Best Men’s Shoes

9 Best Smelling Chocolate Scented Colognes for Men

by

I’ve had this post in the queue for a few years, at this point, and never got around to finishing writing up my selections. So, I figured now was a good time to jump into the best smelling chocolate fragrances for men. I ended up picking nine colognes or unisex perfumes, which feature either raw cacao or a more refined chocolate note as a main ingredient.

What are the Best Chocolate Scented Fragrances for Men?

Unique Designer Cocoa

Jean Paul Gaultier Kokorico Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 1.6 Ounce– Cocoa mixed with an earthy and spicy patchouli note. It calms down later, in the wear, but the opening can hit quite hard with an abundance of fig. Some folks don’t care for fig at all. Personally, I love it, and think it fits in very well with the rest of the blend.

Kokorico then turns into a cacao and woody scent, smooth, and really quite distinct. There was a sweeter flanker version of this called Kokrico by Night, but it is really tough to find a bottle, after it was discontinued.

Not Pure Chocolate, But Fantastic Fragrance

Christian Dior Dior Homme Intense Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 1.7 Ounce– To me, the cacao is more noticeable in Dior Homme Intense rather than, the original. It takes on a powdered chocolate aroma, with dry cedar, vetiver, and of course iris surrounding the cacao note.

This isn’t a pure chocolate scent, by itself, but it does play a major role in this fragrance which is one of the best on the market. The opening act of this fragrance, is one of my favorites of all-time, and it also provides good performance. My Full Review

A Valentino Blend

Valentino Uomo FOR MEN by Valentino – 3.4 oz EDT Spray– Uomo isn’t a totally chocolate-led fragrance, but the note is there. However, it is going to be paired with bergamot, hazelnut and coffee notes, which further its gourmand stylings.

It does share a lot of similarities with Dior Intense and the old Dior Homme. Yet, it also does its own thing, and was enjoyable enough for me to grab a full bottle of.

The sweet creaminess and the juicy bergamot citrus is most apparent in the opening act. The later dry down will reveal more leather, coffee, and that nice chocolate facet. Don’t expect a complete chocolate takeover, but you will get plenty of it with this one, just blended.

Woods and Cocoa Bean

Giorgio Armani Emporio Armani Diamonds Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 1 Ounce– Cocoa bean, bergamot, and amber lead Emporio Armani Diamonds out of the gate. It is a brilliant trio, that isn’t to heavy but has a nice dynamic sweetness.

This then dries down with a woody base, but the chocolate remains freshly sweet. Nice performance and just a great scent. The citrus and cocoa bean opening is an amazing start, the warm amber note fills the heart of this scent.

Dry with a nice base of vetiver and guiac wood. Though, not too heavy and gives off a stylish and smooth aroma.

Cheapie Chocolate

Masaki Matsushima Chocolat Mat Eau de Parfum Spray, 2.7 Ounce– A really nice and inexpensive unisex chocolate perfume, which adds coconut, musk, and some creamy sandalwood to the dominant chocolate top note.

What’s great is that there is a bit of watermelon hidden in its depths, which emerges ever so gently, before folding back into the composition. Not great staying power, but one cheap enough to reapply.

High End Gourmand

Bond No. 9 So New York by Bond No. 9 Eau De Parfum Spray 3.3-Ounces– A pricier unisex fragrance from Bond No. 9, So New York, utilizes cocoa powder and espresso (with the former being dominant), to create a delicious and somewhat spicy scent.

It opens with a tart plum flanking those two notes and dries down with that role being played by patchouli. Rather simple, but quite nice.

Spiced Chocolate, but Discontinued

Polo Big Pony 2 By Ralph Lauren Edt .5 Oz- The whole Big Pony line from Ralph Lauren, were quite simple and straightforward colognes, and this is no different. Big Pony 2 takes cocoa and a spicy pepper/musk combo.

It’s quite a warm scent and the dry down is more of a chocolate and musk, with less of the initial pepper kick. You can still find some bottles around, but it is getting tougher.

Sweet Coffee and Chocolate

(Boticario Coffee (Man) Collection – Paradiso Eau De Toillete 3.38 Fl Oz)– A fresh and tropical blend of coffee and cacao, with amber and coconut. This one is sweet, with a cardamom spice, that isn’t too heavy but does give it a distinction away from being just a coffee cup smelling fragrance.

A great and masculine gourmand with a solid blend of chocolate aroma mixed with coffee beans.

Greed is Chocolate

MONTALE Chocolate Greedy Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 fl. oz.– Chocolate Greedy gives you a lovely chocolate aroma, that is supported by vanilla, and a hint of coffee. The coffee is mostly around, at the start, but gets overtaken by a bitter orange.

Honestly, not personally a fan of the bitter orange note, but it ultimately isn’t too much of a distraction. As it dries down, it takes on more of a scent of chocolate baked goods, with its warmth. Earlier it can smell more like a drier powdered dark chocolate. Which, this is a cacao note, but the vanilla and other notes add the creaminess.

Very good performance here. The aroma goes from baked goods to a creamier feel during the middle act. Not super sweet or sugary.

Nike Epic React Flyknit Full Wear Review

by

Now that I’ve had the Nike Epic React Flyknit sneakers for over a week, I thought that it’d be a good time to post a review on this site. I’ve already created a YouTube video about my experiences with it (posted below), so, if you’d rather watch a video review instead of reading my post…you have the option. These sneakers are the exclusive White Fusion colorway that Nike released to their Nike Plus members and then sold out of within a few hours. In this post, I’ll cover what I like and dislike about these shoes, show pictures, and what I think about how they perform/look overall. Try the Epic React Fusion from Nike

 

My YouTube Review:

 

Fit

I have a wider foot, but seeing as I couldn’t try these on before I purchased them, I went with my usual 11.5 size. Nike running shoes have a tendency to run narrow and while the Epic React Flyknit isn’t super narrow, it is still a bit of a tight fit on my feet.

Over the big toe area, it is definitely a snug fit, and something that bothered me somewhat during running. For most people who don’t have a wider foot, this shouldn’t be a problem. In my case, I should have gone a half size up for maximum comfort.


That being said, it isn’t too much of a deal breaker. It’s my biggest gripe with these sneakers, however, it simply means that I will no longer use them for running. Strictly casual use from here on out.

 

Style

I really liked how this colorway looked, which is obviously why I shelled out the cash for them. Do I think that they’re the prettiest shoes ever? No. I actually like how the Adidas Boost looks in the triple white colorway better (which is one of the few colorways I like on the Adidas Boost). I don’t own a pair of Boosts, so I cannot do a comparison, on these two sneakers.

That being the case, the Epic React Flyknit does still looks great on foot in my opinion. When just sitting on its own, it has a tendency to droop, as it’s so light and the Flyknit is thin; but when worn with jeans or shorts, they have quite an appealing aesthetic.

Check out the video review, for shots of the shoe on my feet.

 

React Technology

How does the React cushioning feel?

Great.

No, seriously, I love the React cushioning. These shoes are super light (8.6 oz, I think?) and the React does have that cloud/pillow like feeling as you walk. It has a certain level of give but it’s not like you’re ‘sinking’ down into the shoe. There is a bounce back and enough stiffness to give stability as you walk/run.

Again, I have no clue how it compares to Boost. Though, I don’t particularly care, because these are so much more comfortable than my other Nike sneakers.

The feeling in the heel of the shoe is my favorite aspect of the Epic React Flyknit. The cushioning there is so responsive and soft, that if it weren’t for the sizing issue, I would forget that I had them on.

Yes, I did run in them twice, on a treadmill. The big toe tightness bothered me, but I enjoyed the rest of the shoe. The react cushioning did have a nice bounce to it with each stride and the light weight was noticeable, even with the fact that I usually run in a pretty light weight Nike.

I’m done running with this pair in particular, but if I find the right size when the other colorways are released, I just might pick me up a pair to run in.

Overall

I really like these sneakers. I wouldn’t say they’re perfect in terms of styling and sizing but if I had gotten a size 12 and it fit correctly, I’d probably be raving about how awesome they are.

Styling is good but not magnificent. I think they look best on feet and when viewed from the front. Also, since they are a running shoe, the best way to wear it with shorts. Though, casually with jeans, I feel that they still have a solid look with the white/white/racer blue colorway.

Running felt good. I am a casual runner (mostly treadmill), so, those who do more serious training might need something more specific for their needs. Just general running, these should do well for most people.

Most importantly, comfort was exactly what I expected and wanted with the React cushioning. I do still need to get a correct size, but once I do, I’ll have found an almost ideal, multi-purpose sneaker.