Confessions of a Splitmeet Stalker: What I’m Hunting This Round

If you’ve ever refreshed a split thread like it was a sneaker drop, you’re my people. I live for the moment someone posts a fresh bottle and the comments light up. It’s democratic luxury, and it’s also chaos. Read the rules, play nice, and please don’t stash-dump your old decants. New bottles only. Fresh juice, fresh opinions.

Here’s my personal hit list this round, with zero tolerance for boredom:

• Amber that actually flexes: Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan and Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille. One is a warm, resinous embrace, the other is boozy vanilla with spine. If your fall needs a backbone, start here.
• White florals that won’t sugarcoat it: Amouage Honour Woman. Gardenia with gloves off. If you want the porcelain to crack a little, this is your ticket.
• The fig you think you know, but bigger: Diptyque Philosykos. The EDT is shade-dappled, the EDP is creamier. I’ll split either, though my heart goes green.
• Incense that rewires the room: Tauer L’Air du Désert Marocain. Dry, radiant, mirage-like. It’s a rite of passage and still worth the ceremony.
• Patch powerhouse with silk lining: Chanel Coromandel. The cedar-cocoa patchouli that makes you stand taller without trying. If you’ve only sniffed it on a blotter, you haven’t met it.
• Rose that misbehaves beautifully: Frederic Malle Portrait of a Lady. Jammy, smoky, and a little dangerous. If you’re splitting, specify batch and storage like the pro you are.
• Musk with bite, not fluff: Malle Musc Ravageur. Clove, vanilla, purr. If you’ve sworn off musk because of office elevators, this will make you a believer again.

What I’m over splitting on reflex: MFK Baccarat Rouge 540 and the usual “starter niche” suspects. Great scents, yes. But we’ve ridden that carousel. Surprise me with a left turn like Roja Danger in parfum strength or a sleeper chypre that actually smells like a chypre.

Hosting-wise, I’ll put my name on Coromandel and SDV if the math makes sense and shipping doesn’t turn into performance art. Decanting is a trust exercise. Label cleanly, pack like it’s glass because it is, and disclose your costs up front. If you’re new, start by joining a split before hosting. You’ll learn fast what details matter.

The thrill of a split isn’t just saving money. It’s smelling widely, deeply, with friends who get why 10 ml of the right thing can feel like contraband. See you in the scramble.