Best Men's Colognes

Best Men's Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with the different fragrances that I've owned, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, that new hobby grew into a consistent passion, helping millions of readers along the way. I have personally written reviews for well over 800 perfumes and colognes for both men and women. This is along with writing hundreds of other in-depth fragrance guides. You can also follow me on: YouTube, Instagram, and Tiktok!

Polo Black by Ralph Lauren

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For my review today, I want to tackle Polo Black by Ralph Lauren. This men’s cologne was released in 2005 and has enjoyed some decent popularity ever since. It spawned one flanker, Polo Double Black, but never seemed to get the endless re-imaging of the Red or Blue scents.

As usual, I will explore what it smells like, how it performs, when it should be worn, and whether or not I think it’s worth a purchase. Note: I am updating and adding to this review,  years after the original, and spending more time with this fragrance. 

Polo Black Overview

Notes include:  mango, sandalwood, tonka bean, tangerine, sage, lemon, patchouli

Click here to try: Polo Black by Ralph Lauren for Men – 4.2 Ounce EDT Spray

My Polo Black Review

The opening of Polo Black features a striking mango note, that is accompanied by an underlying woodsy spice, provided by the patchouli and sage notes. This is a fruity type of aroma, but it isn’t overly sweet, like some other tropical noted scents out there.

It takes a different tact from Polo Double Black, which I previously reviewed, and sticks to being a much brighter fragrance than the darker coffee and spice of its flanker scent. I really find it interesting, how the sage plays off of the mango, which is itself a pretty unique choice for a fruit note in a men’s cologne.

Aside from the mango, (mostly) tangerine is present in the beginning, and gives this one a further tropical sort of appeal. The citrus is juicy and with the mango, allows Polo Black to have a watery aroma, which is energetic and refreshing.

The herbal and earthy spice give it some added depth in the beginning, but never overpower the fruit notes or even reach equality with their strength.

During the dry down period, the woodsy notes begin to take more prominence. The smooth and familiar sandalwood note comes through and I can detect the tonka bean as well, which is one of my favorite notes.

Also, the lemon and tangerine are still there somewhat, which gives the top layer an added citrusy zest to it. The citrus is nice, a welcome addition really,  but isn’t the main attraction.

To me, the opening act of Polo Black is the most dynamic aspect of this fragrance. You get an interesting development and contrast, between fruits, spices and wood. After that, the cologne becomes much more of a linear affair.

It’s mango, citrus as a background, sandalwood, and tonka bean. This Ralph Lauren fragrance, becomes less juicy, and has more of its dry woody element come through.

Sillage, Longevity, Versatility

Polo Black is a moderate type of fragrance with good projection, but it isn’t really great, in that regard. The longevity is also moderate, it is usually better than Double Black, which only lasts 4-5 hours on my skin.

However, Black isn’t a beast in terms of its use, for me at least. Six or seven hours, maybe. Don’t expect a complete monster with its sillage or staying power. Nonetheless, it is a completely serviceable cologne, and not weak at all.

The neat thing about this fragrance is that it kind of is a year round scent. It works in the summertime pretty well but can also be worn (and is better), in the fall and winter months.

I’d say this scent is like a ‘dressy’ casual, in that, it works well for work and school but it can be worn out if need be. It does have some pretty nice versatility.

Is it an attractive fragrance? Yes, women seem to really enjoy this one. It will get complements, fairly often, and can be a nice go-to for younger guys to wear on a date and the like. Polo Black is the type of scent that has pretty universal appeal and isn’t going to be polarizing to have on.

Overall Impression of Polo Black

Overall, I do think that this is a really good effort from Polo. I wish the projection and longevity were better (maybe, an intense version that Double Black should have been) but for what it is, this is a nice cologne. Again, it isn’t poor quality, just would enjoy more of a powerhouse.

It smells great, and does have a unique enough feel, for guys who want to stand out a bit from the crowd. On the flipside, this one is completely safe, and very versatile in its applications.

The mango note has the advantage of being delicious and attractive, but being underused in most men’s fragrance. Hence, it can put on the air of being unique, while the rest of the composition, is fairly commonplace.

Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate Polo Black, more and more. It’s kind of underrated, at this point. It’s a do-it-all cologne, that people enjoy, and provides a solid value. I recommend giving it a try.

I still think that it’s one of the best fragrances that the brand ever came out with, maybe the best, for all of the bases that it covers.

Royal Water by Creed

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When I was testing out Aventus Cologne, I also went back to the Creed boutique to try a  fragrance, that I hadn’t given a full look at yet. Royal Water is an older release from the brand released in 1997, but one which has definitely develop a niche fan base, in its time. What does this one smell like? How long does Royal Water last? Is it ultimately even worth a try?

What Does Creed Royal Water Smell Like?

Notes include: peppermint, juniper, basil, musk, ambergris, citrus

Click here to try: Creed Royal Water Eau De Parfum Spray for Men, 4 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

Royal Water opens up with a mix of citrus and spice. It is dominated, mostly by those citrus notes, but you do get plenty of freshness provided by juniper, basil, and mint. Royal Water is upbeat and energetic, with a refreshing coolness, beating through the heart of the scent. The citrus can be a bit sharp at first.

The main complement to the citrus notes, in the beginning, comes from the juniper. I like how the juniper sort of tempers the orange/lime/lemon aroma, and makes things much more palatable. Then, the basil provides a further light jolt to the mix, before being joined by a light peppermint note.

As it moves forward, the citrus is still the star of the show, but the basil/mint combo takes on a larger role. The juniper falls back some. This Creed sits fairly steady in this stage, for a few hours, and then goes into its final dry down.

Finally, we get to the base layer of ambergris and musk. To me, the musk is a bit stronger. This creates more of a soapy aroma. It isn’t complete soap, but it does change from the earlier scent. What I get at this stage is: citrus, musk, and then ambergris. The spice has mostly faded and the composition is much smoother overall.

Royal Water is a fairly simple fragrance, without a bunch of unnecessary complexity, but it still provides a very nice wear.

Longevity, Sillage, and Versatility

Royal Water isn’t a projection powerhouse, nor should it be. The sillage isn’t weak, but this isn’t the type of fragrance, you want to dominate a room with. It’ll project within 3-5 feet from the skin, be noticeable, and definitely not weak.

The longevity is pretty good, it stayed for around 6-7 hours, on my skin. Not amazing, but what you can expect from most citrus led scents. However, it definitely could be a better performer, considering the price that Creed scents sell for.

This one is really great in the spring through the summer months. It is a refined clean that can be worn casually or for a more dressed up daytime purpose.

Royal Water will have a pleasant mass appeal, but definitely isn’t a ‘sexy’ nighttime wear. It is more of a any other time daily wear, mostly for those warmer months. Though, I don’t think it would be too out of place during autumn.

If you like the scent, you’ll definitely get plenty of use out of Royal Water.

Overall Impressions of Royal Water

Do I like Creed Royal Water, overall? I do. I really enjoyed the interaction between the citrus and the basil, juniper, and mint. The fragrance shifted slowly into new phases, which provided a different experience wearing it.

It’s a refreshing scent, that I find to be uplifting, and quite nice to wear on a warmer day. For me, the opening act was the most appealing part. The citrus notes are really great and give off an upbeat vibe.

Is it amazing to me? Not really, but I think that it is really good. Obviously, with the Creed price tag, it isn’t one which most people will want to simply take a blind flyer on. Personally, I think the cost is a reach, especially when this brand has better fragrances available.

However, this is a fragrance that is worth trying out to see if it speaks to you, and can serve as a signature scent for some guys.

L’eau D’Issey Pour Homme by Issey Miyake

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I first wrote this review, early on in this website’s history back in 2014, and it was one of the first that I ever did. I had purchased a full bottle of L’eau d’Issey on a whim, because I had heard good things about this popular Issey Miyake fragrance. I had no clue who this Japanese designer even was.

Now, I’m coming back around in 2023 to give a more in depth review, because the first time around wasn’t sufficient. What’s funny, is that even til this day, it is a consistent;y popular for guys around the word.

What does L’Eau D’Issey Smell Like?

For a cologne which has been on the market since 1994, still being in the top sellers is quite an accomplishment. Why all the fuss? Quite simply because it smells good. L’eau D’Issey is a cologne which I have had on my night stand throughout the years and one that I like to break out in the spring and summer months especially, but it works year round.

Notes include: lemon, yuzu, tarragon, bergamot, tobacco, vetiver, lotus, nutmeg, musk, cedar, sandalwood, lily

Click here to try: L’eau d’Issey

My Full Wear Review

The first thing one notices after spraying L’eau D’Issey on your skin is the way the citrus notes blend with the spice. That is my least favorite part of this fragrance, is its initial offering. Some people really enjoy it but it’s just meh to me. When seeing the notes listed with yuzu and lemon, you would expect it to open up with a juicy citrus aroma.

That’s not really the case here, L’eau d’Issey is pretty sharp at the start, but dry as it is paired with woods, vetiver, spices, and tobacco. As such, the whole thing takes on a different aroma from many other fragrances on the market.

However, once the cologne begins to settle and fully reveal itself, that’s when the true magic of Issey Miyake starts.

Issey Miyake Pour Homme is a very bright scent. Like, it radiates a feeling of sunshine on a spring or summer day. It feels utterly familiar, yet still so unique, as I haven’t come across another men’s cologne that smells the same as this one.

It isn’t utterly complex, it is dominated by citrus, then comes the spice, and then the musky and woody base. It is in the same category of scent as something like, Light Blue.

The yuzu and lemon, get paired with nutmeg and tarragon. It’s spicy but not insanely so. As it dries down, the spice begins to fade for me, and the citrus isn’t as sharp.

When the wood notes emerge (cedar and sandalwood), so do hints of floral notes, which is mainly the lotus. Not my favorite flower, but not bad here. The musk is noticeable, though, the composition remains clean and fresh and doesn’t get bogged down into a musky mess.

The citrus and the wood notes, are my favorite ingredients here. That dry down period, is the highlight of L’eau D’Issey, while the opening act is just okay.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it would always start out really strong for me, and then move into a more moderate phase.

I always seem to keep L’eau d’Issey to 2-3 sprays max, because of the strength, and not wanting to be outlandish with it on warmer days. Unless I’m outside or it’s going to be a while before I am in close quarters with other people.

The longevity was solid and clocked in around 6-8 hours, depending on the day. It never went to extreme lengths of time, on my skin, but it never quit on me early, either. I really have no complaints about the performance of L’eau D’Issey.

Update: Coming back to this one, it doesn’t seem to have any weakened performance over the years, at least on my skin. It still sticks around for 6 hours or more. 

What I really enjoy about this cologne is its versatility. To me, it works during any season, but I’ve said that I really dig it when it gets warm. Since I live in a humid region, I need a fragrance which will hold up in the spring and summer months, and Issey Miyake has proven itself capable.

This can be great to have on hand, because I have so many colognes that only work when it’s cold out, that I need something of a go-to for the heat.

Also, this is a fragrance that can be worn at work or at school or for a night on the town. It’s designed as a more casual every day kind of fragrance, but it definitely draws women closer.

I’ve gotten too many complements on this one, to keep track of, and it’s honestly not even my favorite cologne. But since it seems to work, I can’t complain. Not what I’d call a sexy cologne, but very masculine and appealing.

You get a clean freshness, that has a fairly familiar kind of profile, but enough differences to make it stand out from the pack.

Overall Impressions of L’eau D’Issey by Issey Miyake

Overall, L’eau D’Issey is a good buy because it’s not too expensive, it’s versatile, and seems to always draw complements. There are others which I think smell better, but there are few which have as many strengths.

As a casual, everyday wear, this Issey Miyake one is a great option to have around. I haven’t been too much into the flankers of this scent (like Blue Astral), but I can keep coming back to the original, and enjoy wearing it.

I like the citrus notes here. Not as big of a fan, of their initial pairing with the tarragon and nutmeg. It can be too sharp, too potent, but this cologne settles down nicely.

Update: L’eau D’Issey is no longer one that I keep a bottle of at all times. Though, it’s still one that I have fond memories of and enjoyed wearing again. At a decent price, it’s a fragrance that is worth picking up. Sub-$50 seems like a fine price still.

Bergamotto di Calabria by Acqua di Parma

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In this review, I’m going to be taking a look at the unisex fragrance, Bergamotto di Calabria. This is one of the scents from Acqua di Parma’s Blu Mediterraneo line and was released in 2010. Does this citrus-laden scent deliver as a summertime winner? How does it perform? Is it worth a purchase?

What does Bergamotto di Calabria Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, lemon, ginger, musk, cedar, vetiver

Click here to try: Acqua Di Parma Blue Mediterraneo Bergamotto Di Calabria Eau de Toilette Spray, 2.5 Ounce

The opening of Bergamotto di Calabria has an excellent citrus aroma. I think that it’s one of the freshest and least chemical smelling citrus notes, that I’ve come across. It is bold and definitely has a distinct citron tartness to it.

While I do detect a bit of cedar and vetiver hiding underneath, I don’t really pick up the ginger note at all. Maybe it’s just my nose, but I can usually pick it out of the other scents that I have, which feature it. Strangely, I just don’t get any here.

I absolutely love the lemon and bergamot combination, in the opening act. It has a cold freshness, which would be completely amazing during the summer months.

This Blu Mediterraneo fragrance, would be one that I could wear outdoors, on a sunny day and completely enjoy.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

OK, so here’s where I’m going to go ahead and jump into the issues with this scent. Namely, the piss poor longevity and sillage after the opening half hour. Bergamotto di Calabria doesn’t last long.

You might get a few hours of it. 30 minutes with that fantastic opening and then, it drops quickly into a skin scent and evaporates. The complete evaporation has usually happened by like hour two or three.

If I double up the sprays, I can get a bit more out of this fragrance but not much. When it dries down into a skin scent, it has more of a musky soap quality to it, that is paired with the now much weaker citrus. Lame.

It starts off as a strong scent but it dies down rapidly, like it’s kind of unbelievable just how fast it all goes away. It really is a shame, because this would be an awesome summertime scent for either men or women. The opening is just great and upbeat.

It is more for casual occasions and as I said, one to wear outdoors. I just hate the lack of a strong ginger and how utterly terrible the performance is.

Overall Impression of Bergamotto de Calabria

Overall, I cannot recommend this. The smell is really good but the performance isn’t. Plus it can be quite expensive. If they sorted out the longevity issues, I would be all over this one during the summer. That not being the case, I have to give it a pass.

Even if I could grab a cheap bottle, it wouldn’t be worth the buy. Yes, there are plenty of summertime fragrances, with less than stellar performance. This Acqua di Parma, just takes the cake. Aroma-wise, this is one of my favorites from the brand, too bad. Luckily, they have other options that don’t completely fall apart.

The bergamot and lemon notes are some of the best smelling that I’ve come across. The base notes, while they last are also nice. More power and more ginger would make Bergamotto a gem.

Nautica Voyage N-83 by Nautica

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So far on this site, I have reviewed a few colognes from Nautica, including Voyage and Nautica Blue. Today, though, I want to tackle a flanker fragrance of Voyage; N-83 from 2013. Like other Nautica scents, this is another inexpensive option in the aquatic realm of men’s colognes.

How does N-83 stack up against other options in this price range and is it worth it over something like the original Voyage or Blue? In this post, I want to give an overview of its contents, how it performs, and if it’s ultimately worth a buy.

What does Voyage N-83 Smell Like?

Notes include: cardamom, petitgrain, mint, lavender, sandalwood, nutmeg, sea notes

Click here to try: Nautica N-83

My Full Wear Review

N-83 opens with a noticeable blast from the ‘sea notes’, giving it a defined oceanic scent. To me it is less akin to the original Voyage and more along the lines of Tommy Bahama Set Sail St. Martinique, not exactly the same, but the salty sea notes are comparable.

Both of these scents have a stronger aquatic aroma that is blended with at least some musk, though, the Tommy Bahama scent is muskier. N-83 has a much sharper edge, while Martinique is rather smooth.

The original Voyage has citrus fruit notes including orange, however, N-83 is a departure from that and instead opts to go with something that is fresh and clean with undertones of musk and smooth lavender.

From the top, you get a cool and spicy mint with a hint of petitgrain. Neither of which, is all that pronounced in the composition, but you will get their scent for a while. It comes across as fairly herbal with lighter musk at first, with that marine note permeating everything.

The opening of this actually seems like a mix of St. Martinique and the newer release, Voyage Heritage. That Voyage is a stronger mint/lavender pairing.

What you really get with Voyage N-83 is a semi-soapy aquatic, with some freshly clean spice, and calming lavender. It doesn’t hit you with any citrus notes or other fruity inclusions, like most other aquatics.

You do get a nice bit of salty ‘sea air’ smell, which is a cool touch to the composition. Which, I guess can be a good or bad thing, depending on your personal tastes.

N-83 is a pretty simple and straightforward fragrance, that’s not a bad thing, it’s not meant to be some rich complex formula…just an inexpensive scent that smells good. I think it delivers on that end. I think that this scent is a bit more masculine than Voyage with less fruit and seemingly more understated.

Sillage, Longevity, and Projection

Projection wise, N-83 is completely moderate. This isn’t one that will fill up a room unless you went completely overboard with it. You do get a solid 30-60 minute, opening act with some power.

However, that will change and it will be a lighter moderate scent. Not terrible with the projection and scent trail. Just not a massive cologne.

Longevity isn’t that great either. I think that is one area where it fails to live up to the original. 4-6 hours and it fades into a skin scent. The first 3 hours, is where it’ll actually be really noticeable, with that aforementioned first hour delivering the goods.

It is good for casual wear or at the office (not a formal workplace, however), especially in the summer months, which is the case with pretty much any Nautica fragrance. I’d definitely lean towards casual wear or some outdoors activities like the beach.

This is much more of a starter cologne for guys, so, it can be a good option for younger men. If you’re older, its going to be of a fairly limited use, and you should consider going up-market for something better.

Still, N-83 is very serviceable in a pinch or when you just want a ‘dumb’ grab.

Overall Impressions of Voyage N-83

Overall, is N-83 worth a buy? You could definitely do a lot worse and for the price, it really is a solid pick. However, I think that Nautica has a few better options in this price range, that will deliver the same if not much better results depending on your personal taste.

It’s a nice, clean, soapy, type of scent but nothing special and there are better bets from the same brand. Though, this one is still one of their better releases. Especially, with some of the boring stuff Nautica has put out as of late.

That opening freshness and musk is pleasant with the highlights of petitgrain, cardamom, and mint. Nothing too dramatic, just something that has a great vibe.

When compared to designer scents at a higher price point, it doesn’t really compare at all. You can easily do better higher up the price chain and even lower points than this. Still, N-83 has always been likeable and an easy grab.