Golden Rush

Yowza! What can I say, except that HH has hit another out of the park. This stuff is flat out magnificent. It's all at once simple and super complex. And not only is it gentlemanly, but tastefully aristocratic as well -- and I mean that in the best possible way. Scent Profile: Hints of a dry, tart berry over what is otherwise gorgeously balsamic, resinous and a tad smoky/spicy at the same time. For me, the most lasting and noticeable accords that come out of this are cloves, frankincense (burnt and unburnt) and strangely, a kind of thyme or oregano note that is ever so light, with that wispy blackberry only showing itself on occasion. A subtle honey accord meshes gorgeously with the balsamic backbone of GR in the dry down that really gives it that aristocratic air. GR (like JXXV) has a certain olfactory iridescence about it -- it really shows its different "colors" depending on how and when you wear it. It's anything but linear. Performance: Longevity is quite good for me - no less than 6-8 hours of arm's length or better. Sillage is on the moderate side, though honestly I don't really fish for comments on my scent trail. Projection is at least moderate if not better -- but I don't like to over spray, so ymmv. I do this for me, not for everyone else. Comparables: Aside from the most obvious one, I get a few familiar accords out of this. There's a dialed down version of that smouldering incense/wood from Loewe 7 Anonimo, and also a more subtle version of the tart blackberry in Olympic Orchids Blackbird. Not the same as either, just some familiar notes within a larger symphony. VS Jubilation XXV: In comparing this with Jubilation, you have to first accept a few realities. With some of the more niche products (including Amouages), you're (likely) getting more natural ingredients, and in stronger concentrations. And with Alexandria Fragrances, you will almost always wind up receiving something that is highly concentrated and literally fresh off the line. Why mention this? It's simple: In both cases, they need some time and a little air to fully develop. Otherwise, either could give the impression of being weak in all areas of performance, as well as being more "top heavy" than they should be. This makes it exceptionally difficult to properly compare the likes of Golden Rush and Jubilation XXV. Having said that, I really think this one is AT LEAST as strong as the original, and is extremely faithful to its intended balance of notes. Not always the case with AF, but in my experience, clone houses don't get much better than this. Just my $.02 worth. Golden Rush seems to me both a bit opulent and mysterious to the nose, like a story waiting to be told. Absolutely no one will hate this. To my nose, this is a very rare, instant love. I presently have about 200 fragrance options, designer to niche, and I can honestly say that this WILL be worn more than most. The only question is whether there's still a compelling argument in favor of a FB purchase of the original. Many times there is, but in this case I'm not seeing it. 10/10

So I purchased a 30 ml blind the other day. I am a firm believer that you need to let AFs rest for a few weeks in order to get the best they have to offer. But I can't help myself whenever I get new fragrances and I cracked it open straight out of the mailbox. This is what I have been needing without knowing I need it. I am not going to get into notes as I do not think I am very articulate in describing what I smell. What I CAN tell you is that if it smells this good now, I can't wait to see what it smells like in a few weeks, if it makes it that far. I've had it for less than a week and a good 5-6 ml are gone. I really like AF's synth oud note. It's just pleasant to me. Golden Rush and No Apologies are my favorites from the house by FAR (out of about 30). So, me being me, (seeing as how I had a successful blind purchase of Pardon) I flooded my browser with searches Jub XXV and found a bottle at a well known discounter for a really good price with codes and some reward points (I always pay my dues with the OGs if I enjoy the clones). I got it in yesterday and was surprised when I sprayed it on. It's doing the same thing that BR540 does with me as it is almost undetectable off my skin right after application. Today, I sprayed them on separate arms for a comparison. Jub XXV is an amazing fragrance; soft, natural, well rounded and extremely smooth by comparison, once i can smell it. But I like the smell of Golden Rush more... So much more, that I had to chuckle to myself for not sampling Jub XXV before I bought it. Made in Oman Batch Code: A32711E281 Gold, magnetic cap. Maybe my recent (over)use of GR has brought on some anosmia to JXXV?

Ok, I have to revisit this, now that I have an older travel sprayer, a newer full bottle AND a decant and FB of Jubilation XXV. The verdict: To my nose, this clone has indeed exceeded its target. It's brighter and evolves more than the OG, making it more versatile and attractive. Where JXXV takes a more rose-heavy and opulent route (nothing wrong with that per se), Golden Rush adds a much more noticeable bright tartness at the top and a touch of sweetness that helps open up the dry down. For much of its life, you can juuuuust pick up that blackberry with the orange, juxtaposed with a bit more of a resinous version of JXXV. For me, this makes for a much more addictive scent. Total winner at a very reasonable price point. Will probably live on my top 5 for a good long time. My only complaint: For something so gorgeous, this stuff really has an unfortunate name! For me, Golden Rush would be more aptly named like "Fireworks," as it brings the olfactory pyrotechnics, in the best possible way.

Wow! To my nose, this extremely elaborate fragrance smells like a "softer" Nasomatto Pardon. Not as pungent and smoother. but that same rounded, spicy, deep and savory feel. Very sensual and mature. This is definitely perfect for a man my age (I'm 45). And my lady LOVES it. She can't stop nuzzling her face into my chest when I have this on. And the longevity? 12+ hours. And I'm not talking you can barely smell it then. It's definitely still strong enough to notice. I've never smelled Amouage's Jubilation XXV, but I can see why it's held in such high regard if Golden Rush is close to it. If you're interested in smelling like a mature, successful man more than you in smelling like a "bad boy", get this fragrance! If the projection was better, it out be a 10 out of 10 but I give it a 9.5

This is magnificent scent in it's own right. Clearly it's a clone of Amouge Jubilation but veers in slightly different directions. Love to wear this when I go to my parents cabin in the woods. Mature vibe that draws compliments and makes me feel nostalgic. Long lasting with decent village. Enough to get you noticed. 8.5 out of 10

I do get a Jubilation vibe from this fragrance... Spiced Cinnamon and cloves with a wonderful incense wafting with a semi sweet resin and woody base. I have tried Jubilation once and this Golden Rush does wear in the same vane... I do get about 4-5 hours from this creation. Good Job!

This is a solid fragrance from the house of Alexandria. It is in the same ball park as Jubilation XXV just not the lasting power or projection. The juice itself is very nice and 85% close. For the price this house is absolutely amazing. Hany is a professional for sure.

Really thick syrupy goodness. This is really good! I think it works for women as well. It reminds me of that super syrupy DNA in Grand Soir but sweeter with blackberries.

Wow smells like real frankincense and it is so addictive. Impressive one of the best well balanced frankincense colognes in the market. Recommend.

When I say DELICIOUS I MEAN, DELICIOUS. This is DEFINITELY a MASCULINE, MATURE, CLASSY Scent for a MAN. A Real Man.

Perfect. I mean PERFECT. Beautifully Perfect. Elegantly Perfect. Perfectly Perfect

I just got a bottle out of curiosity, getting into berry scents but not childish syrupy candy nonsense. At first I thought I was sent the wrong juice. The opening is a slap in the face of frankincense, labdanum, myrrh and patchouli, like some sort of sticky gunk sold at a head shop or renaissance fair. It's way too much, especially that olibanum, like somebody cleaning out their bong and trying to cover the smell. Blackberry? That must have burned off before I could smell the celery, tarragon, honey, or even clove. But wait, half an hour later and it's a whole different experience; like a deep and dirty Dunhill Icon, multi-faceted, balanced and interesting but hypnotic and deadly serious. Three hours later, it's addictive, sweet, more balsamic and less skanky resinous; it's comfortable and warm, but still stately and elegant. Five hours later, that single spray on my right wrist is still giving, quiet but lovely. EDIT: A month has gone by since I last tried this on. Score for teams maceration and oxidation. It's mellowed into a lovely, balanced, if a bit churchy vibe. Stabilized. Harmonious. There's the fruit, here are the flowers, rose and oud twinkling as they float by on a cedar raft. Longevity is down a bit, but the trade-off is worth it, like a shorter novel that flows coherently instead of a few chapters repeating in a much longer story.

I loved this clone so much, I nearly bought the original Jubilation XXV blind. Glad I didn't. This is way better and has a spicy, masculine component not in the Amouage or any other fragrance I've smelled for that matter. I tested 2 decants of Jub 25 to make sure. Jub 25 is nice, but the amped-up emphasis on resins (beyond that of Golden Rush) makes it a little too busy for me, and it doesn't have the aforementioned spicy element that I can't put into words. Golden Rush deserves to be judged as its own stand-alone fragrance and be renamed to something sounding less like a golden shower. I would gladly pay an Amouage price for this clone if I had to.

It's nice and I like it, but it's not in the same class as Jubilation. While Golden Rush gets it right with the balsamic notes it misses on the resinous notes (myrrh and olibanum). Jubilation is like an orchestra, but Golden Rush is like a string quartet.

This is a little richer than Jubilation. It relies on extra raspberry ketone, vinallin, oakmoss, and cypriol to extend and fatten it up a bit.

Golden Rush was one of four samples I purchased from Alexandria Fragrances. I got a faint smell of fruit which died in under 10 minutes. I thought I had some kind of fatigue of my sense of smell, but I was able to rule that out by my other fragrances smelling as they normally smell. I suspect I was sent immature product, to be kind about it. In all four samples, I appeared to have immature product. The performance being incredibly weak to begin with and disintegrating to nothing in 15 minutes. Of course, Alexandria Fragrances think my nose is the problem. But then why do my other fragrances smell perfectly fine? I tried Nautica Voyage - normal. Armaf CDNIM parfum and Milestone, normal. Versace the Dreamer, quite potent as usual. Spicebomb Extreme, yes, that spicey smooth cinnamon scent was performing as normal. Guerlain Vetiver and Vetiver extreme, beautiful scents as usual. But all four Alexandria fragrances were weak and dissipated very quickly to nothing. Others have complained about this on the internet, and also complained that their constructive but negative reviews were not published on Alexandria's website. All in all, with such denial I suspect quality control being a major issue. 1 month later update: Golden Rush - the smell has improved to be quite pleasant but performance has not changed. Briefly fruity and then dies in minutes. For Chanel level pricing per ml I find what they sent me a disgrace.

This smells more like the magnetic cap version of Jubilation XXV, which itself could be considered as Amouage plagiarizing the original Jubilation XXV. So this is essentially a dupe of a dupe, too far removed from the original to even be relevant. Tragically, I don't think anything will ever capture the magic of the true OG.

Opening is ambery fruity, dry down is complex : resinous, guaiac wood, a little smoky from the labdanum. Quite nice

Definatly for older men. At least ages 35+

Although I've been quite impressed by Alexandria's dupes etc, this one just doesn't do it for me. I haven't smelled Amouage Jubilation but this I just can't get into. All I smell is Honey and Oud and I'm not a lover of Oud at all. I can't definitely appreciate it for what it is and it definitely smells expensive and high end, it's just not for me. I actually keep calling it Golden Shower as it just reminds me of cat pee.