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!

Opium Pour Homme EDP by YSL

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Opium Pour Homme eau de parfum was released back in 1995. I haven’t come across a bottle of this concentration in many years, even after owning multiple bottles of the EDT version. I saw a bottle for sale on eBay while scrolling through fragrances, and immediately bought it.

Now, this is a discontinued cologne, but I want to do a full review of it anyway. How does this vintage scent hold up? Does it still last long? Is it worth a try?

Opium Pour Homme Eau de Parfum Overview

Notes include: star anise, black currant, Sichuan pepper, vanilla, ginger, balsam, cedar

My Full Review

Luckily, I managed to buy a bottle of Opium EDP both in its original box and sealed in the plastic wrap. This purchase and my buy of Kouros Fraicheur, both came, as they originally shipped.

I looked up the batch code for this bottle and it’s from 1997, during the Sanofi Beaute era of YSL Parfums. Actually having the box, made it easier to narrow down.

Based on the bottle alone, it would’ve been a 1995-1999 (maybe 2000, depending on when the change to the markings took place after the sale to PPR) guess as to when this scent was bottled.

It’s a 50mL (1.6 oz) bottle that can be refilled (or at least could’ve been).

Anyway, Opium EDP opens up with a blast of spice and the blackcurrant note, giving it a slight fruitiness. The blackcurrant in this old bottle isn’t all that great anymore. A bit sour, sort of like how the top citrus notes play out in my bottle of L’Homme Haute Concentration.

Still, not terrible, for how long its been shelved.

This does have the same balsam presence, as I notice in the EDT version, but here it is sitting under much more spice. The anise note is strong and is backed by a powerful blast of Sichuan pepper.

Quite warm, medicinal, spicy, and you can say that this has more relation to the opening of Opium EDT for Women.

For me, the pepper dies down first. That’s when I can notice the bit of ginger peaking through.  Opium becomes smoother, with an emergence of the vanilla, and great balsamic influence.

What’s interesting here, is the eau de parfum has a powdery aspect to it that I find is lacking in the edt version. Not a ton, but it’s there.

The back half of this is fresher, sweeter, with an ambery finish. Less of a powerful punch and more of a simple and well put together scent. Comparing it to the EDT, I get more cedar in the dry down, which was probably the weakest part of the lower concentration cologne.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The opening act is pretty strong here. You get a nice reach and scent trail going with this Saint Laurent fragrance.

I’d call the sillage strong. Well above average at first. Then, it will settle into something that is more moderate and has sort of an airy feel to it, rather than being a dense cloud .

It lasts over 10 hours for me, but it’s not a powerful 10 hours. More like it’s just sort of around, during the back half of the wear, after a much more substantial start. Honestly, not too much more powerful than the bottles of Opium EDT that I wore many years ago.

Spicier yes, just not a massive amount of difference in the performance.

Seasonally, this is autumn and winter all the way. It really shines in the colder weather, so it seems I won’t get much use of this one for at least a few more months.

I like to have Opium EDT on in the daytime, but with the greater depth and intensity, EDP can fit in either night or day.

It’s different from most of what’s out there today. Opium EDP isn’t going appeal to most of the younger set. There is a refinement here, still with appeal for plenty of people, just not something that’s going to be a daily wear for most.

It’s darker and does have an attractive or sexy aroma. Very masculine.

Overall Impressions of Opium Pour Homme EDP

Overall, do I like Opium EDP. Yes, it’s one that I’ve always appreciated and I do greatly prefer this version to the eau de toilette.

That ramped up spiciness really sells it for me. The anise here is potent, with an added warmth of spice from pepper and ginger notes. The ‘medicinal’ kind of aroma that this YSL fragrance can have, may not be for everyone.

It’s still a modern cologne, much more approachable than those that came before it, despite being released about 30 years ago. Still, it is different from much of the mainstream offerings today, especially from YSL itself.

Is it worth getting? For some people, yes. My bottle was just over $100. Though, I’ve seen other Opium EDP bottles going for way more than that. To me, approaching $200 is a tad too much, unless you’re a collector.

The EDT is much more available, but the last batches of that aren’t as good as they once were. My current bottle of that, is pretty mid, especially the performance.

Apparently, this was discontinued much later than I thought it was. Not sure exactly when, but I think it was still for sale in a few places around Europe not too long ago. Though, it’s done for good, as of now.

Opium EDP is a scent that I love adding to my collection. In a sea of men’s fragrances, which seem to copy one another, it’s nice to be able to wear something that’s completely different every so often.

14 Fragrances that Smell Similar to Black Opium

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YSL’s Black Opium has been a mega-hit for the brand. So, much so it has spawned a ton of flanker fragrances under the same banner and scents that wish to closely copy its style.

But, sometimes you want something cheaper, something that comes close to, or something with a similar vibe to the popular perfume. This is my page where I keep track of similar fragrances to Black Opium that I come across.

Also, I have added perfumes that are similar to the Black Opium flankers, such as: Illicit Green, Le Parfum, Intense, Extreme, Neon, Nuit Blanche, etc. 

Key Takeaways

Here’s a short list of some of the best options that are close to or inspired by Black Opium. I go into much greater detail below on these and many others.

What Perfumes Smell Similar to Black Opium by YSL?

black opium dupe perfume

Inspired Option 1

Ambery Vanilla by Dossier– If you’re in the market for an inexpensive aroma similar to that of the original Black Opium, this is the one to get. 

As of writing, bottles are only $29 versus what you pay retail for the actual YSL scent. This one is sweet with the same focus on vanilla, maybe to a greater degree versus Black Opium. Nonetheless, it is an inspired by aroma for much cheaper.

Dossier perfumes have good performance in terms of sillage and longevity. Ambery Vanilla is an easy go to on this list.

Inspired Option 2

London Destination by Alexandria– Another ‘inspired’ take on the Black Opium style. I haven’t tried London Destination, but have had some positive experiences with some of the other Alexandria fragrances.

It has the same vanilla, coffee, jasmine, pear, pink pepper, licorice, etc. So, so long as it is blended well (based on the reviews, it is), this one should give you a very close impression of the YSL perfume.

It’s very reasonably priced and well below the cost of the original Black Opium.

Illicit Green Similarities

Taboo Green Opium– While not a complete match of the original Black Opium, this one from The Dua Brand mimics the newer and highly popular Illicit Green flanker of our target.

Still, that version is still very close to what the original provides. It does have added fig tree and fruit notes. Plus, a lively pear top. So, very worthwhile to check out, if you are a Black Opium fan.

I haven’t tried this particular Dua Brand fragrance, but they usually strike a very close resemblance to the original. I’ve had their inspired by versions of Aventus and Lost Cherry, among others, and wasn’t disappointed.

The Only

The Only One by D&G– This Dolce & Gabbana fragrance isn’t a one to one match. In fact, it’s one that has a similar style, while doing its own thing in comparison. But, if you like Black Opium you ay enjoy or even prefer The Only One.

This one is much less spicy and floral. Caramel comes in to join the coffee and vanilla notes, which is where this draws the most comparisons with the YSL perfume. Actually, it kind of favors Black Opium Le Parfum more so than the original, out of any of them.

Pear is also a commonality, but we get a floral blend of iris and violet here, giving The Only One a powdery finish that remains soft and sweet. Pretty and delicious. Again, not going to be the same, but they overlap quite a bit.

Super Cheapie

Touch of Woman by La Rive– Close to the spirit of Black Opium, but not an exact match. For under $20? It might be worth it to some.

The vanilla thickness and floral notes are pretty similar. Touch of woman lacks the coffee, spicy depth, and bitter almond note of the YSL best seller. The floral notes emerge earlier and have less of a balance than what you get with Black Opium.

The performance is okay. It starts strong and can stick around for 4-5 hours, on the skin. Is it worth it? Maybe. I’ll include it on the list for those who want a dirt cheap option, that’s at least a perfume with an average quality. 

Black Opium Extreme Kindred Spirit

Addict Noir by Fragrenza– Fragrenza is another brand that I’ve tried out recently, with good success. They also make ‘inspired’ versions of designer scents. I particularly liked their Better Peach perfume, which smells like the Tom Ford version.

They don’t have the original Black Opium in the lineup as of now, but they do have their versions of Black Opium Extreme, called Addict Noir.

Extreme is a flanker which goes with a greater use of the coffee note and cacao. The vanilla note is still around, just not as prominent as you get with the original. So, if that sounds interesting, this is probably the best option. 

Black Flower

Fleur Noire by ALT Fragrances– Here’s another very popular inspired by option, this time from ALT Fragrances. They usually do a great job at capturing the spirit of the perfumes which inspired their creation. 

Pear, pink pepper, and orange blossom take the top of the scent pyramid. And the rest of the notes follow suit with creating a style that is similar to Black Opium. 

Now, I haven’t tried this one. So, whether or not they nailed the vibe or not isn’t something that I can comment on in this update. But, many of the reviews think they did, and having tried other perfumes from ALT I can imagine they’re not too far off.

Another Midnight Inspiration

Midnight Nymph by Oakcha– Oakcha is a brand that has been rolling out a lot of inspired takes on famous niche and designer fragrances lately. 

Midnight Nymph is their version of the Black Opium DNA. This one tries to mimic the aroma that you get with the original Black Opium release rather than one of the flanker scents.

I haven’t tried it out, as of yet. But, with positive reviews and a good price point, I figured that I should include it with this latest update to the list.

Simpler Opium Le Parfum

Vanilla 28 by Kayali- This Kayali entry most favors what Black Opium Le Parfum smells like. It’s different and much more of a stripped down version, but has a similar effect.

Tonka bean and brown sugar are very present early on, matching the sweetness that Le Parfum can have at its opening stage. No cinnamon or pear here, however.

But, Vanilla 28 like Le Parfum, has: vanilla, amber, vanilla orchid, and jasmine notes. Also, the weighting of the floral notes in each, is actually quite light. 

A simplified Kayali perfume that can be a potential alternative or layering fragrance for those who are into the Le Parfum style. Vanilla 28 Review

The Britney Option

Prerogative by Britney Spears– This Britney perfume isn’t a 1 to 1 match, just a fun perfume with a similar vibe. I actually like the Rave version of Prerogative better, but the original is closer to Black Opium in terms of smell. 

Prerogative doesn’t have the super strong vanilla, nor the same use of florals. It goes for a blend of spicy and sweet, however, with a bolder coffee and a delicious fruity top.  Also, it’s not as heavy or cloying, as the YSL can be, especially later in the wear with it nice use of woods.

Again, not a beat for beat resemblance of Black, but we get a lot of the same sort of likeable aspects at a fraction of the price.

Zara Very Close

Gardenia by Zara– Gardenia is another option for a similar scent to that of the original Black Opium. It is more sheer, with a heavier use of the orange blossom note and other florals, but Gardenia pretty much captures what we’re looking for.

I’d still go with the Dossier over this one, it’s usually a better deal, and smells closer to the actual YSL scent. However, this can also be a good pick if you want something lighter without the same levels of coffee and vanilla.

 Sillage not as strong, not as heavy, but the longevity is still quite good. 

A Similar Dior

Christian Dior Poison Girl Women’s Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce– Poison Girl isn’t a the same, but it has a similar style to Black Opium. Actually, it reminds me a bit of our target and La Petite Robe Noire Couture, while still doing its own thing.

It uses plenty of tonka bean and vanilla, with a bitter orange top for the fruit note. Damask rose is the floral here, which gives it some distinction from the YSL. The citrus here is also weighted heavier than what Black Opium has too.

This has great performance and a pretty strong sillage. On my skin, this would go from 8-11 hours, when I was testing Poison Girl. Read my review

Forbidden Similarities

Amor Amor Forbidden Kiss– A warm and energetic fragrance which predates Black Opium, but has a fruitier and less spicy smell versus the YSL. Grapefruit, coffee, pink pepper, and peony help to make up the Forbidden Kiss composition.

It’s warmer and good for the winter months, without the same overwhelming cloud that our target perfume can have, at times. 

The coffee and pink pepper notes, really make Forbidden Kiss what it is, and the coffee is a much larger factor here in this scent. Sweeter and fruitier than Black Opium, but one that some may prefer. It’s discontinued now, but bottles are still available, as of publishing. 

amoramorfor

Intense Alternative

Douce Insomnie by L’atelier Parfums– This fragrance isn’t much like the original Black Opium, rather, it favors the Intense version. Black Opium Intense did have quite a distinct feel from others in the series, it wasn’t my favorite, but it was different.

Douce Insomnie has a very similar profile to that, minus the licorice and absinthe notes. Which, for me is a great thing, and this L’atelier scent is much better in my opinion.

Cappuccino is the main note here, rather than straight coffee. However, you also get the powdery floral notes (heliotrope and iris), vanilla, and a great sandalwood base. 

So, think, sweet creamy coffee notes with soft powder and without the bitterness that Black Opium Intense had.

Tuscan Leather vs Ombre Leather Comparison

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In this head to head comparison, we are going to take a look at two of the Tom Ford leather laden scents, Tuscan Leather vs. Ombre Leather 18. Ombre Leather was released in 2018 and is a variant of a 2016 release with the same name. Which of these unisex fragrances smells best? Which has the better performance? Which is a better buy overall?

Tale of the Tape: Tuscan vs. Ombre Leather

Tuscan Leather

Notes include: leather, suede, raspberry, jasmine, olibanum, saffron, amber

Click here to try: Tom Ford Tuscan Leather Eau De Parfume Spray for Men, 1.7 Ounce

My original Review: Tuscan Leather

Ombre Leather

Notes include: leather, moss, jasmine, amber, patchouli and cardamom

Click here to try: Ombré Leather Eau de Parfum Spray, 1.7-oz.

My review: Ombre Leather

Opening

Tuscan Leather opens up with a fantastic and rich leather note plus saffron. It reminds me a lot of Godolphin by Parfums de Marly. Also, Tuscan features a smooth and familiar black suede note and a bit of juicy raspberry to change things up a bit.

Update: Coming back to this one, years later. That raspberry note feels really potent this time around. It’s sweeter and really different. It almost makes me want to change my opinion on the openings here, but still would go with Ombre.

Ombre Leather, is actually closer to Godolphin than is Tuscan Leather. It shares notes of jasmine, leather, moss, and amber with that fragrance. The leather is just like that in Tuscan and better than the Parfums de Marly fragrance.

It is a dark, dry, warm, and supple scent. Much more like a leather jacket and earthier than is Tuscan Leather.

Which do a I prefer? I think that Ombre is the more interesting opening, it doesn’t have that hint of raspberry, but it does have a dry rugged quality that isn’t found in Tuscan Leather. I just like that opening better.

Edge: Ombre

Projection

Both fragrances start out strong and then move into a more moderate scent. However, Ombre Leather, reaches a higher peak in its sillage before moving into the moderate and feels more intense when I have it on than does Tuscan Leather.

Neither of these is a sillage bomb. However, they do both have a good amount of power, and Ombre is the better of them.

Edge: Ombre

Longevity

With the latest batch of Tuscan Leather that I tried, I got about 8-9 hours of wear from it. While Ombre Leather has a bit better sillage, it lasts on my skin from 6-8 hours, and doesn’t quite keep up with its predecessor.

Tuscan is marginally better, but it definitely has the edge on my skin.

I’ve seen some people say that they get a really long wear out of Tuscan Leather, at least more than I do. It seems to be the consensus that it is the longer-lasting perfume from Tom Ford.

Edge: Tuscan Leather

Versatility

Both of these scents are mostly for the autumn and winter months. Both can be unisex. Both can be worn casually or dressed up without problem. I don’t see a real edge in this category. They pretty much assume the same role.

The leather foundation pretty much sets things up that way. They are pretty similar fragrances in a lot of ways.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I will start off by saying, that I enjoy both of these scents a lot. They are fantastic examples of leather used in fragrances, both have good performance, and smell great. They have a whole lot in common.

However, I am going to give the edge to Ombre Leather 18, over Tuscan Leather. For me, the newer scent has more going on and isn’t a linear as Tuscan Leather. Yes, they both start close to what Godolphin smells like, but Ombre Leather,

Ombre has a light addition of warm amber, dry moss, and earthy/slightly spicy patchouli. Add to that, a wonderful dry down in which jasmine gets paired with the leather to add a floral element to an already great fragrance.

Tuscan is great, but Ombre Leather has won me over versus that scent, and I’m going to give it the win in the head to head match up.

Update: I still like Ombre Leather more than Tuscan years later. I also personally prefer it to the later Ombre Leather Parfum release. That’s a good one, if you are a fan of violet leaf, as a note. I’m not too keen on it, but some other people like the Parfum version more

Winner: Ombre Leather

10 Fragrances Similar to Angels’ Share

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Angels’ Share has become one of the most sought after fragrances out there and. It is also, one of my personal favorite fragrances, that I wear quite often when the temperatures begin to dip. To me, it’s great across the board. But, it can also be very expensive.

So, in this post, I want to present some alternatives which either smell close to the Kilian scent for cheaper or have a similar style for those who aren’t looking for an exact rendition. I will come back and update this list from time to time to add any further scents that can fit the bill.

Favorite Perfumes Like Angels’ Share by Kilian

The Popular Alternate

Angelic Elixir– Angelic Elixir is the Kilian-inspired fragrance from The Dua Brand. The company always produces pretty darn close alternatives of their target perfumes and this Angels’ Share one, is one of their closer matches.

It is an extrait de parfum, so, sillage and staying power aren’t a problem. As of now, it runs $60 per bottle, but they usually have promo codes to further sweeten the deal.

Is it a close sort of aroma? Pretty much. There might be a detail or two, that is slightly off, but for the better price point…it’s not a big deal. 

Another Perfume Option

Brooklyn Fragrance Lover by Alexandria– This is another inspired by take on Angels’ Share, this time by Alexandria. Now, I haven’t actually smelled this one, but wanted to include it on the list as another potential match.

The notes are all the same and the reviews of super positive about ‘Brooklyn Fragrance Lover’, so, it’s probably a pretty safe bet for a very similar smelling perfume at a more reasonable price. 

Angel Sharing a Lot of Similarities

Kismet Angel– This is another option for those who are looking for something that’s very close to what Angels’ Share smells like. I mean, just look at the bottle (and name) to tell what they were going for with Kismet Angel.

As a cheapie, this one provides a ton of value. For about $30 per bottle (as of updating), this gives you a scent that is extremely similar to the Kilian fragrance.

The performance overall seems to be a notch below and it is less sweet than our target perfume. But, really nothing much to complain about versus how much it costs. It doesn’t smell like a cheap knock off even if the price tag suggests it.

Angelic Inspiration

Heavens Speak by Oakcha– The more time since the release of the Kilian, the more ‘inspired by’ perfumes of its formula come out. Heavens Speak is the Oakcha interpretation of the boozy Angels’ Share.

I’m putting this on the list, as another choice for people to try out. I’ll come back and update if and when I test the scent out. But, it’s probably pretty close to Angels’ Share, as it appears to have many positive reviews.

Cinnamon Spice, Honey Sweet

Parfums de Marly Oajan EDP Spray, 4.2 oz.– Oajan isn’t an inspired scent, is more of a masculine fragrance, but has a very sweet and cinnamon based scent that matches up well with the boozy cinnamon sweetness of Angels’ Share.

Though, you get a blast of that spice early on to a greater degree than in the Kilian.

Tonka bean, osmanthus, and honey are a part of the sweeter aspects of this scent. That osmanthus does bring the same sort of sweet/fruity aroma as the opening act of Flowerbomb. Yet, the cinnamon and benzoin gives it more of a manly feel.

Oajan doesn’t have that booziness of the Kilian’s cognac note, which does take on an apple-like smell to my nose. The osmanthus, later honey, and big blast of cinnamon strikes close to it somewhat early on.

Tobacco, isn’t an official note here, but Oajan absolutely seems like it has some in the dry down. Maybe it’s my own personal associations of this fragrance with 1 Million Prive for Men.

Overlap and a similar style. There are plenty of women who absolutely dig wearing this perfume and so it is an acceptable trade with Angels’ Share. Oajan Review

An Inexpensive Similarity

Khamrah by Lattafa– Khamrah is a solid rendition of something that smells similar to Angels’ Share, but not quite the same. It has a sweeter aroma overall and strikes a pretty close to the Kilian scent, in the early innings of wear.

But, it stays with that sweetness, features dates as a fruity note, plenty of bergamot citrus, and some kind of boozy aroma as well.

But, the booziness doesn’t quite feel like cognac and it really doesn’t have that oak barrel finish that comes with the transition to the dry down with Angels’ Share.

However, overall this is very nice for the price point. Not an absolute match, some things are definitely different, but the experience is enjoyable.

Rum Gourmand

Dolcelisir L’Erbolario– I’m not sure if this one is even still made, but I’ve linked to the website, and I have seen bottles for sale pretty recently. Nonetheless, Dolcelisir is a perfume with a very similar style to Angels’ Share, but predates our target fragrance.

This one goes with rum and sugar cane in lieu of cognac. Cocoa and caramel instead of praline. With none of the woodiness, that you get with the Kilian.

What you do get is a blend of dried fruits, woven into a sweet gourmand fragrance with a similar use of vanilla and cinnamon to something like Angels’ Share or even the aforementioned Oajan. 

Sweet, but nothing screeching and a greater tonka bean and vanilla influence, later in the wear.

Desert Sands

Sand Desert at Sunset by Zara– So, Zara has gotten in on this style with their own perfume release, that has a lot in common with Angels’ Share. While not nearly being exact. 

Mainly, you’re not getting the cognac note, which is probably the backbone of the Angels’ Share experience. Sand Desert is still sweet and spice, sharing the cinnamon note, as its main similarity. 

This one has a touch of chocolate and a hefty dose of tonka bean. Sweet, somewhat powdery, and a brighter citrus top. If you want something that is almost the same as Angels’ Share, go with one of the earlier picks.

If you want a lighter perfume for cheap, in a related style, this is a good pickup.

Vanilla Amber & Tobacco

Ambre D’Alexandrie by Boucheron– Instead of boozy, we’re going more with an resinous amber and tobacco, led by Ambre D’Alexandrie’s narguile accord.

Within that ‘narguile’ blend, there has to be some dry fruit along with the tobacco note itself, because this has that same sort of fruity sweetness as Angels’ Share.

Yet, this Boucheron scent is the most different from Angels’ Share out of the other options on the list. This is one for those who don’t want the same aroma, but something with a similar flair. 

The dry down is more of a resinous amber, vanilla heavy, and tobacco floating around gently. But, the opening to middle act is where we get a bold use of cinnamon spice, the fruitiness, and close comparisons to our perfume.

Fired Up

Emir Fire Your Desire– This is another one from a Middle Eastern brand, which tries to mimic the aroma of Angels’ Share. That, it accomplishes quite well. Though, you may need to wait a few weeks or months for it to macerate (like many others).

But, what it lack is the performance aspect of Angels’ Share. Others on the list, tend to match up with the longevity of the Kilian formula. This one, kind of misses the mark. It’s not completely weak or anything, it’s just not going to hit that 8-9 hour mark.

Fire Your Desire isn’t super expensive, but I think that the aforementioned perfumes earlier on the list, present a better value and often better performance.

Creed Viking vs. Viking Cologne

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Viking became a fairly popular release from Creed some years back. With its success, the brand naturally launched a flanker fragrance to this formula, called, Viking Cologne. Now, consumers have two options to choose from when they want to own a Viking scent. The question is, which fragrance is better? Lasts longer? Is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Viking vs Viking Cologne

Creed Viking

Notes include: rose, pink pepper, bergamot, peppermint, sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli

Click here to try: Viking Eau de Parfum Spray for Men by Creed

Read my original Viking Review

Viking Cologne

Notes include: mandarin, lemon, bergamot, pink pepper, lavender, geranium, rosemary, sage, nutmeg, vetiver, sandalwood, patchouli, olibanum

Click here to try: Viking Cologne

Opening

Viking starts off with a bit of citrus up top. But, the peppermint, pink pepper, and sandalwood notes are all stronger. The citrus is just a bright blip in the mix.

It’s a mix of cool freshness and that warm peppery spice with woods. I love the crisp aroma of the peppermint, even as this settles into a fragrance with more balance.

Viking Cologne starts off with a strong pink pepper note, that is flanked by citrus notes. I mainly get lemon, but it’s being overshadowed by spice and some smokiness.

So, it’s mainly a fresh/smoky accord of the pink pepper, sage, and some of that incense wafting up from the base. After like 5 minutes, more of the citrus seems to finally break through on my skin. It’s like a lemon/orange blend.

This will transition into something with more of the sage, rosemary, lavender, and geranium. The citrus and pink pepper fade a good deal.

Which do I prefer? It’s actually a very close call for me. Cologne has plenty going on and I dig the blend and the emergence of the citrus.

But, between them, I’ll go with the original. The peppermint note really makes it for me. Plus, there is still overlap between these two, and I like the presentation of these notes by Viking more than Cologne.

Edge: Viking

Projection

I’ve always found the original Viking to have a very nice and steady ability to project. It was never a heavy fragrance that would bog down on you, but it’s got a nice reach and doesn’t just quite.

Early, Viking Cologne is similar. However, that will only last 30-60 minutes, before it begins its quick descent into skin scent territory.

Nice start, light moderate for an hour or so longer, and skin scent for the back half. Overall, it’s a lighter fragrance, as the cologne moniker would suggest. You should just be aware of that, before committing to a full bottle purchase.

Edge: Viking

Longevity

With the original Viking, I get somewhere in the 7-9 hour neighborhood each time that I wear it. The performance is actually good, not elite, but it gives you plenty.

With Viking Cologne, it’s around 4-5 hours. To be clear, hours 3-5 are basically a skin scent. It’s a pretty faint smell by that point, but still there.

This is an easy win for the original. A ‘cologne’ version of an above average performer, probably wasn’t ever going to be great, but Viking Cologne doesn’t even seem to reach mid-tier longevity.

Edge: Viking

Versatility

Both of these fragrances are daily wear types of fragrances, that are clean, but not super formal. You can wear them casually, to work, etc. Neither is all that ‘sexy’ or a club beast.

But, outside of that they are very versatile. I like Viking better in cooler to moderate temperatures. Viking is lighter, so maybe it has a slight advantage in the heat. Even still, it’s not that much of a summertime cologne.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these fragrances do I like more?

In terms of the scents themselves, it’s a lot closer call than the categories might indicate.

Viking Cologne has a nice aroma. I like the smokiness, the freshness, and the citrus notes in the beginning. Also, that transition to the latter stages is also pleasing, especially wearing it outside on a mild day.

The performance of the cologne, is pretty bad. The longevity isn’t great and what power it has, doesn’t even make it far into that short run time.

Viking, I think, smells better. Beyond, just being a much better performer.

I like the balance of the notes. You get a floral middle, spiciness, freshness, and then woods in the dry down. There’s some smokiness and even a touch of sweetness, at times. All together, I am more impressed with the original versus what you get with Viking Cologne.

Cologne doesn’t live up to the lofty price tag, even if, it isn’t a bad smelling scent.

Winner: Viking