Cologne Reviews

Tobacco Oud by Tom Ford

by

In this edition of the never-ending fragrance reviews on this site, we have yet another entry from Tom Ford. This one is entitled, Tobacco Oud, which should be a giveaway as to what type of scent you can expect. It was released in 2013. In this post, I will cover my experiences with Tobacco Oud, and determine whether or not it is worth a try.

What does Tobacco Oud Smell Like?

Notes include: tobacco, oud, amber, whiskey, vanilla, cinnamon, benzoin, patchouli, sandalwood, coriander, cedar, incense

Click here to try: Tom Ford Private Blend Tobacco Oud Eau De Parfum Spray 100ml/3.4oz

My Full Review

Tobacco Oud opens up with very prominent oud that is soaked in whiskey and quite resinous. The tobacco strikes my nose as being pipe tobacco, already cured with some spicy coriander and cinnamon peaking through.

The opening isn’t the best part of this Tom Ford, as it is more about the whiskey and oud over the tobacco notes. It’s smoky and a bit dirty with patchouli. I do like a good whiskey note, and this gets better, but I’m really not all that enthralled with this opening act.

As it dries down, the incense and warm resinous qualities (including benzoin) begin to be more prominent, and the oud less so. Also, the tobacco rises to the top of the heap, this is when I start to enjoy Tobacco Oud much more.

It’s a spicy oriental flavor surrounding the tobacco and the still present boozy quality of the whiskey note. Benzoin is one of my favorite resinous or balsamic notes, with the added incense smoke, you do get a whiskey cigar sort of aroma here.

Finally, the fragrance finally dries down into something that is ultimately woody and with more sweetness. The smoky quality subsides a lot and the tobacco fades, but it smells sweet and warm on the skin.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, I would say that Tobacco Oud projects itself very well for the first hour or so of wear. After that, I find that the sillage is toward the moderate end of things, not too intense but certainly not weak.

With the longevity, Tobacco Oud is a great performer, and will go over 10 hours without issue. It’s essentially like other Tom Ford fragrances of this ilk. It’s going to stick around and give you a completely developed run on your skin.

Seasonally, Tobacco Oud is an autumn/winter wear. The warmth, spices, etc. aren’t going to be too great in the heat, but do perform quite well in the cold. It’s not a casual sort of fragrance at all.

While, this is technically a unisex scent, it is actually heavily masculine to my nose. I wouldn’t want to smell this on a girlfriend ever. It’s more refined and niche, but I wouldn’t call it a sexy fragrance, somewhat attractive but that’s it.

Yet, it’s one that you can wear dressed up on a night out and with the crisp and colder air of the winter, it can absolutely stand out.

 

 

Overall Impressions of Tobacco Oud

Overall, do I like Tobacco Oud? I like aspects of it. The opening is my least favorite part, but I like the dry down more. Still, it’s never been a fragrance that is a personal favorite of mine. Whiskey, tobacco, and benzoin are highlights but not enough to truly sell me on Tobacco Oud.

Personally, I like Tobacco Oud Intense more. Even if, neither are really my style. 

This scent has strong Middle Eastern/Oriental aroma to it, I think that every high-end designer has their version of this vibe. Other people seem to like this more than I do, at least that seems to be the take online.

The performance is also very good, so, you at least get bang for your buck. It just is a niche sort of scent, it will appeal to a certain type of fragrance lover, but probably not something that the masses will adopt.

You’re going to have to be a fan of resinous, incense smoke, tobacco, oud, and herbal spices. If that’s your thing, than this is your fragrance. For me, it’s above average, but I’ve never clamored to want to wear this particular Tom Ford.

Virgin Island Water by Creed

by

Within the box of sample fragrances, I recently received (note: I’ve updated this page several times since), were several fragrances by Creed which I had yet to review on the site. One of them, is the popular unisex summer fragrance, Virgin Island Water. It was released in 2007.

This is a scent that screams time spent at the beach in some far flung tropical paradise. But, how does it perform? What does it smell like exactly? Is it actually worth the price of admission? Please continue reading below for my full take on Virgin Island Water, after wearing it.

What Does Creed Virgin Island Water Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, lime, rum, sugar cane, coconut, ylang-ylang, and ginger

Click here to try: Creed Virgin Island Water by Creed for Unisex – 4 oz Millesime Spray

My Full Wear Review

Upon getting my sample of Virgin Island Water, I immediately wanted to do a side by side comparison with Set Sail St. Bart’s, due to the similarities with these fragrances. I have tried both fragrances before but never had them together at the same time.

Virgin Island Water opens up with the lime and bergamot notes taking center stage, whereas the Tommy Bahama cologne is almost exclusively lime.

The opening is where the two scents are the most similar. I like Virgin Island Water better, as I feel the lime is less in your face, and tempered by the other citrus note and the coconut hanging around in the background.

It’s really the lime note that allows St. Barts to temporarily pass as a super cheapie VIW clone of sorts. The two scents also each have an alcohol note (tequila in St. Barts), which gives them another similar feel, but the quality difference is noticeable to yourself when wearing.

Anyways, the bergamot used in Virgin Island Water reminds me of it’s fellow Creed scent, Aventus. It really does blend well with the lime to create a beautiful citrus fusion.

After about 10-15 minutes of wear the creamy coconut takes over as the top dog in this scent and VIW starts to feel more like a suntan lotion.

It’s really like a sensory experience type of fragrance, it’s like being in the Caribbean on a beach with a drink in hand and a delicious smelling lotion covering your skin.

There are hints of jasmine and hibiscus, throughout the wear, but the floral notes are never out in full force. During the final dry down, it’s like a coconut rum lotion with some musk added in.

Sillage, Longevity, Versatility

Projection wise, it’s okay. It’s not a super strong scent but you’ll know it’s there for the first few hours. With these notes, I’m kind of glad it’s not a complete beast, as it’d probably too much.

It’s longevity is kind of meh, too. I’d say somewhere in the 4-6 hour range is what you can expect to get out of Virgin Island Water.

I get that this is a warm weather scent with some limited use cases versus others in the line, but that performance is pretty darn bad. It can make it difficult to justify paying full price for VIW, even if you completely love it.

When should this scent be worn? Summer. That’s about it. It’s a very good warm/hot weather scent, which is a bit rarer, so I think that it serves this niche well. Also, it is a unisex fragrance, and honestly doesn’t seem to lean towards one end or the other.

It’s a very balanced scent. I’d also say that this is a casual type of scent, I don’t think I’d be wearing it for any ‘serious’ functions or even a date. But, an outdoor party or beachy nightlife spot? Sure, I’d go for that.

VIW is mostly something to wear during the daytime to be refreshed and conjure up those memories of the island life.

Overall Impression of Virgin Island Water

Overall, is Virgin Island Water worth a purchase? I like the way it smells, but I don’t know that I like it for the price that Creed fetches. It’s honestly not one of my favorite Creed fragrances, but it is good.

The lime and rum are particularly likeable for me. The coconut is good, but it’s not my favorite aspect, especially how it plays off of the floral notes. Not bad or anything, just not the greatest either.

So, I wouldn’t tell anyone else to not buy it. Some folks love it, but it has never particularly struck me as a ‘great’ perfume. Plus, not much in terms of being a high performance scent.

Personally, Set Sail St. Barts, while not exactly the same and not as high quality…is cheaper enough in price that I could substitute it. I have a full bottle of the Tommy Bahama cologne, so having VIW seems like overkill, especially since it’s so limited to one season of the year.

Update: I wouldn’t go for the Tommy Bahama option nowadays. I do now actually have a Dua Brand blend of this and Afternoon Swim by Louis Vuitton called, “Gone Swimming in Caribbean Waters”. That is much cheaper and better than just VIW on its own (they also have a cheaper alternative of that).

Plus, I’d wear this mostly while outdoors anyways, and with heat and perspiration, it’d be hard to tell the difference between the two.

Since this is a unisex fragrance, I would also recommend Tom Ford’s Soleil Blanc, over this. It is more of a women’s perfume (floral notes), but is honestly better than VIW, to my nose.

MYSLF EDP by YSL

by

Myslfn is a new release from Yves Saint Laurent for 2023. After the endless Y and L’Homme flankers, I was excited to learn that they had come out with something different. I didn’t know anything about it before buying a sample online. How does this one smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a buy?

What does Myslf by YSL Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, orange blossom, woods, patchouli, ambrofix

Click here to try: Myslf by YSL

My Full Review

Here’s how YSL describes it: The first YSL Beauty woody floral for a contrasted trail of modernity.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this YSL coming into testing it. I saw comparisons between it and the women’s perfume, Libre by YSL after I ordered my sample, and wasn’t too excited for the prospect.

The thing is, it’s not really like Libre. Maybe closer to Libre L’Absolu Platine, which I also have a sample of. Even then, you’d have to strip out the lavender and aldehydes, which are major players in that fragrance.

Myslf starts off with it’s ‘fresh accord’, which basically consists of bergamot citrus notes, sitting on top of a strong use of orange blossom. It’s actually very nice.

The first time I wore this, I went outside for a stroll around the neighborhood and was loving the opening act and its mix of freshness and creaminess from the white floral.

The orange blossom will take over much of what the bergamot controlled up top. Patchouli and wood also appear, providing a slight earthy and spicy quality, while Myslf still manages to feel fairly clean.

The dry down comes and there is less distinction between the notes. The usual ambroxan fare, with the woody base, and a general aromatic smell perched front and center.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection in that first hour is good. Not a heavy fragrance, but it leaves a scent trail, and you can easily smell it on yourself.

I like to test scents outside, when I go for a daily walk. This was fantastic in that 30 minute window, when I had it sprayed on my wrist only. The scent itself was lovely, along with how it hung around me. Not quite a thick cloud, but more than a mist.

On my skin, this one will go for 6-7 hours. However, those last 3-4 hours are skin scent level performance. The first hour is really good and the next couple after that are decent.

Not an amazing performer. At the price point that Myslf is at, this is a reasonably disappointing result.

Seasonally, Myslf works best in the spring through autumn. It could be a year round fragrance, for those in a warmer climate. But, I’d probably go with something else during winter, for everyone else.

It’s a versatile clean. Any age group can wear it. Myslf isn’t a formal, wear it with a tuxedo type of cologne, but it works as an office daily wear. At school, casually, semi-formal events, etc.

It’s a scent that will be well-liked by others. It’s not a sexy sort of fragrance or one that’ll be a nightlife beast, either. Just one that can fit in pretty much anywhere else.

Overall Impressions of Myslf

Overall, do I like this fragrance? I do like it. It’s not a must have for me, but I do especially enjoy the first half of the wear.

Myslf isn’t a super unique or complex cologne. Though, that fresh accord paring with the orange blossom is very nice and attractive. It’s an easy to wear scent, that is clean and super versatile with its uses.

I like the light spiciness that comes through and that touch of earthiness. It’d be cool with some more of that.

Is it going to be one for those who love niche fragrances? Probably not. However, for the average consumer, this is a legitimate option if you just want to smell pleasant.

My biggest problem with this YSL, is the performance relative to the price. Not insanely expensive, but I want more longevity and power if I’m paying retail. I saw the small bottle selling for just under $90, which is a lot more than I’m willing to give up.

Outside of that, I think this is a very solid release. So long as you don’t have sky high expectations about what it should be or what YSL might have released instead of this.

Boss Bottled Tonic by Hugo Boss

by

I have gone through a ton of different Hugo Boss fragrances on this site. Some surprised me as to how much I enjoyed wearing a particular fragrance, while others I couldn’t understand what the appeal of it actually was.

Today’s review is going to deal with the flanker fragrance to a Hugo Boss cologne that I actually enjoyed, and that flanker’s name is Boss Bottled Tonic.

How does this one smell? Perform? When should it be worn? Is it worth a buy? Please continue below for my full take on Tonic.

What does Boss Bottled Tonic Smell Like?

Notes include: citrus, apple, cinnamon, ginger, and woodsy notes

Click here to try: Hugo Boss BOTTLED TONIC Eau de Toilette, 3.3 Fl Oz

My Full Wear Review

Boss Bottled Tonic opens with a crisp and watery blend of apple and orange. It strikes me as quite cold, like iced club soda with citrus squeezed into it.

That’s actually a really nice change of pace. Many others that go this route, try to make it some sort of gin and tonic aroma. This Boss scent doesn’t go the alcoholic path.

It’s a light fragrance and one with a bit of spice to it. The ginger note is the main player but there is also the cinnamon found in the original Boss Bottled.

As it moves along, it becomes more woodsy. The ginger tonic water is still there but the citrus and apple notes have begun to recede at this point.

After this point, the fragrance really stops developing, as far as I can tell and is wholly linear. What your left with is a splash with ginger, light woods, and the remains of the opening fruit notes.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Boss Bottled Tonic is super light. Upon first application, it is fairly moderate, but that ends in short order. So, yeah, the sillage of this one isn’t great. It’s not going to leave a huge scent trail or even create much of a bubble for yourself to enjoy.

The longevity on my skin was kind of meh. I put a lot of it on my wrists and the scent was still gone in 4-5 hours. That seems to be the max. But, that super long type of wear is not really what this kind of cologne is designed for.

So, coming into purchasing this, you’ll have to expect a short-lived refresher kind of cologne. Much more limited in its use case versus others.

Seasonally, Boss Bottled Tonic is spring and summer. Built for casual wear or something low key for office settings. It’s not a club beast and while clean, isn’t what you’d call sexy. It could be worn subtly, to decent effect.

This fragrance is just something to spray on before the gym or when you want a quick refresher. It isn’t really strong enough, at least on me, to be very much more than that.

Though, within that framework in the summer, it does have a certain appeal to it.

Overall Impressions of Boss Bottled Tonic

Overall, do I like Boss Bottled Tonic. I like aspects of it, but would rather wear the original Boss Bottled. The overall composition never really grabs my attention and I can’t really see myself ever wanting to wear this, even if I had a full bottle available.

It’s nice, but it doesn’t really seem to serve any real purpose for me. Everything about it just screams average.

I enjoy the ginger note and the cool aroma it brings on a warm day. Other than that, the scent is entirely forgettable to me.

The ginger with the opening citrus and apple is my favorite part, I’d say. After that, it’s nothing that exciting.

If you can get this cheap, really love the Boss Bottled series, or are looking for a short-lived summertime freshie…maybe this will be one to consider. If you want a daily wear fragrance, this isn’t going to be it.

Polo Blue Parfum by Ralph Lauren

by

Polo Blue Parfum is one that I had encountered once last year in 2022, when it was released. This year, I finally got a sample, in order to test out this latest incarnation of the Blue formula. I had pretty much forgotten what it was like, so, this was almost like a new experience for me. What does it smell like? Does Polo Blue last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Polo Blue Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, cardamom, pink pepper, clary sage, vetiver, lavender, jasmine, oak, olibanum, patchouli

Click here to try: Polo Blue Parfum

My Full Review

Here’s how Ralph Lauren describes it:  (Polo Blue Parfum) is an enveloping and seductive fragrance that adds a new intensity of rich sensuality to the iconic fragrance collection.

Blue Parfum starts off with its top notes different from the usual Polo Blue formula, but I can tell that this is a Polo Blue fragrance. It’s just using some different notes.

Actually, one thing I noticed is how this also resembles an Acqua di Gio scent. For me, it comes across as a spicier and less marine version of AdG eau de parfum. Also, lacks the metallic note of the Armani.

These two colognes do have a lot of overlap: mandarin, vetiver, patchouli, clary sage, and lavender.

So, Blue Parfum is like a Polo Blue (maybe closer to EDP) and Acqua di Gio EDP.

Anyway, Parfum starts off with its mandarin note, being quite apparent. Not as standalone powerful, as in AdG, but its there and noticeable. For me, I get clary sage, with the pink pepper and cardamom not overwhelming me with their intensity.

Yes, this is spicy and fresh, but it’s totally balanced with that citrus note.

The next phase comes in, with more of the vetiver and lavender. It’s smoother, less spicy, and the mandarin takes a back seat. The fruit, will stick around just not to the same extent.

Woodsy, clean, aromatic, with some earthy smokiness popping through. No worries though, this isn’t going to go completely ‘dirty’, sticking close to a mainstream wearable fougere fragrance.

As I get further into the dry down, it’s really woodsy. Oak, vetiver, patchouli, sage, and the rest all working in a balanced harmony with one another. Nothing too complex here, but clean and fresh and easy to wear.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one is none too heavy, but has a decent projection radius of 6-7 feet, in the early part of the wear. That will come in towards you, to become a more intimate fragrance shortly thereafter.

However, it’s certainly not weak and can hang in the air quite nicely.

On my skin, it’ll go 6-7.5 hours. The others in the series tend to be in the 5-7 hour range, but this gives me about an hour more, on the whole. Though, it seems to have made it to at least six hours each time that I tested Parfum out.

Blue Parfum is of course a very wearable fragrance for most of the year. It works well in warm weather, is decent on the hotter days as well. It’s one that is designed to be an easy to grab daily wear and it fits the bill.

It’s suitable for all ages. Can be worn to work, school, etc. Not a club beast or one of the ‘sexiest’ colognes out there, just smells nice and has a good balance.

Overall Impressions of Blue Parfum

Overall, do I like Blue Parfum? It’s pretty good. After testing this one for a while, I think I enjoy others in the series like EDT, EDP, and Deep Blue more than this.

Parfum certainly has its moments of being enjoyable. I like how they changed up the usual formula, while still managing to keep it a recognizable Polo Blue scent. Again, I don’t believe it to be better, but it certainly can compete with others in the series.

You get a woodsy rather than citrus and woody finish. More nuance than the EDT, depth, and a change in the notes. So, it has that going for it, if you happen to dig this style versus what you get with the others.

It’s still not completely unique, what with the overlaps between the other Blues and Acqua di Gio.

The one drawback is the price. This one is expensive for retail, especially considering that it might not be better (or that much better, depending on you tastes) versus others in the series.

I’d almost certainly go with an AdG or Chanel scent, if the choice was between them and Parfum, at this price point. With a good discount? Sure, this isn’t a bad selection.