Cologne Reviews

Tuscan Leather by Tom Ford

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I’ve got a whole lot of Tom Ford fragrance write-ups to do over the next little while, so you can expect 20+ reviews, over the next months (?) as I get all of them written and sorted out. Today’s review, we have a fragrance from the Private Blend Collection, Tuscan Leather. It was released in 2007. How does this popular scent smell? What’s inside? How does it perform? Is it even worth a try?

What does Tuscan Leather Smell Like?

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 Full Review

The opening of Tuscan Leather is obviously full of the headlining leather note, but it is also joined by saffron, which brings to mind Godolphin by Parfums de Marly. However, what separates the Tom Ford creation, is the addition of a light raspberry note which sweetens up the background. It isn’t super juicy or girly, but that familiar aroma is there.

The leathery fragrance is obviously going to draw a lot of comparisons with one of the newer Tom Ford scents, Ombre Leather. I think Ombre is a drier fragrance than this is, but I will do a full comparison in the future.

The leather note in Tuscan Leather is utterly phenomenal. I’m a huge fan of this ingredient in fragrances and it is done to perfection here. Rich and super smooth, only made more so by the addition of the black suede note. It all comes together as very dark and deep.

As it dries down further, there is a subtle smokiness to Tuscan Leather, and a warmth provided by amber.

Beyond that, a faint jasmine note peaks in to the composition at times, but never quite unseats the saffron. In the end the main players are: leather, saffron, raspberry, and suede.

Leather and saffron are really great together in fragrances. Tuscan is a premier example of this, and that juicy raspberry note, just ties it all together.

Sillage, How Long it Lasts, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage on this one is really strong, at first. Then, it settles down into something more moderate. To me, I love its loudness and confidence, when it kicks off. I am reviewing the current formulation and the longevity isn’t what I remember it to be in the past.

It is still good, but doesn’t have that same all day and into the night performance that it used to. I can still hit around a standard work day with Tuscan Leather. So, now it’s about 8 hours. Before, it would get 10+ pretty easily.

Is this decline just in the batch I have? Not sure, but I’ve read some other reports of this as well. Nonetheless, Tuscan certainly isn’t ‘weak’ by any means. Maybe just lost a step.

Seasonally, this is a wintertime gem. It hangs beautifully in the chilled air. You could also break it out during the autumn months to great effect. I’d definitely avoid it in the summer months or if you happen to live in a tropical climate. Not great in the heat.

This Tom Ford fragrance is classy enough to be worn for business or formal occasions, but also, sexy enough to go out at night.

It’s pretty much an anytime wear during the winter months. Maybe not for totally casual occasions or for really young folks, but it wouldn’t feel completely, out of place.

This is classified as a unisex fragrance and it does fit that bill. However, it does lean more toward the masculine end of things. That being said, anyone can really wear this one. The raspberry and jasmine notes, really help to give Tuscan a lighter touch.

Overall Impressions of Tuscan Leather by Tom Ford

Overall, do I like Tuscan Leather? Of course. It is a really great leather fragrance, that is sophisticated, well blended, and smells awesome. Smooth as hell and the saffron/raspberry really add a nice touch to the whole composition.

If you’re not a leather fan, obviously avoid this one. However, for anyone else with that kind of money to drop on a $200+ bottle of Tom Ford, this is an excellent choice.

This has a less dry and earthy feeling than does Ombre Leather, and I slightly prefer that scent from Tom Ford. However, this is still a really great perfume, maybe not exactly what it once was…but it holds up.

Pegasus by Parfums De Marly

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I’ve been gradually working my way through about a dozen samples of fragrances by the French designer, Parfums de Marly, over the past few weeks. I’ve still got a ways to go with this project, but today, I have a new review of their cologne called Pegasus.

This is one of their best-sellers from the lineup, but how does it actually smell? Does it have good performance? Is it worth a buy?

Reviewing Pegasus: What does it Smell Like?

Notes include: sandalwood, vanilla, almond, lavender, bergamot, heliotrope, cumin

Click here to try: Parfums de Marly Pegasus Men’s Edp Spray, 4.2 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

From the opening, you will get the sense that Pegasus is an absolute force of the almond and vanilla notes. I have to say that I don’t really like the almond that is in this one and it will be what kind of sours me on the fragrance.

It’s a super bitter almond that is loud and from the opening is blended with that almond and a citrus tinge from the bergamot. It strikes me as quite a dry aroma with a bit of a chemical vapor hanging around in the mix.

I’ve seen people compare this scent to Le Male or Ultra Male by JPG and while I’d get why you’d say that if you looked at the ingredients, these scents really aren’t comparable. Those other two colognes have a much sweeter and spicier sort of profile.

Pegasus is as I said much drier, but also has a different sort of powdery vibe than the other two. It’s less like baby powder and more like a powdered malt drink mix, using almond and vanilla.

I’d say it’s closer to a scent like Hypnotic Poison by Dior, which is a ladies’ perfume. But, even that is different from Pegasus.

Pegasus is smooth and warm. As it dries down, the lavender note emerges more and so does the sandalwood. This blending with the other notes gives it a creamier aroma and less of that powdery scent that I mentioned above.

This is how it stands for the rest of the wear, a smooth vanilla and sandalwood with that familiar lavender and still bitter almond. I like the latter stages of this fragrance more, but I’m still not crazy about it.

Sillage, How Long it Lasts, and Versatility

Projection wise, this Parfums de Marly scent, competes well with the others that I’ve reviewed from the brand.

Pegasus is pretty powerful for multiple hours before it settles into more of a moderate. However, it is easy to go overboard with it.

It also has very good longevity, Pegasus is an absolute all day wear kind of fragrance. So, no worries there. This will go into the double digits in terms of hours worn. It’s performance isn’t up for debate, it’s outstanding .

This is also best to be worn during the colder months of the year. I will say, that even if you like the way it smells, don’t wear it on hot days with high humidity because it turns into a mess.

It’s pretty versatile in that it can be worn on pretty much any occasion, but only on those cold days. If you live in a tropical climate, this one will be a pass.

Overall Impressions of Pegasus

Overall, do I like Pegasus? Meh. I really am not into it. I would’ve thought that this would have been one of my favorite Parfums de Marly scents, just by looking at the ingredients, but it just isn’t clicking with me. It’s too much for me and I got a headache while wearing it.

The bitter almond and whole profile just doesn’t strike me as pleasant and is more irritating than anything. Now, it isn’t a horrible scent by any means, just not one that I can enjoy.

I think this is one of those either/or colognes, that will have people loving it or not being able to stand it. I’m in the latter camp. That being said, Pegasus is one of the most popular fragrances from PdM.

To me, it’s overrated and doesn’t live up to its lofty position. I’d rather go with plenty of their other offerings.

Ginepro di Sardegna by Acqua di Parma

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This post is going to cover the last of the Acqua di Parma samples that I got with my last batch. Ginepro di Sardegna is a cologne from the Blu Mediterraneo collection. What does Ginepro di Sardegna smell like? How does it perform? When should it be worn? Read below for my full take.

What does Ginepro di Sardegna Smell Like?

Notes include: juniper, cypress, cedar, sage, and pepper

Click here to try: Acqua Di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Ginepro Di Sardegna Eau De Toilette Spray 75ml/2.5oz

My Full Review

The opening of Ginepro di Sardenga is a spicy blend of woods and juniper. The cypress note is fairly dominant to my nose while I also experience the herbal scent of the sage note.

It’s quite a dry fragrance, but dry like an alcoholic drink containing gin. Then of course, the contribution by the wood ingredients. The juniper and other spices, give it a light fizziness. Almost like Brooklyn by Bond No. 9, but not as much of a boozy touch.

This Blu Mediterraneo entry is different from the other fragrances in this lineup. that I have experienced. It doesn’t have that big citrus note, is heavier, and is a different kind of aromatic journey just on the whole.

Most of the others feel like a typical summer cologne with the citrus fruits and/or oceanic-like breezy scent.  Ginepro allows you to take your style in more of a unique direction.

Ginepro di Sardenga is a natural woody aroma without being ‘dirty’; it is light with an energetic and clean soapy quality, lurking just underneath the surface.

As it dries down, I get less of the spice and more of the cypress/cedar smoothness, to go along with the juniper note. It almost takes on a very slight powdery aroma, but not quite a baby powder, just fresh and softer than it had been.

Ultimately, it gives you a cooling freshness, with a naturalistic set of smells for the summer months. At times like walking in a forest, at others, like stepping out of the shower.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, this Acqua di Parma fragrance is pretty light. It’s not weak per se, it’s just one that operates more as a skin or having to get very close scent. It’s not a scent that will totally overwhelm the room but one that you will catch whiffs of throughout the wear.

With the longevity, I get about 5-6 hours of performance from Ginepro di Sardenga, which is actually better than some of the other Blu Mediterraneo fragrances that I’ve worn. Not great for my skin, but not terrible either.

In regards to the versatility of this fragrance, I think it is a very balanced one. For starters, it can be worn nearly year round, except for the hottest days of the year (at least outdoors).

Ginepro is a summer scent, to an extent. I don’t mean that it’s going to utterly melt in the humidity, just that it won’t be at its best.

Beyond that, it is a mature type of cologne that can serve as a everyday business wear, and then be worn for a date later on in the evening. It is masculine and does have a certain sexiness to it. Smooth and old school.

Overall Impressions of Ginepro di Sardegna

Overall, do I like Ginepro di Sardegna? I do. I’m not in love with it, as it isn’t my style but it is still a damn good fragrance. It is fresh and energetic. I like how it takes woods and earthy notes, but keeps them clean, and doesn’t stray into an overwhelming mess of a scent.

I do enjoy the gin sort of fizziness here. Plenty of other scents have had this same sort of thing, but I think that this Acqua di Parma fragrance is one of the better examples of it out there.

This is one for guys who like those dry woodsy/spice blends but wants one that is refined at the same time. You get a very versatile wear, with adequate though not great performance. If you can get a discount on a bottle, Ginepro is worth a shot.

Royal Mayfair by Creed

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Today, I’m going to cover yet another unisex fragrance by Creed, Royal Mayfair. This is a scent that I haven’t had any experience with so I was curious to see what it’s all about and how it stacks up versus other Creed offerings. As usual, I’m going to go over what’s inside, how it smells, how it performs, when it should be worn, and if it’s actually worth getting.

What does Royal Mayfair Smell Like?

Notes include: gin, lime, eucalyptus, pine, rose, cedar

Click here to try: Creed Royal Mayfair Eau de Parfum Millesime Spray for Men, 4 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Royal Mayfair seems pretty harsh at first, with a pungent pine note mixed with gin (which is also loud) and eucalyptus. It’s quite odd to me, having a pine note come out of the gates like that, but it does settle down after that.

The eucalyptus note is soothing and it kind of reminds me of a brand of hand lotion, that I cannot recall the name of at this moment.

The rose note feels very ‘green’ to me and the pine note only adds to that to give Royal Mayfair a woodsy/outdoor aroma. How one feels about that will depend on your personal taste, I find it to be okay, and at this point I begin to think that this one doesn’t really fit my style.

While this is listed as a unisex fragrance, the rose and eucalyptus, make this fragrance veer more towards the feminine side of things, in my opinion. It’s not super girly or anything but the floral and greenery do give it that sort of feeling.

I will say that Royal Mayfair is quite a smooth scent and very well blended like many Creed fragrances. The cedar note is the stabilizer of this fragrance, it provides the woody heart, that allows the other notes to successfully play off one another.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Royal Mayfair is pretty moderate, outside of that initial strong blast. I’d say around a 3-4 foot radius of aroma around the skin.

It does however, have really good longevity. At one point, I was washing it off of my skin, and had to go back and scrub for a second time because it was still out in full force. It’ll easily hit double digit hours.

This is a spring/summer fragrance, that fits best into casual or dressed up daytime occasions. It doesn’t strike me a romantic or a nightlife scent in the slightest. From casual to daytime formal, mostly.

Overall Impressions of Royal Mayfair

Is it worth a buy? For me, no, but that doesn’t make it a ‘bad’ fragrance. It’s not bad. It just so happens to contain notes that I don’t personally enjoy very much: rose, pine, and eucalyptus.

However, there are plenty of people who love that sort of thing. It’s a well made fragrance that gives good performance, so if that’s your thing and you’ve got the money…go for it.

The One Sport by Dolce & Gabbana

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Marching on with my reviews of recent fragrance samples I’ve received, I’m going to tackle a scent by Dolce & Gabbana, that is a flanker fragrance to The One for Men. The One sport is a fresh and obviously sporty take on the original but how does it stand up to its predecessor? Also, what does it smell like, and is it even worth a purchase?

What does The One Sport Smell Like?

Notes include: sequoia, rosemary, cardamom, musk, patchouli

Click here to try: Dolce & Gabbana The One Sport Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 3.3 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

I was a big fan of how the original The One by D&G smelled, in fact, it was one of my favorite scents ever…except for the fact that it lasted less than 20 minutes on my skin. So, I was curious as to what my experience with The One Sport would be in light of the weakness of the progenitor.

Upon first sniff, I immediately recognize a familiar aroma, and it’s that of Deep Energy by Adidas. That Adidas fragrance is another sporty scent for men and it shares a very large part of its character with this D&G cologne.

The notes between the two overlap with the cardamom, musk, patchouli, and a wood note (albeit different trees). Add to that, they are also quite watery/aquatic in nature.

The biggest difference between the two is that The One Sport has a rosemary note and Deep Energy uses citrus. The variation is actually pretty slight and these scents are very close to one another.

So, beyond smelling like a rosemary laced Deep Energy, The One Sport is a pretty linear affair. It’s a very basic scent that doesn’t really develop much personality or surprise you in anyway while wearing it. What you originally smell is essentially what you get throughout.

That’s not to say that I think that it doesn’t smell good. I mean, I like it, but I’m not blown away by the scent. It’s an upbeat and fresh scent with a bit of spice and wood. That’s about it. Straightforward and to the point.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, this scent is pretty weak. It is fairly noticeable at first but then dies a quick death. Longevity is about an hour, maybe two, if you’re lucky.

It really does seem like The One Sport was designed to be worn at the gym and that’s it. Maybe casually on a summer’s day.

I honestly don’t know when else you would wear it. It doesn’t really smell sexy, and doesn’t last long enough, to be a workplace fragrance. So, it’s kind of pointless otherwise.

Overall Impressions of The One Sport

Overall, would I recommend The One Sport? I don’t see a reason to own this cologne. At this price point, it is very limited, if all you want to do is wear a fragrance at the gym why not just buy the Adidas scent for around $10? (Update: That’s not even possible anymore, at that price point)

You get basically the same scent and it actually performs better and lasts longer. The One Sport is just about completely pointless. It smells just fine, but offers nothing besides that. I’ll pass.

Somehow they decided to make a sport version of The One EDT, a scent with fairly notoriously bad performance. I know that this hasn’t been available for about a decade, but The One Sport is easily the worst of this D&G series.