Ok guys, we've all experienced "Obsession for Men" by good old Christian Dior, we've tried the legendary "Eau Sauvage" by the same, and of course the various 'Mix 'n' match' fragrances produced by brands mainly interested in cosmetics, such as Lancôme. To be quite honest, all these perfumes, no matter how much people have commented on it, still retain a classic hint of bad masculine perfuming: They all have hints of:

• the door of an old car which has been left in a field for upwards of a decade and rusted
• a dressing gown worn by the same man for upwards of forty years and never washed
• strong, pungent, and generally noxious tobacco
• badly brewed herbal tea.

I myself have always thought at how, although they do somehow manage to be interpreted as 'nice', these perfumes are not going to get you anywhere when it comes to the virtuous and worthwhile things in life, such as bedding women, or at least, really attracting them.

It is for the above reason that I have taken a liking to 'Duel', one of only four perfumes for men manufactured by French company 'Annick Goutal'. It is a truly unique fragrance for men, which combines hints of delicate woods with leather, and something else which I (as I am no perfumer) simply cannot describe. What's more, absolutely EVERYBODY comments on it, as it is a scent simply NOT encountered in everyday life, a meeting, or a walk down a London street. There is a special character about it, it is a scent which evokes true colour in one's mind when sniffed.

I think I have a rough idea how Annick Goutal went about creating this fragrance. First, they took all the principles described earlier in this hub, put them in a bowl, and threw them down the lavatory. They then took all their special ingredients, and created something which DOES NOT smell rank and rotten, like piping in an old house.

Having said this, 'Duel' is still an old smelling perfume, but not in the usual way. In fact, Annick Goutal describe it as: "Duel, the fragrance for men who live life boldly, would love to go back in time and fight a duel at dawn. The subtle leather note recalls the swords' sheath and the thrown glove, which onec upon a time were used as a provocation in duel... for a question of honour, or love..."

My one criticism of it is that when I spray it it tends to make me sneeze, but I think that's just my silly sinuses acting all stupid. And at around £60 a bottle, its a bargain not to be missed.

Here is a good place for more information on Annick Goutal