Fragrance Scoring

Fragrance Scoring - Apples/Oranges?

Hey guys, Joe A. here with another one for ya’! I assume that the overwhelming majority of you are familiar with fragrance scoring, i.e. this fragrance is a 6 out of 10 or that fragrance is a 10 out of 10. Again, here's something I believe most people understand loosely, but I wanted to look at the "1 to 10" scoring concept a little closer to see if I really "get" what's going on, and more importantly, understand the pitfalls or overestimations of such a system! If I may share what little I know…

Scoring fragrances on a simple one-to-ten scale is popular because it’s easy and familiar. Anyone, from casual users to full-blown frag-heads, can look at a “7/10” and instantly get the vibe. It’s a quick way to compare fragrances, especially when you can’t sample first. A 9 is “wow,” a 6 is “eh,” and a 3 probably belongs in the witness protection program!

But the system has its flaws. Fragrance is wildly subjective; skin chemistry, preferences, culture, even mood can shift how a scent is perceived. A number can’t fully capture the complexity or personality of a fragrance, and it definitely can’t fix the fact that comparing, say, an EDP to an Extrait on the same scale is about as fair as comparing a bicycle to a Ferrari.

In my Joe Average persona, I use the one-to-ten scale too, but I add something most reviewers ignore: the cost factor. Call it the Joe Average Rating® (JAR®) I’m reviewing like a guy with a real budget. I look at scent, performance, versatility… and then I ask the big question: What did this actually cost me?

Take Coach for example (sorry Coach). As of this writing, retail for 100ml is $90, but rack stores sling it for $20. The scent is the same, but the Value-to-Cost ratio? Very different! And to me, that matters. A fragrance doesn’t exist in a vacuum, it exists in my wallet too. So yes, the price I pay absolutely influences the final Joe A. score.

What say you guys? Have you thought about the scoring nature of 1 to 10 scoring and how some people's reviews may not compare to other's? For you beginners, do you use the one to ten scoring in your decision making, if so, how much importance do you give it? For you seasoned fragheads, do you believe this scoring style adequate with the frags you've experienced? Given these inherent differences, can consumers really make a fair "apples to apples" comparison of the same fragrance? ....Or do we all just stay "confused?" Love to hear from 'ya!