Code Profumo by Giorgio Armani

I was quite pumped to get a new batch of sample fragrances to try out recently. I hadn’t heard anything about Armani Code Profumo and so had no expectations about it, nor even knew what notes made up this scent. I just figured that since it was from Giorgio Armani, that it might be a decent buy.

In this post, I want to give my impressions of this cologne, how it performs, when it should be worn, and whether or not it is worth picking up a bottle. Update: This originally came out in 2016, I have since added more to the review, as I gained more experience with this scent.

What does Armani Code Profumo Smell Like?

Notes include: leather, amber, tonka bean, cardamom, lavender, and nutmeg

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Code Profumo had me hooked after the initial spray. I like fragrances that are sweet, warm, and smooth and this one delivers on that amazingly well. To me, it is some close relative to The One by Dolce and Gabbana, 1 Million by Paco Rabanne, or even Versace Eros (the tonka bean). Plus, an added dash of Kouros Body.

The One is one of my favorite smelling colognes, it just has a problem with longevity on my skin, and it happens to share the amber and cardamom notes with Profumo.

The opening is mostly a mix of the warm amber note and the creaminess of the tonka bean. It’s sweet and somewhat candy-like in it’s presentation, sort of like 1 Million, without that grape bubblegum kind of smell that the Paco Rabanne cologne opens with.

There are two fruit notes here: mandarin orange and apple. I don’t personally pick up any apple, but the orange is there, it’s just subdued and not the usual bright citrus that you’d be used to.

As I’ve spent more time with Profumo, I’ve noticed that the sweetness here takes on a soda-like fizziness, it’s like a cream soda type of smell.

It kind of makes sense when you think about tonka bean, nutmeg, and cardamom blending together and how that would play itself out. It’s much warmer, less fruity at the top, and it doesn’t have the same amount of leather as the original Code.

The nutmeg note gives it a bit of spice which is smoothed out by the masculine leather. This is a new release for 2016 from Armani and I really think they hit a home run for people like me who love this kind of scent.

The opening is so sweet that it might scare some folks off, but the dry down is really great. Amber, leather, and tonka bean; these notes sit perfectly in the night air on a cold winter’s evening. Warm, enveloping, and inviting.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

It isn’t a very heavy fragrance but it does project itself pretty darn well. It isn’t a complete beast in that regard, but it does its job and doesn’t quit.

Code Profumo is more of a moderate fragrance that hangs around you, but won’t blow the doors off of people. It’s a cozy and sweet warmth, which is quite nice on the colder evenings.

Longevity is yet another plus sign for Code Profumo. This is an all day wear, that will hold long enough for any occasion that you may need to wear it. Seriously, the longevity is great, I could wear this on night’s out and hit double digit hours with it still going on my skin.

Update: Yep, this is a 10+ hour wear for me. Always got great performance out of Profumo.

I’d say this is a distinctly Fall/Winter fragrance and one that is great for nights out on the town. Code Profumo is a dark and sexy type of cologne that can also be worn on casual occasions and not feel out of place.

It doesn’t have the same bold almost in your face feeling that 1 Million can have and it isn’t weak like The One is. I like to wear it in a more dressed up situation but if I’m also out at a bar or something, in a relaxed atmosphere, Profumo gets the job done.

Overall Impressions of Code Profumo

Overall, would I rate this cologne a buy? Absolutely. I’m totally digging this scent right now, it’s great. Now, will every guy like it? Probably not, but most will. Like I said, if you don’t like warm/sweet fragrances, Code Profumo isn’t for you.

Update: Code Absolu has now been released and it is a slightly better version. You wouldn’t need both of them, so, I’d pick Absolu over Profumo, now.

Update 2: This one has been discontinued, so, you’ll have to find it a discounters nowadays. Still very much worth it, assuming it isn’t insanely priced.

Also, if you want something for the warmer months of the year, go with something else. However, if you need a new cologne for those crisp days and nights during autumn/winter, this should do the trick.

It’s got a great composition and performs super well. Code Profumo is safe enough to wear just about any time during the colder months, because it isn’t as loud or in your face as some of the other colognes on the market. It’s well balanced and a total joy to wear.

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.