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Ungaro III reformulation thoughts

post #1 of 12
11/1/10 at 9:13pm
Thread Starter 
Had to go out of town a bit today and stopped at a Perfumania that happened to have Ungaro III - the new version (made in Italy, black cap, black box). It was 50% off and already cheap, so I took the dive.

I have not smelled the original Ungaro III.

I like this a lot. It's a dark, masculine, spicy rose - but one thing I noticed was that this scent is strikingly similar to Cuba Red by Cuba Paris.

Now, I don't know if the old III smells completely different when compared to the knew III, but I smell tobacco in this. Can anyone alleviate my query? First about how different the two smell, and second if there is indeed tobacco in this?

Any feedback is appreciated in advance!
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post #2 of 12
11/1/10 at 9:19pm
I just picked up one of the old ones blind because it sounded interesting... hasn't arrived yet so I can't comment on the smell or authenticity.

ebay seller, $20 for a NIB 50ml here (free shipping in USA)

Then again, Parfum1 has a 100ml for $26 - %15... not sure if it's the old or new formula though
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post #3 of 12
11/2/10 at 12:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Master-Classter View Post

I just picked up one of the old ones blind because it sounded interesting... hasn't arrived yet so I can't comment on the smell or authenticity.

ebay seller, $20 for a NIB 50ml here (free shipping in USA)

Then again, Parfum1 has a 100ml for $26 - %15... not sure if it's the old or new formula though

The original version was made in France. Seeing that written on the box is the only way to be sure. This is extremely difficult to find now.

The black box version is the latest one. There is a question about whether there has been a second reformulation when the box was changed from the red floral print box to the black box.

I own the original made in France version and also the reformulated version made in Italy which came in the red floral print box. There is a difference, and the reformulation is noticeable. I cannot say about the black box version because I haven't tried it.
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post #4 of 12
11/2/10 at 10:17am
There have been no less than 4 versions of the packaging of this fragrance. I believe the only agreed on reformulation occurred with the first package change. I've personally owned the 2nd and 4th versions and detect little difference; nothing beyond perhaps age and/or improper storage.

I've collected some pictures over the years showing the differences. I believe the first pictures were taken by scentimental. Sorry I do not give proper attribution to the others.

First version
Made in France, red box, red cap.






Second version
Made in Italy, red box, red cap.






Third version
Made in Italy, red box, black cap.




Fourth (current) version
Made in Italy, black box, black cap.

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post #5 of 12
11/2/10 at 11:25am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DocmanCC View Post

There have been no less than 4 versions of the packaging of this fragrance. I believe the only agreed on reformulation occurred with the first package change. I've personally owned the 2nd and 4th versions and detect little difference; nothing beyond perhaps age and/or improper storage.

I've collected some pictures over the years showing the differences. I believe the first pictures were taken by scentimental. Sorry I do not give proper attribution to the others.

First version
Made in France, red box, red cap.






Second version
Made in Italy, red box, red cap.






Third version
Made in Italy, red box, black cap.




Fourth (current) version
Made in Italy, black box, black cap.


Wow! Thanx for the pics, DocmanCC! Yes, my version is the one at the very bottom. And thanks to everyone else for your help so far. I like it, it's just a bit thin/watery to me. I'm assuming the original is much better....
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post #6 of 12
11/2/10 at 11:37am
I have sampled the reformulation and am not impressed at all. I get no rose. Even then, its a mediocre scent. I will test spray this at home from my sample when I get back ( just to make sure).
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post #7 of 12
5/2/11 at 10:24pm
Yes there is no rose ! I have the 4th edition , does the 3rd edition have rose?
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post #8 of 12
5/2/11 at 11:58pm
I have bottles of the 1st, 2nd, and 4th versions of the boxes/caps/juice. My nose isn't the greatest, but I don't detect much rose in the vintage juice or the reformulated stuff either. Some describe the rose in the vintage stuff as a "dry rose" which I can understand, but it does not smell much like any rose frag I've ever smelled. As for the differences between the two formulations, the original is darker and sexier. I find the reformulated juice to be lighter/brighter but a bit more chemical smelling as well. I like both formulations but prefer the vintage. Bottles of the vintage stuff can still be found on ebay for cheap and some mom and pop perfume shops still have it but you have to find the red boxes and kindly ask the SA to open the box and allow you to verify that it has a red lid. I've had some luck with this and scored a 50ml bottle this way.
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post #9 of 12
5/3/11 at 1:09am
Only have the original and I am fine with that. If I didn't have that, the new one would be just as good for me.
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post #10 of 12
5/3/11 at 2:15am
Old thread is old.

Anyway, I've got the version with the marbled red box and the black cap. It's lame. Cheap smelling and cologney. Ungaro II is pretty cool, though!
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post #11 of 12
5/3/11 at 2:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by vinramani09 View Post

Yes there is no rose ! I have the 4th edition , does the 3rd edition have rose?

Yes, but it is fruitier, thinner, more winelike than I find desirable.

The "third edition" (red roses box, black cap, made in Italy) bottle I ended up purchasing is not particularly gothic, unfortunately.

My sample of it from a few years ago was better in every respect, which suggests it came from one of the earlier editions.
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post #12 of 12
5/3/11 at 7:37am
It's still one of the best '90s fragrances.
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