An Olfactory Look Into The Details of GQ Philippines’ Arrival

For centuries, the power of scent has done far more than just signal what is simmering in the kusina. It triggers dormant memories, anchors new ones, and serves as a definitive marker of personal identity. Last night, those exact qualities defined the atmospheric launch of GQ Philippines.

Between the mouth-watering dishes crafted by chefs Josh Boutwood and Meik Brammer and the intoxicating new-car smell from all the EVs displayed along the floor, there was a distinctive smell of spiced leather emanating from some of the sharp-suited men that evening. And the evidence, my dear Watson, points all the way to BOSS’ fragrance display, where guests were topping up their polished looks with the BOSS Bottled Beyond.

Launched just halfway through last year, the BOSS Bottled Beyond is quite the pivot from the brand’s usually gourmand-forward releases. Made by perfumers Daphné Bugey, Frank Voelkl, and Bruno Jovanovic, guests in attendance quickly caught up on the eau de parfumEau de ParfumA fragrance with a higher concentration of perfume oils than eau de toilette or cologne, typically lasting longer on the skin. Eau de parfum offers depth and staying power, makingGo to Eau de Parfum Glossary’s blend of ginger and leather accords, with its more woody base notes carrying over throughout the rest of the evening.

Guests like actors Richard Gutierrez and Kyle Vergara, alongside model-athlete Santino Rosales, cut striking figures in the brand’s signature tailoringTailoringThe craft of cutting, fitting, and altering clothes to suit an individual's body, from adjusting trouser hems to creating an entire suit. Good tailoring transforms how clothes look and feel,Go to Tailoring Glossary as they navigated the venue—perhaps sneaking in an extra spritz before exploring the rest of The Port.

Being the next evolution of the BOSS Bottled series, the flacon itself features a black-to-gray gradient design and adds a subtle leather trim to its gunmetal cap for a subtle flourish.

While every sense was treated to unforgettable highlights throughout the launch, those who drifted toward the BOSS display walked away with something distinct: a new signature scent that perfectly encapsulates the arrival of Filipino masculinity’s newest authority. That is, of course, second only to the irreplaceable aroma of a freshly printed magazine.

Visit your nearest Rustan’s, or head to their website to try BOSS Bottled Beyond for yourself.