10 Best Smelling Versace Colognes for Men

Versace fragrances are known for being stylish, masculine, and unique. Not too many design houses have a roster of fragrances that are this deep and deliver the goods each time. Versace has plenty to offer men of different tastes and while it isn’t an inexpensive brand, it isn’t obscenely expensive for most people.

For this list, I have selected7 fragrances from Versace which I feel are the best. I have also added a few honorable mentions. Check out: Best Smelling Versace Perfumes for Women


What Are the Best Versace Perfumes for Him?

Tobacco Floral 90s Classic

DREAMER by Versace Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 ozNot an overpowering fragrance but one that is highly memorable and sexy. It is sweet with enough spice to reel in the ladies and having them ask what it is you are wearing? Notes include: wild flowers, linen, amber and tobacco.

Update: They’ve reformulated and re-released this one. So, the notes and aroma are fairly different from this older version now.

Dreamer dates back to the mid-1990s and as such is now available at a great price. It opens up with a very fresh and smooth green tobacco note.

It’s uncured and more floral than the heavier pipe tobacco found in many other fragrances. This is paired with lavender to give it a floral and powdery heart.

However, its base is woody, herbal, and masculine. It’s dry with notes of fir and cedar. Then, an herbal spice of sage. Dreamer is a low key fragrance that is good for daily wear and is safe for the office. Dreamer Full Review

Pros

  • Clean and versatile fragrance
  • Inexpensive
  • Not overly powerful

Cons

  •  May be to green/floral for some men’s tastes.


Best Selling Versace

Versace Eros Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Fluid OunceA deep and energetic cologne that projects an air of confidence and sensuality. Eros is the God of Love and this one is great for romantic wear. Notes include: mint, green apple, tonka bean, madagascar vanilla, vetiver.

This is now probably the most popular Versace cologne, since its release in 2012. It has now spawned a flanker called Eros Flame, which has now been released. Anyway, the original Versace Eros is bold and striking.

It opens with mint, apple, citrus, and vanilla. It’s got gourmand qualities, slight spice, and a cedar/woodsy base.

Eros is my favorite from the Versace lineup, I’d have to say. despite its extreme popularity, I still enjoy wearing this fragrance on a regular basis. Read my full review of Eros

Note: The EDP version and the current version of the EDT rank about the same to me. The EDP has a better opening act, in my mind, however. 

Pros

  • Sweet and bold profile
  • Great option for younger men
  • Performance

Cons

  •  Not great in warmer weather
  •  Can be too strong for office wear or school


The Other Eros

Versace Eros Parfum– Eros Parfum is the latest edition in the series, but is better than both the EDP and Flame, to my mind.

Eros Parfum obviously has plenty of overlap with the EDT and EDP. But, it does stand alone in how it presents itself.

Noticeably, the lemon note is toned down versus the original. Initially, the citrus is quite present, but it will fade.

You still get the lemon, apple, and mint notes but the weighting is different. Mint probably takes the biggest hit in the Parfum version. It does have a slight fresh spiciness early on from black pepper and sage, not too much.

The dry down goes vanilla, woods, benzoin and amber with the remaining fruity notes hanging around. Resinous and creamy to some extent. Nice strong sillage and will last a long while.


Dry, Rich, and Spicy

Versace Man by Versace 3.4oz 100ml EDT SprayVersace Man is all about masculinity. It is rich and complex with spicy notes that deliver a beautiful aroma. The tobacco note leads the way and is a cured sort of tobacco aroma as opposed to the aforementioned Dreamer.

There is also pepper and cardamom giving Man a spice. Then, things shift a bit more towards a warmer floral blend of amber and saffron.

The end result is a refined, dry, and richly appointed fragrance which has good sillage and will last on one’s skin for quite a while. Update: This has been discontinued as of 2018, but you can still grab bottles online. 

Pros

  • Masculine and refined
  • Appropriate for in their late 20s and up

Cons

  • Getting harder to find bottles

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Best Summertime Versace

Versace Man Eau Fraiche By Gianni Versace For Men Edt Spray 3.4 OzEau Fraiche is a cleaner citrus take on the original Versace Man. This one is more of a springtime or summer scent for gentleman.

Eau Fraiche opens up with a crisp, cold, and refreshing lemon note and starfruit. It’s got an icy quality to it at first, which is really interesting, and great to spray on during the summer heat.

Then, Versace Man Eau Fraiche, warms up a bit. It becomes much woodier than just a straight citrus bomb and I think that’s when the fragrance really comes into its own. It’s all very light, clean, and super attractive.

The longevity is pretty good, I’ve gotten a little bit more than 6 hours of wear out of it, but this is a fantastic option for warmer climates or just as a strictly summertime wear.

Notes include: Lemon, Rosewood, Carambola, Cedar leaves, Tarragon, Sage, Musk, Amber, Sycamore wood.  Versace Man Eau Fraiche Full Review

Pros

  • Clean and bright aroma
  • Great for summer
  • Nice use of citrus and woods

Cons

  • Some may find the lemon too sharp
  • More of a casual fragrance


Good Daily Wear Cologne

Versace Signature By Gianni Versace Eau-de-toilette Spray for Men, 6.70-Fluid OunceA nice day to day fragrance from Versace with gentle spice notes. Versace opens up with bergamot and bitter orange notes, which creates a bright citrus aroma at the top.

It’s actually quite an intense fragrance, to my nose, for the first 30 minutes or so of wear. It mellows out a great deal afterwards, but that citrus opening is a bomb.

As it dries down, I get a lot more of the tonka bean and floral notes poking through, to give Versace Pour Homme much more depth of character. It is still a pretty straightforward cologne, which also provides some sage and cedar at the base.

I like Versace Signature but it was never my favorite from the line. It’s another one that is a great daily wear option for men who live in those warm climates, as it performs amazingly well in the heat. Notes include: Jasmine, Moroccan cedar wood, musk, kashmir wood, azalea.  My review of Versace

Pros

  • Nice smelling option for guys who want a daily wear
  • Fresh and can hold up in the hotter climates

Cons

  • The opening act, can be overwhelming, at times
  • Solid, but not amazing performance

versace pour homme


The Original

Versace L’Homme by Versace for Men – 3.4 Ounce EDT SprayAdmittedly, I overlooked this 1980s classic, the first go round with this list of top Versace colognes. L’Homme really is a fantastic scent and is now available at a great price.

Beyond that, it has so much depth, and a varied character. It opens up with a bold blend of citrus notes, headlined by lemon, and supported by bergamot.

Then, it dries down with leather, a cinnamon spice, and a mix of floral/woodsy notes. It’s got a clean aroma, with the citrus and leather. But then, the patchouli and other dry earthy elements come in, and dirty things up a tad.

It ends, as a smooth and dry citrus, with an air of absolute fresh spiciness. The longevity is good and the sillage can be pretty powerful, especially in the opening half hour or so. Very masculine and not really a teenager type of fragrance, at all.

Pros

  • Attractive price point
  • It’s classic style, stands out versus most modern scents
  • Wonderfully rich and masculine smell

Cons

  • Not for most younger guys


Honorable Mentions

The main seven listed here, are the best of the lot, and should be enough for anyone looking to get into Versace fragrances. However, there are other really nice options, that some would argue deserve a spot. To me, though, they are the best of the rest.

Versace Pour Homme Dylan Blue FOR MEN by Versace – 3.4 oz EDT Spray Dylan Blue is a citrus aquatic, with strong ambroxan notes. As such, it is in the same fragrance family as, Dior Sauvage and Acqua di Gio Profumo. It opens with a grapefruit and bergamot mix, sitting on top of a watery base.

Then, there is the addition of a lovely fig. The dry down is more about the ambroxan and light spiciness. This one has lots to like, but overall, it just never stays at those heights in my opinion.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very nice cologne and a best seller, but doesn’t make the cut among the Versace elite. Dylan Blue Review


Blue Jeans By Gianni Versace For Men, Eau De Toilette Spray 2.5-Ounces Blue Jeans is a wonderful fragrance by Versace, which dates back to the 1990s. The great news is, you can pick up full bottles of this for around $20 currently.

That’s a heck of a deal, even when compared to the better smelling fragrances from this list.

Blue Jeans, nonetheless, smells great. It’s simple and fresh, one that would be a great option, for younger man. You get some sweetness, with fresh notes such as lavender, and some underlying woods.

There is also some citrus in the opening. Very pleasant and a cologne, which is good for daily wear.


Versace Eros Flame for men eau de parfum spray, 3.4 Ounce, Red Eros Flame is the flanker fragrance to the best-selling Eros. While it shares plenty of the same DNA, as the original, it is a notch below its predecessor.

I do however, especially enjoy the tangerine and lemon top notes, the are juicy and beautiful.

The performance on this one, is also fantastic. I have a full bottle, and Eros Flame, will hit double digit hours on my skin without a problem. This one is warmer, spicier, and drier than the original.

The differences really show in the latter stages. Nonetheless, Eros Flame is a likeable fragrance, and I still wear it from time to time. Eros Flame Review

17 Best Smelling Colognes for Teenage Guys

When looking for the right cologne for either yourself or as a gift for another person, it is important to consider not only their own fashion sense but also their lifestyle needs. For teenage guys, most of their time will probably be spent in class or other low key functions.

Their fragrances choices should reflect their youth and shouldn’t be too bold, since they spend so much of their time in the close quarters of a classroom. So, something like Versace Eros, just won’t do.

But, we can still have some style and fun with our picks, beyond just smelling like body spray or baby powder. This page serves to present an ongoing updated list of cologne options for younger guys. Holiday shopping? Also check out: The Best Perfumes for Teenage Girls


What are the Best Colognes for Teenage Guys in 2023?


Inexpensive but Versatile

Club de Nuit EDP– This Armaf fragrance has gained a ton of notoriety as being a cheaper dupe of the classic, Aventus by Creed. That is pretty much accurate, but they are slightly different.

However, for around $40 Club de Nuit gives you a great blend of fruity opening notes, a dry leather-like smokiness from birch wood, and some softer touches of vanilla. It’s a clean and fresh masculine cologne, that can be worn by younger guys as well.

The performance is good and it isn’t super heavy, but does have some nice power to it in that first hour or so. The EDP and EDT versions are basically the same, but I do prefer slightly the smoother opening of the eau de parfum.


An AdG Pick

GIORGIO ARMANI Acqua Di Gio Profondo for Men Eau De Parfum Spray 4.2 Ounces, blue  Profondo is a blue-ish type of cologne (more blue-green to my nose). This is less floral than the original and less smoky than Profumo, making it a great option for young men.

Profondo has a deep woody character, with a smooth somewhat resinous finish. The newer AdG EDP, is also a fine choice, that’s sort of an amalgam of different colognes from the line.

To me, the aquatic elements here aren’t salt water. More like the impression of fresh water. I like this the best on the hottest days of the year. Great release. AdG Profondo Review


Best New Release

Le Male Le Parfum– Le Parfum is the latest from JPG and I’m replacing the classic Le Male on this list in favor of it (though, that’s still great and doesn’t cost as much). This features a warm, spicy cardamom note and soft powder from the iris.

It pays homage to the original Le Male, with its use of lavender. Also, it has periods of mimicking Ultra Male, just without the extreme sillage of that nightlife fragrance. Very warm with spicy punches throughout and wrapped up in that familiar JPG vanilla note.

It’s a more mature fragrance than either of the others. Not super high-end and formal, but it does give a nice update to the classic formula. Still, suitable and useable for high school aged boys.


Azzaro’s Most Wanted

Azzaro The Most Wanted Eau de Parfum Intense | Cologne for Men 1.7 fl oz– The Wanted series is one which had been getting better and better with each release. The Most Wanted is the best, in my opinion (the Parfum version is also very good).

It opens up with a cardamom note, which lends to it a nice level of spiciness. However, this particular cardamom that they used, has a lemony essence. So, you get a fruitiness with the spice.

The sweetness continues with the caramel note, with added touches of Bourbon vanilla and fresh vetiver. It is a caramel based scent with a masculine edge and balsamic additions to round things out. The Most Wanted Review


Chilly Aquatic

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Intense Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 1.6 Ounce– I enjoy Light Blue Eau Intense over the original Light Blue. You start off with a frozen grapefruit and mandarin orange, which gives it a chilled freshness from the jump.

Also, this one doesn’t have the same spice or aquatic note. The pepper is replaced with a great juniper and the aquatic aroma, is much closer to fresh water, than a sea note.

It’s clean with more of a unique take on the aquatic genre, than many others which give you too much of an oceanic scent.

I think that this one is much more refreshing and fun to wear, with that cold citrus really shining on a cold day. The sillage is strong and I get around 9 hours of use, on my skin, so lighter sprays may be warranted at school. Light Blue Eau Intense Review


Most Popular Inexpensive Scent for Boys

Nautica Voyage By Nautica For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 oz 
A sneaky great cologne from Nautica. Voyage is a very clean and fresh scent that is perfect for daytime and the warmer months.

It opens with a crisp apple and aquatic undertones that is joined by a familiar musk note. There is also a sort of melon vibe going on in the background at times.

Voyage is always a top seller, both for its refreshing aroma, and the fact that is very inexpensive. Easily one of the best ‘cheap’ fragrances on the market.

Notes include: Amber, Apple, Drenched Mimosa, Green Leaf, Cedar Wood, Water Lotus, Moss, Musk, Sailcloth Accord. Review of Nautica Voyage


Sweet and Spicy

Spicebomb Infrared at Macy’s– This is one of the better newer releases of 2021 and one of the better Spicebomb fragrances for younger men. I would also check out Spicebomb Extreme, with its awesome vanilla.

It opens with a mix of habanero, cinnamon, and red berry oils. The opening is a balancing act between the hot spices and the sweetness of the fruits.

As it moves along, the habanero will subside and be replaced by a fresh saffron.

Ultimately, you get a sweet cinnamon and tobacco blend that gives a nod to the other Spicebomb colognes, while doing its own thing. Not too heavy of a fragrance, especially when it settles down, and you get into its freshie phase. Spicebomb Infrared Review


Great Designer Cologne for Younger Men

VERSACE Pour Homme Sealed Dylan Blue Eau de Toilette, 3.4 Ounce It’s not my favorite offering from the Versace lineup, but it is a very good and youthful fragrance. It’s best worn by guys in high school through their early 20s. 

Dylan Blue kicks off with an aquatic/fruity mix of marine notes, with bergamot, and grapefruit. It’s clean and warm, but my favorite aspect of the opening, comes with the fig note. You don’t find it too often in men’s fragrances, but it is done superbly here. 

Later, Dylan Blue gets it amber and peppery notes, and becomes somewhat similar to Dior’s Sauvage EDT. This one isn’t too heavy and has a fairly solid performance. Versatile for warmer weather and/or the colder months of the year. Dylan Blue Full Review


Great Low Cost Fragrance for Teens

Guess Seductive Men Edt Spray, 3.4 Ounce– A warm and smooth blend of pink pepper, amber, and orchid. It is such a unique fragrance, especially at this price point ($20-ish), and also smells great.

It is a sweet warmth with gentle hits of spice. Guess Seductive Homme is a safe bet for everyday wear and versatile enough to be worn on many occasions. Guess Seductive has a surprising amount of depth, for a scent, at this price point.

I have tried hundreds upon hundreds of fragrances over the years, and this remains, one of my favorite cheapies. Guess Seductive Homme Review


Best Sporty Masculine Fragrance

Paco Rabanne Invictus Legend for Men 3.4 oz– You could also go with the original Invictus, but this one honestly, smells better. It’s like a mid-way point between Invictus and Intense.

Invictus Legend keeps the aquatic and fruity notes, such as grapefruit, like the original but with more of the great amber note. The base notes, provide a woodsy spice, that isn’t too powerful.

Though, it provides a nice pairing with the ambery-aquatic aroma emanating from this cologne. The performance is great and can last all day. A few sprays is enough, as this can have a wide projecting sillage. Invictus Legend Review

 Daily Wear Designer Scent

Polo Black by Ralph Lauren for Men – 4.2 Ounce EDT Spray– Polo Black is definitely one of the best Ralph Lauren fragrances for guys. This and Polo Sport strike me as the top bets for teenagers from this designer.

It features a tropical array of mango, lemon, and tangerine draped over sandalwood and infused with tonka bean. Polo Black isn’t a dark smell, as the name might suggest, but it is a very nice moderate cologne for daily wear.

The mango with the two citrus notes is utterly outstanding, in contrast to the sandalwood and spice. Polo Black Full Review


Stronger Vibes

Stronger with You Intensely– Stronger with You Intensely is one of my favorites in the series. A bit more refined than the original and without the rum note of some of the others.

Here, you get a spicy opening of notes including pink pepper, cinnamon, and sage. This plays off of the sweetness of toffee scented like caramel early on.

Then, the back half gets warmer and smoother. Lavender with a light suede touch in the background. The spices begin to fade and warm amber with creamy vanilla join up with that remaining toffee note.

Great performance. Captivating aroma and a great balance between the softer and harsher notes. Intensely Review


Woodsy and Fresh

Fierce By Abercrombie & Fitch Cologne Spray 1.7 Oz For Men

Fierce is one that was super popular back in the early 2000s and still has a lot of fans, to this day.. This A&F fragrance is famous for its recognizable aroma, that has seemingly been repeated by many other colognes since then. 

This one opens with a fresh spice, a bit of citrus, and woody notes that grow in strength during the wear. It’s clean and dry with a warm masculine air to it. Fierce is a great all around scent for teen guys. Notes include: petit grain, cardamom, lemon, orange and fir. Read my review here.

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Versatile Designer Scent 

Gucci Guilty Black Pour Homme Fragrance Collection 3.0-oz. Eau de Toilette– Guilty is a line of fragrances from Gucci that has a long line of flanker variants. One of the best, is Guilty Black, which also happens to be an awesome cologne for teenagers.

It is a fresh, clean, and versatile fragrance. The opening act is led by both neroli and orange flower. However, the blend is so balanced that it can actually be difficult to pick out the individual notes. But, Black is green and has a slight citrus aroma to it.

Later, lavender, coriander spice, and woodsy notes complete the scent. Guilty Black is an easy to wear crowd pleaser, that can fit in a variety of climates and situations. Guilty Black Review 


Newer Code

Code Parfum by Giorgio Armani– This is another entry from Armani and one of the better flanker updates to the classic Armani release.

Code Parfum starts with the usually bergamot note, paired with sage and iris. The bergamot is sparkling and this one has a great opening freshness to it. It’s sort of bright and aldehydic with the way the iris is worked into things.

There is some powderiness, not too much, and not as much as you’d think with both iris and tonka bean coming through. Those two notes are heavily featured in the dry down along with the remaining citrus and a crisp cedar.

It’s a clean daily wear that can fit in a wide variety of situations. Code Parfum is going to be one of those workhorse fragrances, that you can spray on pretty much whenever, but it has plenty of style. Code Parfum review


Inexpensive Daily Wear for Boys

Curve by Liz Claiborne for Men – 4.2 Ounce Cologne Spray
Curve is a wildly popular fragrance for men because it smells so great, even after a few decades of being for sale. It’s not a heavy or any overpowering scent but one that is fresh and memorable.

People always react positively to this one it seems, as Curve’s unique blend of notes, just draws people in. For an inexpensive cologne, this is a complement machine.

There are fruity elements such as pineapple, citrus, and juniper berries which play off a calm and clean lavender note. It is super fresh with a slight spice provided by pepper and ginger.

However, the outdoorsy elements really set this Liz Claiborne creation apart. It’s got a floral charm while being masculine and uses mahogany and cactus as a part of its base. An almost perfect choice for the younger guy.

curve

 

12 Best Smelling YSL Colognes for Men

Yves Saint Laurent is a French fashion company which produces among other things, fantastic scents. YSL is honestly one of my favorite fragrance designers, as I know I’ll always get both unique and masculine scents to wear.

YSL has produced fantastic colognes since the 1970s and many of them are not even included on this list as they are either no longer produced or just really hard to find (scents such as: YSL Pour Homme, Live Jazz, M7, and Kouros Tattoo). All worthy of a spot, just too far in the past.

For this list, I have chosen what I consider to be the twelve best smelling Yves Saint Laurent colognes for men currently available (at least online). Each of them represents a different style and situation to which to wear them in.

Note: I have updated this page from the original, to expand further, and make necessary edits. Mainly, add new one’s to the list and move discontinued fragrances towards the bottom.  Also See: Best YSL Perfumes for Ladies


What Are the Top Smelling Men’s Fragrances from Saint Laurent?

Classy Event

Tuxedo by YSL– I was late to the party with this one, but man, is this a great juice. Tuxedo is one of their more expensive offerings, but is an absolute gem.

It opens up with its spicy kick of cardamom and black pepper. It’s not super massive with that spice, as it is subdued by the sweeter notes and the fact that they are swimming in a sea of warm amber.

The other layer up top is greenish, a little earthy, watery, and smoky. Mostly, patchouli and violet leaf. After that, we will transition away from the spice to a sweeter floral with notes of vanilla and rose.

It all comes together with a great balance and stylish feeling that begs to be worn while dressed up. It may not be for everyone or one specifically for daily wear, but Tuxedo is one to try and one of YSL’s best. Tuxedo Review


Vestiaire Des Parfums Pick

6 Place Saint Sulpice by YSL– So, like the other major designers, YSL has its own higher end unisex blends available under the Vestiaire des Parfums banner. 6 Place Saint Sulpice is one such offering and it is really darn good.

This one is deep and rich, more niche than the best sellers on this list. Leather, saffron, lavender, labdanum, and tonka bean.

At times it’s creamy. Then, it’ll be smoky and very woody while sitting on top of the ever-present leather note. I’ve only come across this scent once, the leather almost felt more of a suede to me. But, I’d need to spend more time with Sulpice.

This isn’t going to one for most folks. It’s warm, spice, nutty, woody, smoky. and has a lot of depth. But, for the right person, this is gold.

Now, this is going to run you in the $250 per bottle range. Also, while there are still bottles available as of posting, I’m not sure how long that is going to be the case. I believe it is now discontinued.


Best New Cologne Release and Daily Wear Pick

Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 3.3 Ounce– The newest release from YSL, that makes the list of its best. Y EDP, was released after the very nice Y EDT, but surpassed it in every way. Not only that, it was one of the best releases of 2018, and a top offering from Yves Saint Laurent.

Y EDP opens up with a crisp freshness provided by a blend of: bergamot, apple, and ginger. It is blended perfectly and grabs one’s attention, from the start. After that, comes the warmth and creaminess of tonka bean and amberwood, which is further freshened by juniper.

This one has outstanding longevity of over 10 hours, on my skin, and a solid but not overly loud sillage. It is clean, with moments of sweetness, herbal aromas, and underlying woodiness. I had to update this list, to include Y EDP. It seems like it’s catching on now and getting its just due.

Y EDP is their best current release, in my opinion (vintage bottles of other entries notwithstanding). Y EDP Review


Flanker L’Homme

L’Homme EDP– There’s been a long list of flankers stemming from the original L’homme release by YSL. Some, were really good and sadly long gone. Others, not so much.

Eau de Parfum was released from the brand in 2022 and is one of the better colognes to be under the L’Homme banner.

Bergamot and bitter orange open things up. It’s sweet, juicy, feels ambery, and you get the oak and cognac combination also coming through. It’ll dry down into something that is more woody, earthy, with notes of geranium and lavender also making an appearance.

The performance is just okay. I wish it was beefed up more and I got more time with the opening act. Still, this is a release from the line worth trying. L’Homme EDP Review


Most Popular Cologne

Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit De L’homme Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.3-Ounce
A soft, casual, long-lasting, and fantastic smelling cologne from Yves Saint Laurent. This is another one that turns the heads of the ladies and it is masculine without being in your face about it. Cardamom provides a warm spice, which is then met with a calming lavender note.

The composition is also quite woody with a dry freshness from the combo of cedar and vetiver. This has been a best seller for a decade, at this point.

Simple, straight to the point. I will say, that recent bottles, have seemed weaker than in the past. Yet, La Nuit is still among YSL’s best men’s perfumes.

Update: I’ve got a full bottle of this and L’Homme from 2021 and the longevity has gotten really bad for both. Like, 2-3 hours. They can be had for a lower price usually, but just be prepared to reapply, if you decide to go this route. Still smells great, just weak.

Notes include: Vetiver, Cedar, Coumarin, Floral notes, Bergamot, Lavender, Cardamom. Review

la nuit de l'homme


Best La Nuit Flanker

La Nuit de L’Homme Bleu Électrique– This is a newer release for 2021, that I only tried once, but it’s a worthwhile addition to the list. I still do need to spend more time with Bleu and give it a full and proper review.

It is pretty close to the one above, but with a noticeably fresher opening act with the ginger note and a greater use of the lavender note versus the very cardamom focused original La Nuit. The citrus up top also seemed stronger to me, but it’s been a while since I’ve had a bottle of the old stuff.

Performance was much better, but again I need to test it out more. One noticeable difference is the tonka bean in the base, similar to that found in Eau Electrique (listed below).


Top Herbal/Woods Fragrance Pick

Jazz By Yves Saint Laurent For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Ounces
A harder to find classic from the late 1980s. Jazz is a spicy floral based cologne that has a knack for attracting women. Jazz is a throwback fragrance, to a time before you had a bunch of aquatics, and the same ambroxan-laden colognes that you have today.

It is green, herbal, spicy, fresh, and captivating. Masculine and mature, not overpowering, but subtle in its confidence. Jazz has a slightly soapy aroma, but with more woods and spice. There are still bottles floating around of Jazz.

Live Jazz was also another awesome scent, but I haven’t seen that one in quite a while, and they never re-released it. Notes include: sandalwood, rose, spices, and amber. Jazz EDT Full Review

jazz


Top Classic Masculine Laurent Scent

Kouros by Yves Saint Laurent for Men – 3.3 Ounce EDT Spray
Another very attractive scent from YSL. Like Jazz, it has a blend of floral notes and spicy one too but Kouros adds undertones of woods to give it that extra depth. This one is intense. This dates back to the early 1980s, and as such, has been reformulated and changed with time.

I can’t say what it originally was like, but from all accounts, it was an absolute bomb. I know it from mid-2000s onward. Kouros is not one for everybody, some will love it, while others will detest it. At times it is clean and bright, at others, dirty and rough.

Today, it really doesn’t strike me as being all that dirty. Early stages of spice, aldehydes giving it a fresh brightness, and an ever-present musk. Later, it’s sweeter, has leather, and a classic floral finish.

This is going to come across as completely different from other parfums pour homme, that are usually released nowadays. The 80s, was a time of lots of super bold and masculine scents. and Kouros was absolutely one of them. Kouros Full Review

kouros


Honorable Mentions

Best YSL Winter Perfume Pour Homme

Yves Saint Laurent Body Kouros for Men, Eau De Toilette, 3.3 Fluid Ounce
Great casual cologne which is a favorite of mine in the winter months. It blends eucalyptus, incense, and woods for a candy sweet fragrance with a bit of spice. Kouros Body, is a very unique fragrance, that was released by YSL back in 2000.

Really, there’s nothing else that smells quite like it, due to the ingredients it used. It’s actually one of my favorites from YSL, but it’s not really produced anymore, so it’ll go in this section.

The main note is bezoin that is paired with a smokey incense note and a somewhat medicinal eucalyptus. It is very smooth, with an enveloping warmth, and a light spice within the sweetness powered by sage. It is very simple and super fresh.

The sillage was always pretty moderate, but it has a solid wear time. However, when women got close to me while I was wearing this, it usually got me complements. Not too many guys wear this and I was glad to stand out. I reviewed Kouros Body here

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Most Unique YSL

Opium By Yves Saint Laurent For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Ounces

This gets moved to the honorable mentions now, since it’s been discontinued for a long time and those last bottles that YSL did produce, kind of lost a step with the quality/performance.

A rather warm and soft cologne that is great for fall and winter. Opium is an exotic and spicy scent with notes of vanilla which help to mellow it out. It opens up with that warm spice and a black currant note, that can be quite tart/sharp, however it is subdued in this one.

Balsam is highly present within the composition and creates a warm cloud, and to me, gives Opium its exotic and dream-like quality.

As the black currant settles, the spice from the anise and pepper take center stage, and boost the freshness of this cologne. Next, it turns sweeter, due to the familiar scent of vanilla which is sitting on top of a cedar base.

My bottle of Opium EDT, always gave me awesome performance, with a bold sillage and over 10 hours of wear. It is another cold weather fragrance and one that has always gone underappreciated. Notes include: vanilla, ginger, pepper,  cedar,  balsam. I reviewed Opium here

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Most Underrated YSL Fragrance for Men

Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit De L’Homme Eau Electrique Eau De Toilette Spray 100ml/3.3 Fl Oz– Eau Electrique was released a few years ago, to little fanfare, and is still quite underrated. I think that it is completely unfair, because this fragrance, is sneaky good. It is a flanker of La Nuit, but doesn’t really resemble its predecessor.

Electrique is creamy and smooth, with a powdery finish. Lots of tonka bean, geranium, crisp apple, vanilla and a fresh woody base featuring cedar. The performance is good, not overpowering, but quite a great wear in the autumn and winter months.

Not a ground breaking cologne, but this is really a pleasant fragrance to wear, and one which gets noticed. I’ve been hoping that this one would get cheap, so I could scoop up a really inexpensive bottle, but that hasn’t come to pass as of yet. Nevertheless, I think it’s a very worth perfume for men. Eau Electrique Review.


Fresh, Crisp, and Cold

Yves Saint Laurent L’homme Ultime Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 3.3 OunceL’Homme Ultime is one that didn’t get the recognition that it deserved when released, much like L’Homme Libre. I’m pretty sure this is discontinued, so, you’ll have to find it on the secondary market.

Ultime is super fresh and has a cold feeling aroma. It kicks off with a bright grapefruit, ginger, and Damascus rose. As it moves forward, it becomes drier, spicier, and woodier with notes such as cedar and sage.

I actually really enjoy the rose in here, it only really sticks around for the start, but it fits perfectly with the rest of the composition. The performance is good, but not elite, with 6-7 hours of wear coming from Ultime. Plus, you get something that stands out quite a bit from the usual popular men’s fragrances. L’Homme Ultime Review

10 Best Smelling Dolce & Gabbana Colognes

Dolce & Gabbana is an Italian luxury house that doesn’t have a whole lot of options in terms of men’s colognes but there sure do have some really good ones available. Their top perfumes are generally fresh and masculine without ever being overbearing.

I have chosen what in my opinion are the ten best options for men, looking for a D&G fragrance to start wearing. On this list, there should be something for everybody to check out, from the more popular fragrances for him to the lesser known.


What are the Best Dolce & Gabbana Fragrances for Him?

The Classic D&G Scent

Dolce & Gabbana Dolce & Gabbana By Dolce & Gabbana for Men 6.7 Oz Eau De Toilette Spray, 6.7 Oz– The company’s namesake fragrance. For a man who knows what he wants and carries himself with a calm confidence. It contains citrus notes of lemon and orange that blends with softer notes like lavender and the more heavy tobacco notes.

Brilliant fragrance for the right guy. It does have a unique profile while feeling completely familiar. I think it is the way that the lavender and tobacco fill up the heart of the fragrance.

This one is really sexy and masculine. The sillage on D&G Pour Homme was great, as well as the longevity. Lavender and lemon, with clean sandalwood, and a lovely tobacco heart. Find an older bottle if possible, as that was when it was at its absolute best. D&G Pour Homme Review

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Best The One Fragrance

The One Luminous Night– So, Dolce has developed a ton of these The One fragrance flankers. Luminous Night was one for 2021 and seems kind of limited in its production run. Though, it might very well be the best of the bunch (to you)…you just need to track down a bottle

Luminous Night is a sweeter fragrance, with the same amber appeal, and a smokier base than some of the others in the series. What’s great here is the addition of dates, as the fruity sweet note, sitting within that sea of amber.

Some basil and black pepper spices up top, but it isn’t too intense with it.

Also, has a woody base to go with that thicker sweet fruity top. It’s actually not super heavy, but still reserve it for cooler to moderate temperatures. Luminous Night Review


One Winter Cologne

The One EDP– I loved the original The One EDT, and it’s listed below. The problem with it was the longevity. It would fade quickly on my skin. However, The One EDP, not only boosted the performance; but also delivers a great smell…without changing too much.

Still. though, it isn’t a powerhouse. The One eau de parfum, is still however, a great warm fragrance featuring cardamom, amber, and tobacco.

It’s also become one of the best selling D&G fragrances for him. A fantastic wear in the colder months. The amber really leads the way and you give bits of spice throughout from basil, coriander, and fresh ginger.


My Other Light Blue Favorite

Light Blue Sun Pour Homme– I’m replacing the original Light Blue on this list, with this flanker. Light Blue Sun has been one that I’ve been wearing here in the late spring and early summer months and I really quite enjoy it.

To me, it sort of splits the difference between the original EDT and Intense, while having a few unique touches of its own. Light Blue Sun kicks off with an ozonic sea breeze, frozen grapefruit, and a fresh ginger note.

There is a lighter rosemary and the spice isn’t as intense as the original. Citrus and a cooling sensation, that is later joined by the hint of a creamy coconut. Very smooth and slightly sweet, but an awesome choice for when it gets hot outside.

I do go back and forth between Light Blue Sun and Eau Intense, there is overlap, and each has its merits. I do like wearing this one around when I’m out and about, during the daytime. Light Blue Sun Review


Best Summer Fragrance

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue Intense Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 1.6 Ounce I actually prefer the Intense version of Light Blue over the original. Like Light Blue, Eau Intense, starts out with a citrus opening; this time minus the bergamot note that is so prevalent in the original.

Grapefruit and mandarin this time around, but the grapefruit is ‘frozen’ and produces a wonderful chilled feeling. In that regard, it is sort of like Versace Man Eau Fraiche, but with a different structure.

Also, this one doesn’t have the same spice or aquatic note. The pepper is replaced with a great juniper and the aquatic aroma, is much closer to fresh water, than a sea note. I think that this one is much more refreshing and fun to wear, the whole chilled vibe is great on a warm day. The sillage is strong and I get around 9 hours of use, on my skin. Light Blue Eau Intense Review


Most Popular D&G Cologne

The One By Dolce and Gabbana for Men, 3.3 Ounce
One of my personal favorite smelling fragrances ever, but it doesn’t last as long as I would hope. Maybe, it’s just me because, other reviews claim it lasts all day. However, there are other folks with the same longevity issue, that I have with The One.

It still makes the list, because it is so darn attractive. The One is super warm with an enveloping amber note, spicy cardamom and fresh ginger. Near total overlap with the EDP, just with less performance. So, just get the Eau de parfum version.

Like D&G Pour Homme, it features a smooth tobacco that gets paired with a citrus grapefruit and floral orange blossom. Fresh, spicy, warm, and then smooth…then disappears for me. The One EDT Review

the one for men review


Under the Radar Scent

D & G 21 LE FOU by Dolce & Gabbana EDT SPRAY 3.4 OZ (UNBOXED)– Not a well known fragrance from D&G, but it is a really good one. I got this as a sample on a whim and have worn it around at time during the past month or so. It is a masculine fragrance that is warm and spicy.

Update: I don’t believe that they make this one any longer, so, you’ll have to get a bottle online. I wouldn’t pay too high of a price for it. However, if it is pretty cheap, it can be worthwhile.

Starts off with warm boozy cognac, coriander, juniper, and some underlying floral notes. Not too heavy of a fragrance, but one the more interesting scents, that I tried from their Anthology Collection. I reviewed here.

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Best K Release

Dolce & Gabbana K for Men Eau de Parfum Spray, 5 Ounce/150ml– K EDP is a very unique and interesting scent, that followed on the heels of the EDT version. I could’ve gone with Light Blue Forever, as another new release, but how many Light Blue’s do you actually need? K gives you a new direction.

Pimento, fig, and cardamom really kick things off from the start of this scent. Really, how many other scents have anything like that trio? It’s spicy and earthy with a light and juicy citrus sitting just underneath the surface, in the very beginning.

Finally, you get the woody and somewhat bitter drydown. Fig, cedar, and vetiver are the last of the notes that still hang around. It’s quite a journey.

Now, I wasn’t totally blown away by K eau de parfum, but I appreciate D&G taking some risks and not just doing another flanker of a flanker. And…it’s a good scent, going to have a more niche fanbase, but K will still have its core group of folks who will love it. K EDP Review


Top New Dolce Release

Light Blue Pour Homme Italian Love– I wasn’t that much of a fan of Light Blue Forever, which preceded and shares a lot of overlap with Italian Love.

However, I do like this 2022 release more. Personally, I’d still pick Eau Intense over this, but I enjoy the realistic grapefruit (toned down from Forever) and the bergamot citrus adding a more rounded opening.

I need to spend some time with it, since I’ve only smelled it once, at this point. But, it’s a very nice summertime cologne. Less of the grapefruit intensity and violet leaf. Which is a big plus for me.

Update: Coming back to this one, it’s for sure better to me than Forever, even with all of the similarities. Italian Love’s bergamot note and the ozonic aspects are great. The bergamot combo with the grapefruit makes this one. Italian Love Review


Incenso

Velvet Incenso– Incenso is a unisex release from D&G’s Velvet fragrance lineup and more of a niche scent than something for everyone. Nevertheless, Velvet Incenso is a great perfume.

It’s a blend of resinous notes: amber, labdanum, elemi, benzoin with smoky incense, vanilla, and some cashmere wood. It’s not overly smoky, but has a great sweetness and balsamic embrace that makes Incenso a cozy wear during autumn and winter.

It’s also not completely flat, as it has a slight peppery kick up top and some further spice from a few other notes. Yet, it’s tame and utterly wearable. The incense note is the star, but the balance here is too good, for it to be solely about that.

This is going to be more expensive than the usual mainstream releases from the brand. Velvet Incenso, in particular, is becoming more difficult to find as well. Incenso Review

10 Best Giorgio Armani Colognes for Men

Armani has a fantastic line of fragrances for both men and women, that have their own unique style and impression. Two of the colognes for men, Armani Code and Acqua Di Gio, have been best-sellers and very popular with both men and their women for years now.

However, there are other Armani colognes that are really great that don’t get the same amount of attention as those two. For this list, I wanted to explore ten of the best Armani scents, of both new and old. Also see: The Top Armani Perfumes for Women


What are the Best Smelling Armani Fragrances for Him?

Enveloping Winter Warmth

Giorgio Armani Code Profumo EDP Spray for Men, 3.7 Ounce– Code Profumo was the best flanker fragrance, that has stemmed from the original Code moniker.  That’s changed, in my opinion, but I do still love this one. It is sweet, warm, and a magnificent wear for the colder months of the year.

Profumo opens up with tonka bean and amber. Then is quickly followed up by the inclusion of mandarin orange, herbal notes, and rich leather. Smooth and creamy on the dry down. If you want a spicier and boozier version, go with Absolu.

Code Profumo has a strong sillage and lasts on my skin for over 10 hours, most of the time. A very good and highly intriguing winter wear for guys. Code Profumo Review


Deeper, Darker Aquatic

Giorgio Armani Aqua di Gio Profumo, 4.2 Fluid Ounce– A flanker from the original and best-selling Acqua di Gio, AdG Profumo, exceeds the original in my opinion. It is a dark aquatic fragrance with an attractive spice and smoky undertones provided by the incense note.

Update: They’ve basically discontinued Profumo under this name. Now, Acqua di Gio Parfum is essentially just this rebranded.

To me, it can be a toss up between this and Profondo. Profumo is a darker scent, while Profondo is a lighter and has a zesty sort of personality.

Profumo starts out with bergamot and deep sea aquatic notes. The composition screams out summertime spent on the coast and is more refined and masculine than its predecessor. Great salty marine elements with sage and rosemary, giving it all extra heft. Awesome. Acqua di Gio Profumo Review


Unisex Floral Leather

Cuir Zerzura– Zerzura is a part of the expensive Privee line from Armani. This one is great, as it leans masculine and delivers a great and deep floral scent.

Iris is the main floral note, with some rose and light violet leaf early on. The main attractions though are the iris, leather, and vanilla notes.

Early on, you will get a brightness of mandarin and elemi. Though, that is short-lived and this becomes rich and has an enveloping smoothness and warmth. The contrast between the leather, the creaminess, and the powdery aroma of the iris note.

Not too sweet or overpowering. I think that Armani struck a very good balance between that iris and the leather without falling too much into make-up bag territory. Lovely stuff.


Newer Code

Code Parfum by Giorgio Armani– This will be one of three Code entries onto the list. It was released in 2022 and I was surprised at how good it was.

Code Parfum kicks off with the usually bergamot note, paired with sage and iris. The bergamot is sparkling and this one has a great opening freshness to it. It’s sort of bright and aldehydic with the way the iris is worked into things.

There is some powderiness, not too much, and not as much as you’d think with both iris and tonka bean coming through. Those two notes are heavily featured in the dry down along with the remaining citrus and a crisp cedar.

It’s a clean daily wear that can fit in a wide variety of situations. Code Parfum is going to be one of those workhorse fragrances, that you can spray on pretty much whenever, but it has plenty of style. Code Parfum review


Sweet, Woody, Unique

Giorgio Armani Cologne for Men, Armani Diamonds, 2.5 Fluid Ounce
At its base, Emporio Armani Diamonds is woody and spicy. At the top, you have cocoa bean and bergamot leading the way, with a heart of amber.

The citrus and cacao combination is beautifully done and feels wrapped up in that warm and familiar amber note. I really like the bergamot that comes out of the early stages, along with the initial spiciness that will be such a factor in the middle.

The bergamot is most noticeable at the start and gradually it all dries down into a woody cologne with sweet cocoa and hints of sichuan pepper (just not much). Coming back to this one recently, the amber note really developed well, in a way I hadn’t remembered.

At that point, the aroma is quite dry, but overall it remains light and none too heavy. Fresh, sweet, with good longevity.  Notes include: Citrus, Bergamot, Cedar, Szechwan Pepper, Gaiac Wood, Ambroxan, Vetiver, Cocoa Bean. Diamonds Review

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Bluer Citrus Aquatic

Acqua di Gio Profondo– This newer release is replacing the original AdG, which really feels unnecessary to have at this time. It has been surpassed by flankers like this and there are cheaper options, that smell pretty much the same.

Profondo has plenty of overlap with Profumo, but as I said, there are slight differences. This is the lighter and has a zestier/blue vibe, versus the deep water aroma of Profumo.

Anyway, Profondo kicks off with a blend of citrus notes, with a solid freshness and spice provided by the rosemary. This doesn’t smell as smoky to me, either. Much more of a fruity and blue aquatic, on the lines of maybe a Polo Blue, versus the other colognes in this series. Profondo Full Review


Classic Armani Release

Mania By Giorgio Armani For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces
A sophisticated blend of woodsy aromatics and mandarin oranges. The opening is bright and upbeat with that mandarin note and saffron poking through. There still aren’t too many men’s fragrances utilizing saffron, but it can be utterly brilliant, as it is here.

Mania is pretty simple, with dry elements, wood, amber, and a nice citrus shining through. You have to get this one online, nowadays, as Armani no longer produces it. Highly masculine and a full bodied scent that will drive ladies wild, when close.

Update: It’s been discontinued for a long while. Probably difficult to find a cheap bottle. So, pass on it if the price is in the triple digits.

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A Stronger With You Option

Emporio Armani Stronger With You Intensely EDP For Men 3.4oz The original Stronger with You was pretty nice, but not something that I’d consider one of Armani’s best. However, I think that Intensely is a better option than that, and worthy of a spot for this update.

Stronger with You Intensely does indeed ramp up the power of the original, within a sweeter frame, and delicious gourmand aroma. Sage, cinnamon, and pink pepper add the layer of spice but it really isn’t a completely thick cloud of fragrance…but very much a colder weather wear.

I like this and as of now, it takes the spot as my favorite cologne from this line. Yes, Absolutely is up there as well. For me, this has the slight edge between them. Here’s my review of Intensely and my comparison with SWY Absolutely


Stylish Stand Out

Armani Attitude By Giorgio Armani For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 1.7 Oz– Attitude is a fitting name, because this one is bold, and can pack a punch. Not that it is overly heavy, but this was one that could grab attention (it has been discontinued, as well, still bottles available online ).

You had coffee and lemon, with notes like lavender and patchouli. All in all, it could be hard to distinguish between them, as it is so well blended. That’s perfectly fine, because the result was awesome, quite sexy, and could be a complement magnet.

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The Best Armani Code

Armani Code Absolu– I am replacing the original Code on the list, as it has been surpassed by too many other offerings. Initially, Code Profumo was my favorite of the line. However, that all changed with the release of Absolu, which is the best of the bunch.

It kicks off with rum, suede, nutmeg, and tonka bean. There are the light fruit notes of mandarin and apple, floating in the background, as they do in all of the Code scents. I really enjoy the kick and booziness provided by the nutmeg and rum, with the leather-like smoothness of suede.

It’s dark and warm, with a great sweetness during the dry down. A lighter option versus Profumo, not as cloying, but still delivers over 10 hours of wear. Code Absolu Review