By Designer

5 Best Alfred Dunhill Colognes for Men

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Alfred Dunhill is an English brand that has been around for more than a century. It has a long history in the fashion game and it has produced some quality fragrances for both men and women in that time span. For this list, I have selected what I feel to be the five best colognes for men by Alfred Dunhill.

 

What are the Best Smelling Dunhill Fragrances?

Most Popular Dunhill

Desire– A sweet and dynamic fragrance that is energetic and quite popular. It’s been on the market for over 20 years now and it still has a following of people who swear by it. I do like it, but it’s a bit too sweet and rosy for me to want to wear it often.

It opens up with its fruity notes in full effect. Apple and citrus (lemon and bergamot). The rose will come in, on top of a layer of fresh musk. 

The rose is joined by orange blossom, which will give way to the vanilla note, which takes away some of the sharpness from the fading citrus notes. 

Dunhill Desire is an inexpensive play from the early 2000s, still has nice performance, and is very unique versus the mainstream of what you’re going to get nowadays. Read my review here.

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Signature Sandalwood

Dunhill Signature Collection Indian Sandalwood Eau de Parfum for Men, 3.4 fl. oz– This is a nice option for sandalwood lovers. Maybe not as good as some of the niche plays on the market, but Indian Sandalwood is an enjoyable wear.

This Dunhill Signature option is a lighter and cleaner experience. The sandalwood is creamy with hints of fruit notes coming through, but mainly a powdery orris, that adds a coldness to the composition.

The base notes are dry and earthy with patchouli and synthetic moss giving Indian Sandalwood a greener finish. Performance is solid, even if the sillage isn’t too heavy. 

 

 

 

Summery Citrus

Dunhill Signature Collection Amalfi Citrus Eau de Parfum for Men, 3.4 fl. oz.– Another one from the Signature Collection and Amalfi Citrus is a dynamic and fresh option for the spring/summer months.

This does have a similar profile to the Tom Ford citrus/floral fragrances. However, this is much more weighted to the citrus notes, and has more of a masculine vibe overall. Lemon and mandarin, is mainly what I pick up from the citrus.

There is also a nice amount of cardamom spice/sweetness and some additional herbal spice, sitting on top of a light white floral blend. 

Top Dunhill Icon Scent

Dunhill Icon Racing Eau De Parfum, 1.7 Fl Oz– Icon Racing is a mix of sweet and fresh spice. It opens up with citrus and a prominent cardamom note, which adds spice and also a bit of a lemony aroma to the mix. 

That will quickly transition and the cardamom weakens in favor of the lavender and orange blossom notes. It feels like a sweet floral fragrance with a light powdery/musk aroma coming up from the base.

It’s aromatic and sweet with a nice aroma for the spring and summer months. Nothing too unique, does have somewhat of an Invictus-like quality, but doesn’t fully stray into that category to my nose.

 

 

 

80s Throwback

Edition– A men’s fragrance which dates back to the 1980s, Edition, is another woodsy based scent with underlying citrus notes of bergamot and lemon. Edition has an earthy/herbal feel to it to go along with a masculine spice. It is refined and mature.

The vetiver note here is very good with the citrus top notes and a bit of a smoky base. May have been reformulated, but I haven’t come across a new bottle in a long time, so I can’t say for sure.

edition

Le Fou 21 by Dolce & Gabbana

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Dolce & Gabbana is a great Italian design house, especially when it comes to fragrances for both men and women. I really enjoy The One by D&G, as it has an absolutely wonderful smell, even if it doesn’t last quite as long as one would hope.

As a part of the recent batch of sample size colognes I purchased from Fragrancenet.com, I picked up a D&G fragrance which I was not at all familiar with and so was excited to try out. It is called Le Fou 21 and was introduced by D&G in 2011.

What does 21 Le Fou by D&G Smell Like?

Notes: Bergamot, cognac, violet, coriander, and juniper

Click here to try: D & G 21 LE FOU by Dolce & Gabbana EDT SPRAY 3.4 OZ

My Full Review

Note: I am updating this page from 2014 to reflect the new format on the website. It’s been a long time, since I’ve smelled this cologne, so I’ll keep my more basic review from then. At least until I encounter Le Fou 21 again.

I had no expectations of Le Fou 21 before I got it and frankly only bought it on the strength of the Dolce & Gabbana name. I didn’t check the notes which made up this fragrance nor did I check to see what category of scent it could be placed under, so I was going into this sort of blind.

When I first sprayed Le Fou 21 from the tester, I immediately noticed its warmth and spice. It reminded me somewhat of YSL’s wonderful Opium for Men, in that respect, with its oriental spice and smooth aroma that is similar to a vanilla.

Le Fou, however, is a different fragrance from Opium, especially once it settles down. It is a really great blend of spice, florals, and greens. The cognac gives this fragrance its warmth and I think that it would work beautifully in late Autumn or Winter.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

I wore it to work yesterday, in order to see how it would perform over a long day. Le Fou 21 held up and didn’t fade noticeably at all during work hours.

This cologne isn’t heavy, rather, it is a light fragrance that seems to linger in the air but never overwhelms the senses. It’s there and it’s noticeable but it is as if it is simply ambient or a part of the fabric of daily life.

Overall Impressions of Le Fou 21

Out of the five new testers that I bought I would rank Le Fou 21 as my second favorite behind Gucci Guilty Black. However, they are both completely different fragrances, so having both in your rotation wouldn’t be repetitive.

Guilty Black is a bolder scent while Le Fou 21 is also sexy, just in its subtlety.

I think that 21 Le Fou is a great addition to D&G’s line of fragrances. It is classy, sophisticated, and sensual without being overbearing.

It is a fragrance that seems as though it could work very well in an array of different settings and for guys who want to be low key with their cologne choices.

Allure Homme Edition Blanche EDT by Chanel

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Allure Homme Edition Blanche EDT was released by Chanel back in 2008. I got a sample of this version a few months ago, along with the newer EDP that the brand still sells. My sample is marked concentree, so, I’m not sure if it was a further release beyond the regular EDT. Either way, this one is no longer produced, but I figured I’d do a review for posterity’s sake. 

What does Edition Blanche EDT Eau Concentree Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, pink pepper, vanilla, sandalwood, vetiver, tonka bean, amber

My Full Review

Blanche EDT opens with a sharp and dry use of lemon, vetiver, sandalwood, and pink pepper. You’re absolutely going to have to be a citrus lover with this one, to really appreciate it, as it is very sharp upon opening.

The lemon is going to dominate through much of the wear. Early on, it feels especially intense, but once the vanilla and tonka bean kicks in…it will settle.

The pink pepper is the first note to fall off and that gives the sandalwood and vetiver a bit more room in the base. The vanilla creaminess will start to envelope the lemon note, along with the tonka bean. 

This Chanel fragrance is actually pretty darn linear and there isn’t much development beyond that. Just more of the lemon/vanilla aroma and less of the other notes within the composition.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is moderate in the early stages and then pretty light thereafter. However, it does project itself very nicely early on and it’ll hang around well after spraying. Just don’t expect a complete beast for the duration.

Longevity wise, I get 6-ish hours on my skin with this Eau Concentree. Allure Edition Blanche spends much of that time, as a skin scent, but it does indeed hang around. Still noticeable, just not amazing with its performance.

 

Seasonally, Allure Edition Blanche is a spring and summer fragrance, all the way. Mainly, for the summertime. I like to wear it casually or even for a night out. Though, I’d say that it’s probably at its best in the daytime. 

Overall Impressions of Edition Blanche Eau Concentree

Do I like this fragrance? Absolutely. I know they don’t produce this version anymore, and the EDP is close enough, but I really do love this scent. Uden by Xerjoff is an available replacement (and in many ways even better).

That dry lemon and pink pepper opening act could scare some away from this. However, that creamy vanilla/sweet/dessert like finish is so damn good on a warm summer’s day. I have been slowly depleting my sample vial, since I know it’s such a rare commodity. 

The performance of Allure Edition Blanche was never its strong suit. The sillage is moderate, at its peak, but detectable. For much of the wear, it will be a softer experience. Though, it does stick around on the skin for a nice amount of time. 

I wish Chanel could’ve beefed up the performance a bit more.

If you want a bottle of this one in particular, you’ll have to shell out over $300 in all likelihood off a site like eBay. Or you can just go with the EDP, which is also near this same level. Uden is usually $200, but well worth it. 

Mont Blanc Legend EDT vs EDP

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Legend from Mont Blanc is still being used to inspire new flankers for the brand. The latest is an eau de parfum version of the famous Legend formula. I recently got a hold of a sample of Legend EDP to test it out and wanted to do another comparison post, with the original. Which of these is better? Lasts longer? Is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Mont Blanc Legend vs. Legend Eau de Parfum

Mont Blanc Legend

Notes include: Bergamot, Pineapple Leaf, Sandalwood, Apple, rose, oak moss, lemon verbena, geranium, lavender,  And Tonka Bean

Click here to try: MONTBLANC Legend Eau de Toilette 3.3 fl.oz.

Read my review: Mont Blanc Legend

Legend EDP

Notes include: violet leaf, leather, jasmine, moss, bergamot, woods

Click here to try: MONTBLANC Legend eau de parfum 3.3 fl oz, 3.3 fl. oz.

Read my full review: Legend EDP

Opening

Legend opens with a blend of pineapple, bergamot, and apple. It is clean, but doesn’t have the same type of sharpness, as it is calmed by lavender and tonka bean. It also has a dry underlying aroma from the base, that will become more prominent later on.

Legend eau de parfum starts off with a pretty strong violet leaf note, some bergamot, and leather. It’s fresh and somewhat green, with what I’m guessing is their synthetic oakmoss substitute. There’s really not much going on here, it feels pretty flat.

Which is better? I’m not a huge fan of the original Legend, but I like the opening act more so than the EDP. It has way more personality. The EDP just sits there as a giant dose of violet leaf on my skin, with some additional notes lurking around, but not really standing out.

Edge: Legend

Projection

I’d say that both of these are moderate. I know EDP has the higher concentration, but it doesn’t feel any stronger when I compare it to the original. The sillage is about the same at its peak. Maybe EDP goes a little longer with its strength, but that’s about it. 

Not giving it an edge.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Legend EDT gives me 5-6 hours of solid wear. During testing, I’ve gotten between 6.5-8 hours of wear from the EDP version. Neither one is going to give a marathon type of wear, but the EDP has the clear edge here.

Edge: EDP

 

 

Versatility

Mont Blanc Legend is a very versatile scent and that’s definitely one of its strengths. It can be worn year round and fits in, within all environments. It is attractive enough for dates, can go out for an evening, but doesn’t have that massive club beast persona.

Legend EDP is about the same. The violet leaf and leather doesn’t really change when it can be worn compared to the EDT version. The leather isn’t that intense and the violet leaf works pretty much year round.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Legend EDP is a similar take on the original, but with some slight differences. Less of the top fruity notes, upping the violet leaf, and a leather/woody base coming through. The opening act isn’t all that great, but the dry down gets better for me.

I wish the leather was given more of a role versus the violet leaf. That would have given it more distinction and a bit more personality than it has. The performance is solid, just not incredible.

Honestly, the fragrance strikes me as just fine. If you liked the original, you’ll probably like the eau de parfum, even if you don’t necessarily need a bottle for yourself.

Between these two? I’d rather wear the EDT. Again, I’m not even much of a fan of Legend, but it at least has some more personality. The EDP is closer to A&F Fierce or Egoiste Platinum, than is the EDT, but isn’t as good as either of those fragrances.

There’s nothing all that new with the eau de parfum, to make it a must have versus the original. I don’t think it smells any better and the performance, isn’t that much better.

Winner: Legend EDT

The Scent Intense by Hugo Boss

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The line of Hugo Boss fragrances released under “The Scent” banner, have had many incarnations over the past 5+ years. I’ve reviewed the original EDT on the site, but recently picked up the other offerings to try and complete the collection (I know, I’m late). Today’s entry is going to be of The Scent Intense. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does The Scent Intense by Boss Smell Like?

Notes include: ginger, cardamom, maninka fruit, leather, vanilla, lavender, wood

My Full Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see how Hugo Boss describes it: An irresistible fragrance, unforgettable like a savored seduction. Exquisite notes of spicy cardamom, exotic maninka fruit, vanilla and leather unfold over time for an intense experience.

The Scent Intense opens up with a much spicier aroma than does the original. Off the bat, there is a lot of ginger and cardamom. The ginger is amped up from the original The Scent and the cardamom is a newer addition.

It’s a nice change of pace and I do like the intensity of the spice in the opening. The maninka fruit is still present, but it is without its citrus pairing. The Scent Intense is much less of a fruity fragrance, than is the EDT. 

The spicy top sticks around for a while, but Intense will quickly move into its leathery phase. Maninka, lavender, and leather are basically what is around for the middle act. To my nose, the ginger is gone, and the cardamom has weakened significantly.

Finally, the end game will mostly be vanilla and leather, along with the remaining maninka. I do like the combination of these notes, but I actually prefer the spicy opening act, to the vanilla and leather finish.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The Scent Intense does indeed open up with some power and the ability to project itself is actually really nice for a while. However, the overall sillage is pretty moderate, as the intensity drops pretty far once the spices have dissipated.

Nonetheless, it is much better than the completely weak EDT version. The longevity also goes for over 7 hours on my skin. It’s not completely beast mode, but very serviceable and useful for most purposes.

 

Seasonally, autumn through springtime like the original. It has a nice versatility, can be worn day or night, by a variety of age ranges and many different scenarios. The Scent Intense does have a sexy aroma, that should allow you to venture into the nightlife with confidence and appeal.

Overall Impressions of Boss The Scent Intense

Do I like this cologne? I do. In terms of smell, I actually do like the original a bit more. However, the performance here is actually pretty good, especially when put head to head with the dreadful performance of that original release.

While I like the leather and vanilla dry down, I wanted more of that initial freshness and spicy warmth that I got with the intense opening act. I enjoyed the cardamom and ginger mix, but it didn’t go on for long enough.

It seems like The Scent Intense is getting difficult to come across these days, since it was released back in 2017. It’s worth trying, if you can find it at a reasonable price.

I don’t think that it’s an amazing fragrance, but it’s very good overall. If one liked the original, this one should have something to offer you.