Cologne Reviews

Eros Parfum by Versace

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Versace Eros continues its string of popular releases, with Eros Parfum. This one was actually released in 2021, but it didn’t seem to get the same level of fanfare as the others in the series. Nonetheless, I wanted to do a deeper dive on this flanker. How does it smell? Does Parfum have that Eros performance? Is it even worth a try?

What does Eros Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, mandarin, black pepper, elemi, tonka bean, Madagascar vanilla, litsea cubeba, pomarose, geranium, lavender, clary sage, benzoin, cashmeran, patchouli, vetiver

Click here to try: Eros Parfum

My Full Review

Here’s how Versace describes it: Eros Parfum. The fragrance. Cool citrus sparkles: mandarin and lemon, with litsea cubeba. An aromatic heart with an oriental profile made even deeper and more delightful. Mystic woody notes bring richness and addiction to the fragrance for a real, intensified sensuality. The liaison among the ingredients is vibrant and strong. The magnificent perfumer’s calligraphy created a luminous trail to contrast the mysterious woods. A melody enhancing each and every single note and bringing the fragrance to its climax.

Eros Parfum actually opens up being more fresh than citrus. Yes, the citrus does pop at the top and its sparkling quality is nice. But, it’s actually more muted in the blend.

The usual lemon, mandarin, and that verbena-like litsea cubeba. Pepper and sage are more apparent, as is the base of amber and resinous notes like, benzoin and elemi.

Clary sage leads things early on. Noticeably, there doesn’t seem to be much, if any of the mint note. Actually, it seems like it’s been replaced by a beefed up geranium and sage, to produce a similar effect.

Also, the green apple is lighter in its synthetic appearance as ‘pomarose’, in the notes listing.

Eros Parfum has a colder freshness early on, that will give way to the warmth of the latter stages. The amber influence definitely grows, as the pepper/sage mix loses its grip on the lead.

The next phase, gives me more of the geranium and the amber notes. The pepper is basically gone, at this point. Patchouli and vanilla begin to emerge more as well. The patchouli is short-lived and I personally don’t notice much lavender here at all.

Drier, earthier freshness with woody undertones. Amber and vanila. The citrus notes are still around but not major at all.

Parfum ends up being a amber, vanilla, cashmeran, and vetiver blend to finish things out. Yes, there is still some sweetness and whatnot. Though, it’s more of a creamy amber woods type of scent.

Aromatic fresh early on, finishing with warm and resinous woods.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, it’s about what you’ve come to expect with the Eros line. Very strong, leaves a huge scent trail, and projects well off of the skin.

It’s doesn’t feel entirely beast mode, with how the notes are structured. However, it does give you maybe 1-2 feet off extra projection versus Eros EDP. Not a major jump, but a slight difference.

Testing out Parfum, the range of longevity seems to be 8.5-10+ hours. Mostly towards the upper end of that range. One time, it did fade at the 8.5 hour mark, but the rest of the way I could pick it up just over double digit hours in.

For me, it’s not a 12-15 hour scent or anything like that on skin. But, Eros Parfum is just a notch below being absolutely perfect in that regard.

Seasonally, it does well in the colder months of autumn and winter. Though, this also has the ability to shine in the spring as well. Just avoid hot and humid days and you should be fine with Parfum.

It has a better ability to venture into warmer days than does EDT or EDP.

If EDP was a more mature representation of the Eros formula than was the original, Parfum takes it another step forward.

I don’t think any of these colognes are super sophisticated, mature, or built for formal occasions. Just that Parfum, should have a wider appeal with men in older age groups when compared to the youthful original.

Overall Impressions of Eros Parfum

Overall, do I like Eros Parfum? I do. I guess it’s the best current formulation with the Eros name. Personally, I’m not really that much into any of them at the moment. But, this is consistently the best smelling and performing over the duration of its wear.

To me, the apex of Eros was the original 2012 release formulation. That was brilliant. Newer bottles don’t smell the same to me and the performance took a very noticeable step back.

Anyway, with Eros Parfum the amber and resinous notes feel more tolerable than in EDP. The latter stages of vanilla and cashmeran are nice and smooth and help to finish things out strong.

The citrus isn’t too strong here, but I do like that it isn’t overwhelming me with lemon and orange.

The performance is well worth the price of admission and if you really like the aroma, that aspect probably won’t be disappointing.

If you like the Eros line, Parfum is definitely worth checking out. If you’ve smelled the other fragrances in this series, you’ve basically smelled this one too. Really, just different weightings of the notes with minor new ingredients introduced.

Un Jardin Sur Le Nil by Hermes

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Hermes’ Jardin series of fragrances has been pretty popular and one which I have enjoyed from time to time. I’m coming back to them, in order to give these perfumes proper full reviews. Today’s entry is Un Jardin Sur Le Nil, one of the favorites of the line. How does it smell? Does it last? Is it actually worth a try?

What does Un Jardin Sur Le Nil Smell Like?

Notes include: green mango, lotus, sycamore, tomato leaf, incense, hyacinth, musk, grapefruit, calamus, and more

Click here to try: Un Jardin Sur Le Nil

sur le nil review

My Full Review

Here’s how Hermes describes it: A perfume of life and light, sparkling and generous, where the scents of green mango, lotus, flowers and aromatic rushes mingle with incense and sycamore wood. For Men and women alike.

Un Jardin Sur Le Nil starts off sharp, fresh, yet with a greenish/vegetal aroma. The mango and grapefruit are dominant on first contact with the skin. Tropical and then a layer of citrus, which will reverse when the grapefruit takes over for the fading mango.

It’s interesting to have those fruit notes blended with a mix of earthy and aquatic smelling notes wafting from the heart and base. Tomato leaf is a big player here, along with the lotus, which is the strongest floral note at first.

‘A garden on the Nile’ is what the name translates to and like the others in this Hermes series, it does indeed capture what that might smell like.

As the mango takes a step back, this one gets earthier and more floral. It’s more of a cycle of the floral notes. Early lotus, then hyacinth giving it a slightly sweet green feeling, and then its a bit powdery in the dry down with iris.

It’s still clean and somewhat aquatic, but a lot of the green vegetal aroma will pass. Less tomato leaf, lotus, and the mango.

More of a citrus floral, musk, sycamore, and maybe a touch of incense. Not really something that I pick up a lot of.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one actually has some nice strength early on. The projection off of the skin will extend to maybe 7 feet after spraying. It has a good scent trail with its super fresh cleanliness.

After that, it moderates quite a bit. For much of the wear, I would expect about half of the distance of the peak.

On the skin, it will go for 6-7.5 hours. It’s pretty decent for me, just not amazing or anything that’s going to really shock you with the performance. Not terrible, though.

Seasonally, this is spring and summer all the way. This is one that begs to be worn in the daytime, particularly outdoors in the sunshine. The naturalistic notes ae a joy in the light breeze, which I got to experience coming back and testing this one.

This is a fresh and casual wear. Maybe semi-formal. Not a nightlife or sexy wear. It just smells good and may gather some complements, but won’t be a total attention grabber.

This is technically unisex, but this is definitely more feminine leaning with how it comes across. Though, not entirely so.

Overall Impressions of Un Jardin Sur Le Nil

Overall, do I like Un Jardin Sur Le Nil? Yes, it is one of my favorites from the series, and one of the better Hermes fragrances for women (even if it’s listed unisex).

I do like the green mango note. The complexity and how many different smells that you encounter throughout the duration. Hyper-fresh, yes. Powdery, sure. Vegetal, you bet. And on  it goes.

Personally, though, I prefer Le Jardin de Monsieur Li versus this one…but that just my preference.

This one can come across as quite sharp, clean, musky, and a lot of citrus (especially early on). For some, that may be something that turns them off completely from Sur Le Nil. For others, it will scream springtime and be something that they cannot do without.

It is an interesting fragrance for sure, with plenty going for it. I wouldn’t say that it is a must have for everyone, but it is a perfume that you should check out if the Jardin series is of interest to you.

The One Gold for Men by D&G

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The One series from D&G continues on and on into the future. Not that it’s a bad thing, since I actually enjoy these colognes. In 2021, the brand came out with The One Gold for Men, whose bottle looks a lot like the women’s version…which can lead to confusion. Anyway, how does this one smell? Does it perform well? Is it even worth a try?

What does The One Gold for Men Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, blood orange, red ginger, geranium, clary sage, cardamom, patchouli, vetiver, amberwood

Click here to try: The One Gold for Men

My Full Review

Here’s how Dolce & Gabbana describes it: The One For Men Gold celebrates a man who has a natural but unmistakable magnetism. A true gentleman, he exudes confidence with his innate elegance and unique style. The One For Men Gold is the olfactory embodiment of this masculine charisma – a sophisticated Eau de Parfum Intense that is as powerfully alluring as the man who wears it.

The One Gold opens up with it citrus and aromatic spiciness coming in strong. Blood orange and a bright bergamot really makes this one pop. But, the red ginger and cardamom are full present at the start as well.

A couple things to note here. First, this is different scent than the other The One fragrances. Yes, some overlap with notes. However, here we’re going very much in a citrus direction.

Secondly, there is plenty of overlap with Legend Red by Montblanc. Blood orange, clary sage, and cardamom are shared notes. That one utilizes grapefruit instead of bergamot and is also smoother/woodier versus the spiciness here.

Nonetheless, I have samples of both, so I’ve experienced the connection over the past few days.

Once that ginger note fades, the clary sage will overtake that and the cardamom note. The juicy citrus takes a step back and this one becomes more fresh aromatic.

At this stage, the sort of minty aroma of the geranium will also peak up and The One Gold will have a woodsy earthiness about it. Like the patchouli and vetiver are there, but they never really make much of an impression.

The final dry down is a sweet and slightly citrus amberwood. Yes, that synthetic smelling amber aroma, with the sage, cardamom, and geranium. It’s not too exciting. Smells fine, mix of sweet wood and fresh notes.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is actually really good for the first hour. It will absolutely tail you around and has the ability to project in the 6-8 foot range. Perhaps, a bit more.

For instance I sprayed it on my wrist and went for a walk outside. The fragrance was extremely noticeable and the most enjoyable that I’ve experienced while testing it out.

The longevity seems to be in the 6-7 hour range, on my skin. Not amazing, but it certainly equal to or better than many of the colognes in this line.

Seasonally, best in the spring and summertime. I really liked wearing this outside on a warm summer day. It wasn’t too hot outside and The One Gold was great in that environment. I’d say outside of winter, this would be fine.

It’s not much of a formal cologne. Daytime into nighttime casual. Certainly has an attractiveness, but not sexy like other The One fragrances. Easy to wear, but certainly not something I’d necessarily want to spray on to go to an office environment.

Overall Impressions of The One Gold

Overall, do I like The One Gold? I like the opening citrus and red ginger. Plus, the next phase. So, call it the first 45 minutes or thereabouts. After that, I don’t hate it, but it’s certainly nothing that I must own.

On the whole, it’s fine. Certainly doesn’t smell even as good as The One EDP Intense or the original EDT. Gold is really just an across the board ‘fine’ fragrance. It doesn’t do anything extremely well or really terribly either.

It is at least different from the other offerings in this line. It’s the least like the other The One colognes in the series. That may or may not be a good thing for you. Personally, I just enjoy the way the others smell more.

The One as a line is one where the eau de parfum is head and shoulders above the others in the series and the flanker scents can be pretty hit or miss. Mostly, they miss.

Gold is good enough, that you might pick it up in certain circumstances, but don’t expect it to be amazing.

The performance is actually pretty good and this can actually project well with a good amount of sprays. So, if you like it, I’d expect you’ll be able to find some cheaper bottles soon and get a great deal out of The One Gold.

I’m not buying a full bottle. It’s good enough to try out, but it’s not really even a cologne that you need to seek and give it a go.

The Most Wanted Parfum by Azzaro

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Wanted has been a massive hit for Azzaro. To me, each scent in the series has been better than the previous one, a trend I hoped would continue with 2022’s The Most Wanted Parfum. I got a hold of samples, to give this one a thorough try, and see how it compares. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a shot?

What does The Most Wanted Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: toffee, Bourbon vanilla, red ginger, and wood

Click here to try: The Most Wanted Parfum

most wanted parfum review

My Full Review

Here’s how Azzaro describes it: A new rise in intensity for the man who wants to unleash his burning energy. A fiery fougere, an oriental and spicy Parfum with an incandescent trail. 

This is one that I was excited to try, as I thought the original The Most Wanted was the best in the series. Plus, this has a red ginger note, which is one of my favorite spices.

The Most Wanted Parfum does indeed kick off with its spiciness out in full force. The Most Wanted had a toned down cardamom spice. This one, is closer to Wanted by Night with how it packs a punch early on (just trade the cinnamon for ginger).

The toffee note is still in the mix, adding a sweetness to the early stages. There is also the ‘incandescent woods’ note that does indeed add a warmth and almost smoldering sort of smell to the mix.

Fresh, crisp, hot, and sweet. Sort of a similar style to the opening of Spicebomb Infrared, not the same aroma, just that sort of intensity.

The ginger will fade, as the vanilla takes on a more prominent role. It’s dark woods with the remaining toffee joining the vanilla. The fragrance seems to cool down, yet the woods still have that light burning kind of aroma.

Still sweet with a light spice and not too heavy of a creaminess from the vanilla. Actually, it comes across more powdery at times. Though, the whole thing is less sweet overall versus The Most Wanted.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, it’s probably on the upper end of moderate. Will definitely leave a trail in your wake, but I don’t think that it is as strong as the original Most Wanted. Yes, even with this being a parfum concentration.

But, that initial spice definitely has more of an intensity and it will project almost as far. Though, after that the vanilla and wood isn’t nearly as noticeable, even when I spray it on clothes.

Still, quite good overall.

I also don’t get it to last the same amount of time. Also, close. This one hits the 8-8.5 hour range and doesn’t really go beyond that for me. Maybe you’ll get a few more hours, but I could get 9, even 9.5 with The Most Wanted.

Seasonally, it’s going to be great in the autumn and winter months. I’d even do evenings in the spring. Actually, since that’s when it shines, this should be a great nighttime option outside of the summer months.

It also is more refined and somewhat more mature than the other Wanted colognes in the series. Still easily worn by younger guys, but older men will be able to wear this more comfortably.

Not necessarily one for the office or formal occasions. Nightlife and romantic wear, for sure. This is going to get complemented a lot and called sexy fairly often. To me, that’s going to be its main use case.

Overall Impressions of The Most Wanted Parfum

Overall, do I like The Most Wanted Parfum? Yes, it’s right up there with The Most Wanted, but I’m not sure that it overtakes it for me. It is more well put together, but I really liked that caramel note in the original. Still undecided as to which I prefer.

The opening is fantastic with the ginger and the smoldering sort of woods. There is also a nice balance between the toffee and vanilla notes. As it dries down, it’s still good but doesn’t capture my attention to the same degree.

But, overall I don’t have many complaints about it. It’s pleasant to wear and attractive, even after that red ginger had mostly burned off.

It’s distinct enough from the original, but does pull from Wanted by Night, also. So, it’s not the most unique experience, and if you’ve come across the other two colognes…you’ve basically smelled most of what this has to offer.

On the whole, I give it a strong recommendation to try out. If you liked the other Wanted colognes, you’ll almost certainly like this, and it could be your favorite of the bunch. More maturity, but still suitable for a younger guy and plenty of broad based appeal.

Gentleman EDP Reserve Privee by Givenchy

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Givenchy’s Gentleman series continues to churn out flanker fragrances. For 2022, the brand has introduced Reserve Privee, as its latest edition. Based on the notes alone, it looks like it could be a winner. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it actually worth a try?

What does Gentleman Reserve Privee Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, iris, benzoin, whiskey absolute, chestnut, cedar, vetiver and patchouli

Click here to try: Reserve Privee at Macy’s

My Full Review

Tried it? Use the comment section below to rate and review this cologne.

Here’s how Givenchy describes it: The sensuality of ambery wood is faceted by luminous ethereal iris for an utterly addictive, heady duet. Infused with smooth natural whisky absolute, this fragrance has been crafted in grasse using aromatic barley from refined scottish distillery.

So, immediately upon spraying, I am instantly reminded of three fragrances: Dior Homme 2011, Dior Homme Intense, and Uomo by Valentino. Each of these shares a part with this new Givenchy in the opening stages.

I will say, it is closest to the way that Dior Homme Intense opens, and least like Dior Homme.

It shares that opening bergamot with Dior Homme and Uomo. But, within this Givenchy composition, the citrus feels much lighter. Instead, you get a nutty iris aroma, which kind of turns into a somewhat chocolatey scent. Though, it is mostly smelling like chestnut early.

This is like DHI with the nutty part of Uomo (except not creamy hazelnut) and none of the leather of Uomo of Dior Homme.

Anyway, focusing on Reserve Privee alone, the whiskey from the base does give it a nice distinction and I really enjoy the way that it plays off of that chestnut and iris. It still has that usual iris powder, but it doesn’t ever develop into a baby powder overload. Warm and tempered.

After this first stage, the chestnut plays much less of a role here, and Gentleman Reserve Privee is more of a distinct scent from the others I’ve mentioned. The whiskey early on, gives this a darker feeling, but that lightens up when this shifts.

The wood from the base and the amber really step up to basically split duties with the iris note. Those three are going to dominate the rest of the wear, with some of the remaining whiskey/chestnut playing a role.

Like I said, the fragrance has more of a chocolatey dry down version the nuttiness of the initial spray. But, that smell is like the fifth weighted out of the ingredients at this point.

Benzoin is here too, but I don’t really get much of the patchouli note. The resinous quality of the benzoin is more apparent in the dry down. Hitting the fourth most dominant note here, at its peak.

Eventually, this just becomes a woody amber aroma with some remaining iris. Everything else has pretty much burned off at this point.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this one starts out moderate, but will become a lighter and near skin scent for much of the wear.

Initially, you will get nice projection and a scent trail out of this one. That opening is pretty good in that regard. But, thereafter Gentleman Reserve Privee is going to be rather intimate with how it presents.

That being said, the fragrance doesn’t just fade away. It will actually last on the skin for 8-9 hours. You do get a long lasting fragrance, just not a powerhouse one.

Seasonally, this one is best in colder to moderate temperatures. Autumn and winter, mainly, with some ability to venture into the spring.

Well suited for the nightlife. It is attractive and sexy. I am sure this one will have a mass appeal, like the Dior Homme’s and Valentino’s. It can also be worn during the day, since it has a refinement and isn’t overly boozy.

While it is mature, this isn’t one that should scare away younger guys from trying it. It’s very wearable, just not begging for attention.

Overall Impressions of Reserve Privee

Overall, do I like Gentleman Reserve Privee? I do. But, it isn’t as good as either of the Dior Homme’s I mentioned nor is it as good as the Valentino Uomo line.

Sure, this one smells nice. I particularly enjoy the opening 30-45 minutes or so. But, it’s like a mimic of the other colognes that I’ve mentioned, while not hitting the same level.

I do like the whiskey and chestnut, which help to somewhat distinguish it (particularly the boozy). It’s warm, attractive, and one that will draw plenty of complements. On that front, I really have no complaints.

The sillage isn’t massive, especially past that first stage. However, I will give it credit for sticking around for a fairly long time, even in that lighter state.

The dry down is probably the weakest part. It’s pretty boring. The iris, wood, and amber is the vast majority of what you’re going to get. It smells fine, but nothing too groundbreaking.

Overall, I can recommend to give Reserve Privee a try. But, I’m not going to be buying a full bottle personally, when I can pick up the others that I mentioned (or already have bottles of).

It’s a really good cologne, that doesn’t quite hit the great or classic level. Still, it’s one of the best releases of 2022.