Podcast Summary: Pablo Torre Finds Out – "We Blind Smell-Tested the Best (and Worst) Celebrity and Athlete Fragrances (PTFO Vault)"

Release Date: July 4, 2025

In this entertaining and insightful episode of "Pablo Torre Finds Out," host Pablo Torre teams up with co-hosts Katie Nolan and Lawrence Schlossman to embark on a unique olfactory adventure: a blind smell test of 11 celebrity and athlete-endorsed fragrances. This special installment, sourced from the PTFO Vault, delves deep into the world of vanity scents, uncovering the realities behind high-profile endorsements.

Introduction and Setup [00:00 - 09:43]

The episode begins with Pablo Torre promoting his Substack newsletter, encouraging listeners to support his journalistic endeavors. He introduces the day's special segment— a blind smell test of various celebrity and athlete fragrances. The trio emphasizes that they will evaluate each scent without prior knowledge of the endorsing celebrity, ensuring unbiased reviews.

Notable Quote:

Pablo Torre [00:00]: "Today we're gonna find out what this scent is."

Methodology of the Blind Smell Test

The hosts explain their approach:

• Blind Testing: Each fragrance is pre-sprayed on paper strips and sealed in Ziploc bags.
• Sensory Evaluation: Katie and Lawrence will smell each strip and provide their initial impressions based solely on scent.
• Reveal: After the evaluation, the true identity of the fragrance is unveiled, allowing for comparisons between perception and reality.

Notable Quote:

Pablo Torre [07:02]: "We're gonna start by taking these pre-sprayed paper strips… and give our unbiased review of it using only our sense of smell."

Fragrance Evaluations

1. Michael Jordan's Fragrance [09:43 - 12:21]

• Initial Impressions:

  • Katie compares the scent to her father’s aftershave, describing it as "fruity in the back."
  • Lawrence notes a "bright" and "fresh" aroma reminiscent of a barbershop.

• Reveal:

  • The fragrance is unveiled as "Michael Jordan by Michael Jordan." Despite mixed initial reactions, the group appreciates its blend of citrus and musk.

Notable Quote:

Katie Nolan [09:43]: "Oh, this smells like my dad 30 years."

2. Britney Spears' "Curious" [21:41 - 46:35]

• Initial Impressions:

  • The scent evokes memories of bright, sweet notes akin to cotton candy.
  • Katie finds it reminiscent of a "Taylor Swift concert," while Lawrence humorously compares it to gasoline.

• Reveal:

  • Identified as "Curious" by Britney Spears. The fragrance is critiqued for being overly sweet and targeted towards a younger audience.

Notable Quote:

Lawrence Schlossman [25:08]: "This is gasoline."

3. David Beckham's "Instinct" [29:12 - 35:55]

• Initial Impressions:

  • Described as spicy and musky with undertones of patchouli.
  • Katie and Lawrence commend its value, noting it's priced reasonably.

• Reveal:

  • The fragrance "Instinct" by David Beckham stands out as a crowd-pleaser, balancing affordability with a sophisticated scent profile.

Notable Quote:

Katie Nolan [31:22]: "This is the best $19 you've ever..."

4. Cristiano Ronaldo's "CR7 Origins" [25:59 - 35:55]

• Initial Impressions:

  • Overwhelmingly strong and potentially overpowering scent.
  • The bottle design is mocked for its extravagance.

• Reveal:

  • "CR7 Origins" by Cristiano Ronaldo is acknowledged for its boldness but receives mixed reviews due to its intensity.

Notable Quote:

Katie Nolan [25:08]: "This is Cristiano Ronaldo's friend."

5. Derek Jeter's "Driven" [44:17 - 52:37]

• Initial Impressions:

  • Mild and unremarkable, lacking distinctiveness.
  • Critiqued for its high price relative to its performance.

• Reveal:

  • The fragrance "Driven" by Derek Jeter fails to impress, deemed too mundane for its premium price tag.

Notable Quote:

Lawrence Schlossman [45:47]: "This is the first time a Yankee fan would hate the cologne."

6. Tom Brady's "Fight, Fight Fight" [34:34 - 44:25]

• Initial Impressions:

  • Heavily musky with an over-the-top presentation.
  • The bottle design is considered tacky and unappealing.

• Reveal:

  • "Fight, Fight Fight" by Tom Brady is critiqued for its strong scent and lavish packaging, leading to humorous disapproval.

Notable Quote:

Katie Nolan [46:03]: "It smells like Taylor Swift concert."

7. Taylor Swift's "Wonderstruck" [46:50 - 54:18]

• Initial Impressions:

  • Extremely sweet and youthful, evoking cotton candy and bright floral notes.
  • Found lacking sophistication by the hosts.

• Reveal:

  • "Wonderstruck" by Taylor Swift is identified as a fragrance targeting young girls, criticized for being excessively sweet and generic.

Notable Quote:

Pablo Torre [47:50]: "This is a travel size."

8-11. Remaining Fragrances [Various Timestamps]

The hosts proceed to evaluate the remaining fragrances, including those endorsed by Manny Ramirez, J.Lo, and others. Each evaluation follows a similar pattern of initial impressions, humorous critiques, and eventual reveals, highlighting the diversity and often questionable quality of celebrity-endorsed scents.

Conclusions and Takeaways [54:18 - 55:01]

As the episode draws to a close, Katie and Lawrence reflect on their favorite and least favorite fragrances. David Beckham's "Instinct" emerges as the standout for its value and appealing scent, while others, like Tom Brady's and Britney Spears' offerings, receive less favorable reviews.

Key Insights:

• Value Over Hype: The episode underscores the importance of discerning actual scent quality and value over celebrity endorsements.
• Subjectivity of Fragrances: Personal preferences play a significant role in fragrance appreciation, as evidenced by the varied reactions.
• Packaging Influence: The design and presentation of a fragrance bottle can heavily influence initial perceptions, sometimes irrespective of the scent itself.

Notable Final Quote:

Pablo Torre [54:40]: "This has been Pablo Torre Finds Out a Meadowlark Media Production and I'll talk to you next time."

Key Quotes with Timestamps

• Katie Nolan [09:43]: "Oh, this smells like my dad 30 years."
• Lawrence Schlossman [10:16]: "Get a little barbershop."
• Katie Nolan [25:08]: "This is Cristiano Ronaldo's friend."
• Lawrence Schlossman [45:47]: "This is the first time a Yankee fan would hate the cologne."
• Katie Nolan [46:03]: "It smells like Taylor Swift concert."
• Pablo Torre [47:50]: "This is a travel size."
• Pablo Torre [54:40]: "This has been Pablo Torre Finds Out a Meadowlark Media Production and I'll talk to you next time."

Final Thoughts

"We Blind Smell-Tested the Best (and Worst) Celebrity and Athlete Fragrances (PTFO Vault)" offers listeners a humorous yet critical exploration of the world of celebrity-endorsed perfumes and colognes. Through candid discussions and playful banter, Pablo, Katie, and Lawrence reveal the often stark contrast between the marketed allure of these fragrances and their actual performance, providing valuable insights for fragrance enthusiasts and casual consumers alike.