What fragrance are you wearing today?

Alfred Dunhill & Dunhill for Men (vtg)

Jicky (Guerlain) lavender, herbs, vanilla, civet

This is an overtly bright, cheerful fragrance, that hides a skanky little secret. Among smooth notes of citrus, lavender, vanilla, and a forest of greens there lurks a steaming pile of civet. It's prominent for only about an hour, but when it comes to the front it may remind of you what happens when you're cutting the grass and your mower hits one of your cat's presents.

Oyédo (diptyque) yuzu, mandarin, light herbs, menthol

For most of its history, Tokyo was known as Edo, or more politely, Oyédo. Japanese cuisine still favors yuzu and mandarin, the two main notes in this fragrance. Oyédo is that rare citrus scent that will last a full twelve hours. What gives it such longevity, I suspect, is a dose of menthol, not enough to burn, but enough to promote the fruits' cooling sensation for at least half a day. If you like Stirling's Orange Chill, you may want to sample Oyédo, too.

Maybe typical but I like it

PAA Enigma Machine.

Vetiver Oriental (Serge Lutens) cacao, sandalwood, iris, amber, a wee dab of vetiver

Cacao and iris rubbed with suede are the two notes that hold steady, while guaiac wood and sandalwood fade in and out like a radio station broadcasting from the far side of the island. Vetiver seems to have been used solely as a fixative. I hardly smell it. This fragrance is perfectly inoffensive. You can wear it without hesitation to the office, to the beach, or to a funeral. The only one it could disappoint is the poor chap who paid full price for it.

Edit: I came back to this after another two hours and the vetiver had finally awakened. It seems to have been hiding all along under the cacao and woods, but now that it's getting up and starting to walk around, it's really pretty nice.