This is a grown-up fragrance, a sophisticated and complex blend for those who appreciate classic perfumery with a spicy, animalic twist. Very divisive, some see a bold, masculine masterpiece, others find it too "dated" or even "stuffy." Not a blind buy by any stretch.

SB#3 chases the ultra-niche Roja Dove Semi Bespoke No. 3, a spice-and-leather chypre, at Extrait strength. The spice spike and animalic leather land loud and fast, but the composition reads flatter and shorter-lived than Roja's layered, slow-building original.