Drakkar - No Strength

Originally Posted by perfaddict

True, today's Drakkar Noir is not the impolitely strong beast it used to be, although it has remained quite faithful to the original scent.

Where i live, strong frags are not an issue so applying a bit more than i would have in the 80s compensates for any loss of strength, if strength is really required. But, thats where i live.

Originally Posted by ericrico

Perfaddict is absolutely correct. I fully concur.

The reformulated Drakkar Noir (which is still a top selling fragrance around the world) is a lighter scent than the Vintage juice. Oakmoss, the heavier, oily leather and ferocity has been dialed down. It still wears very well though. It is, as a counterpoint in vernacular to what perfaddict said, more "polite". It is more like Drakkar "Verde", instead of Drakkar "Noir" - Green vs. Black.

Personally, I really enjoy a layered wearing of Vintage juice (even just dabbed on - neck, backs of hands) with current formulation - you get wonderful richness and power that the original powerhouse delivered and great, fresh greener notes. I apply that from a 100ml Spray bottle and tend to wear a liberal amount. It is a scent that still gets noticed (from distance!) and complimented. While there are many scents that are similar to Drakkar Noir, there is simply no replacing it - both in one's collection and in history. It is the fragrance that brings me right back to high school nights, parties, hot girls and make-out sessions! Sure, other scents were around...but Drakkar Noir was the 'one' you went to when it mattered most.

I, personally, really enjoy how Guy Laroche has reformulated Drakkar Noir. At first, yes...it was missing something and I knew the reformulation had changed it. But, instead of looking for its weaknesses - I found its new positive points. I did this while getting a Vintage bottle. Honestly, while one could pull it off if they have the big brass balls it takes - doing a full-wearing of Vintage Drakkar Noir today is nuclear!!! I already have a reputation as the 'cologne guy' - that's been me since early high school (and even before when I snuck some from my father), but I think that balance is key when one wears scent nowadays...even in social settings.

So, if your mind and heart are set on Vintage Drakkar Noir - it's out there and one can get it. Look at the other threads on how to distinguish bottles from sellers (distributed by Cosmair; PARIS is close together on the Vintage bottle at the bottom, while the current is P A R I S, etc.) It's easy to tell.

For me, an undeniable and endearing classic. It will always be in my collection.

And, on a final point - you just decided my SOTD and into the Evening! It will be a layered wearing of Drakkar Noir (Vintage, dabbed on with a EdT). Also, the After Shave balm and deodorant are very nice - I recommend buying a set of current. It can be found online and at TJ Maxx for bargain prices. It wears very well together...especially with a few strategically located dabs of Vintage. BTW, I also have Vintage Drakkar Noir in spray - in a layered wearing, just 2 shots and you're set. I actually prefer dabbing it on. The vibe is even different.

When I was younger, a cupped handful from a Splash bottle or 5-6 sprays was common! We were crazy kids and you could smell the aroma of Drakkar at any party we were at! All in a haze of smoke and classic rock music and these superbad, hot new grunge bands called Pearl Jam, Nirvana, & Alice in Chains were blasting from the stereo!

The memories of our youth - and how our olfactory senses conjure up those recollections...amazing!

Cheers,

ericrico

Originally Posted by Louis

It smells very long lasting I do not know what the current formula smells like.

Originally Posted by Louis

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So what do you think? Is this vintage, and if so, from what period?

Originally Posted by shoulderpet

Hi ,

As title , I have recently bought a bottle of Drakkar Noir (100ml) , on offer from the current uk price (in shops) of £40 down to £20 , however considering how much this costs in the UK I am shocked by the lack of strength,longevity and projection in this especially considering that some consider this a powerhouse, I get little longevity and very little projection.
To be fair to Drakkar, it does smell amazing and I would buy another bottle but I would not buy a bottle at the full retail price, I think I can safely assume this fragrance is a victim of reformulation ?

Originally Posted by Cheeva

If it says Cosmair Inc in the back of the Bottle, it is Vintage! Congratulations., as for what time period?, you got me.

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Originally Posted by vinramani09

I remember my dad use to wear this when I was kid back in the 80s, and it was strong and really nice. He bought a 200 ml bottle recently and was shocked to discover that it was really weak relative to what it was in the 80s, also he said it smelt very synthetic and cheap, which this fragrance was not. Being a fougere fragrance, Drakkar was heavily dependent on Oakmoss, which is now banned, hence the demise of what was a wonderful fragrance.

Originally Posted by Louis

No its not a knockoff, the drakkar, I found it in my parents house I must of left it there when I moved out back in 1992. I also found a full bottle of versace l'homme original formula and a vintage aramis 900!

Originally Posted by Ken_Russell

So far Drakkar even got me quite a few negative comments for being too strong, with too much projection and longevity.

Originally Posted by ericrico

While it certainly is not what it used to be, I think Guy Laroche has done a rather good job of reformulating this to a more 'wearable' scent for the new millennium. While it does not have the bravado of Original Vintage juice...the greenness of the current is still very nice. Actually, nice to layer with just a few dabs or a couple of sprays of Vintage - you will definitely know you are wearing Drakkar Noir and so will the people within a 10-15 ft. radius of you!

I tried to find out as much as I could on the reformulation and Guy Laroche kept the maximum .1% Oakmoss (yes, significantly reduced) but there is added tree moss. I think wearing Vintage today (by itself) is just balls - but it will not have the effect it did when I was in high school (I'm a 1991 grad). This was THE panty-dropper and was simply amazing. Today, the current juice with a light touch of Vintage is more than enough to get the 'point' across.

So, while your father is correct that the Oakmoss has been reduced (and I've written a lot about this)...the recent bottle I have of reformulated juice modernizes the scent in some ways. Add the extra rich oakmoss and greasy leather as you wish with a bottle of Vintage...

Cheers,

ericrico