Cologne Reviews

Nautica Voyage vs Voyage N-83 Cologne Comparison

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Now, that I have completed reviews for both Nautica Voyage and its N-83 flanker fragrance, I thought that I’d do a comparison post and lay out which cologne I think is better and why. Nautica specializes in aquatic themed scents and especially one’s that are great for the warmer weather months. In this post, I want to take a look at each cologne and determine which is the better candidate for purchase for most men and how each scent performs as a daily wear.

What Smells Better Nautica Voyage or N-83?

Nautica Voyage Tale of the Tape

Notes include: apple, musk, cedar, green leaf, amber, mimosa

NAUTICA-VOYAGE

Read my original review here

Try Nautica Voyage: Nautica Voyage By Nautica For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 oz

Nautica Voyage N-83 Tale of the Tape

Notes include: cardamom, petitgrain, mint, lavender, sandalwood, nutmeg, sea notes

Read my original review here

Opening

The difference in the opening between Voyage and N-83 is a matter of the sea notes contained in N-83 and how it has less of a fruity quality. N-83 is much more oceanic/salty than Voyage, which while semi-aquatic, is highlighted by apple/citrus notes that seem rather juicy.

If you want an actual aquatic, then N-83 is a potential play. Outside of that, I’d give the opening act to the original Nautica Voyage.

It does have a greenish and refreshing quality thanks to the mint. A classic clean, with the lavender note. But, it doesn’t have anything that is all that intriguing. Nice enough, though.

Voyage is just much more noticeable and pleasant. From the start, you get that crisp and watery apple note, with added sweetness. Then, the unique addition of mimosa, cedar, and musk really set Voyage apart.

Greenish, floral, musky, but refreshing. Voyage is usually interesting, despite not being among my favorite fragrances to wear.

Really, it’s quite amazing how such an inexpensive fragrance like Voyage, has set itself apart from almost anything else on the market. Nothing smells exactly like it and even its flankers, don’t strike the same chord.

Edge: Voyage

Projection

N-83 has a tendency to be rather on the weak side, it isn’t completely a fade away in five minutes cologne but it isn’t strong either, and it has a limited range.

Voyage isn’t super powerful but it is noticeable and projects pretty well. I’ve noticed that a lot of the Nautica flankers don’t match up to even the decent sillage of Nautica Voyage. Which is a shame, because some of the better smelling ones could be nice cheapies.

N-83 isn’t one of the worst offenders, but doesn’t match what Voyage provides. It’s going to be sticking rather close to one’s skin for much of the duration.

Edge: Voyage

Longevity

Again, Voyage takes the cake. N-83 has a tendency to fade and turn completely into a skin scent. Voyage holds up and performs well on a summer day. If it’s between the two, Voyage wins.

With Voyage, I max out with 7 hours. It will usually fall into the 5-7 hour range. N-83 can be in the 3-6 hour range, on my skin. That’s what I’ve found it capable of with more testing.

Usually, it’s closer to the lower end. If it could hit that higher end with a bit more power, it could be a much more useful scent. Really, I’d expect 83 to reliably hit 4, and maybe you get an extra boost.

Edge: Voyage

Versatility

Both of these are great casual fragrances that can be worn to work, school, or wherever. I wouldn’t put either as a date night cologne really, though Voyage would get the edge.

Actually, N-83 is less intrusive, so it might actually serve as a slightly better office cologne. However, since Voyage isn’t a beast, it would be perfectly fine. As far as cheapies go, both have a good deal of use. No, neither are super high end in quality, but they can be useful.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

N-83 is a good scent don’t get me wrong, it just pretty linear and not anything all that special. It has a nice and clean scent that is oceanic/soapy/smooth, especially from the lavender note.

Voyage is an aquatic that has a great citrus aroma and has been a long time favorite and best seller. For the price, Voyage, is a great addition to anyone’s collection, while N-83 probably isn’t even one of the best Nautica colognes.

Voyage seems to be Nautica’s high water mark. It’s a fragrance that they can’t seem to outdo. Even when they use its name, the flanker never really holds up to a comparison. It’s usually outright disappointing. Honestly, both of these are cheap enough, that you could just get both for some variety. If only one, it’s gotta be Voyage.

Winner: Voyage

Stronger With You Leather by Emporio Armani

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Stronger With You Leather is the last of the decants I bought of this series. Now, there still currently are two more that I need to review, but this is the fifth full review that I’ve gotten to. Leather was released back in 2020 by Emporio Armani. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it actually worth a try?

What does Stronger with You Leather Smell Like?

Notes include: leather, elemi, spices, chestnut, vanilla, sage, lavender, oud, guaiac wood

My Full Review

SWY Leather opens up with an interesting take on the Stronger with You line. I mean, from the jump you can tell that it is apart of the series, but it lacks a lot of the hallmarks of entries like, Intensely.

The sweetness is taken way down, to where it’s basically only the vanilla note. Yes, it still has sweetness, just not from multiple sources. This one does feel nuttier to me in the opening act, with that signature chestnut out in full. But, one thing I do notice is that the spice mix is weaker here too.

Sure, some generic spice and a bit of sage wafting up from the heart. However, it doesn’t really bring that strong kick.

Now, the leather here is potent and you get plenty of it. Though, from the elemi to the guaiac wood, there is a real resinous aroma that surrounds the leather note from the start.

So, at the opening this one comes across as more of a blend of chestnut, leather, and vanilla. With the other notes providing a basic level of support.

Out of the entire series of fragrances, Leather is the closest to Absolutely, in terms of smell. Again though, even the lavender note is weaker here versus the others.

The dry down here is basically a takeover of vanilla and leather. On my skin, the chestnut sticks around, but is less prominent and the third strongest note.

The resinous smell has faded, oud is a bit stronger than the remaining guaiac wood. But, really neither is massive. It’s not really all that spicy or sweet. Just warm, vanilla, with a very nice leathery finish.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, I think this one has some sneaky power. The others do have pretty huge projections and leave scent trails in your wake. But, the sweetness and spice of the Stronger With You lineup, really makes them seem bigger.

Here, I think you get a lot of ability to project. Though, it doesn’t punch you in the face in the same way as a bold spice or sweeter scent can. Nonetheless, I can spray this on clothing in my house and pick up the scent from far off.

The longevity here is fantastic. Double digit hours and it goes beyond, most of the others too. 12-ish hours, maybe a bit more depending on the day.

Now, this does become softer than its initial strong stillage, but this Emporio Armani cologne really sticks around for a long time. Awesome.

The original Stronger EDT felt way too youthful to me, at times. Frankly, I wouldn’t want to wear it at my age. That being said, Leather feels much more appropriate for guys in their 30s and up.

Not to say that is the only group that can wear it, but it does have a nice refinement that some of the others like EDT and Freeze do not.

Seasonally, this is an autumn and winter scent entirely. I wouldn’t be wearing this out in the heat. Not that it’s too heavy, just the notes are conducive to that environment.

If you don’t go too heavy with it, Leather is a fairly safe fragrance during daytime activities. Personally, I’d want to reserve it for the nightlife. It is warm and does have a sexiness to its scent that simply works.

Overall Impressions of SWY Leather

Overall, do I like this fragrance? Yes, it is probably my second favorite of the Stronger with You lineup. The top three go back and forth, but as of now it’s: 1. Intensely  2. Leather  3. Absolutely.

This one offers something a bit different. You get the basic DNA, but without the same level of sweetness and spice. More of the spice remains, but even that is pretty weak in comparison. Instead, that title note, takes a bigger slice of the aroma.

I like the mix of chestnut and the leather note. The underlying vanilla and oud/guaiac wood are also nice. I’m not super thrilled with the resinous aspect, but it doesn’t distract me all that much.

The performance here is still great, like most of the rest of the Stronger With You scents.

This is probably pretty safe for a blind buy. You’re going to have to like leather (but it is well-blended and not just a leather bomb), obviously, and this does have more of a mature vibe than some of the others that have been put out. Nonetheless, this is a worthwhile fragrance to try out.

This does seem to be in pretty limited supply, as of posting. At least in the US. So, the price is probably going to be elevated versus others in the SWY series.

Sur La Route by Louis Vuitton

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Sur La Route is one of the better Louis Vuitton fragrances for men that the brand has released thus far. I got another sample of this scent, a few months back, in order to give it a full and proper review on the site. How does it smell? Does it last a long time? Is it actually worth a try?

What does Sur La Route Smell Like?

Notes include: leather, grass, cedar, Peruvian balsam, bergamot, musk, pepper, nutmeg, cardamom, and more

My Full Review

Here’s how LV describes it: A metaphor for each individual’s personal path: the journey is as important as the destination. One projects onto it dreams for the future; the past flashes before one’s eyes; energy is drawn from it with which to accomplish the wildest of dreams.

Sur La Route starts out with its citrus notes on full display, along side a potent grassy note, and some light spices.

This aspect of the scent actually reminds me of a higher quality Hilfiger Athletics, a scent that’s been discontinued for 20 years, but had the same bergamot, other citrus, grass, with some herbal spices.

This Louis Vuitton is super fresh from the start, early it is a green freshness, and then it will move into a citrus and cedar based freshness. The citrus is less pure juiciness and seems like some water that’s had added drops of bergamot/lemon into water.

Pepper and a light touch of nutmeg provide the spice here. It isn’t too heavy in the mix and will pretty quickly fade from being prominent or detectable.

The leather note here is going to become the strongest of the bunch, when the citrus lose some of their potency. However, it isn’t completely overwhelming or ever really veering towards being more of pure leather scent.

But, I will say, the middle act here presents as being quite unique. Leather, citrus, grass, cedar, and some Peruvian balsam. It has a super clean aroma, but exactly smelling like any other scent that I can think of.

The tail end of Sur La Route is about that leather and cedar combination. Less spice, but some patchouli with the remaining grass, let this keep some of its greenish smell. The citrus is still there, but doesn’t have the same strength.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

That opening sillage is a pretty bold punch. Not a ‘heavy’ sort of aroma, but it’s got plenty of projection and will leave a trail in your wake.

It might not be one which you can smell from across the room for a long time, but it has that presence for a little while. After that, it’s above average and slowly descending into skin scent territory towards the back half of the wear.

The longevity here is slightly above average, but nothing extraordinary. On my skin, Sur La Route will last between 6-7 hours. It’s fine for most days, when I’d want to use it. Though, it is by no means a workhorse.

Seasonally, late spring and through the summer. Sur la Route is a warm weather fragrance to wear during the daytime.

It’s clean and well rounded. Not one for the nightlife or what would be considered ‘sexy’. It can go casual or more dressed up. Though, it isn’t super serious or stuffy. Clean and bright.

Overall Impressions of Sur La Route

Overall, do I like Sur La Route? I do. Again, it’s one of the best 6 or 7 men’s scents from the French designer thus far. It’s not at the top of that list, for me personally, but there is plenty to like here…and you get a unique fragrance.

The citrus and green grass opening can be quite sharp and intense. The freshness never truly goes away, but you do get some settling and Sur La Route moves into different phases.

The leather is a note which helps this LV have a bit more uniqueness, and coming from a leather goods company, that ingredient is really top notch.

Performance isn’t elite, but it gives you enough to where it isn’t a total disappointment. Sure, it could be better, it’s just also not terrible.

Is this worth buying? Sure, it may not be for everyone, however. I’d probably want to try it out first, to see if you like the grassiness or the leather notes, surrounded by all that freshness.

XX Indigo by John Varvatos

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John Varvatos XX Indigo wasn’t a fragrance release that I had heard of. I just happen to get a sample of it, alongside a batch of others, some months back. It was released in 2021, apparently not to much fanfare. But, I wanted to give it a try, to see if it was perhaps a hidden gem. How long does it last? Does it smell nice? Is XX Indigo worth a try?

What does XX Indigo by John Varvatos Smell Like?

Notes include: mint, pink pepper, lemon, geranium, cardamom, Himalayan Poppy, vetiver, patchouli, musk

Click here to try: XX Indigo by John Varvatos

xx indigo review

My Full Review

Here’s how John Varvatos describes it:  This men’s cologne sets a fresh, confident tone for day and a sensuous signature after dark. Striking & intriguing, the royal blue packaging reflects independent, sleek style and luxury. This woody, masculine scent is uniquely captivating, just like the iconic fashion of the John Varvatos brand.

The opening of Indigo really hits you with its cold freshness. Mint and geranium together are going to do that, especially when they’re two of the main notes within a composition.

Lemon is there, but sitting underneath the aromatic notes, which includes another big shot in pink pepper and some light cardamom. Spicy, fresh, and somewhat green but not too woody or fruity with this scent. Though, some nice sweetness.

As it dries down, the spiciness will subside. Mint is still the lead throughout. But, geranium and cardamom really taper off.

In their place, patchouli and vetiver really step up. To me, the vetiver comes across more, than the patchouli. Feels like a blue-ish woodsy aroma. I know it’s Indigo, but this is a greenish-blue cologne.

So, in the end: mint, pink pepper, vetiver, musk, and patchouli.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, it’s a lighter moderate. At first, this does have a nice amount of projection and ability to leave a scent trail. It reaches probably around 6-7 feet from where you sprayed it.

But, that’s short lived and it quickly descends into being a near skin scent to full on press your nose to the skin, for the rest of the way.

The longevity isn’t much better. I get just over 5 hours, maybe getting to six, if you were to spray heavy with a full bottle. Not atrocious, but certainly nothing to write home about.

Seasonally, you do get plenty of versatility here. I don’t know if I’d like the cool sensation on a winter’s day, but Indigo seems to work well from temperate to even hotter climates.

It’s also pretty non-offensive, giving you lots of opportunity to wear it. It’s office safe, not overly heavy, and can work just as well in a casual situation.

I’d skip out on the nightlife, as it doesn’t have that bold or sexy vibe. Outside of that, you can get good use out of this Varvatos scent.

Overall Impressions of XX Indigo

Overall, do I like XX Indigo? It’s not terrible, but not something that I particularly enjoyed. Varvatos has come out with better fragrances than this. Sure, a lot of them don’t last very long, but they are unique and attractive.

Indigo? Less so. I do like the colder aroma here. It’s very fresh, but not completely unique or interesting. I like the use of geranium and mint early, it’s dynamic and fairly enjoyable. After that, meh.

This actually reminds me of Nautica Voyage Heritage, in some ways. A better version for sure, different towards the end (more of that ‘blue’ aroma), but they each have a style that should have been more interesting than it actually is.

The performance is about the usual, with this line. Basic. It might stick around for just over 5 hours, but the projection just really isn’t there beyond the first hour or so. Initially, it does have a nice pop to it.

Frankly, I don’t see a reason to own this. With a heavy discount, maybe. Assuming this is your style…even then, it’s a pretty boring cologne.

Baccarat Rouge 540 by Maison Francis Kurkdjian

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Baccarat Rouge 540 is a fragrance that has catapulted to insane levels of fame, probably thanks to social media. Some think it’s the best thing they’ve encountered, others think it is entirely overrated and terrible. Me, I don’t entirely fall into either camp. But, I have tested out samples of this perfume to see what it is really all about. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Baccarat Rouge 540 EDP?

Notes include: saffron, hedione, cedar, ambroxan, fir resin

Click Here to try: BR 540 at Saks

baccarat 540 review

My Full Review

Here’s how Maison Kurkdjian describes it: The woody scent releases a poetic alchemy, a highly condensed and graphic olfactory signature. Breezy jasmine facets, radiant saffron boost the ambergris mineral notes and the woody tones of freshly-cut cedar. Bright and sleek, Baccarat Rouge 540 eau de parfum caresses the skin like an amber and woody floral whisper.

BR 540 starts off with its saffron and jasmine notes up top. The hedione (jasmine) actually has a bit of a lemony tinge to it. Clean, sweetish (maybe more bittersweet with the saffron?), with a very unique smelling mix of resin and woods.

There is a little spice here in the opening stage, nothing extreme, just a bit of a bite.

The ambroxan note, plays a pretty big role here. Amberwood, ambroxan, etc. Different names for basically the same chemical molecule.

This one does seem to have more of a mineral/metallic kind of smell than some of the others that I’ve come across, which again, is probably heightened by the saffron.

Once the hedione has settled down, this one starts to get more resinous and woody. It’s a very dry fragrance with a potent freshness to it, through the back half of the wear.

Yet, it does come across to me as being a ‘fluffy’ smelling perfume, rather than the usual woody fare. That’s one reason Baccarat Rouge so often gets compared to Cloud by Ariana Grande.

This is better, but that overlap is indeed present.

Towards the end, this mainly becomes a cedar and ambroxan mix on my skin. That cedar note, can feel pretty sharp, it’s probably my least favorite in this composition. The resinous quality is still there, probably a blend of the fir and a few amber-like ingredients in the mix.

The jasmine is basically gone and there isn’t much saffron left, for me at least.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

So, Baccarat Rouge isn’t a terribly heavy scent. As I said, it does have a cloud-like fluffiness to it.

But, the projection is actually well above average. It can be a difficult one to gauge really. Sometimes, I can spray it on clothing and pick it up across the room. Other times, I can go nose blind to it, on my own skin.

I’ve read others say that they literally cannot smell a thing, with Baccarat Rouge.

Honestly, I think that all of the varying reactions to what it smells like and just how powerful it is, probably explains a good deal of why this perfume is talked about so much…it’s hard to get an understanding of it.

I’d say err on the side of caution, if you’re going to be in a situation where spraying too much might cause a problem for those around you.

The longevity with this Kurkdjian scent, is really good. Though, I must say, it does fluctuate quite a bit. It’s never bad, the minimum is 8 hours. It can, however, go for up to 12 hours on my skin.

It does usually split the difference and leans more towards double digit hours of wear.

Seasonally, I like this mostly in the colder weather of autumn and winter. Not a super heavy scent, just not one that I’d reach for in late spring or the summer. If it’s not too hot where you live, you might be able to get more use out of it.

It does have great versatility. It can be worn by all ages, is unisex, and can be worn on a variety of occasions. It leans more feminine, so, I wouldn’t advise all guys to choose BR 540…but it isn’t super girly or anything either.

I don’t really think of it as a nightlife perfume or one that is all that ‘sexy’. Outside of that, it can generally fit in and does have an attractive quality.

Overall Impressions of Baccarat Rouge 540

Overall, do I like this fragrance? Yes, I think that it’s very good. However, it has somehow become insanely popular and overhyped to a crazy level. The Extrait version is better, in my mind.

It can be a strange scent. As some people apparently get a band aid or even a ‘dentist’s office’ sort of aroma from this. I understand the comparisons, it just doesn’t fully come across that way on my skin.

Funny, others get cotton candy from this…I guess, maybe a little.

I enjoy the saffron in the opening, the jasmine, and the resinous qualities of the dry down. That amberwood note is something that I think turns a lot of people off with this, especially with the cedar freshness.

However, I actually think the amber facets work here, even with that synthetic style amberwood that they put in so many perfumes nowadays. Most of the time, it’s not great, but I don’t dislike the Baccarat 540 use of it.

It is a major factor in this perfume, so, you’re going to have to like it.

The performance here is good. To me, it’s not a super loud scent, but it can have a bit more projection than you actually think it does. The longevity is fantastic, so no issues there.

Is Baccarat Rouge 540, worth a blind buy? I’d lean towards no, due to the price. I’d highly recommend getting a hold of a sample or trying it out in a store before committing.

It is a popular fragrance, but there are plenty of people who are let down by their experience.

That’s an expensive mistake that you don’t need to make. There are now many alternatives which have come out for cheaper and perfumes similar to Baccarat Rouge 540.