Nautica Competition (original) (1997)
by Nautica

This seems to fall into the Eternity / Adidas Moves family, but it has qualities that make me understand why my freshman year roommate swore by the stuff in 1999. It's fresh and soapy, with apple but not nearly as much as the others above, and somehow manages to maintain a very "broad" freshness, rather than sharp. It has some anise, but not too much so I'll forgive it. This helps it to have an unexpected spicy depth underneath the dark grey fruity soapiness, and I agree that the spiced apple here simulates raisin. I'd qualify it as a "black" scent more than a lot of others with "black" in their names, albeit a freshened-up version. Ultimately, I'm impressed how leathery and resinous it ends up being, while still maintaining freshness, almost like Geir minus some of the sweet fruit and with added leather...in fact surprisingly unsweet for such a low price range. Or you might even compare to Bulgari Pour Homme Soir, where instead of beefing up the citrus they've beefed up the sweet musk. Thumbs up for unexpected uniqueness.

24th September, 2011.

I think dear Sir Slarty's impression of a dirty, rancid oriental amber is apt. To me, this is a syrupy almost raisiney verging on gourmand territory kind of scent, and I love it! It is fairly linear, and is just a fragrance that I don't get sick of smelling. Nothing challenging or evolutionary, just pleasnt smelling goodness. I hope to always have some of this around. It is one of my favorite accessible linear fragrances. It is not that hard to find on the internet, and I am stocking up on all my fav discontinued frags. Long live the vault!

5th June, 2011.

I use to own this cologne in high school and it smelled great. I recently purchased the same thing on ebay and i can see where all the bad reviews are coming from. I assure you that you are not smelling the 'real' scent of the original nautica competition. The one i bought off of ebay smelled very rancid at first spray. I believe this is because it is just past its shelf life. But how this stuff is suppose to smell is if you rub the rancid stuff on your arms and rub them together its that scent times 10. Rubing it together for me seems to get rid of the rancid smell.

14th June, 2009.

I get a dirty, rancid oriental amber. For fans of Diesel, Dirty English and other men's perfumes that don't smell like perfume.

7th September, 2008.

A rather intresting fragrance that is had to find now a days.. But it is worth the money. It's longevity is good & it smells great! I just dont get the gasoline smell that some have mentioned. Altho it is a smell that cannot be resisted & people will always ask what is that your wearing! Good Job Nautica.... NOW BRING IT BACK!

1st July, 2008.

I tried the fragrance back maybe a year or two after it first came out. My best friend growing up had it and he let me try it out a couple times. From what I remember, the fragrance was decent...but of course I was only 13 at the time and had no concept of what a good quality fragrance smelled like. I would try it again now, but they don't make it anymore.

27th June, 2008.