FRAGRANCE | All that jazz with Replica Jazz Club EDT by Maison Martin Margiela

I like the idea behind Maison Martin Margiela's Replica fragrances, that they're meant to recreate scents and moments from certain locations and periods. Now whether they are able to successfully execute each idea, that's another story.

I got a set of three 10ml travel-size sprayers just to try this house out. One of the fragrances included is Jazz Club. Now before we think of jazz clubs of the 1920s through perhaps the 40s, the label on the full bottle clearly says that this is inspired by a totally different time, 2013 to be exact. To be honest, I don't know the differences anyway.

A vanilla-laced rum, with tobacco on the side, dominate this fragrance. I personally like boozy scents, so this one sits perfectly with me. However, I don't fully get the tobacco's essence here. It never really spreads its wings (or better yet, its leaves) and instead chooses to blend with the sweetened rum. Still, the resulting accord is is intoxicating and very masculine but not as loud as I expected; rather modest, in fact, in its projection. If this is what a jazz club in 2013 smells like, then I'd like to be in one. But whether Jazz Club the fragrance is spot-on in capturing that vibe, I will never know.

While I still like it, the booziness here isn't as smooth as Bentley for Men Intense, as a certain sharpness creeps in after a while. It must be the pepper, which, like in Valentino Uomo Intense, has the same effect on my skin. Nevertheless, the pepper offers an interesting twist to the sweet, boozy tobacco mix.

Longevity is quite good with this one. The fragrance can survive from morning till late afternoon or early evening, although an extra spray or two can always give it a boost. I find that it's best suited for evening wear and colder temperatures, but then nothing's stopping you from using it anytime you want. Just control your sprays when it's really warm.

Jazz Club practically has all that jazz going on—an overall great scent with above average performance. It's most likely not for everyone but it's absolutely worth trying, especially since it's not that expensive.