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!

Jardin d’Amalfi by Creed

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Yet another sample I’ve received as of late is Jardin d’Almafi by Creed. This is a unisex fragrance, that is a part of the Royal Exclusives collection, of high end specialty scents. In this post, I’m going to cover my usual how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and if I think it is worth a purchase or not.

What does Jardin d’Amalfi Smell Like?

Notes include: neroli, mandarin, bergamot, rose, vetiver, cedar, musk, pink pepper

Click here to try: Jardin D’amalfi By Creed EDP 250ml 8.4 Oz Splash

My Full Review

The opening of Jardin d’Amalfi is a strong burst of mandarin with a bergamot note that is very similar to Creed’s Aventus for men. The bergamot note never takes over and the mandarin is interestingly paired with green/woodsy notes, mainly neroli and vetiver, I think.

Very citrusy up top with that neroli floral boosting it. There is also a slight warmth/spice from pink pepper, but it isn’t all that powerful.

This fragrance is quite a bit floral during the middle act, and though unisex, it definitely seems to stray more toward the feminine end of things. The light apple note, gives this one a slightly crisp bite.

Jardin is my third scent from the Royal Exclusives line by Creed. I would honestly, put it behind Sublime Vanille, but ahead of Spice and Wood in terms of how it smells.

Jardin definitely does have that natural garden type of scent to it; with the rose and neroli which give it, it’s floral dimension. Plus, the top citrus layer gives off a ripe sweetness, like a spring/summer day. It’s a very pleasant and clean fragrance.

There is another layer of woody crispness and greenery involved. Vetiver and cedar seem to be the main two players and I detect just a hint of the pink pepper note in there as well. It’s sort of reminiscent of a pine tree aroma but not as heavy.

The majority of the wear is a citrus/floral with a woodsy green base. The rose note becomes the main floral ingredient, but it never fully takes over the composition.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection on this scent isn’t too strong but it is still very noticeable. Jardin d’Almalfi doesn’t strike me as weak in any way, but it isn’t really a smell it across the room fragrance, unless you overdo it.

Overall, it’s a nice moderate sillage that is actually consistent throughout most of the wear, before fading out.

The longevity is actually where it seems to shine, I’ve gotten a full workday out of a few dabs of this juice, during both times that I have worn it. For the price, it should provide good longevity and it actually does the job.

So, after a few times of use, Jardin seems to fall in the 8-9 hour range on my skin. Not complete beast mode, just good.

I totally see this mainly as a casual springtime fragrance, possibly early summer. I’m not sure that it will be all that fantastic when it is super hot outside, but it’ll do nicely in the warm weather.

This is not a club scent or one that I find all that sexy or alluring. It’s natural, fresh, green/citrus.

Unisex fragrance that leans more towards the traditionally feminine. If you’re a man, who isn’t a fan of the floral notes, this will most likely be a pass for you.

Overall Impressions of Jardin d’Amalfi by Creed

Overall, is Jardin d’Almalfi worth a purchase. I’ll set aside the eye-popping price tag for the moment and say that while it’s not really my style, I do think that it smells good.

It’s a bit too floral and ‘girly’ for my tastes and added with that high end Royal Exclusives price, I’ll pass on ever getting a full bottle.

It’s a nice fragrance and if you’ve got the money to spend, you could do a lot worse, but this scent is hardly earth-shattering…it’s just nice and clean.

Again, I think that Sublime Vanille is better than this one. Though, even that fragrance, probably isn’t worth the price, despite having the best vanilla note I’ve come across.

In lieu of this, you could grab an Acqua di Parma or Tom Ford citrus/floral for cheaper. While still getting a perfume that smells great. There’s a ton of other options in this style of scent, which can do the job just as well if not better.

Dreams Sunset EDP by Coach

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Coach has revamped its fragrance line up over the past few years. One of its newer offerings, is the Dreams series. Dreams Sunset is the second release and I got a hold of a sample to test out and put through its paces. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it even worth a try?

What does Dreams Sunset Smell Like?

Notes include: pear sorbet, jasmine, tonka bean, bergamot, vanilla, magnolia

Click here to try: Coach Dreams Sunset

My Full Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see how Coach Describes it: Coach Dreams Sunset is inspired by free-spirited adventures, with sunset on the horizon. It combines fresh pear sorbet with sensual notes of jasmine sambac and creamy tonka bean. 

Dreams Sunset opens up with a colder feeling of the bergamot note and the delicious pear sorbet. Even at this early stage, you are going to pick up the vanilla and tonka bean notes, which provide the rich creaminess.

Now, this one does have floral qualities as well. The jasmine and magnolia will come into greater play, as things move along. To my nose, Sunset has a greater amount of the magnolia.

It still has a freshness to it and doesn’t feel overly heavy with the vanilla note, even as it’s got a prominent role in the mix. The bergamot and pear will begin to lessen over the duration of the wear, but they don’t really seem to leave until the end.

However, Sunset Dreams does continue in its vanilla/floral/woody direction. Vanilla/tonka bean with a nice magnolia note and the jasmine playing a supporting role.

There isn’t a huge amount of development with this Coach fragrance. It’s a creamy and a touch powdery blend with floral highlights and the remaining fruity sweetness.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

To me, this one has a moderate projection, very much in line with the original Coach Dreams. As far as performance, I think they’re about identical.

You’re not going to blow out a room with this one, but the sillage is pretty good. It’ll project itself fine off of skin and give you a nice scent bubble.

Sunset lasted on my skin for between 7-8 hours, during testing. It really does have a solid performance overall and there isn’t too much to complain about here.

Seasonally, this one is great in moderate to warmer temperatures. Mainly, as a springtime wear, but it can venture into summer and autumn as well. Probably not the best in the extreme heat or cold, though.

This is an attractive daytime wear, that is safe enough for pretty much anywhere. Not too girly, but younger women can use it. Not too formal or a sexy nightlife beast. But, as an easy to wear, mass appealing perfume?

It’s got plenty of use case.

Overall Impressions of Dreams Sunset

Overall, do I like Dreams Sunset? I do. I think that it is slightly better than the original Dreams, which I thought was pretty good.

The pear sorbet and bergamot notes up top, really help sell it for me. I like how it pairs that initial cold feeling with a nice vanilla and tonka bean blend. A nice balance between sweet and creamy.

The performance, while not top notch, is still quite good. The scent will last around a full workday and doesn’t have a completely weak sillage.

The latter stages are going to be mostly vanilla and the two floral notes. So, if you’re not a fan of that style, you should probably go with something else. It does have a similar vibe to the Good Girl line, mainly Legere, but Dreams Sunset is less floral.

This is a worthwhile try, particularly if you like pear or vanilla based scents. It isn’t a pure play on either note, but you get a good experience with each. Give this one a go, it isn’t groundbreaking, but is a scent that’s easy to like.

Donna Born in Roma by Valentino

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Valentino’s Born in Roma line is their latest successful release. As of now, they’re up to three of each for men and women. I got a sample of the women’s Donna Born in Roma, recently. So, I figured I’d try it out and give my full review of how this scent does. Does it smell good? Is it actually worth a wear?

What does Donna Born in Roma Smell like?

Notes include: jasmine, vanilla, black currant, cashmeran, pink pepper, bergamot, guaiac wood

Click here to try: Born in Roma on Amazon

born in roma review

My Full Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see how Valentino describes it: A couture floriental jasmine trio, twisted with an overdose of woods.

Born in Roma starts off with a nice sweet/tart/juicy fruit blend. I get more of the black currant than I do the citrus bergamot. The black currant note actually doesn’t get as sharp as it usually can, since it is tempered by the pink pepper and jasmine notes.

The black currant is actually great in this composition. It really adds a playful dynamic to the jasmine dominance that increases during the first half of the wear.

Even with this early fruitiness, you’re still going to start smelling where this is going with the floral, woods, and vanilla all already playing a role.

A few minutes in, I’m already getting a lot of jasmine out of Born in Roma. At this stage, it’s a pretty basic sweet white floral perfume with some very light spiciness.

There isn’t a ton of development with this Valentino. For me, the dry down is jasmine and vanilla sitting on a woody base. It’s well blended and the individual wood notes, don’t even stand out to me…just an impression.

One difference is, that the jasmine doesn’t completely dominate the second half. It’s still the main note, but that blend keeps it from going overboard.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this is a lighter moderate scent. It’s got some nice power up top, but that’s pretty short-lived, and it’ll be a nice little scent bubble thereafter. Wasn’t a complete skin scent for me, but not a beast.

The longevity was actually good, even without the huge projection. It seems to go for somewhere in the 7-8 hour range. Not a marathon wear, but you should be able to squeeze a full workday out of it.

Seasonally, Donna Born in Roma can pretty much work year round. I would probably avoid the extreme cold and extreme heat, but outside of that, you’re basically good to go.

The age range probably skews more youthful, but it isn’t a purely teenagers’ fragrance. High school girls could wear it, but it’ll probably be mostly for women in their 20s and 30s.

The versatility is its greatest strength. Lots of people are going to like it and should gather compliments fairly easily. Daytime wear for most occasions, office or school safe, and could even venture into the night…if needed.

More of a pretty and playful sort of perfume than anything that screams ‘sexy’.

Overall Impressions of Donna Born in Roma

Do I like Born in Roma? Yes, this is a very nice perfume. If you want a versatile and all around crowd pleaser, this is a scent that you should look into.

If you don’t like jasmine, it might not be. But again, it’s not a pure dominant jasmine wear, either.

The opening act is nice, with those fruity notes up top. The sweetness will stick around for a long while, even as the perfume begins its shift. The vanilla adds a nice touch to the mix, but doesn’t bog down this Valentino.

It’s actually a pretty simple dry down, but it is still attractive and keeps my attention.

Performance is decent, but not amazing. Extremely easy to wear and safe, but doesn’t ever feel like a boring fragrance. For me, it’s a strong like. I don’t absolutely love it, but this would be great on a lot of women.

Phantom EDT by Paco Rabbane

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Paco Rabanne released Phantom in 2021 and I really didn’t give it much thought. It was just some weird robot bottle, that I was in no rush to try out. But, when I got a chance to grab a sample as a part of a larger order, I had it included. I’ve been testing it out more recently, to see what it’s all about. How does it smell? Is it worth a buy?

What does Phantom by Paco Rabanne Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, lemon zest, lavender, patchouli, vetiver, apple, smoke, and more

Click here to try: Phantom by Paco Rabanne

phantom cologne review

My Full Review

Phantom kicks things off with its lemon zest and apple notes providing a juicy opening. It has a sweet and somewhat tropical aroma sitting underneath the main notes (pineapple or mango blend).

Now that I’ve tested this out a few times, I actually kind of like how this one starts. A bit strange, but the sweetness and general creaminess of the vanilla note really helps tie it together.

If most of the scent was like this, it still wouldn’t be a favorite of mine, but that sweet aroma is a decent experience.

Lavender is also a major player. It will grown in strength, as we move on, but it provides a support to the fruits early on.

The lemon and apple notes, will begin to lose their grip on the formulation. That’s when Phantom becomes an earthier, drier, and more lavender based fragrance. Patchouli and lavender, with some smoke, and an herbal spiciness.

The only real change that I detect is going more from a slightly dirty and smoky scent in the background to more herbal spice and dry woodiness. Neither is all that heavy, in my opinion.

It’s way less of a sweet fragrance, at this point in time. The vetiver and patchouli give it an earthy/woodsy aroma coming through, but it’s mostly about the lavender and vanilla notes.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Phantom strikes me as a moderate fragrance for the opening act, before it settles down closer to the skin. It’s not a sillage and projection beast, but it’s at least above what the mean average would be for men’s fragrances.

With longevity, Phantom will stick around for 6-7 hours. That’s about what it seems capable of on my skin. Again, it’s decent, but not anything that would be considered elite.

Seasonally, I think that Phantom smells its best when its temperate to cold outside. So, I’d stay away from the extremes of winter and of summer. When it’s sort of chilly to before it gets super hot and humid.

Luckily, in March where I live, the temperature is all over the map. Cold days and then bursts of near summertime warmth. That made it a perfect time to give Phantom a whirl. The chillier days were better.

This one is a casual or nightlife scent for younger guys. I don’t think most men over 30 would want to have this on. It’s not a serious or formal sort of fragrance at all. So, it’s use case has some limitations, but it could be a fun one to wear for a certain segment.

Overall Impressions of Phantom

Overall, do I like Phantom? Not particularly. It’s not offensive to smell or anything, I just cannot get into this fragrance, after several tries.

It has some nice facets, but on the whole, I don’t find it enjoyable. The opening act, is the highlight of the wear for me. Nice juicy fruits with a bit of a tropical flair, sort of a pineapple smell.

After that, it kind of becomes this weird earthy lavender cologne. Sometimes, it comes across as smelling like Play-Doh to my nose. Not exactly what I want from a scent.

While it is unique, especially early on, it does become more and more familiar. Not exactly smelling exactly like anything else, but the lavender really takes over while I’m wearing it.

I don’t have a full bottle, obviously, but I actually like the little robot design. Something different, when I saw it in a store, it looked kind of cool. Paco Rabanne is a brand with its own style and this at least carries that forward.

But, Phantom isn’t one of their best efforts.

If you’re a teenager or in your 20s, this one might be something to consider. I wouldn’t blind buy, but it’s worth testing out to see if you like it personally. For me, it’s just not doing anything to capture my attention.

6 Best Smelling Nautica Colognes

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Nautica has created plenty of men’s fragrances which are quite good and also fit into the theme of the oceanic/aquatic lifestyle. What is great about the company is that it offers men some great colognes at a very inexpensive price point.

Now, the quality in terms of uniqueness or ingredients isn’t as high as some of the higher level designers but if you find one of these options that you like, they can have plenty of use as an everyday wear. Also see: Nautica Voyage vs Nautica Blue Cologne Comparison

What are the Best Nautica Fragrances for Men?

Best Overall Nautica Cologne

Nautica Voyage By Nautica For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 oz
It made the list of best value colognes for under $30 because of it’s fantastic scent and performance. It’s an green fragrance with aquatic elements, as goes with the whole Nautica theme, and is probably best served for use in the spring or summertime as a casual everyday scent.

Voyage features notes of mimosa, apple, oak moss, musk, lotus, amber, and cedar. This cologne is less oceanic than the other scents that come out from Nautica and Voyage starts out with that crisp apple note, a floral mimosa, and the ubiquitous musk.

It’s a rather cold or chilled start, with an aroma that reminds one of dew or cucumber. Then, as it settles down dry oak moss and cedar start to come through with the apple top note, and add a masculine outdoorsy aspect to the composition.

You get a scent that is quite green, fresh, woodsy, with a pinch of salt underneath. Voyage is the best selling and most popular scent from Nautica. I still don’t think that they’ve managed to top this one, in all the years after its initial release.  My Full Review

Best New Release

Nautica Midnight Voyage– Ever since the original Voyage came out, the brand has put out a ton of flanker fragrances which share the name. However, most of them have either been mediocre in terms of smell or performance.

Enter Midnight Voyage. Right off the bat, I can tell you that it’s another one, that presents itself sort of like Dior Sauvage. Almost every brand has their own version of a cologne laden with amber or ambroxan, to capitalize off its success.

Midnight Voyage doesn’t smell all that much like Sauvage, but it is in the same neighborhood. It definitely has elements of the original Voyage’s DNA, but also the mint note of Voyage Heritage (which wasn’t a great scent, it could’ve been).

Midnight uses mint, amber, and pink peppercorn to give it a fresh and somewhat spicy profile. However, you do get that summertime and nautical vibe, from other notes that are unlisted. Maybe some light citrus? Smooth and it actually has decent performance.

Top Woodsy/Floral

Nautica White Sail for Men by Nautica 3.4oz 100ml EDT Spray
White Sail takes a turn away from the aquatic fragrances and towards a more earthy/woodsy scent. It is light an smooth with notes such as amber, teak wood, lavender, vetiver, and pink pepper.

The lavender and pink pepper seem to be the most prominent notes that stand out, with some additional floral notes, to round things out. It can actually be kind of tough to distinguish between these ingredients, but overall it does have a refreshing and somewhat spicy scent.

Longevity could definitely use some work, but the aroma itself is nice. White Sail has been discontinued for a while, but you can still come across bottles online, even if it is getting tougher. This does have a different vibe, from the rest of the Nautica offerings, though, still deserves a spot on the list.

white sail

Sporty Aquatic Soapy

Nautica Blue Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 fluid ounce
Smooth and light with fruity notes such as pineapple and peach which highlight this fragrance but it is held together by its woody heart. Sandalwood is pretty prominent and smooth here, as are a few different floral notes, plus musk.

The pineapple and peach can be sharp at the start, but with the dry down it is more of a sporty aquatic and the fruit notes are much more tempered than they had been previously. The musk here is light and the whole composition is sunny and relaxed.

It isn’t a jump out at you type of cologne where you will be amazed by its unique scent. However, it is very solid, smells good, and can be had at a great price.

I personally feel, that the quality has taken a big hit since the 1990s, but it can be a worthwhile cheapie to pick up for some. It’s gotten more detergent-like and less pleasing. Though, I’d definitely go with one of the others before this. Read my review here

nblue

Top Classic Clean and Oceanic Fragrance

Nautica Classic for Men by Nautica 3.4 oz 100ml EDT Spray
A blend of spice, woods, and citrus notes which gives off a summery feel. It has a body wash/soap kind of vibe to it. It’s clean and masculine, though it can have performance issues.

Nautica is a soft men’s cologne with oceanic elements but the sandalwood and cedar give it an outdoorsy base to start from. The citrus notes are bright and clean, but understated, which makes this a nice freshening spray on those days when the temperature starts to rise.

There used to be more of a spice to Nautica cologne, in the older bottles of this scent, but doesn’t seem to have that same little kick it once did. Nautica classic does however, deliver the type of aroma you would expect from the themes of this brand.

nautica

Most Underrated Scent and Top Summer Pick

Nautica Island Voyage By Nautica For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Oz.
A great and inexpensive summer cologne option, if you can find a bottle. Gives the same kind of Carribean feel as something from the Tommy Bahama line of scents.

Island Voyage is fresh and pleasant all around with melon and citrus top notes. This might be the most underrated or unknown of the Nautica colognes, but it should’ve been more popular.

It’s got a chilled juiciness at the start and later a pepper note emerges to give the scent a somewhat spicier disposition.

Island Voyage is more aquatic than the original Voyage and the lemon and melon combo give it a better opening, in my mind. There is also the usual lavender and a nice touch of iris during the dry down. This is another summertime wear for the daytime and really does a nice job of separating itself from the ever popular Voyage.

island voyage