Equest Trot

#1116 in my "Tour de Fragrance" I won't repeat my comments on the puzzling marketing strategy for these very likeable fragrances that I think is doomed to failure and a premature discontinuation of some nice fragrances at low prices. You can read those in my review of Atralia "Equest Canter." What I think was smart was coming up some high quality formulas very similar or identical to some high profile niche fragrances. "Canter" was a take on the Kilian "Angel's Share" formula that judged similar but different enough. This scent, "Equest Trot" is a note-for-note copy of Boadicea the Victorious' very nice "Glistening", or Initio's very nice "Oud for Greatness." Of those two I can't say who copied who since they were both released in 2018. But since then every clone house has done one of these: Lattafa "Bade'e Al Oud for Glory", Swiss Arabian "Shaghaf Oud Royale", Zimaya "Oud is Great", Al Watinaya "Oud Mystery Intense", Armaf "Odyssey Oud", Ministry of Oud "Oud Greatest", Ard Al Zafaran "Thara", Flavia "Initial", Al Haramain "Black Musk", Adyan "Oud Essential", even Reyanne Tradition's robot bottled "R2B2." I have them or have tried them all. The notes are same same, but the quality is not. This scent is on par with the Boadicea and the Initio. The others smell cheap, like they used more synthetics (though I'm sure Atralia also did this), but this scent does not smell cheap. The oud used here is richer and smoother than the other dupes employ, but this is still inexpensive at $29. Get it while you can. The whole equestrian-themed branding bit is sure to founder, and who knows if this will get rebranded or even reformulated. Car pool. elevator, small office safe, good for date night as well. Moderate performance (makes it to lunch). Another successful blind buy for me!

This is incredibly good for how little it costs. I have Oud for Greatness as well, and dare I say, I might like Trot a little bit better, from the opening through the dry down? All the notes listed are there. Just enough funk to be interesting, but tame enough that it won't really offend anyone. The name is obviously ridiculous and the whole equestrian gimmick is unnecessary, as this fragrance can stand on its own... hooves 😏