Borouj

Olfactory Experience

Borouj by Perlador is clearly trying to be Carlisle. The opening hits you with that spiced apple – nutmeg doing the heavy lifting, the apple note is more "Granny Smith" than the original's richer cooked apple. The heart is where it gets interesting. The tonka bean is present, lending that sweet, almond-like warmth, but the rose is dialed down, losing some of Carlisle's floral complexity. The base is a familiar patchouli-vanilla combo, fairly standard and maybe a touch more synthetic-smelling than Carlisle's blend. Overall, it's about 90% there. The biggest difference is in the quality of ingredients; Carlisle has a smoother, more rounded feel.

Longevity & Projection

Longevity is surprisingly good. I get a solid 6-7 hours on my skin. Projection is moderate for the first two hours, then it settles into a skin scent. Not a beast, but respectable . I sprayed at 7 am and could still catch whiffs at my desk at 2 pm.

The Verdict

If you like the idea of Carlisle but can't justify the price tag, Borouj is a viable option. It's not a perfect replica, lacking some of the nuances and smooth edges, but it captures the essence well enough. I'd say this is perfect for cooler weather - a good date night or office scent, if applied with a light hand. If you're chasing that last 90% of refinement, then maybe. But for a daily driver, Borouj by Perlador does a decent job.