Sheikh Shuyukh Final Edition

Is it Worth It?

Wearing Sheikh Shuyukh Final Edition instead of Y, you gain some initial similarity, a slightly different take on the aromatic heart, and decent longevity. What you lose is the refined, blended quality of the original, the fresh florals, and a natural, smoother drydown. It's a daily grab when you don't want to deplete your pricier bottles but don't expect it to fool anyone who knows the original well.

Olfactory Experience

Sheikh Shuyukh Final Edition wants to be Y, and in the opening it makes a decent effort. You get that juicy apple, tempered with a zingy ginger, although here the apple leans more toward a green Jolly Rancher than a crisp, natural fruit. The bergamot is there, but fleeting. The heart is where the similarities start to diverge. The sage and juniper are present, adding a herbal, slightly gin-like quality, but the geranium is dialed way down, losing that fresh, floral aspect of the original. The drydown is where this one falls apart. The amberwood is prominent, becoming a bit screechy and synthetic, with a plasticky cedar note that detracts from any of the warmth of the tonka bean. It's recognizable as *inspired* by Y, but certainly not a twin. It possesses a unique aromatic experience, despite the similarities.

Wear time & Sillage

This one hangs around. I get a solid 6-7 hours on my skin. Projection is moderate for the first 2 hours, extending about an arm's length, then settles closer to the skin. I wore it during a busy day of errands and it held up okay, though the synthetic notes in the drydown became more apparent as the day wore on.