Fragrance Reviews by JDBIII

I have a vintage bottle of Tweed. The top notes are all but gone, but the drydown is lovely and very similar to L'Heure Bleue. Sadly, at the end, it does not share the quality or the longevity of the famous "guerlainade" base. but quite nice none the less.

If you love coumarin or Tonka, this is your scent. On many people it is reminiscent of vanilla, but on me it smells like the plastic they used to make baby dolls out of. Yuck! Not my idea of enjoyment.

I must have a bottle of the new juice. My sister had a bottle back in the seventies, and it was glorious. How disappointing that something so delicious could be gone.
The new stuff is not ugly, but it is heavier, sweeter, colder. A totally different experience.

This stuff smells great on me. Where it touches my skin I get an almost immediate drydown and I mean DRY. The smell is leathery and a bit harsh. However the liquid on my hair and clothing retains a rich floral integrity. Together they are yummy. I would imagine this smells a bit dated on women, however. I would change the name to encourage a more unisex interpretation of this gem

A hyacinth soliflore, that's what it seems to me. I love the scent of hyacynths; I'm just not sure I want to smell exactly like one. Cool chemistry, neat artistry, I'm just not sure about wearing it. In fact, I haven't worn it yet, just too nervous. If tomorrow is a rainy day and I stay home to clean, I will give it a full-blown test run. Then, I'll see if my opinion has changed.

This was one of only three scents I owned in 1981, and I loved it. It came in a drawstring bag, and I only took it out for special occasions. Recently, I purchased a bottle on ebay, so excited to, once again, smell that amazing scent. Alas, this was not the scent of my youth. As I read the reviews here, I realize I must have one of the reissues. How sad. The original was excellent and easily the best masculine Calvin has ever done. In fact, the only one of his I've ever been able to wear. I will keep searching for a bottle of the original juice. It's worth it.

Wow. What a surprise. I had never heard about this frag but saw a vintage bottle, still wrapped in cellophane, online and purchased it. When it arrived, i could see that the cellophane was quite old and brown but still amazingly intact. It was exciting to think that I was the first person to open this bottle and sniff. From the look of the graphics on the box I would guess it might be from the 50's. The scent began as I expected, dated but classic, very few modern scents open with this kind of drama. It is a bit pungent, but the citrus herb mix is balanced and provocative. Edwards calls this a mossy wood, and the wood appears in the drydown but very softly, cushioned by the other ingredients. The drydown is rich but subtle and somehow powerful. A very wonderful scent from beginning to end. I might recommend this for a man or a woman. I plan on dousing myself in it this evening and just enjoying.

Simple, straightforward, and masculine. Lacroix understood his employer (Avon) and their clientele. Mass market, mass appeal, no discord or discomfort. Too plain for my tastes but beautifully balanced and very easy to wear. I applaud Avon and CL for taking the chance to work together. Perhaps more interesting projects are in the future.

I agree, Mitsouko is God. But, I am a guy and wear it often and know others who do as well.

I recently purchased a small vintage bottle of Le Dandy. it looks like it might be from the 40s or 50s. I didn't hold out much hope for the liquid inside, but it turned out to be wonderful. At first, I thought it smelled feminine; not like today's feminines, rich and seductive, lush and secretive. But that was just the beginning. I could not stop sniffing myself. The drydown was even better than the beginning. It lasted about six hours on my skin but much longer on my hair and clothing. Now I am afraid to buy a modern bottle of the stuff; I can't imagine it would be this good after the reformulations.

Mint, mint, mint. This was surprisingly enjoyable. I'm not a big fan of mint in fragrances, but Guerlain lets mint take center stage with a barely noticeable supporting cast. After about two hours it takes on a slight synthetic edge but softens after that. Be warned, it lasts forever. Two days later (and I shower every day) and I could still smell it on my hand.

I can't believe this was created in 1912. It smells so modern. In fact, now I realize that Bulgari Black (which I love) is a blatant "reinterpretation" of this classic. I find it dark and brooding. If you love florals, don't touch this. It is solid and quite strong, much stronger than any of Guerlains male fragrances with the exception of Vetiver. Longevity is excellent and sillage is surprisingly subtle for such a forward scent. I would never have made this for a woman, but now I can't wait to smell it on a woman. Do they even wear this here in the USA? It smells great on me and should really be considered unisex. But, buyer beware; do not buy this without wearing it first!

My mistake was wearing this in the heat of summer. I guess everything burned off but the galbnum and aquatics. I was disappointed. But, I tried it again yesterday during a snow flurry, and it was so different. I smelled fruit and flowers and, yes, the beach but it wasn't the least bit "feminine", whatever that means. What an unexpected revalation. Needless to say, I am now quite happy with it. It is whimsical but balanced, light but full, and tropical but classy.

I totally love Yatagan. I find Le 3ieme Homme unique and fascinating. This concoction, however, is HIDEOUS. It begins with top notes of Key Lime pie and vanilla; odd and not at all gourmand. Then the lavender starts kicking in. Oh good heavens the pain. A horrible accord. Finally the lavender subsides, and I am left, yet again, with the lime and vanilla. After a couple of hours it begins to mellow but not into anything particularly interesting.
I can now understand why they had to develop a 2ieme and 3ieme pour homme. However, since the 2ieme doesn't exist, I'm terrified that it may have smelled even worse. You will find many bottles of Pour Homme on ebay. Leave them there

Vetiver? What vetiver? I am so tired of peculiar citrus blends calling themselves "vetiver." This is yet another rip off of Ellena's Jardin series. This one is more powdery and lacks the zing of the original. It is nicely balanced and totally inoffensive, but at this price, I want much more, especially some vetiver. It's not that there isn't enough vetiver; there is no detectable vetiver at all! Give me a break.

Thank God it's discontinued. One of the worst fragrances ever. I couldn't wash it off fast enough.

Wow! What a surprise. The only other UdV i had smelled previously was FUN, and I hated it. Really hated it. But based on the reviews here I bought a bottle of Tea Tobacco. I love it. Citrusy and rich and just purely enjoyable. Luca Turin probably poo-poos it, but it sits on my skin beautifully. I can't stop sniffing it. What a shame that it is already discontinued. Grab a bottle while you can.

I owned this scent in the early 80's and thought, at the time, it was pretty good. I recently purchased a new bottle and was not disappointed. I have sniffed many fragrances since that first bottle, but Z-14 has held up admirably. It is masculine without being overwhelming, warm without being sweet and complex without giving you a headache (see Quorum). The slight nostalgia doesn't hurt either. I prefer this scent in cool weather, but it is also good for the office and evenings.

My skin eats up fragrance, so i typically hunt for heavy ones that stand a chance of lasting long enough for a drydown. I was intrigued by the reviews for Yatagan, so I bought a bottle and squirted it on. What a surprise. No horrid notes. Nothing overwhelming. Just a very nice herb/ wood/ leather scent. It was fairly linear in the drydown, leaning toward sweetness at the very end. I could see wearing this fairly often, even to the office.

I like A*MEN, but I like this even better. Sad to hear it has been discontinued.

On me, this scent is totally citrus. However, it is not necessarily a summer scent; too quirky. It is rich and very pleasant, and, perhaps because of the sandalwood, lasts much longer than most of my citruses. I could wear SPT anywhere but would probably choose something else for evening.

Can you say barbershop? I knew you could.

Not bad, but smells surprisingly similar to Bulgari Black. It is perhaps a bit drier and rougher. I would only wear this frag in the evening. I purchased a set with shower gel and shaving balm, both of which are too strong for me to use. A well made scent, but I recommend caution.

I have never worn VdF, but I have given it to two women who wear it for me, and it is so charming. It doesn't really break any new ground, but it is balanced and nice. I don't get a synthetic feel, however, it is cooler than most florals I have sniffed and a bit linear. It is classy but simple.

The woman who works in the office next to mine says it smells like sex every time I wear it. I think she means that in a good way. Maybe it's not the best scent for work, but god it makes me feel good every time I sniff it.

Passage D'Enfer or Messe de Minuit? Both are excellent but so different. I would wear Passage with a crisp suit to a business meeting. After the meeting, I would join a few friends and sip noilly prat. The scent is clean and light, despite the name. Sillage is minimal but staying power is good. MdM, on the other hand, is darker, much darker. I find great comfort in it. It has better sillage than Passage, and I prefer it with red wine and roasted meat. Each holds an honored place in my wardrobe.

Sweet,powdery, gourmand, long-lasting. Yes, I agree with most of what has been said. It is a unique scent. The first time I tried it I admired the novelty. The second time I tried it I appreciated the subtlety of the mix and the duration of the drydown. But by the third time, I realized it was going to make me sick to my stomach every single time. Three strikes - you're OUT!

This is totally unique. It is very rich and deep and is quite dry on me. It reminds me of dark, bitter chocolate on an arid day. Very masculine. Most of my friends don't care for it. It is quite strong so hold it a good distance when you spritz.

I find this scent graceful and elegant. Yes, it might be a bit sweet for a man to wear, but I just can't help myself; it smells great on me! There is a deep quality to it, a serious atmosphere, that seems quite unisex to me. Give it a try.

Very synthetic in my opinion. And, unattractive as well. It continued to worsen with the drydown. Such a shame.

Well, it started out like candy, and that didn't bother me too much. Then, it went away completely, and that didn't bother me too much. Then it came back with a vengeance, the herbal accord smelling like intense BO, and it wouldn't go away. And, that really bothered me. So, I tried it again, and I suffered through the same terrifying experience. This is my first Diptyque scent, so I guess there is nowhere to go but up.

Everyone keeps mentioning leather, but I smell rubber. It smells like erasers. I loved the smell of erasers when I was a student, and I guess I still do. I thought this would be overpowering when I first bought it, but the drydown brought out warmth and subtlety, so I wear it at both work and play. It is straightforward, simple, and not sweet. Although, it is not dry either. I have not smelled it on a woman yet, but imagine it might be stunning.

I found this cologne while babysitting the neighbors' children in 1972. Yes, I was snooping in the bathroom. It was the first time I realized that men's colognes didn't have to smell like Aqua Velva. I was hooked and never forgot the scent. I bought my first bottle in 1980 and have had one with me ever since. I don't wear it too often anymore, but i also don't want to be without it. It is powdery and sweet. Others have tried to copy it, but IMHO, it remains unique.

My God, this is amazing. So warm and comforting but with an edge that makes it oh so sexy. I know this is for the ladies, but after smelling it on my best friend's wife, I had to buy a bottle for myself. I haven't been brave enough to wear it out in public yet, but it can totally turn my boring evenings at home into something special. A glass of red wine, my favorite cardigan, a special DVD, and Opium. Mr. Roger's eat your heart out.

OK,well,yes it's spicy. And full and rich and unusual. I love it when I first apply it, but it doesn't change much. A friend asked me why I smelled like Christmas. So, the novelty excites me, but perhaps a bit more subtlety. Great for a twentysomething guy with lots of energy and high self-esteem.

I think of this as a warm weather scent. The opening cardamon note is bracing but not overpowering or harsh. The scent is fresh and clean and without any of those ridiculous "aquatic" notes. The scent is nice but not great.

What a HUGE disappointment. This smells like 45 other mens fragrances. To put it simply, it reeks of dog piss from beginning to end, which, by the way, doesn't come near soon enough.

Do you remember White Shoulders? So does Etro.

I love Etro scents. So, I bought Heliotrope without even sniffing it. That was a mistake. I suppose every fragrance house has to make at least one thing I will detest, and this is the one for Etro. It begins WAY TOO STRONG. It made me sick. Two hours later, it had settled enough for me to appreciate some subtlety. I don't have the patience or the stomach to try it again, so I gave it away. Better luck next time, Etro. I still love you.

Gorgeous, rich, beautiful sandalwood in a mysterious blend. The ingredients are somehow familiar but just out of touch. Like other LV scents, this one is not afraid to make a statement, and I prefer to wear it in the evening. Don't get me wrong. You can wear it to work, but it is so rich and delicious you will spend most of the day sniffing yourself, and that could lead to trouble, at least where I work. It isn't cheap, but I splurged on a bottle and couldn't be happier.

This is, without a doubt, the most unattractive and painful fragrance I have ever experienced. It smelled like hell on me and my friends who were brave enough to try it. I tried to give it away, but no one would take it. I finally left it at my sister's house and ran away.

Totally unique. This is quite strong on me and changes very little on the drydown. I easily get eight hours of wear out of it. People seem to love it or hate it. One friend said it smelled like the ocean, while another found it quite sweet. I don't wear it often, but when the mood is right it is a unique accompaniment to the day.

Wow. What a surprise. I have never smelled anything like this. This fragrance is rich and warm and takes the vetiver full throttle. Guerlain and Carven call theirs vetiver but then try to cover it up. Not Villoresi. If you love vetiver, this is a must.

When I first put it on it smells acidic and pungent, like walking into a lumber yard. So, I always put it on about 30 minutes before leaving the house. The drydown is unexpected. The woody richness climbs up very slowly and remains subtle throughout. Very unique.

If you like Aramis, you will love this. The Aramis is a bit sweeter. What a rip off.

I love this scent. It is clean and crisp. I can wear it anywhere, any season. I would describe it as a woody scent but by no means overbearing or heavy. It is the only fragrance that has a permanent place in my travel bag.

I have loved all the Bulgari scents, so I rushed out and bought Aqva. Sadly, like many other mens scents on the market, it has an ingredient that turns into cat piss on me. Chanel Allure does the same thing but much worse. I don't know what the ingredient is, but someone please tell me so I don't have to suffer this again. I hate giving Bvlgari a bad review, as they have done such an excellent job up to this point, but I simply can't tolerate this scent.

This has to be one of the premier mens scents. I have never smelled anything quite so fragile and ethereal and yet sublimely masculine. Each note makes a solo appearance over time, but the dance of this fragrance is greater than any solo note. It swirls and settles then swirls again. It moves from warm to warmer but always clean never cloying. I find that I have to refresh after four hours, but what a joy to start over again. A classic, I pray it never goes out of production.

I enjoy this scent, but Salvatore Ferragamo did it much better. He gave it a twist and more complexity.

I was a fool. I sprayed this on paper instead of my arm at the store. I cannot wear this scent. It makes me a bit ill as it dries down. It is rich and powdery and sweet. I can't pinpoint what I dislike so, perhaps the cedar/nutmeg combination. Be sure to wear it before you buy it.

The best Vetiver on the market. Rich, deep, and dark. If you like to move about under the radar, this is not the scent for you. On me, it starts strong and raw but gains in richness and complexity during the drydown

Everything you have read about this scent is true. My friends either love it or hate it. I love it. Yes, it smells churchy. On me it is so warm. I love to wear it on rainy days when I don't have to leave the house, and I can curl up with a good book and a fresh cup of coffee. Truly comforting. It is also great for evening wear. More opera than disco in style. Great staying power as well.

Another masterpiece from ETRO. Who creates treir scents? Some secret genius, I suppose. Etra is neither sweet or floral on me. Instead, it has a sharp, peppery edge that really puts the flowers and vanilla in their place. It is great anytime of year and is especially provocative in the Autumn when the warmth of my clothing seems to heighten it's richness. It smells great on women too, and they never fail to notice when I wear it. An excellent, unique scent

This is the scent by which I have come to judge all others. For sheer bravado, nothing beats this. The French may have the subtlety, but the Italians certainly have the gusto. Describing this scent as a smoky floral is way too simplistic. It is rich and scary and delicious. I would not wear it to a job interview. I wear it when i am feeling my most confident. It seems to bolster my self-esteem. How many scents can do that?

So unusual. On me, the spice comes out first and seems to warm up the air around me. Then the floral elements sneak in and toy with me a bit. The diverse elements blend beautifully in the drydown providing a calm, subtle, and unique scent.

What an amazing scent. It truly is a garden that changes as I walk through it. Citrus, herbs, floral, resins, and the bright sun; it's all there. I'm usually a rainy day kind of guy, but this could bring me out into the fresh air.

I was very excited about this scent. Definite mango. Immediately yummy. Unfortunately, on me it began to smell like bug repellant and disappeared within an hour. But I still love the fresh scent, so I spray it on my pillow cases and spreads. It smells incredible on two of my friends.