those fragrances that just feels so luxurious. The smooth balance of florals, powdery notes, incense, and animalic notes is flawless. There is nothing in this mix of notes that feels too much. The rose and lily-of-the-valley add elegance, the frankincense gives it that unmistakable Amouage signature, and the drydown is this beautiful mix of sandalwood, amber, musk, and civet. Every note feels perfectly placed. Nothing sticks out awkwardly.

I can see why some younger fragrance enthusiasts might initially think it's too formal or mature, but I think that's because Gold Man unapologetically embraces sophistication. To me, this smells like wealth, confidence, and impeccable taste. Perfect for a gentleman who enjoys the finer things in life.