The Chronic

Probably one of the sexiest fragrances I’ve ever smelled. And I have Love Don’t Be Shy (both pre and post reformulations) and the notes are completely different, it smells nothing like it. However, what I DO get in the dry down is very similar to Alien Essence Absolu. It must be the Amber note, which is rich, creamy, and like thick caramel. The bottle is beautiful. I’m totally in love. EDIT: Okay, I understand now why people make comparisons with Love Don't Be Shy, (and that I personally get Alien Essence Absolu). There is something cola-like about all of these scents, almost root beer-type cola, although their individual notes are all different. If you don't like that facet, you aren't going to like any of these scents, but if you DO...wow. Also, and this might sound weird, but I get a kind of hickory bacon smell from The Chronic. Now, before you turn your nose up and decide this is gross, take note of the fact that the (supposed) number one smell that supposedly attracts men is the smell of bacon. Delicious Delights did a video on this recently. Now, in The Chronic, I am guessing that it's the combination of leather (which, hello, is basically skin...cooked skin), caramel and black pepper, which is sweet and savory at the same time...then combined with sandalwood and cinnamon, which is woody and sweet spicy and HELLO! = hickory bacon. It is divine.

The Chronic is absolutely addicting for me. Opens up very very sweet with almost a tuberose feel (which I love). Then it moves into a gorgeous golden Amber that shines and mixes very well with a creamy sandalwood. Some say it’s feminine but I think this is perfectly unisex along the lines of something like Ultra Male by JPG or a less warm Tonka Imperial by Guerlain. This fragrance also evokes great memories for me. For reference, I’m a college student in the Longhorn Marching Band at The University of Texas. I tested this out at a rehearsal in the fall of 2022 and it was so amazing off my skin. I will never be without this one in my collection. I think this is the closest a fragrance can come to gourmand without being gourmand. It makes me think of Ultra Male by JPG in that way. (It does not smell like Ultra Male but gives off a similar feel; sweet but not edible). The Chronic is a 10/10 in my book and I’m happy to have it in my collection!

The Chronic instantly reminded me of Diesel's Fuel For Life Spirit and to a much lesser degree, YSL L'Homme Parfum Intense. It's perhaps not too surprising that it smells a lot like Fuel For Life Spirit given that they're both amber and cinnamon-heavy sugar bombs. Both fragrances have that bubblegum sweetness, though The Chronic is definitely smoother and not quite as piercing as the Diesel. Really and truly though, The Chronic is a higher quality take on a designer fragrance. It's certainly not challenging, it's not complex, it stays pretty linear throughout. Personally, I don't feel this is worth the retail price. This apparently used to be available for around £90 for 50ml in the UK, but it's currently retailing for £165 (albeit for 75ml) which I find to be way too steep for what it is.

The Chronic is unique to me, there’s no distinguishable notes to my nose, this makes it difficult to describe. In the opening I get something like a slightly menthol, Juicy Fruit gum with suede. Then develops into a root beer vibe with a slight smokiness. This scent is a perfect example of why you shouldn’t pick scents based on notes It’s very sweet, genderless & comforting. An all year round fragrance but I’d want to wear it on summer nights. If it was a sweet it would be blue raspberry colour so the bottle matches for sure, even if I prefer the old packaging. I bought samples of this & Mula Mula which I’ve used up & am just revisiting to write my reviews, I was sure MM was my favourite but now I’m not so sure!

Youthfully sweet, warm spicy creation. The composition is very gourmand'ish, sweet caramelish like amber with kind of minty, zesty vibe on top, beautiful cinnamon and bubblegum nuance. Also it is a lot like brother to a Mula Mula sharing a quite a lot of similarities, specially in this sweet gourmand aspect, but I find it a bit more masculine. As with all Byron Parfums it is more on a linear side. The fragrance packs some performance, it is quite loud and projects a lot. I think The Chronic could become my favorite from the house, truly sublime.