Reviews by Andyjreid

    Andyjreid's avatar
    Andyjreid
    Scotland Scotland

    Showing 1 to 28 of 28.
    rating

    Black Pepper by Molton Brown

    There was once a thread on the boards here asking people if they liked the products that accompanied the fragrances, in this case Black Pepper EdT is actually the accompanying product to the body wash.

    I bought this on the strength of the scent in the body wash which Molton Brown claimed they had managed to put in an EdT. In my opinion Molton Brown didn't even try.

    If this genuinely smelt like the body wash then this EdT would be a contender up there with some of the great power scents of the 80's and if it had some longevity it could quite easily have been my holy grail of scents.

    As it turns out it is a poor version of what was supposedly copied which turns cloying on my skin, even once the scent has gone.

    Get the body wash instead and on a day off have a bath or shower with it and enjoy it's scent for as long as it lasts.

    17th November, 2009.

    rating

    Original Santal by Creed

    Right, firstly, I know a lot of Creeds come under scrutiny for being like/being worse than a smell-a-like but I tried this on today and all I smelt for the majority of the day was Joop!. Not a smell like Joop! but a smell that is so similar to Joop! I couldn't tell the difference. Joop! is very loud and tenacious and you can smell sillage from miles away, similarly with this.

    Longevity issues? Are you kidding? Currently at 10 hours and still going strong, now just smells like Joop! layered with the Creed house note of amber.

    Other Creed smell-a-likes I have been able to pass because I consider the Creeds to be of a greater quality but I can't let Creed have this one.

    I wish I had "longevity issues" with this but I don't.

    I smell like a pre-pubescent teen at a school disco.

    20th October, 2009.

    rating

    Spanish Leather by Geo F Trumper

    Not much leather in the opening of this cologne and to be honest not much leather at all. I sort of agree with the_good_life when he says it should be called English Barbershop as it does contain a soapy note.

    It does say on the box however that "It has often been assumed that the preparation includes leather in it's make-up but the name actually derives from the fact that leather, usually tanned kid or chamois, is immersed in a special perfume. Once treated this "Spanish Leather" will retain it's distinctive fragrance for a considerable time. Trumpers adhere faithfully to the traditional preparation when producing Spanish Leather Cologne."

    So they have stated that it is based on a liquid used to treat leather. I can smell some leather in it but it isn't till the dry down which to me hangs around and smells like a leathery-talc.

    All in all this is a very pleasing and sort of light cologne which I feel will see me through summer and winter.

    12nd August, 2009.

    rating

    Millésime Impérial by Creed

    With Millésime Impérial I'm in with the camp that love it. In fact, I'm pretty much 99% sure that if I could only ever use one scent again then this would be it. When I first bought Millésime Impérial I was taken in with the top notes. It is a little fresh and very aquatic but not in a modern trendy way. I grew up on a seaside town and to me the aqua in Millésime Impérial smells like the smell of sea air on a warm summer night. It also seems to have a little fruityness in there, not citrus but an almost melon like accord. Spraying this on makes me feel like a million bucks.

    However the real beauty in Millésime Impérial, for me, comes about 8 - 10 hours after I've applied it (longevity naysayers be gone, this lasts). To me the basenotes in this just shine, its that lovely far away dry down that even after the day at work, Im sitting having a glass of wine or a beer, I stretch out to put my glass down and even that little muscle movement is enough to trigger a little heat which triggers the drydown again, a lovely warm but crisp amber. I go to bed and I still smell this and the next morning I get up and go for a shower and the first drop of water that hits my skin makes it smell like Millésime Impérial.

    There are a lot of smell-a-likes both averagely priced (Unforgivable) and highly priced (Bond No9 Wall St). Unforgivable wears away to nothing in seconds and Wall St, while it has the longevity it doesn't have the development.

    I would happily wear this every day for the rest of my life if it weren't for the price. However, excellence never came cheap.

    13rd July, 2009.

    rating

    Rapport by Eden Classics

    This along with Mandate, to me, is the ultimate "Fathers Day" cologne. It just reminds me of that "smell that the kids can afford for dad that isn't Old Spice or Brut" and I still know some gents, my own father included, do wear this.

    I think it works fine for what it is, however it takes me back to being a boy, not a young man, a boy, and trying this on to make me smell nice for the girls at school discos etc. Oh the shame and failure.

    Im sure some will love this for the nostalgia but for me this belongs in the same ether as Hai-Karate etc.

    Certainly one I would not buy for myself, or my father.

    28th June, 2009.

    rating

    Rive Gauche pour Homme by Yves Saint Laurent

    One of the negative reviews here said "this smells like barbasol". My point is, what's wrong with that? This is meant to be a masculine scent and it is. It does smell like barbasol and it does smell like an old fashioned barber shop but that's the thing which Rive Gauche does best.

    Apart from being taken aback that this comes in an aluminium container and not a bottle, I can't fault it.

    17th June, 2009.

    rating

    Knize Ten by Knize

    You wake up in the morning, you have a shower and get dressed. You go to your fragrances and say "What shall I wear?" You choose Knize Ten.

    For the rest of the day, everywhere you go, you will be turning heads.

    A lot of people will be curious about what they are smelling, others will turn in disgust.

    You won't care though because you're wearing Knize Ten

    17th June, 2009.

    rating

    Davidoff Adventure by Davidoff

    This isn't too bad a fragrance (is smells pleasant enough) but neither is it good. It's a typical generic mass market fragrance faced by someone who is about as sincere as the liquid in the bottle. Yes Mr Millionaire, Ewan "Im so down to earth with my Scottish roots" McGregor, Im sure you wear this because you "love the sense of adventure".

    The only adventure faced in this bottle is the journey from your house to the store where you are sure to soon find this in the discount bin.

    Oh yea and it doesn't last more than half an hour either.

    16th June, 2009.

    rating

    Blu Mediterraneo Tuscan Cypress / Cipresso di Toscana by Acqua di Parma

    Surprisingly, I really quite liked this scent, especially after feeling so let down by AdP Colonia. I tried this and was instantly taken aback by the Cypress/Green notes but after about 5 minutes this was really proving to be a joy on my skin. I smelt a little lavender in there as well as the sage. On the very hot day which I was testing this, it started to blossom wonderfully and I could easily detect this scent moving through top-middle-base notes.

    I'd liken this to an evening sitting on a mediterrianian beach, early evening its sunny still and bright, half an hour later the sun is starting to set and things are cooling down slightly, an hour later night time is almost upon you and the embers of the beach fire and smouldering but dissapointingly about to sputter out and signal the end of your night. Which brings me to the downside of Cipresso di Toscana. It just doesn't seem to last long enough on me.

    This will get a thumbs up though because it is a thoroughly good scent and not too expensive either so I wouldn't mind over applying to have it last a little longer.

    16th June, 2009.

    rating

    Armani Code / Black Code by Giorgio Armani

    This could be seen as my first "major purchase" bottle. In 2004 when this first came out it was still pretty expensive being about £45 GBP for a 50ml bottle. I was in a store and was asked if I'd like to try the new Giorgio Armani scent called Black Code. I had been a fan of all 3 Emporio Armani fragrances released up to this time (He, He White and He Night) and had invested serious money in them over the years having owned at least 2 FB's of each one. My only experience with Giorgio Armani fragrances was Acqua Di Gio which I didnt like much as it reminded me of 18 year old boys with too much testosterone hitting on any female with a pulse. However I had been sold on the "this is a much darker fragrance" thing. I tried some on a tester and went for a walk for a while.

    I really loved this scent so went and bought a bottle............. my first major schoolboy error. I got home and put some on and I liked it for a bit then it just went rancid on my skin. I persisted for a few weeks with it and nothing. It just kept disagreeing with me. I ended up giving it to my brother who has since gone on to buy his own bottles of this and still to this day wears what is now simply called Code.

    I like the smell of it on him but we have totally differing skin types and as much as it smells nice on him, its not for me. Another case of try before you buy.

    16th June, 2009.

    rating

    Emporio Armani Night He by Giorgio Armani

    I have just a little of this left in my last bottle of this and I presume It will stay this way as I only feel like wearing this at one time of year, Christmas.

    This fragrance, to me, is 100% Christmas in a bottle. Cinnamon candles, Frankinsence and Myhrr with some patchouli and a little woodyness.

    Merry Christmas one and all.

    16th June, 2009.

    rating

    M7 by Yves Saint Laurent

    I can't tell you why I like this because I dont't know why. It's a modern powerhouse fragrance and yes it does have a bit of the "cherry medicine" about it. It also has some sweetness to it too........... all things which I'd normally despise in a fragrance but M7 just does something for me. It works well with my body chemistry and it makes me feel amazing when I wear it.

    It has a lovely woody drydown and all the parts of this fragrance are very well balanced. Yes it's loud and yes it will last for ages which again aren't normally what I look for in a fragrance but damn this is just so sexy for me.

    It's also the first fragrance I've had where a girl has smelt it and all of a sudden looked at me with very wide "oh my god this is great" eyes. Hey, I don't give a crap about that though because of how I FEEL when I wear this.

    Some people will read into this review as nonsense, but such is the difference in taste. The one note I'd add is ALWAYS try before you buy.

    16th June, 2009.

    rating

    Xeryus Rouge by Givenchy

    About 14 years ago when I was a young guy at school, I had a part time job in a jewellers as an engraver. I remember smelling this from a sample in a magazine and then also realised that my boss wore this when he was in work. It appeared to me to be a sophisticated scent, very grown up and very different from the "fresh and unisex" scents which were about at the time.

    I remembered that scent right up till this year when I saw a bottle in a store for about £20 GBP so I decided to test it. Thank goodness I did. To my nose this is nothing like what it used to be in the mid 90's and I felt thoroughly dissapointed.

    Neutral rating on the basis that the mid 90's one smelt really nice.

    16th June, 2009.

    rating

    Erolfa by Creed

    Hey Erolfa, how you doing? Been up to much late..................... oh don't run away from me. I was just starting to like you again. You don't smell bad at all, in fact I quite like you.

    Ah well............ best go round and see Millesime Imperial instead at least he sticks around for a few hours.

    16th June, 2009. (Last Edited: 28th September, 2009.)

    rating

    Emporio Armani White He by Giorgio Armani

    I disagree with all the negative reviews on here. I absolutely loved this fragrance it was unique and carried a little sophistication to it. I found it to be quite light and a little musky with some citrus thrown in for good measure. As it says at the top of this page, this was initially meant to be a limited edition and was always priced the same as the other Emporio Armani fragrances so I should have noticed the signs when they cut the price of it and discontinued all the other products in the "he white" line. Damn I wish I had bought more before they discontinued this fragrance. Yes you can still buy it online but it is usually overpriced because like a few others (i.e. Gucci Rush) people didn;t realise how much they liked this till it was gone.

    If I could, I'd go back in time and never smell or purchase this fragrance. That way I'd never miss it as much as I do now.

    16th June, 2009.

    rating

    Emporio Armani He by Giorgio Armani

    Some complain that this fragrance smells too synthetic. To me it just smells very unique and I'd have a very hard time trying to describe it. This ALWAYS used to gain me compliments and for many years was my "signature" fragrance. I haven't owned this in a few years and am unsure whether they have changed anything abou the formulation of it. If not, Im sure I'd still love it.

    For me, the bottle was always hard as nails too.

    16th June, 2009.

    rating

    Diesel Plus Plus by Diesel

    Something about the discontinuation of this fragrance dissapoints me. In my much younger days, you couldn't really pick up a fragrance like this for similar money. It was cheap.......... i mean like way cheap. I have bought 3 bottles of this on 3 seperate occasions for 3 seperate prices. First bottle I bought was at a discount drug store and cost me £5.99 GBP. Second bottle was bought at a chemist for slightly more money. Third bottle was bought a few years later because it was cheap again and I felt a little nostalgia towards it (having provided security for a Diesel store when I was 19).

    Each and every time I have purchased this, the scent has been changed in some way and no it wasn't that I had picked up the feminine one. Just a real inconsistancy with the manufacturing process. The cheapest (and earliest) one I purchased was the best of the 3 which just reminded me that as the popularity of Diesel as a brand name grew, the less and less sincere they became about their products and customers.

    They used to scent the store with this fragrance and If I could afford to wear a pair of jeans that cost upwards of £150GBP I certainly would NOT be wearing this fragrance. My nostalgia was looked back upon with rose tinted glasses and I got a headache.

    16th June, 2009.

    rating

    cK be by Calvin Klein

    Fresh yet musky. Affordable but smells slightly more expensive. Unique yet comes from a house which I sort of feel is the king of mediocrity and generic scents.

    The only CK scent I'd still buy and wear.

    16th June, 2009.

    rating

    Bay Rum by Geo F Trumper

    There has never been a phrase more apt to a fragrance than "does exactly what it says on the tin"

    An excellent refreshing preparation to douse yourself in after a shave.

    To me, there is no downside to this cologne other than the fact my girlfriend hates the smell of cloves but she loves me so she is happy to live with it.

    16th June, 2009.

    rating

    Aramis by Aramis

    Im too young to wear this however this gets a positive from me basically because when I was a young child my godfather used to wear this all the time and I find it a very reassuring, powerful, positive cologne. I'll probably buy it when Im a bit older.

    16th June, 2009.

    rating

    Acqua di Parma Colonia by Acqua di Parma

    I'll keep my review of this short. It's going to get a neutral because I really like the first hour or so of this cologne because it is a perfect summery citrus burst with a little of the "old fashioned" thrown in for good measure. However something just happens to it that on my skin makes it turn into "rotting roses" which I really dislike.

    I could imagine trying this when I'm older but at this time in my life it doesn't work for me.

    16th June, 2009.

    rating

    4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser by 4711

    This is what some may describe as "old school". It's citrussy and doesn't last very long. Surprised? If you are then you shouldn't be. This is what proper "Cologne" should smell like.

    4711 would have been groundbreaking in it's day but these days it's copied and surpassed by many. I'd rather have Trumpers Wellington Cologne as my citrus cologne of choice any day and more recently, or for someone who would want a modern version of a cologne, Comme des Carcons Cittrico from the Cologne series is almost identical to 4711 in smell but has better longevity and a better drydown even though it is only marginally more expensive.

    Please, try 4711, it is a piece of history and it's cheap. I don't believe in all the hype of a "back story" but this is a historical cologne nonetheless.

    Weighing all the pros and cons up, this gets a neutral. If I was writing this review in the time period between 1850 - 1920 I'd probably give it a positive.... it's just that there are better colognes out there.

    16th June, 2009.

    rating

    Hamptons by Bond No. 9

    To me this is neutral as it smells exactly like one of the types of L'oreal hair gel. Not a bit like it, but the exact same smell. That leads me to the point that its not a bad smell or one that I dislike. Just not really my style, I mean I'd maybe wear it if it didnt cost £150 a bottle.

    P.S. It was L'oreals Radical Gel from the late 90's

    10th June, 2009. (Last Edited: 16th September, 2009.)

    rating

    French Lover / Bois d'Orage by Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle

    Sitting on the fence on this one really. I love the opening of this fragrance it's very woody and to me it almost smells like the cedar wood you get in cigar tubes/boxes so there may be a slight tobacco note in this. However it dries town to an incense level which I also like but then, to me, it sort of morphs into a strange rubbery smell which really disagrees with me.

    I think for the price you could find better

    29th April, 2009.

    rating

    Wellington by Geo F Trumper

    This is going to be a biased review because I love this. I had a sample which was shut away in a cupboard and forgotten about till a thread was brought up on here and I got it out and tried it. Ended up buying a 30ml bottle of this and I have to say It had instantly gone down as one of my top 5 of all time.

    The lemon burst at the start is perfect for first thing in the morning (and a boost during the day) but what really gets me about this is the aristocratic smell in the dry down. It stays well on my clothes and it is comforting. It continuously feels refreshing whenever you smell it during the day and it turns into a very complex cologne.

    The only bad thing I could say about this is that I'd prefer it to last longer but thats a trait of cologne and I can put up with it and re-apply because this is summer in a bottle for me.

    29th April, 2009.

    rating

    parfums*PARFUMS Series 5 Sherbet: Peppermint by Comme des Garçons

    I tried this just yesterday and I'll be short and to the point.

    This may not have the best longevity but I was astounded at how true to real mint this fragrance is.

    Get some mint leaves, crush them up and rub them on your skin, thats what this is.

    If you like that kind of mint, you'll love this, if not, you wont.

    20th March, 2009.

    rating

    Michael for Men by Michael Kors

    Just got a surprise sample of this through the door from a company I'd ordered a tester of GIT from.
    This to me smells like a less sweet/heady, more grown up version of Opium. The initial blast is a touch generic but after about 5-10 minutes this begins to smoulder and warms up to be something quite special.

    It's pretty "manly" and not for young uns or "Acqua di Gio" people.

    I think I'd rename this....... Man, for Men, from Man.

    *I wish to add to my review*

    I have been wearing this quite a bit recently and now enjoy the many notes and levels to this scent. I get tobacco, booze, spice, patchouli and a little incense. This is something special for a designer fragrance.

    This scent is the definition of Modern Masculine and I hope it is around for years and years to come.

    5th February, 2009. (Last Edited: 14th December, 2010.)

    rating

    Shaving Shop by Taylor of Old Bond Street

    This is nice..... very nice in fact. Starts with a bit of a zesty punch, I smell grapefruit and lime which calms down to a nice mild woody tone, with, as Amberflash said, an undercurrent of shaving cream, which is no surprise as Taylors also use this frag in a shave cream. To me, this is a country mile better than most of the other Taylors colognes. The Eton cologne reminds me of le male by JPG but for those who are over privileged and the Sandalwood, although a good sandalwood, is very very old fashioned and smells like your great grannys bedroom.

    This frag would suit most ages however I wouldn't suggest it to anyone under 25.

    If you get a chance to try this on then try it, it initially turned my nose upon smelling it from the bottle but once on its a dream and nowhere near as "cosmetic" as most male frags are these days.

    The only real downsides for this frag are that it's not for "boys" (that could be a good thing), and, I feel it doesn't last as long due to the fact it is only available as an aftershave or cologne, however my girlfriend would say otherwise and she loves it.

    Aw hell come on it's onlt £17 for a 100ml bottle, splash it on and feel like a gent.

    It's what I was looking to shake off the staleness of commercial frags.

    27th October, 2008.

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