Cologne Reviews

Mercedes-Benz Intense for Men

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Mercedes-Benz Intense is a release under the car-manufacturer’s label from 2013. So, it’s one of the early ones in the series. I’ve been testing it out for review to see how it smells and performs. Is Intense worth a try?

What does Mercedes-Benz Intense Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, violet leaf, lemon, mandarin, amber, pepper, nutmeg, patchouli, vetiver, cedar

Click here to try: Benz Intense

My Full Review

Here’s how Mercedes describes it: More powerful than the original fragrance, this Woody Ambery Fresh fragrance evokes the sensuality of a seductive urban male, a charmer, sure of his strength, sure of himself, sure of his power to go further.

Benz Intense opens up with its citrus accord out in full swing. The mandarin orange, is the strongest to my nose, with bergamot and lemon splitting the rest of the space.

Early on, I get the comparisons to a few of the Fahrenheit by Dior Flankers. Citrus, with the violet leaf and violet notes. It’s pretty easy to pick up that same vibe.

The violet leaf adds a greenish and watery aspect to the juiciness of the citrus. Yet, it’s got a spicy presence from the pepper note and maybe a very slight nutmeg. Though, that’s not playing a decisive role in this one.

Intense comes across as being bright and fresh at this stage. The mandarin sticks around, the rest of the citrus will weaken more so. This opens the door for a drier aroma, with a further freshness brought in by vetiver and some cedar.

So, less citrus more woods. More of a violet flower, less greenish watery/ozonic leaf. The spiciness also recedes into the background.

That’s pretty much the state of things, the rest of the way. Vetiver, violet flower/leaf, just a general fresh feeling.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one does have some good projection and scent trail abilities, that are well above average, but not a complete bomb. It’s very noticeable for a majority of the wear and has about two hours, in which it is pretty fantastic off of the skin.

As far as how long Intense lasts, I get around 7.5, maybe 8 hours max. It’s solid, not a total marathon performer, just one that works for most purposes. Nothing about this scent seems average.

Seasonally, I’d could probably wear this anytime. Maybe skip the dead of winter (or daytime outdoors in the summer), as it might feel too sharp in the cold air. Spring is when this one would be at its best. One would get plenty of opportunity to wear this during the year, though.

Benz Intense isn’t super formal or super sexy, pretty wearable, in many different scenarios. It has some mass appeal and enough style to go day or night for most occasions. Again, I don’t really want to wear it completely dressed up, but semi-formal would be fine.

Overall Impressions of Mercedes Intense

Overall, do I like Mercedes-Benz Intense? I like it. Since it pretty closely resembles the Fahrenheit line, I’m not too into it. That’s not a favorite of mine from Dior. But, I like what they did here on the whole.

The citrus opening is enjoyable. Plus, I like the woodier dry down. Violet leaf is one of my least favorite notes, personally. That being said, I don’t completely mind it here, but it does cap my total enjoyment of this one.

The performance is good and Mercedes Intense doesn’t have any particular weak spots. If you like this style of fragrance, it is one to check out, and probably a pretty safe blind buy for most people.

It’s not amazing to me, it is quite good across the board, and one of the better releases from Mercedes-Benz.

Eau Sauvage Parfum (2017) by Dior

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Eau Sauvage is a fragrance that I’m familiar with, but I have to say, I never really got into the flankers. I acquired three of them recently to test out and review for the site. One of which, is today’s entry from 2017, Eau Sauvage Parfum. How does this one smell? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

What does Eau Sauvage Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: citron, lavender, hedione, wild flowers, bergamot, elemi, vetiver, anise, cinnamon, labdanum

My Full Review

Wow, I really like the start to Parfum. The bergamot is the most prevalent, at this stage, but it is already being buoyed by the base notes. I get a good amount of elemi, already at this stage. Sort of reminds me of Chanel’s Allure Homme Sport Cologne, with the citrus and resinous aspects.

Also, the newer Dior Homme Sport (which I dislike) shares a lot of elements with this, except this is actually good.

The citron and bergamot really help to make this one bright and juicy, but the profile feels cold, and you do get a woodsy dryness wafting from the base.

At the start, this leans more floral with lavender, jasmine, etc. It’s somewhat earthy lavender, but greatly leans towards a cleaner lighter aroma. But, I do get a very outdoorsy lightly dirty undertone.

There’s some spiciness here, mostly vetiver providing that, but apparently there is a touch of anise or cinnamon. Not really distinct to my nose, but maybe?

As we move further along, Eau Sauvage Parfum this transitions to a vetiver floral fragrance, with citrus highlights. The earthiness pulls back somewhat, but still feels like being outdoors near a grove.

The elemi and labdanum come through for an even more resinous feel. I know the older versions of this had a stronger myrrh aroma, but I didn’t ever get around to trying it, and so can’t compare. This, resinous base is somewhat sweet, with a vanilla-like aroma.

The final dry down really goes towards the elemi’s vanilla like aroma. The vetiver is still kicking around and some of that lavender.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one doesn’t project super strong, but you get an hour or so, where it does have a nice bubble and scent trail going. After that, it’ll stick to a 3-5 foot radius for much of the wear.

It’s slightly above average, but not weak by any means.

On my skin, the longevity is better than I’d expect based on the sillage alone. It will hit the 8-8.5 hour territory for me, with regularity. For the price point, that’s about what I’d want at minimum, but it clears the hurdle.

Seasonally, I’ve worn this on a warm winter’s day (more like late spring temperature wise) and Parfum smelled great. I think a little hotter and it might start to falter. However, autumn through spring should be fine.

This version of Eau Sauvage is more approachable than the original 1966 release. It’s modern, well put together, but still has a casual vibe. It can be worn in a wide variety of situations, by any age group, and has a mass appealing style.

It’s not specifically a nightlife beast or anything, though it absolutely works in that situation.

Overall Impressions of Eau Sauvage Parfum

Overall, do I like Eau Sauvage Parfum? Absolutely. This is my favorite from the Eau Sauvage line, more so than the original, and the other two testers that I received.

It’s so well-balanced, but has a great richness, and I love the citrus aromatic blend with the elemi. It has subtle depth to it, without feeling heavy. Classy, yet relaxed, and very approachable for men of any age.

The sillage isn’t going to blow the doors off, but it’s a bit above average, with good longevity.

The bottles aren’t being produced anymore, so what’s out there now is all you’re going to have to choose from. Prices for some discontinued scents can get crazy, so, if you want to try you might have to move rather quickly.

Boss Bottled EDP by Hugo Boss

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Boss Bottled EDP is a more recent edition to the brand’s long-running Bottled line of fragrances. I’ve had a sample of this for a long while, tested it out, but always forgot to post the review. So here’s to correcting that. How does EDP smell? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

What does Boss Bottled EDP Smell Like?

Notes include: apple, bergamot, black pepper, cardamom, sage, olive wood, vetiver, cinnamon

Click here to try: Boss Bottled Eau de Parfum

My Full Review

Here’s how Boss describes it: Created for driven, ambitious men ready to take on every challenge that comes their way, this noble composition brings a new intensity to the warmth and vibrancy of the timeless BOSS BOTTLED signature.

The opening of Bottled EDP is a sweet-tart, blue-ish blend of notes, laced with spice. It reminds me a bit of Y EDP and Wanted by Azzaro, in different ways.  The apple and cardamom notes are pretty massive, with how they hit up top.

The bergamot citrus adds a further brightness and sharpness to the mix, along with that sage note, which gives me reminders of the YSL cologne.

Now, on my card for this sample it says there is sage as a note, but other stores online say it’s cinnamon, and don’t mention sage. The actual ingredients do mention the chemicals they use for cinnamon, but this comes off like sage and not a cinnamon spice.

Perhaps both are a part of the composition, but where this cinnamon is, I’m not exactly sure. I know the original had that apple cinnamon vibe going for it, but this is pretty different.

The bergamot will wear off and I start to get more of the sage and cardamom mix. A nice, fresh spiciness, with some further citrus-like hints from the cardamom.

As we move along to the dry down, it’s an apple note with vetiver freshness, woodiness (olive wood, I’m presuming?),  perhaps some musk, and the remainder of the spices. It’s clean and pretty intense, for this stage in the game, but not a huge projection off of the skin.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one does start off with some power and ability to jump off of the skin. That will change fairly quickly and Boss Bottled EDP will be more moderate and close to where you sprayed. Anywhere from 1-4 feet for much of the duration.

The performance here isn’t terrible, but it is by no means amazing. On my skin, I get 7 hours max, but more along the lines of six many time. It’s fine, just nothing crazy.

Seasonally, it’s probably at it’s best in the more moderate temperatures of autumn and springtime. It can venture a bit outside of that in either direction. Yet, I’d avoid using this one in the extreme heat or cold. For an average day, it’s good.

This is an easy to wear scent, that skews more towards a younger crowd. It’s a daily wear that can go casual to semi-formal, depending on the situation. Very pleasant and probably not going to offend anyone, unless you go crazy with the sprays (particularly the opening act).

Overall Impressions of Boss Bottled EDP

Overall, do I like Boss Bottled EDP? It’s pretty good, but not something that I feel like I have to run out and get a bottle of. It’s a clean and blue-ish scent with a tart and sweet aroma, lots of apple, wood, and a general fresh feeling.

The performance is a bit above average, but not by much. However, it’s one that can get plenty of use as a day to day scent. As such, if it sounds like something you’d like, it’s worth a try. I don’t think it’ll be hated by most anyone, just not completely outstanding.

It seems like Hugo Boss is going to keep right on releasing variations of this in the upcoming years. It’s a more modern take on that 90s formula, but nothing that does anything all that interesting.

Mercedes-Benz Le Parfum for Men

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Le Parfum is one of the older fragrance options from Mercedes, that was launched back in 2015. I received a small decanted tester with an order of other fragrances, a few months ago. It is one that I’ve been trying out ever so often, to get my full understanding of this scent. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does Mecedes-Benz Le Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: cascalone, violet leaf, saffron, oud, pink pepper, bergamot

Click here to try: Le Parfum

My Full Review

This was a Mercedes fragrance that I was expecting to like a lot, due to comparisons with Ombre Leather by Tom Ford. Sure, that’s totally there, but it’s closer to the Parfum version.

Yet, Le Parfum starts off very much doing its own thing and I enjoy it on its own, apart from being a potential ‘clone’.

This one kicks off with a mix of bergamot, cascalone, and pink pepper. Very water fresh and juicy, like a piece of fruit. Cascalone, can go either way for me, with its synthetic water/oceanic smell. This one, I like.

The citrus, the cascalone, and the violet leaf combine to give this a green clean and watery smell. There is a bit of pink pepper, but not too much.

As it moves further along, saffron and oud will help to produce that leathery aroma, that compares favorably to the Tom Ford scents. They’re not exactly the same, but sure, a close relation to how they smell.

The oud is pretty strong here, but it completely comes across as leathery versus what you might be used to. So, it’s a cascalone infused leathery cologne, with the remaining violet leaf still poking around.

The final dry down gives you some amber and vetiver touches and less of the watery aroma.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one has a solid hour or so, where it is what you could consider the lower range of ‘strong’. It’ll project in that 6-7 foot range, slowly creeping in closer, until it’s about 3-4 feet from the skin. Which will take place, sometime between hour 2 and 3.

The longevity on me seems to hit the 7-8 hour mark, before quitting. Usually, it will get past that half hour mark but not too much further. It’s not spectacular, but still quite good and no real complaints with performance from me.

Seasonally, I like this one autumn through springtime. Sure, it works in the colder weather, but I actually like it when it’s sort of mild outside. That watery note makes it interesting to me, in that kind of climate.

Within that climate, this one can be worn in a wide variety of circumstances. It’s not too ‘serious’, but it does have some refinement. You can wear it out at night, semi-formally, and younger guys can even give this one a go.

Not too overpowering for the office, either. Plenty of use cases with Le Parfum.

Overall Impressions of Le Parfum

Overall, do I like this Mercedes-Benz fragrance? I really do. It has to rank among the best of the line. While I still like the Tom Ford leathers a bit more than I like this one, Le Parfum has enough distinction to make it enjoyable on its own.

The cascalone accord’s watery freshness and the fruitiness of the opening is great. That’s definitely one of the highlights of this scent for me. Of course, its overlap with Ombre Leather, which is a favorite of mine doesn’t hurt the Mercedes’ appeal.

The performance here is well above average, not elite. It provides a long enough experience and isn’t completely weak on the skin. Plus, in that autumn through spring time frame, one would get plenty of opportunity to wear this cologne.

This fragrance is well worth a try and is pretty safe in terms of a blind buy. I don’t think most people would hate this scent and would at least have favorable opinions of it.

Cherry Smoke by Tom Ford

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Cherry Smoke is one of the latest offerings from Tom Ford, along with, Electric Cherry. Both of which are piggy backing off of the massive success of Lost Cherry. This one was released in 2022.

Now, this hasn’t nearly gotten the fanfare of their initial cherry perfume foray, but does that make Smoke not as good of an option to wear?

I bought two samples of Smoke only, since I couldn’t yet find Electric, and have been testing this perfume out. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

Cherry Smoke Perfume Overview

Notes include: dark cherry, osmanthus, cyproil India, saffron

Click here to try: Cherry Smoke from Sephora

My Full Review

Here’s how Tom Ford describes it: AN EXPERIENCED HEDONIST, CHERRY SMOKE PLAYS WITH FIRE, BURSTING WITH THE SCENT OF DARK CHERRY, IGNITED BY SEDUCTIVE OSMANTHUS AND SMOLDERING, SMOKED WOODS. 

Cherry Smoke kicks off with one of the familiar cherry notes, found in Lost Cherry. The black cherry without the booziness. That cherry is matched with the osmanthus accord and saffron.

The osmanthus, according to the TF website, has facets of: leather, olive, and apricot aromas. The apricot aspect is noticeable upon the initial spray, but will fade along with the cherry note.

Yes, the cherry in Cherry Smoke, is not actually the main attraction. It is up top and sticks around, but it will lurk more in the background.

The saffron and osmanthus accord do give off a combined leathery aroma, with a warmth and slight smokiness from the base. Cyproil India and more of a generic woodiness provide that part for us. It sort of comes across like an oud note, but I don’t think it actually is.

Honestly, this one isn’t a super cherry nor super smoky scent. It has some of each, especially early, but not to the extent you’d expect based on the name.

Once the cherry has stepped back, that olive and cyproil become noticeable, and Cherry Smoke has a somewhat bitter aspect to it. Still a leathery freshness, but woodsy, dark, and a touch bitter. Again, that cherry sweetness is still a part of the show.

The final dry down is less leathery and geared more toward the woody notes. Kind of a suede-like finish, but a full expression of that osmanthus accord and remaining cherry.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This is a perfume that doesn’t really project all that far nor does it seem heavy. It’s warmth and the smokiness that it does have, makes it feel like it has more ‘weight’ to it than it actually does.

Early the sprays are noticeable probably up to 7-ish feet or so. After that, it’s going to come into the 1-3 foot range. That’s kind of how it was for me with Lost Chery too, but this one to a greater extent.

On my skin, this will go 6.5-7 hours. Again, those last few hours are very weak, but still somewhat detectable. It is definitely there, though.

Seasonally, I’ve obviously been testing this out in winter. But, it’s not too cold right now, which has given me a few chances in the chilly to moderate temperatures. That’s probably the right zone for this one.

Autumn through mid-spring, depending on where you live. Summer it’s a hard pass.

I think that Cherry Smoke leans more masculine, but is still very unisex overall. The versatility, is probably its greatest strength. Pretty much anyone can wear it, in most situations, and it can even extend into the nightlife.

Overall Impressions of Cherry Smoke

Overall, do I like this fragrance? I certainly like aspects of it, but during these first tests, I was never completely blown away by Cherry Smoke. It’s still good.

As of now, I’m not really sold on it being better than Lost Cherry. That could change and I’ll update, if that’s the case. I do still give an edge to the original, in totality.

The opening cherry with the saffron and apricot aroma of the osmanthus is very nice. I enjoyed that a lot. That olive aroma and cyproil are also interesting in their own way.

On the whole, it never hits an elite level for me. I was excited to give this a try, but it’s a mild disappointment, that could have been classic.

Update: Yeah, coming back to this one, it’s nothing that great. It’s likeable at times, but really never brings it all together into something that’s a must have scent.

The performance is mediocre for what you’re paying. It doesn’t need to be an absolute bomb, but it also doesn’t really give me enough in terms of power or length of time.

Obviously, the price is a limiting factor for who is going to buy this scent. I don’t think this is worth the reach for most people. Some fraction are going to love this one, but most will probably just like it.

There’s not a lot of value here, at end of the price range that Tom Ford perfumes occupy. It’s worth trying to see, where you fall on this one, before shelling out hundreds of dollars.