Fragrance Reviews by Mike

This one is a guilty pleasure for me. As an earlier reviewer said, it is deliberately and wholly synthetic, which I normally detest. However, if you can get past its synthetic qualities, it can actually be a fun wear from time to time. UV Man is an oriental-gourmand fragrance, yet the synthetic nature of it must always be kept in mind and acknowledged. The fragrance opens with a 'liquid mint' note that some have accurately described as a menthol aroma or eucalyptus, and then settles into a heart of 'organic' vetiver and 'moss crystals' (wonder what those are!). The base is an entirely technological recreation/rendition of ambergris, purely synthetic and not smelling at all like the ambergris used famously by Creed. The fragrance is very sweet and it can be cloying if overapplied, but it is a fun one to me for some reason. I sort of associate it with a futuristic world (as silly as that sounds, and probably based on the original print ads for the fragrance). The bottle itself is very nifty, and suggests futuristic impulses. It is not one of the best fragrances ever made as it can get a bit overbearing and sickly sweet (think of those rubber alien toys some have mentioned, perhaps). It is nowhere near my personal favorite, but what it lacks in smell it makes up in ingenuity. It certainly is one of the more adventurous and creative releases in recent years so it gets my thumbs up for that, and although I will not repurchase it when I run out, I will definitely keep the intriguing bottle as a memory.

Tabarome Millesime is another of Creed's finest, and as a Creed purist I can say that it is a lot more traditionally masculine than some of the slightly atypical and fresh-inclined Millesimes (I speak of the recent Himalaya, Original Vetiver, Original Santal, and Virgin Island Water). To be sure, it hearkens back to the older Creeds from the pre-Millesime era. This makes sense, since it as an update on the equally magnificent Vintage Tabarome. However, this Tabarome marks a stark departure from the Vintage, as it adds some citrus notes (Bergamot, Mandarin, Lemon) and a much stronger, darker tobacco note, as well as adding woody notes of patchouli, sandalwood and vetiver. In fact, the only notes retained from the Vintage are green tea and tobacco! As I have said, the tobacco is much stronger and not as smooth in this new Tabarome, but this is not the most significant change. There is one note that I have not yet mentioned which has been added to new Tabarome: ginger! And lots of it. Sometimes this annoys me about new Tabarome, as the ginger is so central here that it cancels out some of the other fine ingredients that have been used. But if I can overlook the prominence of the ginger, I find a scent that is so supple and masculine, reminiscent of cognac or a fine DOCG wine, mixed generously with strong tobacco. In closing, I would say that if I want to project an old-world radiance and elitism, I will wear the more historical Vintage Tabarome. But, if I am looking for a modern and slightly more bombastic and heady tobacco-based fragrance, I will look no further than Tabarome Millesime. A class act, and one that I will never be without.

Rocabar is a first-rate fragrance, and I find it mainly intriguing because it blends coniferous and 'forest' notes with a beautiful base of balsam and vanilla. The coniferous and forest-like notes remind me of a combination of Creed's Epicea and Creed's Baie de Genievre, but with Rocabar you get the unique addition of a vanillic-oriental base, which I have not found in any other fragrance. The fragrance opens with juniper berry, cedar needles, lavender, and spicy nutmeg and cinnamon, which reminds me of Creed's Baie de Genievre. It is fairly strong and bracing, like the smell of a beautiful forest, but the heart gives way to a smoother accord of cedar and smoky cypress, which is quite an elixir of its own. The drydown is wonderful and oriental, with just a hint of the earlier woods intermingled with a strong combination of vanilla and balsam. A truly "oudoor" fragrance, yet it works extremely well in formal situations or for a romantic evening. Occasionally, I will wear it out during the daytime, but it really is more of a formal/romantic fragrance, and is also best suited for fall and winter. The longevity is amazing as well; 2 sprays will easily last 16 hours or more! Rocabar is another fine addition to the exceptional fragrances of Hermes.

This is another of the finest 80s powerhouse scents, with all the amazing qualities of others such as Antaeus. Pour Lui (as it is now called) is a wonderfully strong and masculine chypre, with a great deal of oakmoss in the base. The opening is somewhat sharp, but things calm down to reveal a heart of floral elements (carnation and geranium, among other things) and spices (cinnamon), balanced out with some wonderful patchouli. The base is primarily vetiver and oakmoss, and possibly leather and amber. It is essentially a traditional chypre scent, although there is a slight fougere element to it as well. I always love wearing this out during the day or for evening ventures, because it does tend to project quite well and is very distinctive; people will certainly notice your presence when wearing this refined and very macho scent. Longevity is fairly high; 2 to 3 sprays should last at least 8 hours, if not more. I am aware that this new "Pour Lui" (which is the version that I own) is a reformulation, and having never smelled the older original, I cannot compare the two. Nonetheless, Pour Lui is a heady and traditionally masculine scent that is well-crafted and exudes a certain flair for the dramatic.

This is one of only two aquatic/marine scents that I own (the other being Creed's Erolfa), as I tend to favour darker, dry, spicy, woody scents, but I do not have any regrets about picking up Millesime Imperial. It really is in a class of its own, which can be said of all Creed fragrances. This one is no different...another winner from Creed (surprise surprise)! It is a welcome break from all of my heavier fragrances, and is an absolute joy to wear for any occasion, casual or formal. The opening notes of melon and sea salt (or whatever it is; Creed bills it as a 'marine note') are addictive! Just ask any person who has smelled this fragrance...I do not know what it is, but the first few minutes when the fragrance commences are just so edible and delicious! Quickly though, the top notes fade and the heart reveals a combination of lemon, bergamot, green mandarin, and Florentine iris, in a delightful citrus accord. The base is "tropical forest notes" juxtaposed with the standard Millesime ambergris/musk base. I am not sure exactly what Creed means by tropical forest notes, but there is definitely a woody character in the base. In short, it is a masterful aquatic fragrance and the quality alone is far above and beyond the plethora of mass-market synthetic designer aquatics like Bvlgari, and Acqua di Gio (please, let us not even go there). I will mention that wretched Unforgivable cologne that has been out for a couple of years, and yes, some people you pass on the street who are not perfume connoisseurs might think that your Imperial is the cheap Unforgiveable, but you in your heart will know that it is the supreme aquatic, Millesime Imperial! It is a Creed, so as always, wear it with pride and distinction!

Views on this fragrance are quite polarized, with half of people dismissing it as a cheap and overpowering drug store fragrance, and the other half raving about it as a classic. I happen to fall into the latter camp. Michael Kors is a distinguished scent, if you can get past the top notes. Yes, for the first 10 minutes, it is an almost unbearably acrid medicinal smell, due to the combination of bitter herbs and spices. It will overpower your nose for the first few minutes, but once the terrible mess of the top notes subside, the heart is very sensuous indeed with tobacco, suede, and incense notes. It is not overbearing tobacco either, but rounded. It is very masculine and quite debonair. The base reveals a very refined patchouli note, not a harsh patchouli accord at all, and the patchouli is enhanced slightly by dried fruit (plum) and sandalwood. Yes, it is not as cultivated as the somewhat similar Tabarome Millesime, which I also own and prefer more because of better blending and higher-quality ingredients. Nonetheless, Michael is a great offering when compared to many other mass-market designer fragrances that use the same boring synthetic ingredients and money-making language such as "fresh, clean, sexy." In closing, I would suggest that for those who do not feel like spending around $200+ on Tabarome Millesime but want a similar effect, Michael Kors would be a more-than-acceptable substitute.

I am indifferent to this fragrance. It is a pleasant enough smell, albeit very synthetic. It is also very cloying if over-applied, and unfortunately, the multitudes of men who wear this tend to bathe in it! I was once in a crowded movie theatre and pegged a man sitting five rows in front of me who was wearing it! It is a very popular scent for clubbing and is excessively popular with both young and older men, but for me, it is just too overdone and synthetic, and it is also somewhat too sweet and feminine for my tastes. Another detractor as I have already mentioned is that so many men own this (probably 1 in 3), so that the infamous "you smell like my ex-boyfriend" will become an all-too familiar refrain. It may be fun to wear once in a while, but I tend to steer clear of it, and once my bottle is finished, I highly doubt that I will re-acquire it. Ultimately, I have many more superior fragrances in my collection that deserve far more of my attention and respect.

Wow! I remember purchasing this within a week of its release in 2004, and as a summation of this scent, I will say that it is completely innovative and unique! Furthermore, unlike most mainstream releases in the 21st century, a lot of thought and careful attention to detail was put into the development of this fragrance, and this shows in the creative character of the fragrance itself. Approximately 80% of the notes used in this fragrance have never been used before in perfumery; this may seem dissonant to some. However, it really strikes a chord when you first apply the fragrance and especially if you begin an analysis of it. You begin to realize that many of these notes are unfamiliar to you, and that you have never come in contact with their aromas before, which is a wonderful feeling to have when smelling a fragrance. The fragrance is fairly heady, and could get cloying or overbearing if one overapplies, but in just the right amount, it is very seductive and alluring. It is unabashedly masculine, but remarkably sweet for a male fragrance. I can handle the sweetness though, because it is tempered by the black leather notes and auramber and eaglewood in the base. Longevity is fairly strong; 2 sprays (not to be overdone) will last around 8 hours, or possibly more. A new classic for the 21st century...I cannot help but wish that more new fragrances being released now were as well thought out and innovative as John Varvatos!

This really is a truly beautiful fragrance; it is just such a pleasure to wear. It is masculine, but there is a great deal of softness in the base due to vanilla and the 'Guerlainade' accord as people call it. I would say that it is somewhat stronger than Habit Rouge, but this is a great thing! Whereas Habit Rouge dries down to more of a powdery vanillic-amber base, Heritage maintains a woodiness in the drydown thanks to cedarwood and patchouli. Heritage is very rich and powerful, and might give some a headache if overapplied, but utilized in moderation, it projects a very seductive and confident and refined aura around the wearer. It is one of those scents where you just have to stop and admire the quality of the blend. I have the utmost respect for Guerlain as a house, as over the past decades they consistently put out perfumes of extremely high quality and character, with only a couple of flubs or weak offerings (L'Instant and the new Homme come to mind). Despite being a mainstream house, most of their products have as much character and eccentric personality as Creeds do, despite Creed being a niche private company. Guerlain belongs up there with Creed among the best of the best in perfumery. Heritage is another in their long list of classics. It is authoritative, sumptuous, and very refined, and has exceptional longevity as well; a spray or two should last well over 12 hours!

A throwback to the 70s and 80s powerhouse 'macho' fragrances, Gucci pour Homme (redux) is a winner in all respects! It is the best offering from Gucci, and a welcome breath of fresh, woody air amongst a sea of poorly made marine/citrus/light/airy synthetic fragrances. This is an unflinchingly strong, masculine concoction, consisting purely of spices, very dry woods, amber and leather...there are no citrus or other fresh notes at all, so it is definitely not for the faint of heart! But, it is very nicely blended, and for those who like more traditionally rugged masculine fragrances that focus on woods and leather, this is an exceptional fragrance! I agree with some reviewers who mention that this one smells somewhat like pencil shavings at times; I get the smell of pencil shavings at times as well, but it is not the most obvious association to be made with Gucci pour Homme, and might be construed as a 'cheap shot'. Instead, this fragrance reminds me more of a lumberjack hard at work in the forest, with smoke billowing out of the chimney of a log cabin in the middle of a densely wooded forest. It really is a must-have if you are looking for a scent that is exclusively composed of dry woods, spice, and a good dose of leather and incense. And the longevity must be mentioned too; 2 sprays will last you close to 24 hours!

While this is surely the most popular and touted of all the Creed fragrances, and the one that the masses are familiar with, it is not my favourite Creed. Despite that, I must say that it is a truly beguiling green blend, at once fresh and masculine and clean, with a slightly woody base. But really, a green character is what this fragrance is about, and it does it superbly. The quality of the natural ingredients is again unsurpassed, but really, this is to be expected from a Millesime. I enjoy the brief citrus opening of lemon and verbena, but the heart of authentic Parma violet leaves and Florentine iris is sublime, and is where the fragrace really speaks its magical volumes! The base is the typical Creed Millesime base of Mysore sandalwood, ambergris and musk. It is a fabulous, beautiful scent that is a joy to smell and wear anytime, whether during the day at work or out for a nice formal evening (very very versatile), and also works well regardless of the weather. I know that there are a lot of Creed skeptics and haters who feel that it is just a more expensive version of Curve or Cool Water, but they should be honest with themselves. You get what you pay for, for one thing. If you want to buy a 40$ synthetic chemical 'designer' garbage fragrance that was produced with no thought or originality, then Cool Water or Curve would be the way to go. They are thoughtless imitators (which were produced after GIT, by the way, so they are the copycats), designed to appeal to the masses who just want a quick feel-good fragrance for a quick buck. If you have the money and the interest, then buy the superior GIT, as it is one of the best 'green' and fresh fragrances around, and you really do get your money's worth. Longevity is alright too, with 2 or 3 sprays lasting around 8 hours on my skin.

Gentleman is unquestionably the finest of Givenchy's male offerings, and the most traditionally and classically masculine as well, which I appreciate. Certainly, they have produced nothing else worthwhile for men; just look at the modern offerings: Xeryus Rouge, the abhorrently cloying Pi, Very Irresistible, the new Play, etc. I have not found an accurate listing of the notes in Gentleman, as they all vary on websites, but we can be sure that it contains some citrus up top with tarragon and cinnamon, heart notes of patchouli and vetiver, and a base with honey, moss, leather, civet and possibly some vanilla. It is not rugged because of the leather and civet, despite what some say. In fact, it is very refined and polished despite its potency and strength, and suited for mature gentlemen. The longevity is fairly decent; 1 to 2 sprays lasts around 8 hours on me. As I said before, a classic and truly beautiful men's fragrance, and the only one worth exploring from Givenchy.

A pleasant aquatic scent from Creed, which, it should be noted, is not a mainstay in their fragrance repertoire. Nonetheless, it is naturally blended, with a top note described as ozonic (I stil cannot figure this one out), a heart of tangerine and bergamot, and the traditional Millesime base of sandalwood, ambergris and musk. Creed has only produced two fragrances strictly rooted in the aquatic genre (MI and Erolfa), and I much prefer MI. That is not to say that Erolfa is bad; on the contrary, it is a wonderful evocation of sailing, as that ozonic note that is difficult to identify is reminiscent of briney seawater and the crisp air one would feel whilst sailing. Erolfa has a very natural and attractive smell, but the reason that I prefer Imperial is because MI is a more exotic marine fragrance, and also lasts somewhat longer. Indeed, that is the major drawback with Erolfa: longevity is poor. 3 or 4 sprays will only last around 4 hours, at best. Nonetheless, Erolfa is a fine offering from Creed, one of their few aquatic scents, and certainly miles ahead of the nefariously poor Acqua di Gio and other marine cop-outs produced in the past few years by designers.

Epicea is the most authentic, most natural, and most authoritative pine scent available. It is one of the more unique offerings from Creed. I am uncertain about individual notes, but the opening might have a slight citrus tinge to it. What is most detectable to me is the fresh and invigoratingly masculine scent of Russian pine mixed with some unidentified herbs and spices; Creed have produced a very natural smelling pine fragrance indeed! And it should be said that even though there are spices and herbs in this, the pine note takes center stage. When I wear Epicea (only in winter, naturally), I can easily picture myself in a dense and beautiful snowy forest, even if I am simply struggling to shovel a foot of snow off of my driveway in -30 degree weather before work in the morning! It is a powerful evocation of a dark and dense forest filled with huge coniferous trees, one of nature's true beauties. A fragrance for a real man who shows no fear, the strong and silent type, much like the legendary Gary Cooper, who wore this. The only drawback is longevity; 3 or 4 sprays will probably last around 6 hours before a reapplication is required.

All other fragrances please step aside! Bois du Portugal is the undisputed king of my collection, and I am sure that it is also the king for many members here. It is a very exotic and woody fragrance, but again, as is typical of Creed, its elegance and supremacy lie in the simplicity of its formula. The officially listed notes are: cedar, Mysore sandalwood, vetiver, and lavender. I would add to that ambergris, as it is detectable, and all of the Creed Millesimes do contain ambergris in the base. To be sure, most male fragrances contain the four notes used in BdP, but do any of them smell like BdP? No, they do not. This is a testament to Creed's ingenuity; Bois du Portugal is unlike anything you will ever experience, at once uplifting, filled with fire and masculinity, and maybe just a little too over-the-top. But this is why I and many others worship it! It is at once commanding and powerful, yet there is also a slight sweetness to it, which smoothes out its rough and woody edges. Much like a gritty and egotistical gentleman, who also has a softer side tucked away somewhere, so too does Bois du Portugal. It is a perfect achievement in perfumery, and for me, there is nothing that can rival it in its magnificence. When I wear it, I feel almost omnipotent, and its longevity certainly is powerful as well! One to two sprays easily lasts 24 hours, which is remarkable. Granted, it is more of an evening and formal fragrance, but sometimes I cannot help myself and wear it in the daytime, as it is such a delight to smell always! Some say that it is for men over the age of 50, however I am in my early 20s and am proud to own it and appreciate its artistic brilliance, probably as much or more than some older gentlemen. Yes it is very expensive, but you do get what you pay for. Bois du Portugal is in a class of its own.

Armani's first fragrance for men, which also happens to be one of the first fragrances that I ever purchased. It is also Armani's best fragrance, and a true classic. While it is a little less of a powerhouse than some of the other 80s fragrances, it is still refreshingly and overtly masculine and mature, and is certainly far ahead of what passes as a good fragrance these days. It is a citrusy and traditional chypre, but also contains some wonderful spices such as nutmeg and clove which can sometimes be hard to detect. It is such a comforting and masculine scent to wear, with a very Italianate aroma and charm, and certainly makes you feel very refined. There have been many imitators that have tried to copy its woody-citrus blend, but none can ever come close to being the powerful and beautiful treasure that Armani Eau Pour Homme was and is and shall continue to be!

This is Chanel's best offering for men, bar none. It is one of the quintessential powerhouse 80s fragrances, and certainly one of the finest, being virtually without peer! The fragrance opening screams with myrtle and Alpine lavender, then settles into a seductive and masculine heart of clary sage. The base is very rich, deep, and long-lasting, being a combination of patchouli leaves from Indonesia, labdanum, and beeswax absolute. You could not ask for a more masculine and confident fragrance than Antaeus. I know that it is very hard to find in some areas, but I pray and pray that it will never be discontinued!! It may be too strong for some people, but if you can handle it, its rewards are endless. I always feel very confident and strong when wearing this fragrance, as it exudes an uplifting yet potent aroma. The longevity is also amazing; 1 to 2 sprays lasts almost 24 hours on my skin, which is remarkable for an EDT! This one will always be in my collection for as long as it continues to be produced, which I hope will be forever! A true classic; accept no substitutes.

Easily the best offering from Lutens and Sheldrake; this is one of the finest amber fragrances in the niche market. Most of their creations can get very cloying and sweet, particularly in the drydown (even the much-vaunted Fumerie Turque). Somehow, this is avoided in Ambre Sultan. It is a very exotic intermingling of spices, with a sensuous woody heart and a delightfully seductive amber-vanillic base. Longevity is excellent; two sprays last well over 12 hours. It is probably more appropriate for a fine and classy evening, but occasionally if I am feeling brash I will wear it out in the daytime. It is also more suited to fall and winter climates, when it will really envelop you with its warmth. Curiously, I find it somewhat similar to Creed's Acier Aluminium, although Acier is probably more bombastic and over-the-top, while Ambre Sultan is slightly spicier.

Why all the negative reviews? I for one do not understand all the Creed haters, particularly those who hate the house merely because it does tend to air on the pretentious side. Whether you like it or not, all of their fragrances are unique and some of the finest ever produced in the history of perfumery. That being said, I will commence my review. I rank this as the third best ever created by Creed. The opening is sharp and metallic and explosive; in fact, I would not even venture to try and pick out notes for the first few minutes. For the heart notes, I detect a hint of plum, as well as several spices and maybe a hint of leather. The base is one of the most sensual that I have ever experienced; ambergris and vanilla absolute. The base is done so well in fact that it almost puts the wearer into a dream-like state, as if reality were a backdrop to some other dimensional plane. There is something unsettling and disturbing and mysterious and dark about this fragrance, but I love it! Someone once compared this fragrance to a particular scene in Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut, and I am inclined to agree. It is decadent, ravishing, and sexual. It is classified as masculine, but I interpret it as unisex. I am sure that very few people own this, so you will certainly not smell like anyone else, and you are likely to receive innumerable compliments. I rarely utilize this for daytime wear, as it is quite strong and more suited to a refined or romantic evening venture. Longevity is amazing, probably close to 24 hours for just a couple of sprays on my skin. I will never be without a bottle of this; Acier Aluminium is multi-faceted to the utmost, and touches on all facets of the human condition. A true work of art.

This is one of the top 3 Creeds ever produced, along with Bois du Portugal and Acier Aluminium! I am undecided however on whether VT or Bois du Portugal takes first place, but perhaps they both can. Owning Vintage Tabarome is like owning a piece of history! It was originally commissioned for King George IV in 1875, not by Sir Winston Churchill (since he was an infant in 1875, though he did wear this later in his life). But the reason that this is a historical fragrance is that it is very much of its time; indeed, no company would dare to make a fragrance like VT in this modern day mass-market era of cheap, synthetic designer fragrances. Its potency and power lie in the simplicity of its composition and individual notes: green tea and pepper on top, with a heart of tobacco leaves over a base of ambergris. Today, fragrances pride themselves on having at least 10 (if not more) distinctive and individual notes, but one can barely detect any individual notes through all the synthetic chemical fireworks occurring. In Vintage Tabarome, one can clearly detect each of the four notes, bonding cohesively and effortlessly to create a warm and extremely masculine aura that truly and totally envelops the wearer. Tabarome offers a truly sublime experience each time I wear it. It is a very mature, older, elitist smell, so it certainly will not be to everyone's taste. As a young gentleman in my early 20s, I am sure some would say that I am too young to pull this off, but I care not. I wear fragrances above all for myself, which I believe is the golden rule; too often I hear other young people talk about bathing in their cologne in the hopes of 'scoring', with no independent thought going on in their heads. I am proud to be young and nonetheless able to appreciate such a mature and robust and elegant creation, and to wear it with the respect and integrity that this masterpiece deserves.

I owned this once, but quickly did away with it. In fact, it is not an amber-dominated fragrance as the name would suggest. With the saffron, neroli, and orange in the base, it is slightly reminiscent of Armani Mania for men, and also smells a bit like a barbershop. It is an attempt to hone in on the traditions of classic perfumery, but it never really achieves this. Granted, it is not cloying despite being somewhat soapy, and has a pleasant and seductive air about it, but it is ultimately a weak offering.

Not bad, but not an earth-shattering experience either. A nice enough blend of citrus top notes, with a spicy heart and a woody-incense base. Some find it very sensual, but now that I have moved firmly into the niche market, I actually find it very synthetic as opposed to sensual. Decent longevity of around 6-8 hours.

This was my very first fragrance, so it holds a special place in my heart! A very nice blend of exotic woods and spices; never too overbearing, always possessing a fresh and vibrant aura. It is unique in that there are not many similar fragrances on the market. This one is probably the best of the Emporio Armani line, and works well for any occasion whether day or evening.

I used to own a couple bottles of this one, but once I finished them, I never replaced them because too many people wear this! However, this does not speak to my opinion of the scent itself. The fragrance itself is a classic, very sensual and masculine at the same time. After a vibrant and purely citrus opening, the heart consists of spices such as tarragon, cardamom and pepper, with a touch of lavender. The base is woody, with cedar and creamy sandalwood, but also some tobacco. I initially expected the tobacco to be stronger, but on my skin it never was. In fact, the base on my skin was woody, yet also seemed significantly powdery, probably due to the iris root. This fragrance is very popular, and it is not difficult to see why, and I think that it will always remain a classic.

Yuck! I cannot believe that I once owned this. It is a cloying, hazy woody-oriental, but also very much a gourmand, and not a pleasant one at that. It is essentially a ginger overload, with a heart of some sweet spices, and a base of generic woods. It reminded me somewhat of urinal pucks used to control the smells in public washrooms. Despite this similarity, it is still not a particularly great scent. Perhaps it is innovative and different from most mass-market men's fragrances, but it is simply too cloying and sweet for my tastes.

I had no idea this fragrance was discontinued; I purchased a bottle of it when it was first released. I hate and revile A*Men, but after sampling B*Men, I decided to buy it because it had a very different, unusual aroma (not unpleasant at all). I was taken with the notes of rhubarb and sequoia, which are probably not too common even in niche fragrances. The fragrance is fairly masculine, and not as cloying as A*Men (shudders). However, I became somewhat bored with it and decided to give it away to a friend. To this day, I am still not sure what put me off of it, or why I became so bored of it. Not a masterpiece by any means, but the fact that I became bored means that it was always one of the weakest in my collection, and as such I cannot give it a thumbs up, despite some of its unique ingredients.

What a sensual, unique beauty this fragrance possesses! Easily my second favorite Armani offering, right behind the original Eau Pour Homme (1984). The olive flower note is very calming, and merges deftly with the woody base notes. It is a departure from Armani's previous offerings (particularly the Emporio Armani fragrances) as it is classified as a woody-oriental, but this is in no way a bad thing. Wearing this, one can expect to receive many compliments indeed. Longevity is quite strong for me; 3 or 4 sprays last close to 12 hours! Also, some reviewers have expressed that this fragrance is more of a formal evening scent, but I find it versatile enough to wear in any occasion!!

Marine/aquatic fragrances comprise the smallest part of my collection, and while Acqua was once one of my perceived favorites, I quickly became bored of it. The first few times I wore it, I was intrigued by the persimmon note, which I had never smelled in a fragrance before. However, after more and more wearings, I found that in the drydown things began to take on a sour fruity smell. Its longevity is also subpar; even with multiple sprays, it lasts around 4 hours and then disappears entirely. Not to mention that everyone and their uncle wears this and douse themselves in it so liberally that you can pick it out on a crowded sidewalk! Once I started making the transition over to niche and added Millesime Imperial to my wardrobe as my new aquatic (and a far better one at that), I quickly got rid of the ubiquitous Acqua di Gio.

This is one of the weaker Creed creations, with very short staying power. For some odd reason, it smells identical to Emporio Armani White for men to my nose.

This new men's fragrance by Hermes is not highly innovative, but quite pleasant nonetheless. For some reason it reminds me of Arrogance Uomo. It begins with light citrus top notes and mellows into a wonderful base of cedar and earthy elements.

Hugo Boss Bottled is a five stars perfum for man ,tell my five girlfriends i have.

This is a good solid cologne. It goes on nicely and settles into a nice smooth fragerence. It is subtle and you have to be close to smell. It is not my favorite, but I will get a bottle.

Not a bad fragrance, but not great. It lasted about an hour on me and then disappeared.

This is the first colonge I have purchased in years. I went to the counter and the saleperson put about 20 different products in front of me an let me smell tem all. I settled on Silver and everytime I put it on I am glad I own this product. I love it. It is not overpowering and my wife has to be close to smell it. It is very unique......The salesman tells me it is the tabacco flower that I smell.

H.M. has become my favorite by far. It is not as Chotic as A*men and does not have the strong vanilla smell that Rochas Man has. I still like and own all three, but H.M is my number one choice at the moment.

This fragrance has the great attribute of being genuinely easy to live with.
Hugh Parsons is not likely anybody's fantasy scent. It's also not another of the scents that somehow remind you of the department store where you bought it.
The fragrance is reasonably light and clean--it's how a man's body might smell after a shower with good soap. But the fragrance has the traditional sharp edge that clearly distinguished a man's fragrance from those worn by the ladies.
Hugh Parsons may first strike one as unremarkable and dated, . . . but it grows on you.

It smells like mustard...

A wonderful combination of old-fashion men's cologne with contemporary style! It reminds of very familiar retro masculine scents (as if going to the barber's!), but it dries out sweet and woody. Very-very fresh and making you wanna smile! Not many fragrances evoke so positive feelings and create a state of well-being. Everytime I wear it, I feel the positives vibes all around me, as every one asks me with an expression of satisfaction: "What's smelling so nice???" I adore it for another reason, too: IT LASTS ALL DAY!!! (at last, a fresh perfume that does!)

I find it different from the other fresh scents. I don;t think it is a summer scent. I mostly wear it on rainy days, it really fits that kind of weather (I hope I'm not that influenced from the print ad!...). Anyway, it is nice and special, but not as striking and revitalising as the female one. DKNY ENERGY MEN is much better, too.

Very simple and very charming! A fragrance you just can't resist! Very fresh, but at the same time very classy. Perhaps the idea was "Eternity revisited!". Perfect for daytime and for office wear, as it is very pleasant and discreet (I don't think anyone could ever complaint about this!). I also like it for summer nights. Actually I spent the whole summer wearing this one at nights! If it only lasted longer..........

There are hundrends of fragrances out there, but for some mysterious reason this certainly stands out! Although it is a rather simple and low-profile scent, I think it is one of the best ever. Its charm lays to its ability to combine freshness with warm, pure sensuality. I guess it is really contradictory! It is a fragrance that's never the same! It may sound strange, but with this one, something happens that doesn't happen to me with any other: depending on the day I wear it and the specific occasion, each time another aspect of it is revealed to me! It may be from very fresh and light to extremely hot and sexy! But what remains the same, it is that it's always very discreet, modern and somehow personal. Ideal for 1-to-1 encounters, as it stays wonderfully on the skin. The best Calvin Klein and one of the best ever. Never tired of it!!!

Calvin's worst. A complete failure. Indifferent, tasteless and very common. I couldn't beleive Calvin Klein would ever create a fragrance that is not original, but would just follow what other houses have been doing lately. Unlike all the other CK fragrances, that each one -whether I like it or not- I must admit that has its own personality and actually was leading the industry, this one is something like Clinique Happy, but much worse. OK, I understand that they aimed at young people (so, maybe from this point of view, Crave may be successfull, because no other fragrance from this brand was for them), but for me it is a huge disappointment. And I've also realised that it doesn't last.

A very masculine, spicy, but also very fresh scent. I like it mainly because I can wear it almost anytime, anywhere. It works fine from hot summer midday to winter night. However, I don't know why lately I'm a little tired of it... I guess it really is somehow sharp, and sometimes I just can't stand it! When that doesn't happen, I feel wonderful with it!!!

Very sweet, romantic, yet powerfull. Smells much like Le male, but I like this one more. I just can't wear it anytime, sometimes it gives me a headache. I think it is only for some occasions, such as for clubbing. Certainly it doens't go unnoticed - trust me!

Although it is a very green fragrance and I don't really like that category, this ia another story. It is extremely modern, like anything else, quite strange and unfamiliar, because except from fresh and green, it's also very-very bitter and sweet. I simply adore it! It's literally full of energy -more than any other of that type I have tried. Much better than the original DKNY MEN. The only drawback is that it doen't last at all... :(

Modern, casual, sensual and simple. The kind of fgragrance that I enjoy wearing during the day -not very heavy but certainly powerfull! Very long lasting too. However, it starts very impressive but then gets a little indifferent. I can'y describe it exactly, I just feel that it's somehow "empty", doen't take you anywhere... A problem with basenotes I guess??? Anyway, overall a good fragrance. Others should move in this direction, too.

I love the female Alessandro del' Acqua, so i was looking forward to this one. Unfortunately, although it is very close to the female one, it doesn' t have its originality and sensuality. It is just another fresh masculine fragrance -not bad, but boring and weak. And doen' t last!

Disgusting. One of the worst in its category. Extremely sweet. Has nothing to express. Perhaps they would like to create the new Le male, but the result is annoying.
P.S. What' s the connection between the scent and the astronaut in the ad?... I hope they don' t imply that it is a futuristic fragrance!!!

I must say, CASRAN does smell remarkable... It kind of reminds me of V/S by Versace but the drydown in CASRAN is much more mysterious and sensual. I now know what others mean when they say that CASRAN has that "mysterious" note to it...

Rush is too woodsy that when I smell it, it reminds me of a hamster cage. I had to spray literally "gobs" of it on for it to be slightly noticeable. What a disgrace to GUCCI.