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 test out and 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!

Vodka on the Rocks by Kilian

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Vodka on the Rocks was one of the Kilian scents that I hadn’t tried, but wanted to based on the name alone. I wanted to see exactly how they were going to represent that drink, to make it a compelling fragrance wear. So, I grabbed a vial, as a part of the by Killian samples that I recently purchased. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

Kilian’s Vodka on the Rocks Overview

Notes include: rose, coriander, aldehydes, oakmoss, cardamom, rhubarb, sandalwood, lily of the valley

Click here to try: By Kilian – Vodka on the Rocks – 1.7 fl. Oz – no clutch 

My Full Review

The opening act does give you an impression of vodka. To my nose, it is cold and has a similar aroma, but isn’t a distinctly vodka smell like found in 212 VIP. Really, coriander is the strongest note here in the early stages and supported by the aldehydes, which I suspect give it the spirits-like scent.

It’s nice and fresh with a spiciness sitting underneath that chilled feeling. This goes on for some time before, this Kilian fragrance shifts a bit.

The middle of the wear is fairly soapy with that rose note poking through. The rose here, really reminds me of the one in Toy Boy, but that’s a better fragrance overall than this one. Not as prominent and Vodka also puts forth a lily of the valley note.

Finally, the scent really takes on a close approximation of A&F Fierce. There are so many overlaps in the notes, especially the mossy base, and the floral notes. Vodka on the Rocks ends up smelling like a fresh soapy rose/vodka scent, that’s sitting on top of a base spray of Fierce.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, it is above average but not beastly. It seems to project itself to around 6 feet from the skin or a t-shirt, at it’s peak. I actually spilled too much on me, during one of my tests, but it wasn’t close to being unbearable of something that I needed to scrub.

The longevity is also good. At over 8 hours and can probably hang around for 9. Not a superstar performer, though, it is very solid.

Seasonally, I’d want to wear this autumn through springtime. It’d be best in colder to moderate temperatures. I’d just stay away from the high heat with this one.

While it does have that vodka impression, it isn’t as boozy as you might think. It’s safe to wear for almost any occasion, since it has that clean soapy sort of freshness. The versatility is probably Vodka on the Rock’s greatest strength.

Overall Impressions of Vodka on the Rocks

Overall, do I like this scent? I do like it, but it isn’t anything special either. For close to $200 per bottle, I would expect something a little less commonplace than this, like they managed to pull off with the beautiful Angels’ Share…which is a great boozy scent.

It does manage to get the chilled vodka aroma done pretty well and it is pleasant to wear all around. Vodka on the Rocks isn’t a bad fragrance, it does everything well, but it never wowed me at all. 

You might consider this, if you liked older bottles of Fierce, as this captures quite a bit of that style…just not exactly. The performance is also better than the modern bottles of that A&F.

Vodka on the Rocks is fine, just fine. By Kilian has so many other options better than this one, that it becomes kind of pointless to me.

What Fragrances Smell Similar to Vodka on the Rocks?

Abercrombie Fierce is the main one. Not exact, but the dry down is pretty close. They share the rose and lily of the valley notes, but Vodka on the Rocks is more floral and soapy than Fierce is. 

Montblanc Legend might be another option, since it has a close replication of Fierce. But, I’d say that Vodka on the Rocks is further away from that scent.

Both of these colognes are cheaper than Vodka on the Rocks, which really doesn’t do enough to justify the higher price.

Nirvana White by Elizabeth and James

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Nirvana White is one of the offerings from the Elizabeth and James line, which I’m pretty sure is being done away with. I’ve been familiar with this perfume for years now, but never did a full proper review. But, since I have a sample laying around, I figured that it was finally time. What does Nirvana White smell like? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does Nirvana White Smell Like?

Notes include: peony, muguet, musk

Click here to try: Elizabeth & James Nirvana White Eau de Parfum Spray, 1.0 Ounce

My Full Review

Nirvana White is another one of my favorites from the Nirvana collection. Though, it’s probably the most feminine out of the ones that I enjoy, being a peony dominant perfume.

Peony is the leader from the get go, but early on the muguet (lily of the valley), makes its presence known. The opening is a mix between white and greenish aromas, smooth, a bit water, and a hint of sweetness.

That’s what you get for the opening. Once it develops further, the lily of the valley is pretty much gone and this is a peony and musk scent. Not too complicated by very nicely put together and very fresh.

So, it’s peony and musk for the rest of the way until it just fades completely from the skin. Super simple and straightforward, but effective.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, Nirvana White is pretty middle of the road. It will project nicely from the skin for the first half of the wear, before settling into more of skin scent. There’s not too much risk of taking over a room with the scent, but you really don’t need to overspray, as any floral can be too much.

White will last for just over 7 hours on my skin. Very solid, just not anything amazing. But for the price that this usually sells at, I don’t really have any complaints.

Seasonally, this is a spring and summertime wear. Very floral and fresh and will fit in perfectly for the warmer months. It’s more of a daily wear or casual perfume versus anything sexy or a nightlife beast.

That being said, within those confines it’s pretty safe to wear in a multitude of situations, so long as you don’t go crazy with the sprays.

Overall Impressions of Nirvana White

Overall, do I like this perfume? I do. It’s a tad too womanly for me to wear as a man, but I liked smelling it during testing. I’m not a super peony fan, but it is enjoyable and Nirvana White is a nice example of it.

It’s a bit dewy and green in the opening act, but mostly sticking to the pink/white floral aroma. Then, the musk comes in and the muguet fades out. There’s a definite fresh crispness to this simple composition, which helps make this Elizabeth and James perfume quite wearable.

The performance is good, just not insane or anything. You do get your money’s worth from this. If you like peony or easy to wear musky floral perfumes, Nirvana White is a very nice pick up.

It is being discontinued along with the others from this label, so get a bottle now, if you really want to give it a try.

No.5 L’eau EDT by Chanel

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Chanel No.5 is the most well-known fragrance on the planet. As such, its Chanel’s bread and butter and really helped to build the company into what it is today, and it offers multiple versions/flankers to try to maximize sales.

No.5 L’eau was brought out in 2016, as a lighter and somewhat more wearable for a general audience option, versus the higher concentrate and more expensive original. How does it smell? Perform? Is it worth a try?

Please continue below for my full take and give your own score of L’eau in the comments.

What does No.5 L’eau Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, mandarin orange, orange, aldehydes, rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang, musk, cedar

Click here to try: No. 5 L’Eau by Chanel Eau de Toilette Spray 200ml

My Full Review

The opening of L’eau really gives you those familiar Chanel aldehydes. The usual cool, fresh, and memorable aroma is where you’re going to be most reminded of the parfum version of the No.5 namesake.

However, what really separates No.5 L’eau is the citrus notes that are strong and present throughout. At first, I get a heavier weighting towards the lemon note. Then, as things progress, the mandarin orange and more generic orange note take on a larger role.

As the citrus shifts, the floral notes emerge for a while, but never take on a dominant role within the composition. I actually get more of the ylang-ylang than jasmine and there’s a very light rose for a short while.

What the floral notes do, is to combine with the freshness of the cedar and musk to create its more soapy like qualities. Add to that, No.5 L’eau does have a somewhat powdery aroma for a period with how the notes come together…a light orris root is in here, apparently.

I like it once that tug of war is settled and I get a fresh citrus and soapy fragrance. No.5 L’eau comes across as more of a balanced scent at this point and is an enjoyable wear. Not the most complex perfume, but there is some depth here, while being a lighter warm weather perfume.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, No.5 L’eau is a light to moderate scent. That’s what it’s designed to be, so don’t expect an absolute bomb. That being said, for this style of perfume, the performance isn’t too bad at all on my skin.

I can get detect wearing it for pretty much the entire wear, without having to press my nose right up against where I sprayed. On a t-shirt, I can get a whiff of L’eau from 4-6 feet away, at its peak. Again, not crazy projection, and it’s more airy than heavy.

The longevity is okay for most purposes. 5-6 hours is about what I get. My skin is pretty good at not completely eating up fragrances, so your experience may vary for the worse or maybe the better. Nonetheless, it’d be nice if it could go a full workday at this price point.

Seasonally, spring and summer. It’s actually a great option for the hottest weather because it can hold up and thrive under those conditions.

No.5 L’eau is much more of a daytime sort of wear versus a seductive nighttime scent. Though, within those confines is a very versatile fragrance that’s safe to wear for almost any occasion.

Also, this can be an appealing No. 5 perfume for the younger crowd, who may not yet appreciate or enjoy wearing the original formula.

Overall Impressions of No.5 L’eau

Do I like this scent? I like it well enough, but it doesn’t strike me as amazing. I still prefer the EDP and Parfum versions of Chanel No.5 versus L’eau. The rating score below, is going to be dinged due to the performance, but the aroma itself is fairly nice.

I like the opening blend of citrus and the aldehydes. Also, the final dry down when things are fully settled smells good. There is a period where the citrus, cedar, musk, and aldehydes can feel too sharp. Like, it’s a mix of powder and soapy aromas, and that’s my least favorite part.

The floral notes are light here and give you the usual Chanel jasmine and ylang-ylang affair. Pretty standard issue, like found in Gabrielle and others from this designer.

Is it actually worth getting a bottle? I wouldn’t say that No.5 L’eau is a must have for most folks. Probably, No.5 fans who want a better summertime option or those who just want a lighter more youthful version.

For anyone else, it’s worth trying, but not necessarily one that you want to blind buy. Mainly, due to the fact you’d probably want to see how well it performs on your skin. The scent itself? Pretty safe and will appeal to a wide swath of the population, just give it a test beforehand.

Terra Extreme EDP by Vince Camuto

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I purchased a lot of 20 or so sample fragrances from Macy’s some time ago. In this batch, was this Vince Camuto scent that I hadn’t heard of, and so it sat unused by me for a while. Turns out that was kind of a mistake, because I liked it as soon as I sprayed it for the first time. What does Terra Extreme smell like? When should it be worn? Please continue for my full review below.

What does Terra Extreme Smell Like?

Notes include: rum, sandalwood, orange flower, tonka bean, vanilla, ambroxan, citrus, geranium, and more

Click here to try: Vince Camuto Terra Extreme Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 3.4 Fl Oz

My Full Review

This wasn’t a fragrance that I was looking for or had even heard of until I received a sample. I had no expectations, but was pleasantly surprised because Terra Extreme is actually a very nice fragrance.

It opens up with a light citrus juiciness sitting on top of a fresh/boozy/spicy accord. A blend of citrus fruits, along with orange blossom flower to give it that initial sweetness and brightness. However, this is a thicker and more gourmand experience.

In terms of style, I’d compare it to: Armani Code EDP, Wanted by Night, Eros, and the like. Terra Extreme fits into that cold weather sweet/fresh kind of style, but doesn’t smell exactly like any of them.

After the initial citrus juiciness, the rum note really comes through, along with geranium. The geranium can actually come across a bit leathery, when surrounded by these other notes. This is when this Vince Camuto cologne is at its warmest and spiciest. Though, it never hits the same level of spice as something like Wanted by Night.

As the fragrance moves along, the tonka bean and vanilla combination become the main players. The spice and booziness fall by the wayside and it takes on more of an amber/medicinal aroma in the base; thanks to the ambroxan and benzoin.

Actually, at this stage it’s like some kind of combination of Eros’ vanilla dry down and the benzoin note from Body Kouros. It’s interesting and quite well balanced. That’s basically what you’re going to get from the rest of the wear, sitting on top of a sandalwood note.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This isn’t a super powerful scent. Though, I’d say that Terra Extreme does project itself above average. Definitely, doesn’t come across as a monster that will choke out the room, but it gives you a nice performance.

On my skin, it hit close to 8 hours of wear before fading off. Again, not an amazing marathon type of cologne, but for what I’d wear it for it does the job.

Seasonally, autumn and winter. Terra Extreme isn’t super heavy, but don’t even bother once the air  gets much above room temperature.

It is subtle enough for wear at work during the daytime, while also having enough appeal to venture into the nightlife. The booziness from the rum isn’t overwhelming but it does help to give it that attractive or seductive vibe.

It’s in the same style as a Wanted by Night or Eros, but this one skews more mature than either of those. Not as spicy or as sweet as either of them and keeps it well put together and low key.

Overall Impressions of Terra Extreme

Do I like Terra Extreme? I do. This is a fragrance that is probably going to fly under the radar, but will absolutely be a great pick up at the discount retailers.

The rum, vanilla, benzoin, and orange blossom are all great notes. It has a similar style to a lot of scents, but doesn’t smell like a dupe or cheap knock off. This Vince Camuto isn’t an insanely great fragrance, though it is very good and I have liked wearing it a lot.

For an oriental style gourmand? This is a very nice addition to the cannon. Nice balance between sweet/boozy/spicy, solid performance, and something that will have mass appeal when worn. Terra Extreme is worth checking out.

Chance Eau Fraiche by Chanel

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Chance Eau Fraiche is one of the flanker releases by Chanel, after the massive success of its Chance perfume. Eau Fraiche has come to be able to stand alone in its own right, as it has been out for over a decade and hasn’t been discontinued by the designer yet.

That’s pretty good for a reinterpretation of an original fragrance. I had yet to give this one a proper review on the site, and so, I bought a sample to jog my memory and see if it’s still worthwhile.

What does Chance Eau Fraiche Smell Like?

Notes include: citron, jasmine, teak wood, hyacinth, cedar, vetiver, patchouli, and more

Click here to try: Chance Eau Fraiche Eau de Toilette Spray for Women, 3.4 Fluid Ounce

My Full Review

Chance Eau Fraiche opens up with its citron note coming out in full effect. It is joined by the hyacinth note, which is out in its full powdery peak, during the opening act. The powdery quality of this Chanel is what really separates it from other citrus/woody perfume, like Light Blue, in my mind. 

The opening citrus is tart, with the powder of the floral note, and the heightened freshness of a cedar and teakwood combination. What’s great about this opening, is that it doesn’t come across as screeching and unbearable, as it is calmed by the floral notes.

After this beginning, the hyacinth gets weaker and mostly replaced by the jasmine. Also, pink pepper, musk, and some more herbal notes emerge into the periphery.

Compared to the other Chance scents, this one is more focused on that juicy citrus and the floral notes are more just apart of the overall picture, instead of the main highlight.

Very clean, juicy, with a bit of a sporty edge to it. I end up getting the woods, musk, vetiver, and the remaining citron coming through in the final stage of the wear. It has some depth, but this one isn’t crazy complex. 

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is pretty light to moderate. It’s never super strong on my skin, but it is always more than a skin scent for a majority of the wear, at least for me. This is an eau fraiche style EDT, so, you really shouldn’t expect a beast coming in. 

That being said, Eau Fraiche does have the ability to project itself just fine. No major complaints from me about it.

 

The longevity, is somewhere in the 7-8 hour range for me. Keep in mind, during that last hour or so, it is coming through as a skin scent. Before that, I can still pick it up well enough, and it’ll stick to the 3-4 foot range from where I sprayed it.

Seasonally, this is a spring and summer wear. But, within that Chance Eau Fraiche is very versatile and wearable. More of a daytime fragrance. Not really a nightlife, formal, or particularly sexy perfume…but it’s attractive.

Eau Fraiche can also be worn by pretty much all ages. It does have a sweetness to it, but it isn’t a candy-like teenager scent, though it is entirely appropriate for that age range or older. 

Overall Impressions of Chance Eau Fraiche

Overall, do I like this fragrance? I really do enjoy Eau Fraiche. Though, I’d say it’s my third pick from the Chance line.

I love the citron and hyacinth combination. The Chanel jasmine note is absolutely classic and I like the teakwood and cedar blend, instead of a straight up cedar bomb. This one isn’t too complicated, but very appealing, and super easy to wear for a good chunk of the year.

Chance Eau Fraiche isn’t the most powerful scent on the market, but it’s solid enough for me. Plus, I get a nice amount of time to spend with it. If you like the original Chance, this one should appeal to you, and give you something to wear for the summer months. 

Chance Eau Fraiche is in the same style of fragrance as Light Blue or Versense by Versace. However, I prefer this to either of those scents. But, if you’re familiar with this kind of perfume and it fits your style, it’s pretty hard to go wrong with Eau Fraiche.