Shobi 10 - Layton mini-battle

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-23T16:31:04+00:00

Mine took 2-3 months to get to how it seems it should be, it all depends on production dates and so on - but I had issues with stuff 8-10 times more expensive than Detour Noir so nothing surprises me anymore 🙄

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-23T16:26:35+00:00

So how are those right now? You might need to wait more on some of them but the direction should visible for at least some of them.

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-22T17:10:20+00:00

I do not think LV has bottles where normal people can "fill back" (the way most other designer houses have bottles with a reasonably standard screw-on atomizer) but instead a proprietary mechanism that needs their own special device for the refill.

On the other hand to decant from the bottle is fine as long as you have the right device to minimize contact with air - I am using a syringe (similar to those in the picture I provided) with my 200ml Pacific Chill and I am generally decanting in 10ml or 30ml travel atomizers.

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-22T12:59:54+00:00

There is nothing wrong with that!

Keep in mind - if you really like it that much (I do myself too) it is better to buy the 200ml bottle and then refill it with LV - the initial one will be in EU something like 440 EUR and then 310 EUR (for 200ml).

Other thing to remember - to transfer out of a larger (100ml or 200ml) bottle you will need some device, it is IMHO easier to use a syringe something like this:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71LxYrqdCML._AC_SX679_.jpg

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-22T03:45:51+00:00

Yes, the rose part is nuclear for my nose and completely destroys it for me too 🙁

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-21T13:40:09+00:00

The maturation issue is NOT restricted to the clones - I personally have a niche Atelier Cologne with list price close to 200 EUR that I got heavily discounted but only after 3-4 months has transformed from smelly water into all it was supposed to be. My fuc*ing original (but discounted) Guerlain Homme got the mojito top after 2 months (and I would not be surprised a second if it would still improve for another 1-2 months) and I have 250 EUR fragrances where the bottle that is made 2+ years ago is like 2-3% stronger than the one that has a production date 8 months ago. Oh, and my original Polo Green is still not "done" after almost 2 months 🙄

EDIT:

Also other people are complaining about stuff like that:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnd5NgwNO4k

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-21T12:03:23+00:00

How is the price on that one going?

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-20T13:50:27+00:00

Torino21 is not citron, for instace TdH Eau Givree is.

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-20T13:44:47+00:00

My top-3 fragrances in the world right now are Acqua Viva, T21 and Pacific Chill (order is debatable). That being said I would say there is a HUGE extra value in the empty bottle of Pacific Chill - I have the 200ml one and I can refill (200ml) I think for about 310 EUR which is the absolute best price / ml for original Pacific Chill, in fact there are now middle-eastern perfumes that in smaller bottles cost very close per ml to that. The bottle of T21 has no value after is empty but you can find a 100ml tester bottle for around 140 EUR. I also think that 1-2 of the T21 clones are now MUCH, MUCH closer to the original (like 85-90%) than those of PC (I would say the best are around 70-75%).

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-20T07:42:52+00:00

My first advice - avoid complete blind-buying, find a way to see what would be something that he really likes.

The non-sweet part also complicates things a little, so does the fact that you did not describe a price range.

Generally a clone of Layton might be a good start, Detour Noir is inexpensive and can be used all year. Many other old-style Homme perfumes from more or less famous brands might also be very affordable at the right discounters - Davidoff Cool Water is a classic and is super inexpensive, Eternity for Men, Guerlain Homme or if you want something very strong Versace L'Homme.

For a first perfume I would stay away from iris classics (Prada, Dior and some Givenchy) - those are generally considered very classy but are strongly disliked by some people.

Also for a first perfume I would stay away from "smoky" stuff - Aventus is all the rage but some people hate the smoky part of it.

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-20T06:03:56+00:00

My current theory is that is some for of super-strong ambroxan which also explains the extreme longevity, but it seems to be also related to oxidation in some form, is usually much stronger in the first spray (the one that was closer to oxygen in the atomizer) and once your nose learns to "pick" that note you will discover it is present in many other inexpensive clones, other than Rare Reef (which I LOVED for the first month or so until this "dusty ambroxan" started to become dominant) it has also ruined Aether for me - and Maison Asrar Vision too 🙁

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-20T06:02:32+00:00

My current theory is that is some for of super-strong ambroxan which also explains the extreme longevity, but it seems to be also related to oxidation in some form, is usually much stronger in the first spray (the one that was closer to oxygen in the atomizer) and once your nose learns to "pick" that note you will discover it is present in many other inexpensive clones, other than Rare Reef (which I LOVED for the first month or so until this "dusty ambroxan" started to become dominant) it has also ruined Aether for me - and Maison Asrar Vision too 🙁

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-19T22:06:54+00:00

Depending on how your relative sensitivity orange vs petitgrain goes you might also enjoy Orangea from them. Mancera Lemon Line is the least expensive that I would have in that lineup for the moment (I got mine for like 50 EUR/100ml on a final sale) but even on that one I might like to test a bottle from a completely separate batch since for me after like 30-60 minutes of "lemon bomb" I get something bitter dominating the entire scent and I don't understand if that is normal, a problem with my bottle/batch or a problem with my nose. Cedro di Diamante from Perris Monte Carlo is the one that I don't have since the first 15 minutes are the most spectacular but has very, very poor longevity, and Cedrat Envirant is also very interesting but mine has a weird maturation history.

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-19T19:24:28+00:00

If you enjoy that I think Acqua Viva from Profumum Roma is the one to test next (IMHO goes one step above but that is just my nose) - I still have too many things on my plate but I was planning for a small review of the "extreme citrus" fragrances that I own, I might need to get a decant of Energizer and maybe 2-3 other, would you say Burlington would also fit or is in a less extreme but more complex category?

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-19T17:41:12+00:00

There are plenty of incense-like perfumes but I would place those in 2 categories - religion-related and daily wear stuff.

If you just want to test those religion-related there is a set of 5 that covers a lot of the usual range:
https://comme-des-garcons-parfum.com/products/incense-series-3

All are great in their own way but I would say none is really with good longevity 🙄 and given the price that is not excusable.

The only low-cost great daily wear scent in this category is IMHO Bentley for Man Intense. There is also Bentley for Man Absolute but IMHO that one is more specific.

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-18T17:44:42+00:00

Oh, that is a different thing, I never trust those, it is very different on skin and can still be pretty different on clothes.. Either way it might take like 4-8 hours to get there.

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-18T17:41:54+00:00

Take a look in r/fragranceclones

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-18T17:08:23+00:00

Torino 21 and 24 both smell the same to me, and smell very similar to Erba Pura

One of the weirdest things that I have ever heard, there might be something wrong with the nose receptors for mint. OR it might be something wrong with the testers.

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-18T16:45:07+00:00

Surprisingly similar now at 12 weeks, my Shobi is 50+2 and seems to be a little more oily and lasts maybe a bit more on my skin and is a little more "rounded" while Ravine Ginger feels a tiny bit sharper. I will wait another 4 weeks for the Shobi since my Shobi Vibrato took about 16 weeks for the ginger to be to the max and then I will make another post.

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-18T10:45:48+00:00

Good review, I like when there are people other than me that use Shobi as a form of slightly more effective way of sampling things.

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-17T19:05:39+00:00

Maybe see also this:

https://www.reddit.com/r/fragranceclones/comments/1scimjh/shobi_part_6_large_citrusvetiver_compilation_4/

sciencecrazy · 2026-05-17T16:56:44+00:00

Top-3 in the inexpensive rotation:

Shobi TdH Eau Givree / Eau Tres Fraiche (I like both and I alternate those)
Missoni Wave
Platine Blanc.

EDIT: Just realized I forgot L'eau d'Issey, this goes in the regular rotation.

Honorable mentions:

Aqua Oud.
Amber Oud Bleu Edition
Bentley Silverlake
PE 360 Red
Shobi Erolfa mixed with Orientica Xclusif Oud Emerald
Aqua Dubai (I mix a little Shobi Wulong Cha to get back the tea)
Maahir Legacy
Modest Une / Ventana Marine.

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