So what fragrances did folks try this year that stand out as highlights to them for whatever reasons? Why were they highlights? Let's not limit this to actual first tries. Rediscoveries fit the bill, too. Which of these highlights were "keepers"? Were there scents that really pulled you in at first, but after awhile did no seem quite as interesting.
I hate to use the term "Scent of the Year," because it implies products new in general in 2012 and those with greatest interest across lots of folks. I am talking about what were our personal scents of the year.
Things do not have to be expensive or rare. Or for that matter, they do not have to be wearable fragrances. When this forum was re-named "Fragrance," from "Cologne," it was specifically discussed that anything that smelled good was up for discussion, including "room freshners," scented candles, incense, various hoodoo products, sachets, whatever, etc. There are "jurisdictional" issues when it comes to aftershaves and shaving soaps in particular, and even such things as bath soaps and other "body products," but as long as we are talking about the smell, and/or there is no edt/cologne version to talk about, I think they are all fair game.
Also, I am thinking of what immediately pops to mind. I am sure if I went through what I have posted here, I would be reminded of other scents that really turned me on during 2012, but which, for whatever reason, have not come immediately to mind.
For me--and again, I never want to appear to be shilling, and I try my very best to recognize any undue bias I might have--the clear highlight of the year was the Imaginary Authors line of scents. I suppose there are two of the eight in the mainline (hope I have that number right! I am not counting Carrot or the new contract scent, the latter which I have not tried, but which sounds great) that are not favorites of mine, although I know that one of them has a major following and the other is loved by folks whose noses I truly respect! But otherwise, I truly enjoy and have enjoyed taking the time to explore in depth, each of those six. One of which, Le Orchid Terrible (sp?) is the only scent my wife wears when going out. (She wears Sung's "Shi," of all things, during the day!)
To me, The Cobra and the Canary is the one that stands out as the most innovative. The one that grabs and intrigues me the most, and it did not do that immediately, which is a very good sign. I am wearing The Soft Lawn today. I had forgotten just how much I love this one. It uplifts my mood. I think it is jasmine, which I have said repeatedly seems underused in men's scents. Falling Into the Sea seems like a scent I had been looking for for a long time. In the family of Creed Virgin Island Water, Bond No. 9 Fire Island, and I Hate Perfume At the Beach 1966, but exactly what pleases me rather that something close. It does not blow me away as does TC&TC, but it may be my favorite of this line, and of the the scents I have newly tried this year.
I do not intend to slight Bull's Blood or Memoirs by not talking about them.
MPG Ambre Doir stands out as another scent new to me that blew me away. Seems very different to me than any other scent I have tried. I different take on oud, it is said, although I do not think I am capable of recognizing oud in any form. I would have thought this would be my scent of the year. However, right now it does not appeal to me as much as it once did. I may have overworn it and I may come to crave it as much as I once did. But right now it seems to have a slightly sharp powdery note to it, that puts me slightly off. I have had similar things happen to me as to other scents.
As to rediscoveries, Tabac EDC comes right to mind. I really like it and thought I would be wearing it a lot. However, once it gets past the opening and beginning of the middle notes it seems to fall off and I lose interest. Still, very nice stuff.
More in the realm of reaffirmations, I find that I still love Pen's BB and LV Vetiver as much or more than I ever did, which is a tremendous amount! Vintage Havana, too, although Havana is seeming very strong to me these days.
Anyway, I thought this might be a fun topic! In retrospect, I think I did slow down on new scents this year. It was not intentional. Maybe I have just managed to make an actual dent in the number of scents in the world there are to try!
I hate to use the term "Scent of the Year," because it implies products new in general in 2012 and those with greatest interest across lots of folks. I am talking about what were our personal scents of the year.
Things do not have to be expensive or rare. Or for that matter, they do not have to be wearable fragrances. When this forum was re-named "Fragrance," from "Cologne," it was specifically discussed that anything that smelled good was up for discussion, including "room freshners," scented candles, incense, various hoodoo products, sachets, whatever, etc. There are "jurisdictional" issues when it comes to aftershaves and shaving soaps in particular, and even such things as bath soaps and other "body products," but as long as we are talking about the smell, and/or there is no edt/cologne version to talk about, I think they are all fair game.
Also, I am thinking of what immediately pops to mind. I am sure if I went through what I have posted here, I would be reminded of other scents that really turned me on during 2012, but which, for whatever reason, have not come immediately to mind.
For me--and again, I never want to appear to be shilling, and I try my very best to recognize any undue bias I might have--the clear highlight of the year was the Imaginary Authors line of scents. I suppose there are two of the eight in the mainline (hope I have that number right! I am not counting Carrot or the new contract scent, the latter which I have not tried, but which sounds great) that are not favorites of mine, although I know that one of them has a major following and the other is loved by folks whose noses I truly respect! But otherwise, I truly enjoy and have enjoyed taking the time to explore in depth, each of those six. One of which, Le Orchid Terrible (sp?) is the only scent my wife wears when going out. (She wears Sung's "Shi," of all things, during the day!)
To me, The Cobra and the Canary is the one that stands out as the most innovative. The one that grabs and intrigues me the most, and it did not do that immediately, which is a very good sign. I am wearing The Soft Lawn today. I had forgotten just how much I love this one. It uplifts my mood. I think it is jasmine, which I have said repeatedly seems underused in men's scents. Falling Into the Sea seems like a scent I had been looking for for a long time. In the family of Creed Virgin Island Water, Bond No. 9 Fire Island, and I Hate Perfume At the Beach 1966, but exactly what pleases me rather that something close. It does not blow me away as does TC&TC, but it may be my favorite of this line, and of the the scents I have newly tried this year.
I do not intend to slight Bull's Blood or Memoirs by not talking about them.
MPG Ambre Doir stands out as another scent new to me that blew me away. Seems very different to me than any other scent I have tried. I different take on oud, it is said, although I do not think I am capable of recognizing oud in any form. I would have thought this would be my scent of the year. However, right now it does not appeal to me as much as it once did. I may have overworn it and I may come to crave it as much as I once did. But right now it seems to have a slightly sharp powdery note to it, that puts me slightly off. I have had similar things happen to me as to other scents.
As to rediscoveries, Tabac EDC comes right to mind. I really like it and thought I would be wearing it a lot. However, once it gets past the opening and beginning of the middle notes it seems to fall off and I lose interest. Still, very nice stuff.
More in the realm of reaffirmations, I find that I still love Pen's BB and LV Vetiver as much or more than I ever did, which is a tremendous amount! Vintage Havana, too, although Havana is seeming very strong to me these days.
Anyway, I thought this might be a fun topic! In retrospect, I think I did slow down on new scents this year. It was not intentional. Maybe I have just managed to make an actual dent in the number of scents in the world there are to try!
