Jean Paul Gaultier

Le Beau Paradise Garden by JPG

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Gaultier’s Le Beau series seems like it’s going to be marching on well into the future. I recently bought the 2025 release, Flower Edition, and picked up a bottle of 2024’s Paradise Garden at the same time.

I’d encountered this one before, but wanted to finally give it an in-depth review after plenty of testing. How does this one smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

Paradise Garden Overview

Notes include: mint, ginger, fig, coconut water, salt, tonka bean, sandalwood

Click here to try: Paradise Garden

My Full Review

Before I begin, here’s how Gaultier describes it: A sumptuous paradise of exotic creatures, like a lush Eden… it is here that Le Beau Paradise Garden can be found. Burning with passion, the original man displays a true sense of style with his embellished sculpted torso. Inspired by the 2010-2011 Fall/Winter ready-to-wear collection. The enticing tropical-green bottle and woody, heavenly fragrance are particularly noteworthy. Let yourself be carried away on this euphoric odyssey… simply irresistible.

Before trying this one out, I wasn’t sure whether or not I’d actually like this formula. Too much coconut, can get on my nerves. Le Beau Le Parfum, while a nice fragrance was too heavy with it to make me personally want to wear it more often.

On the other hand, I am a fan of ginger, mint, and fig. Luckily, the coconut here is a lighter coconut water, and isn’t overwhelming at all.

The opening is a mix sweetness, freshness, a cooling spice, and an aquatic tinge to it all. It’s got a greenish aroma from the fig, that pairs well with that coconut, and I personally get a substantial dose of the ginger note.

The fig is more of the fruit rather than the leaf, but it seems like you get a blend of both parts. Sweet and green.

Salt? Not too much that I can pick up.

While the coconut is a more watery type, there is still some creaminess to the mix. Some nice support from sandalwood, fig, and tonka bean, see to that. I get more of the sandalwood in the dry down period.

In this early stage, the cologne does live up to the ‘Paradise Garden’ moniker. Quite lush and it hits with a layered aroma.

The scent will simplify as we move forward. It’s still got a fruity and watery aroma, but this takes on a grassier and woodier finish, on my skin. It’s a mix of the fig, coconut, and sandalwood the rest of the way.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one isn’t a heavy fragrance, but it does have good projection for what this is. It’s a lighter cologne for spring and summertime. So, when you compare it to others in that style, Paradise Garden really shines.

However, I don’t find it to be a complete beast with its reach. I can spray Le Male Elixir or Ultra Male also by Gaultier and they’ll be detectable easily in another room. This doesn’t have that reach, nor should it. Overall very solid projection with a lighter moderate sillage.

The longevity here is really good. I’ll call it over 8 hours, maybe it reaches 9. A step ahead of the newer Le Beau Flower Edition, but not quite the same level as Le Beau Le Parfum.

I’m not sure why I’d need this type of scent to extend into the double digit hour range on skin, if it were capable. For me, no real complaints with the performance aspect of this cologne.

Seasonally, again, this is a spring and summertime wear. It’s been warm for February thus far, so, I’ve gotten to wear Paradise Garden outside a few times. It hangs in the air around you beautifully, with enough power to enjoy without getting overpowered.

I don’t think this would be terrible at all in milder temperatures either. Just seems like it’s at its peak when things heat up.

This is more of a youthful fragrance, so, don’t expect something that’s buttoned up or a formal sort of wear. If you’re younger, you can wear it to school. If you’re older, this isn’t a daily wear office scent.

Personally, I’m going to be wearing it casually on warmer days, trips to the coast, things like that. Sometimes, I’ll probably break it out at night. For most people, this isn’t going to serve as a main signature scent.

Overall Impressions of Le Beau Paradise Garden

Overall, do I like Paradise Garden? Yes, to me, it is currently the best of the Le Beau lineup. This extended testing with it won me over.

I’ve enjoyed wearing Flower Edition also, but this one is the better fragrance across the board. Plus, it’s one that’s actually currently available in multiple sizes.

I bought the 2.5 ounce (75mL) bottle and I feel like that’ll be more than enough to last a good long while. Not sure that I’ll ever finish Flower Edition in the 4.2 ounce size.

As a warm weather wear, this checks a lot of boxes. Good balance between the notes, better performance than a lot of fragrances, a laid back tropical vibe, and is just has a great smell overall.

I’m glad that I have another pleasant cologne to wear during the summer and isn’t just a citrus bomb. A good tropical coconut fragrance, that’s better than the old Eternity Now by CK.

This isn’t going to be worthwhile for everyone though. It’s a scent that will have more of a mass appeal, but doesn’t quite fit in enough places for people to justify a purchase of Paradise Green.

Le Beau Flower Edition by Gaultier

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Le Beau has become another popular line from JPG outside of the Le Male series of fragrances. 2025 sees the release of Le Beau Flower Edition from the designer, but how does this Gaultier cologne stack up?

I purchased a bottle to test it out to see how it performs. What does it smell like? How long does it last?

Le Beau Flower Edition Overview

Notes include: kumquat, lemon, violet leaf, tonka bean, cashmeran, patchouli

My Full Review

Here’s how Gaultier describes it: Enthralled by surrealistic nature, he lets his waking senses guide him and succumbs to the call of flowers. It’s the perfect symbiotic relationship! His sculpted body leaves no sensuality behind, the flower on his shoulder an irresistibly delectable invitation. In the presence of his intoxicating scent, a woody atmosphere shrouded in mystery begins to stir. Violet leaf, beguiling cashmeran, and mischievous tonka bean come together in a provocative, enticing trail.

Le Beau Flower Edition starts off being sweet, fruity, green, and fresh. I was hesitant about this one when I saw that it had a violet or violet leaf note. It’s really not my favorite floral note. But, I bought it anyway.

Though, it’s not what I was expecting. Here, it is a violet much more along the lines of what is in Boss Bottled Night versus a Dior Fahrenheit violet leaf. Not nearly as prominent or heavy by any means, but the scent is really sparking memories of that Hugo Boss cologne.

Maybe this is violet and violet leaf, with the former getting a heavier weighting than the latter.

This, along with the kumquat and slight lemon pairing up top is surprisingly good. It is in place of the coconut note, found in other Le Beau releases. 

Kumquat is a note that’s not used to often, but I don’t think either this or the violet takes over completely in this early stage.

It’s got a good balance going on between them, especially compared to another Kumquat freshie like the old, Gucci Guilty Love 2020 (which I liked, but this Gaultier is much better). 

I did think that this one might be a lot fresher than it is. It’s there for sure, but once the kumquat starts to fade, there is a somewhat musky/greenish transition, before it settles into a violet led ending. 

This is really the only time I notice any patchouli coming through, but more cashmeran to my nose.

The violet is paired with tonka bean and some of the remaining cashmeran. This dry down isn’t very fruity at all, still a bit sweet, with more of a powdery finish. It’s a really light perfume here, but I’m still catching whiffs of it.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is lighter. It opens up with a nice ability to project itself, but this isn’t a heavy feeling fragrance at all. That opening is pretty short lived and this will live its life fairly close to the skin.

It’s not a complete skin scent, you will notice it hanging around well in the air, but it just never punches you in the face with it.

While it’s not a super powerful fragrance, Flower Edition does stick around quite well on my skin. Not going to be elite, but I get just over 7 hours of wear from it.

Seasonally, this is spring and summertime all the way. The violet, tonka bean, and cashmeran dominate the late stages but they’re not heavy enough to sway Flower Edition into being one to spray on during the colder months. 

It’s February as I’m writing this initial review, so, I don’t expect that I’ll use this one too much over the next few months.

It doesn’t have extreme versatility, going to be more of a casual daytime wear for that part of the year. It’ll actually work well for a wide age range, however. Doesn’t feel too youthful to me, but it does lean more unisex.

This isn’t a hypermasculine floral scent, by any means. Not drifting close to Fahrenheit at all. 

Overall Impressions of Le Beau Flower Edition

Overall, do I like Flower Edition? Yes, I do like how it smells. The opening act is my favorite part, but I like the powdery, somewhat sweet, and slight musky feeling dry down too. 

This Le Beau isn’t a fragrance that develops all that much, but it is a perfume that is solid all around. Maybe, you’d want it to be somewhat stronger, but I think that it’ll be a nice one to spray on once it gets hotter out.

The big plastic flower on the bottle feels like it’s in the way sometimes, doesn’t look great, but I’m not so bothered with it.

The downside is that it costs over $140, at release. Plus, it was only available in the 4.2 ounce (125 mL) size on the designer’s website. Not sure if this is going to change at some point or if this is just a very limited run by Gaultier. Currently says it’s an online exclusive.

As such, we’ll see if it ends up at the discounters. For the bottle size, the price isn’t egregious, but it would’ve been nice to have a few options.

Is this a must have? No. So, don’t stress if you don’t ever find a cheaper bottle of Flower Edition. Very solid release from Gaultier, though.

I got this and a bottle of Paradise Garden. I slightly prefer that one to Flower Edition. For me, it’s a lot closer race between them than I think it will be for other people. 

9 Fragrances Similar to Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male

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Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier has been a best seller since the mid-1990s. As such, it has spawned many imitators. As such, guys who enjoy this fragrance, want to seek out a cheaper or even better alternative perfume to wear.

In this post, I want to present the nine best smelling options for those who want a similar fragrance to Le Male. I have included cheaper scents, those of roughly the same price, and even one that is more expensive (but better quality, in my opinion).

Also, I have added some that have similarities to the vast number of Le Male flanker fragrances out there and will continue to do so in the future.

Colognes that are Like Le Male by JPG

gaultier le male

Similar JPG Option

Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Terrible Eau De Toilette Extreme Spray for Men, 4.2 Ounce– The opening of Terrible and the original are very similar. However, this one doesn’t have the mint note, and gets its spice instead from pink pepper.

Also, Le Male Terrible features a prominent grapefruit note, which gives it a different feel. You still get the lavender and vanilla notes, however, Terrible isn’t as spicy as its predecessor. It is warmer and features a fresh dryness in the latter stages, supplied by the vetiver.

This version is probably the closest flanker to the original, but brings some different aspects to the table. Le Male Terrible Review

Best Cheaper Play

Cuba Gold By Cuba For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Ounces– Smooth vanilla, vetiver, jasmine, and lavender. This one does have that famous Le Male scent, though, this actually precedes it. You can definitely smell the similarities, though, this has more jasmine and is less spicy/smoky.

Although, that is still around in the dry down period, thanks to the vetiver. It turns warm, sweet, and powdery with a great amber note. This one is quite close and a lot cheaper. Again, the fresh spiciness, isn’t as strong in Cuba Gold…but it has the other elements.

For the cheapies in this group, I’d say this is the closest to being what we want, while being of solid quality. Great bang for your buck.

Similar Designer Wear

212 Sexy by Carolina Herrera For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4-Ounces– A smooth and seductive scent from Carolina Herrera. 212 Sexy is a cologne that has a fantastic vanilla note, that is fresh and sweet, and somewhat similar to Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier.

212 Sexy has a stronger wood base, than does the JPG, and a bit of citrus at the top. Plus, the vanilla is more involved.  It’s a softer cologne, with a nice powdered sandalwood dry down, which sits underneath that vanilla lead.

Very easy to wear and attractive. You can sometimes find this for cheaper than Le Male, but they will often be around the same price.

Higher End and Close

Darley by PdM– This one really reminded me of Le Male when I tested it out. However, Darley and our JPG target fragrance aren’t exactly the same.

Mint, cinnamon, lavender, and lemon are overlapping notes between the two and right out of the gate you get plenty of them. It’s a warm freshness, more balanced than is Le Male with a better lavender note.

Le Male has more of a vanilla and mint aroma. The mint here, comes on later, and there’s also a further distinction with an added rose. No vanilla, just tonka bean. Lavender, mint, and rose with a sandalwood and amber base.

That back half is much more distinct from Le Male, but that opening act is pretty similar.  Darley review

Another Inexpensive Alternative

Perry Ellis 360 White By Perry Ellis for Men 3.4 Oz Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Oz– An interesting alternative, that can be had for a price, close to Cuba Gold. In fact, you might be able to grab this and Gold for cheaper than Le Male.

360 White, ends up close to the JPG, but has a persistent citrus aroma during the wear (think lime). It’s not a heavy citrus, but it is there, and makes the distinction from Le Male.

The spice here comes from cardamom and musk, which provide a different take on the freshness. It is warmer and spicier in the beginning, but becomes more vanilla based, as it dries down.

Super Cheap 

CATSUIT BY CREATION LAMIS COLOGNE FOR MEN 3.3 OZ / 100 ML EAU DE TOILETTE SPRAY– This one can be tough to find, but is pretty much a cheaper one with a very similar aroma to Le Male. Is it as good? No, the quality isn’t the same. Plus, this has more vanilla.

Catsuit can, however, only cost around $10 which is a good deal for what it is. I’d probably go with Cuba Gold, before this, though.

Same Style, Better Quality

Prada Luna Rossa Sport for Men 3.4 oz Eau de Toilette Spray– Generally, this is going to be more expensive than Le Male. However, Luna Rossa Sport is the more mature version, of this style of fragrance.

It opens up with a sweet and creamy tonka bean note, which is paired with juniper and ginger.

Those two notes give this Prada scent, a fresh spiciness, while the lavender and vanilla sit underneath. As it dries down, it becomes more like Le Male, because the lavender and vanilla combo really takes hold.

It has that sweet powdery finish and enough spice to keep it interesting. It’s a simple fragrance, but a damn good one. Luna Rossa Sport Review

CR Similar

CR7 by Cristiano Ronaldo– So, this would probably be the last of the group that I’d pick as a replacement or alternative to Le Male. But, CR7 has a very close style. Mind you, the smell isn’t exact, you just get a lot of overlap.

Fresh, powdery, spicy, but more sweetness. Sort of a 1 Million sweetness mixed with aspects of Le Male and Luna Rossa Sport.

It’s got tobacco, cinnamon, and iris as notes. Not a vanilla-centric as Le Male, warmer and sharper with the spice. The performance isn’t great, the quality is decent for the low price range, just not what you get with Gaultier.

For super cheap? It’s got its charm, but again, I’d go with one of the others first.

Airlines Overlap

1 Million Royal by Paco Rabanne– So, there is a flanker of the original Le Male, called Airlines. It’s usually not too expensive, at the moment. However, it can be tough to find.

1 Million Royal has a good deal of overlap with Le Male Airlines, while still being very much a 1 Millon fragrance.

Between these two, you have a noticeable use of the cardamom note, lavender, citrus, and cedar notes. Airlines is sweeter than the warmer and spicier Royal is. But, there is plenty of similarities between the (I own both).

If your someone who is looking for an alternative to Airlines, 1 Million Royal might fit the bill for you.

There it is, a list of alternative and similar smelling fragrances to Le Male by JPG. I will come back to this page and update it, as I find any other potential options, but for now this should suffice. There are a lot of scents that has a closely related profile to Le Male, because of the lavender and vanilla, but don’t really strike close enough to be included here.

le male jpg review

1 Million vs Le Male Fragrance Comparison

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In this installment of my cologne comparison series, I’m going to take a look at two mega selling fragrances with very distinct bottle shapes. The gold ingot of 1 Million by Paco Rabanne versus the Blue torso of Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier. These are two extremely popular and great smelling colognes for men.

However, I want to break it down further and find out which is the better performer, the better smelling, and the most versatile of the pair. Which of these scents for guys is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: 1 Million vs. Le Male 

1 Million 

Notes include: Mint, Grapefruit, Rose, Patchouli, Amber, Cinnamon, White woods, Blond leather, Blood orange, Spice notes

My original review

Buy here: Paco Rabanne 1 Million By Paco Rabanne For Men Edt Spray, 3.4 Ounce

Le Male by JPG Tale of the Tape

Notes include:  orange blossom, mint, lavender, woods, vanilla, tonka bean, cinnamon, and more

My JPG Review

Buy here: Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male By Jean Paul Gaultier For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 4.2 Oz.

Opening

Upfront, I have to say that both of these colognes are on the sweet side of things, so if that isn’t your type of fragrance you might want to look elsewhere. You’ll notice that they do share some common notes: mint and cinnamon.

Neither of which is the main draw but do support the overall structure of the colognes. Le Male is more of a vanilla/tonka blend with a warm spiciness. The mint and cinnamon, add a bit more of a kick up front.

Though, the impact will be lessened by lavender and orange blossom floral notes.

Meanwhile, 1 Million is like a candy grape at first with a smooth rose/leather undertone to it. The grape-like aroma, comes from those two notes meeting with orange and grapefruit.

It’s very sweet, with a warm amber ingredient enveloping things. With 1 Million, you will get more of the cinnamon note. With Le Male, mint.

It’s much less spicy, to my nose, but those notes will come along more during the dry down. Which scent is better?

I actually prefer 1 Million from the start, as it just has a more interesting profile in my opinion. I have always really enjoyed the bold start, the super sweet profile, and great use of leather/rose/amber.

I enjoy Le Male, but I really feel that it’s in top form, a bit later on in the wear. The sweet creamy/powdery heart, is really where it’s fantastic.

Edge: 1 Million

Projection

1 Million is a monster. It is loud and projects extremely well. Le Male is pretty good in this regard, but isn’t touching 1 Million.

Le Male starts out moderate, maybe towards the upper end of what you consider moderate. Then, it’ll get lighter as we move along.

Update: While Le Male, seems basically the same as it ever was in terms of its sillage. 1 Million doesn’t have the same level of sustained power that it once did. It still wins this category, but not by nearly as wide of a margin.

Edge: 1 Million

Longevity

Again, both last well. The Paco Rabanne lasts very well. Seriously, 1 Million will go on and on with very little use, it can become annoying.

Maybe newer bottles don’t have the same power, as it used to, but it still will do a great job on the performance end of things. Update: They don’t last as long. But, I still get 8 hours of wear, from my bottle.

Jean Paul Gaultier is pretty solid, I usually get about 6 hours from it, which isn’t great but it is certainly serviceable. Le Male is much more low key, but as a daily wear, it’ll handle most of a work day. Perhaps, a full one, at times.

Edge: 1 Million

Versatility

Le Male would be better for close quarter situations such as work or school. 1 Million would be better for nightlife, though, a small dab may not overpower the room and thus could be used elsewhere.

I think both are better suited for cool weather, and JPG, especially becomes a mess in the heat. For me, Le Male gets pretty darn cloying when it’s too warm.

Just as a daily wear, Le Male would be the better bet. It isn’t a formal fragrance, but really isn’t going to offend and take over a room. Coming back to this cologne after a few years, I’ve enjoyed how pleasant it can be on certain days.

Le Male has the edge here.

Edge: Le Male

Overall Scent

I like both of these colognes. Like I said, they are both sweet and they do get on my nerves at times because of that. However, I like wearing 1 Million better than Le Male.

It is just more interesting to me. Le Male is nice but it can feel pretty synthetic and I don’t find myself wanting to wear it as often. There are stretches of time, where that isn’t true, but then I grow tired of the JPG once again.

Plus, I think there are plenty of other options that accomplish the same sort of vibe as Le Male. In the winter, I might also go with Kouros Body or Eros or even Burberry. Update: That’s changed, since this was originally posted almost 10 years ago.

1 Million is limited sometimes in its uses ,and I cannot bear to wear it , everyday. However, when I’m in the mood, it fits the bill. The leather and amber notes, really make it something special to me.

Yes, it can be brash at times, and that ‘bubble gum’ smell can be hit or miss depending on the mood.

Overall though, it still has better performance, a deeper profile, and captures attention in ways that the Jean Paul Gaultier perfume doesn’t. I’d wear either, but I prefer 1 Million.

I will say, for most people, Le Male would be the better option due to its versatility and low key style. But, I don’t think that makes it a better fragrance.

Winner: 1 Million

Le Male Elixir vs Ultra Male Comparison

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Le Male is a series from Jean Paul Gaultier that has been going on strong for nearly 30 years, at this point. Every year or so, we get ourselves a new take on the name. In 2023, that new edition is Le Male Elixir. But, how does it compare to another classic from the series, Ultra Male. Both are two of the bolder, warmer, and sweeter colognes…but which is actually better?

Tale of the Tape: Ultra Male vs Le Male Elixir

Ultra Male

Notes include: vanilla, pear, amber, woods, cinnamon, cumin, sage, lavender, mint

Click here to try: Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male for Men Intense Spray, Eau de Toilette, 4.2 Ounce

Read my original review: Ultra Male Review

Le Male Elixir

Notes include: mint, honey, lavender, tonka bean, benzoin, tobacco, vanilla

Click here to try: Le Male Elixir at Macy’s

Read my review: Elixir

Opening

Elixir actually kicks things off with its mint note out in full force, giving it a cooling fresh spiciness. This is joined by the usual Le Male lavender note.

The other major factor early is going to be from the tonka bean. Elixir also has a vanilla note, it just gets stronger as the wear moves forward. Tonka is sweet and syrupy when paired with the honey note and the fuzziness of the benzoin.

Ultra Male is noticeably absent of the same powdery quality of the original Le Male and has a sugary sweetness like Elixir. But, with an added pear note.

What it does have is a burst of initial spice, mainly from the cinnamon note.  Pear, vanilla, and light citrus round it out and give it an aroma akin to bubble gum.

Which is better? I do like Ultra Male’s start a lot, I feel that it’s been overtaken by what I get with Le Male Elixir. Elixir has an initial coolness, that gets warmer, has great sweetness while being fresh, and you get the early hints of that honey.

Edge: Elixir

Projection

Elixir is definitely a powerfully projecting cologne that will leave a scent trail behind you and a warm sweet embrace around you.

It has that bold start, that will moderate as it dries down. Though, it is a steady decline rather than a sharp drop off.

Ultra Male also comes out with more of a bang before settling down into that upper moderate range. Ultra Male actually has a rather large projection radius at first, but quiets into a moderate.

Between the two, Ultra Male still has an edge. It has been the boldest release from Le Male for years now and that remains the case. I will say, I do have a bottle of Ultra Male from its initial release, so that what I am basing it off of. I haven’t heard anything about it being weakened, however.

Edge: Ultra Male

Longevity

Ultra Male always has gotten me at least 8 hours of wear. That’s baseline and it routinely goes over 10 hours, with 12 not being unheard of.  But, more likely in that 9-10 hour range.

Elixir is pretty close, but a notch below. 8-10.5 hours seems to be its range, thus far, while often falling right at 9 hours in total.

Both are long lasting designers scents. Though, Ultra Male still holds the crown as the boldest and best performing of this JPG line.

Edge: Ultra Male

Versatility

The versatility isn’t the strength of either scent. Being bold, sweet, and built for colder weather doesn’t lend itself particularly well for daily wear. At least for most guys.

Both of these skew towards the younger crowd. Playful and attention grabbing nightlife fragrances, without much subtlety or formality.

They’re about equal in terms of climate. Colder to moderate temperatures. In the heat, they melt.

I think that Elixir could be used better in casual daily situations and has a sweet/warm cozy vibe, that can lend itself to a couple of sprays, and not stick out like crazy. So, not a bad option for school, if you go light.

Not much difference, but Elixir has some more usability in more situations.

Edge: Elixir

Overall Scent

Overall, which fragrance do I prefer? It’s a close call either way. Ultra Male has the edge performance wise, but Elixir has depth and a bit more versatility.

Ultra Male gives you a nice sweet and spicy mix. The pear and cinnamon pairing together, with some of the familiar Le Male DNA, was something that really grabbed my attention back when it was released.

What really grabbed my attention, was how powerful it was. I can often spray it in one room of my house and smell the cologne hours later, in another. Not faintly, either, mind you.

For years, I considered Ultra Male to be the best smelling from the series. Though, as the years moved on, I started liking the original and even Le Parfum, slightly more.

Now, Elixir has taken a higher spot on the list. Based on the aroma alone, it might be my favorite, but I still think the original is the most wearable on a regular basis.

Elixir just has a great sweetness. I like the honey and light tobacco notes that come through. The vanilla and tonka bean only add to the sweet, sometimes syrupy glaze. Yes, it can be cloying at times, but so can Ultra Male.

To me, Elixir has the edge versus Ultra Male nowadays. Not by a wide margin, but it wins.

Winner: Le Male Elixir