By Designer

Brooklyn by Bond No. 9

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So, I’m back to the site, after taking more than a month off from reviewing anything. I noticed that I hadn’t finished with all of my Bond No. 9 samples from a few months back and decided that I should get back to business. Today’s scent is Brooklyn, a unisex scent from the brand. How does it smell? What’s inside? Is Brooklyn worth a purchase? Scroll down to find out my complete take.

What does Brooklyn by Bond No. 9 Smell Like?

Notes include: gin, cedar, cypress, juniper berries, grapefruit, cardamom, leather

Click here to try: Bond No. 9 Brooklyn Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 3.3 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Brooklyn starts out with a really dry blend of cypress, cedar, and leather. It is an interesting combination and strikes me as somewhat different than many other woodsy scents.

A few minutes into its life, those notes are met with an outburst of juniper berry and gin. This creates an herbal/boozy/woody triumvirate that is surprisingly fresh and unoffensive.

From there on out, Brooklyn is a pretty linear fragrance. There isn’t much change that I noticed while wearing it. This particular blend of notes seems to give off a fizzy drink aroma, as if you added seltzer water to gin and berries. Brooklyn is a very clean type of scent with a zesty kick to it.

Cypress and the mixed drink element, really dominate this scent, and if you’re not into that Brooklyn isn’t the right choice. It’s kind of an odd choice to represent Brooklyn with, but that’s basically what you get here.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Brooklyn isn’t the best. I sprayed 3 times on my forearm and couldn’t detect it unless I moved my nose particularly close. It’s fine that it’s not a beast, but it does seem kind of weak, on my skin at least.

Update: Coming back to this again, it is pretty middle of the road. Even the initial sprays aren’t all that powerful and Brooklyn is going to stay quite close to the skin. 3-6 feet at its maximum.

In terms of its longevity, I got about six hours out of it as a skin scent. Not amazing but not the worst that I’ve ever encountered either. Update: Yep, still getting about six hours out of this. It’s just not a formula that seems to last all that long.

Brooklyn is a unisex scent and I would say that it leans more to the masculine side of things. The dry woods being balanced out by boozy fruit, makes this one a solid spring/early summer wear, in my mind.

Still, women can easily wear this one too. It’d be a nice change of pace from the usual fruity and floral fare.

Very casual scent not one that would feel particularly sexy or engaging. Just pleasant. Dry and then fizzy, with a nice crisp feeling. You could wear this at night or around town during the day. I don’t know that you’d want to smell like gin at work, so I’d probably skip wearing it as a daily.

Overall Impressions of Brooklyn

Overall, would I recommend Brooklyn? I think the fragrance is decent. I just wish that it would last longer on my skin. I’m definitely not blown away by the scent, in the slightest. Though, I do appreciate what they were going for and its certain level of uniqueness.

Update: Coming back to this one after a few years, this does have a lot of the same style as Vodka on the Rocks by Kilian. Obviously, Brooklyn came out in 2008, so it is more original. However, I was really reminded of that newer fizzy boozy perfume. This one has the leathery accord and that cypress sticks out. 

I like the gin, cypress, and leather notes. It’s not my favorite alcoholic aroma (prefer rum or cognac scent), but it’s nice enough overall.

The problem of course, is its pricing. If the cost doesn’t bother you, I’d say try it out, if it appears intriguing. If it’s a stretch for you to afford, I’d skip this one.

It’s going to appeal to a certain niche segment of fragrance wearers. For most, Brooklyn is completely not necessary. It’s fresh and interesting, just not amazing, in any way.

Boss Bottled Infinite by Hugo Boss

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Jumping back into the fragrance review, side of things. I have a post today of a newer release for 2019, in men’s fragrances, Boss Bottled Infinite by Hugo Boss. I didn’t even know, that they had come out with another flanker scent to this lineup, but wanted to give it a try when I saw it. What does it smell like? How does it perform? Is the sillage any good? Is this fragrance worth a try?

What Does Boss Bottled Infinite Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, apple, cinnamon, lavender, sandalwood, rosemary, olive wood, and patchouli

Click here to try: BOSS Bottled Infinite Eau de Parfum – Fragrance for Men, 3.3 FL. OZ.

My Full Wear Review

This is going to be a one wear review of Infinite, that I will come back and add to, when I spend more time with this fragrance. However, I got to wear it from the store and took along a card sprayed with it, as well. So, I got a solid idea to what this one is all about, not that it’s super complex.

The opening is a blast of mandarin and some apple, at the top, and surrounded by a sense of freshness. It’s a slightly spicy freshness, but at that stage, the notes weren’t too distinguishable from one another.

However, looking at the notes, I’d say it is the cinnamon and rosemary coming through. Those two are probably slightly tempered by lavender and some sandalwood.

As it moves along a bit further, the mandarin takes more of the fruit share from the apple. This is joined by a fully emerged lavender and the smell of rosemary. Very smooth and clean, with that rosemary spice, and woodsy undertones.

Sandalwood? Some. Mostly, what I guess is olive wood, as I’m not familiar with that aroma.

Finally, the dry down, is a woodsy lavender fragrance with some citrus. It’s lavender, wood, patchouli, and mandarin.

At times, this does remind me of Boss Bottled Tonic, but like a stronger inversion. Bottled Tonic, wasn’t great, and this share the fruit and cinnamon. Bottled Infinite beefs up the woodsy notes and doesn’t rely so much of the fruit.

Sillage, Longevity, Versatility

This fragrance starts off fairly strong, for about an hour or two. The sillage is great, at the start, and will get noticed. It calms down substantially, thereafter, and is pretty moderate. Not completely weak. The longevity was pretty good.

Wasn’t an all day wear, based off that one test, but not crummy like some other Boss scents. It probably ran in the 7 hour range, for me. Again, I still want to test it more, but that’s the first go round. Update: Yep, 6-8 hours is what to expect from this one. Mostly, that midpoint 7 hour mark.

The strength of this fragrance, probably stems from its versatility. It isn’t really beholden to any one season, but probably not best at the height of summer.

Seems good for spring or autumn. Winter, it’ll do fine, it’s not the typical heavy cold weather fragrance. This one can pull double duty as a daily wear and/or nighttime go to. Boss Bottled Infinite is a cologne that can cover a lot of ground for those who only want to own a few fragrances.

It has a masculine smell, with an attractive, and sexy sort of aroma. I can see this one becoming a popular cologne over the next few years. In fact, the lady at the department store said that, Infinite was the best seller among the new releases. It should get plenty of complements.

Maybe not the most formal of fragrances, but it is well put together and stylish enough to be a daily wear at the office or school if you’re a younger guy.

Overall Impressions

Do I like Boss Bottled Infinite? Yes, I do. The first wear was nice. Update: Trying this some more, I still really enjoy wearing Infinite. The mandarin, lavender, and wood blend feels distinctly Hugo Boss.

I like the apple and mandarin here and the lavender doesn’t feel like it’s too overwhelming in the mix. Infinite has a nice balance of its ingredients.

Really, this is one of the better Boss Bottled releases, maybe my personal favorite of the past handful of years. Nothing too groundbreaking here, but this formula just works for me.

Like, I’ve come across all of these notes in their other scents, and it brings to mind so many of them. The orange, made me think of Boss in Motion, as that also has a spiciness to it.

It isn’t a terribly complex fragrance, nor is it super original. Nonetheless, it smells good and gives a good performance. Infinite is a well-balanced scent, that is going to be a good option for a guy, who wants a daily wear. Wants something that is easy to reach for and is going to be well-liked by others.

That’s what you’re going to get with this. I do still want to give Boss Bottled Infinite some more wears, but right now, I can recommend it as worth a try.

Black XS by Paco Rabanne

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I recently got another order of fragrances which included the very good, 212 VIP. Also in the box, was a bottle of Black XS by Paco Rabanne for men. I have already reviewed other scents by this brand, 1 Million and Invictus, and so I thought that it was time to tackle Black XS. In this post, I want to present my opinions on how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and if it i worth a buy or not.

What Does Black XS Smell Like?

Notes include: Kalamanzi, Calabrese lemon, patchouli, praline, cinnamon, black amber

Click here to try: Black Xs By Paco Rabanne For Men, Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4-Ounce Bottle

black xs paco rabanne review

My Full Review

The opening of Black XS is hardly reminiscent of anything ‘black’ or dark for that matter. I suppose it takes on the name because of the black amber note, which is strange, since it isn’t one of the main noticeable ingredients.

You initially get a pretty pungent blast of lemon. sweetness of praline, and a spicy/leathery sort of aroma from the cinnamon and patchouli.

The cinnamon note actually reminds me of 1 Million. Much like that other Paco Rabanne fragrance, Black XS’s notes take on a different kind of fruity smell than its ingredients would suggest.

In 1 Million, you get the sensation of warm, leathery grape bubblegum. While in Black XS, it smells a lot like a strawberry flavored candy of some sort blended with praline.

When I wore this cologne the other day, I really didn’t like the opening at all. It was too sweet and harsh for my tastes and I felt like I was getting a headache. However, I decided that I’d chalk that up to being really sleep deprived and not feeling good in general.

Today, I consider it to be much more pleasant, though it still doesn’t blow me away with how it starts. In fact, I can detect the separation of the notes much better, and it doesn’t smell like such an intense strawberried mess which bumps it up a few points in my mind.

As it wears on, Black XS does indeed get ‘darker’. It still isn’t a dark scent in my opinion but it definitely isn’t as bright as the opening. It does retain its sweetness and grows into something that is rather warm and more woodsy. I detect more of the cinnamon and patchouli during the dry down period of this fragrance.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Black XS starts out pretty strong, but not nearly anything like 1 Million. It does lose some of its power as time wears on, so don’t expect a beast scent throughout.

That opening is pretty sharp and loud. So, because it stays at that level or a while, it drags up the overall average of Black XS’ sillage. Really, once it’s toned down this one is moderate.

Longevity is pretty good but again not spectacular. I’m getting 6 hours of solid use, so far, and maybe a little longer as a purely skin scent. Update: Yes, 6-7 hour seems to be the norm with this one. Which can be surprising when you’ve experienced that bold start.

Black XS is yet another cold weather scent. I think it could be alright in the spring but definitely not during the heat of summer. It is much more of a youthful type of fragrance, think, early 20s and below. It’s kind of playful and not stuffy and serious like some other scents.

It also strikes me more of a nightlife kind of cologne but it wouldn’t totally be out of place in a casual situation. For the close quarters of an office or something like that, it’s not the best option. It can be too sharp and cloying, which will bother other folks.

Overall Impression of Black XS

Overall, is Black XS worth a buy? Perhaps. This isn’t a fragrance for everyone and I don’t even know if it’ll be one for me (at least on a regular basis). I picked up a bottle on sale for $20, so, I’m not entirely disappointed with it.

It is definitely an interesting scent and is attractive in a lot of ways. You will have to enjoy sweet fragrances, obviously. Plus, lemon and patchouli are ingredients you’ll have to like, otherwise stay away.

Black XS is a very solid fragrance but not anything insanely impressive. It might find a home in your collection but I don’t think it’ll become a signature scent.

Update: I’ve had this cologne for a few years now and the bottle is still almost completely full. I just never could get into wearing it. The lemon, praline, and patchouli combination is just too much for my nose.

Sharp and sweet. I don’t hate it, but it’s not my style. I think Pure XS is a better option, but the performance on that one, isn’t great. The fragrance can be quite acidic to the nose and it’s pretty limited in when I ever wanted to wear it. There was always a better fragrance option.

I Love New York for Him by Bond No. 9

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For my second review in this series of Bond No.9 scents, I will tackle, I Love New York for Him. This is of course, one of the male fragrances from the ‘I Love NY’ line that came out 5-6 years back. As usual, I am going to cover my impressions, how it smells, how it performs, when it could be worn, and whether or not I think that this cologne is worth a buy or not.

What Does I Love New York for Him Smell Like?

Notes include: patchouli, leather, musk, grapefruit, ginger, geranium, lavender, amber, sandalwood

Click here to try: Bond No. 9 I Love New York For Him Eau De Parfum Spray 50ml/1.7oz

My Full Wear Review

The opening of I Love New York for Him, seems to me to be an intense burst of mainly the grapefruit and patchouli notes, with just a hint of musk. Frankly, I don’t find it to be all that enjoyable. It smells quite acidic and concentrated and too overpowering at this stage for my tastes.

It usually settles down within 5-10 minutes, and becomes a much more enjoyable blend of citrus and spice. Though, I really don’t like that initial part. The ginger note comes in, which makes this feel fresher, along with a light juniper berry ingredient.

The thing that I noticed most about this Bond No. 9 fragrance is how much it smells like Just Cavalli Him. They share the ginger and geranium notes and the Cavalli exchanges the grapefruit for bergamot but, man, there is a lot of overlap here.

I Love New York does have better performance and the patchouli/musk combo sets it apart but these two are definitely related in many ways.

The middle part and the dry down gives you periods of lavender and leather, coming through stronger underneath the citrus. The geranium is still present and kind of sits in the middle of the lavender and leather cycling back and forth between second strongest.

The base is pretty much musk, with some sandalwood. Eventually, what I’m left with is: grapefruit, ginger, lavender, patchouli, leather, and musk. The freshness stays but much of the spice and stronger intensity of the leather is gone.

Sillage, Longevity, Versatility 

The projection with this one is rather moderate. Although, I will say I enjoy it more during the dry down stage than in the beginning, it simply isn’t as intense.

I Love New York for Him does have really good longevity and I can detect this cologne all work day. Maybe 9-ish hours, in total. So, it does actually deliver on the performance aspect. Decent sillage paired with the type of longevity that you’d want.

If anything, this cologne is good for casual wear during the warmer months of the year. It is a clean kind of fragrance but I wouldn’t call it sexy in the slightest. But, on these warmer days it does have a pleasant enough aroma to draw me in.

I wouldn’t ever think to wear this scent on a date or out for a night at the bars. I guess it’s more of a casual or perhaps office-type of wear. Rather clean and inoffensive.

Overall Impressions of I Love New York

Overall, is I Love New York for Him worth a buy? I’d say no. It’s not terrible by any means but it’s so generic and simplistic to me. Plus, the price is the usual high end of the spectrum that Bond No. 9 is known for. If you’re going to spend that much, at least get the best colognes of the brand.

The immediate opening isn’t good at all. I do like the citrus, geranium, juniper and ginger laden fragrance that follows. But, with the leather and patchouli, it just doesn’t fully work for me.

Even if you did dig this scent, I’d simply buy Just Cavalli Him for cheap (update: that’s not really an option anymore) and buy some other scents in conjunction with that. Otherwise, I don’t really see a purpose for this cologne.

The performance is good, the smell is decent, but unless you can score a cheap bottle, why? To me, this isn’t among the brand’s best scents and really offers nothing unique. I’ll pass, as I have no real place for it, in my rotation.

Vert des Bois by Tom Ford

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Getting back into the Tom Ford fragrance reviews, today, we have another one from the Private Blend collection: Vert des Bois. This is one of the offerings from the ‘Vert’ series, on fragrances which really focus on the green notes. How does this one stack up? What does Vert des Bois smell like? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

What does Vert des Bois Smell Like?

Notes include: plum, olive leaf, poplar, anise, jasmine, mastic, and patchouli

Click here to try: TOM FORD VERT DES BOIS EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY 1.7 oz / 50 ML

My Full Review

The opening of Vert des Bois is very green, as you’d expect from the name. Poplar buds and olive leaf are joined by a distinct anise note and a healthy dose of patchouli. At the heart is a solid wood structure, but at the start, there is a sweet plum note, and a bit of the oily olive smell.

I know, it sounds weird and shouldn’t work, but it actually does. It’s listed as a part of an ouzo accord, which while I am familiar with the name, I’ve never actually had. So, I can’t really speak to its aroma.

The plum note isn’t around for too long and isn’t all that strong while it is. I thought it might play a stronger role, when I saw the ingredients list, but nope.

Vert des Bois is quite a natural smelling fragrance, and about 20 minutes into the wear, I get the emergence of a jasmine note, which takes away some of the initial spiciness of the anise. At this point, it is a smooth wood and floral combination, with that olive leaf and the patchouli.

There’s also a really great smoky note that is sitting gently in the background of this perfume, which adds another level to the rich Greek nature theme.

From there on, this Private Blend scent, stays roughly on the same path. The jasmine weakens and it becomes more wood dominant, with the poplar really taking hold. It is flanked by olive and patchouli, among some other woodsy aromas.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage on Vert des Bois, isn’t terribly strong. It strikes me as more of a moderate, but it is noticeable, and consistent throughout the wear.

That initial 30-45 minutes does create a nice enough scent trail. It’ll probably reach in the 5-8 foot range, at its peak, before retreating closer.

The longevity is really good. I got somewhere in the 8-10 hour range of wear, I kind of lost track, but it was going strong well into the evening. I wouldn’t doubt the ability to routinely get double digit hours. You do get your money’s worth in terms of the performance.

So, Vert des Bois, is very green but it doesn’t seem like it falls strictly into the spring or winter months for wear. I had it on during a warm spring day and it worked fine, without issue.

It is also definitely a unisex fragrance for most of the time, pretty much square in the middle of the spectrum, not overly manly or feminine. Then, it does dry down quite woody, and masculine. Another well blended Tom Ford scent.

Overall Impressions of Vert des Bois

Overall, do I like Vert des Bois? I do. Though, it is much more of a niche scent, than many others that I review here. It is a really unique fragrance, that captures a natural Mediterranean woods concept very well, but I’m not sure who it is for specifically.

Someone will have to be in the market specifically for what this offers, because while it does what its designed to very well, it’s not a mass appeal sort of scent. If you like green, woody, with notes you’d associate with Greece, Vert des Bois is a great choice.

The performance is great. I enjoy the mix of unique notes, which often don’t get used or at least not paired together. It’s for sure one of the more unique mainstream designer offerings.

The olive tree wood, the great anise, mastic, and even a little plum. It does become more of a traditional jasmine and woods aroma, as it dries down. But, it’s still uniquely attractive, fresh, and with a smoky background.

Not one for the masses, but a cool option to wear from Tom Ford.