By Designer

Creed Aventus vs Imperial Millesime Comparison

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Deciding which fragrance to buy can be tricky sometimes, as there are a multitude of factors from which to consider. This can become especially true when the colognes that you are considering cost in the triple digits to buy.

It is one thing to purchase a crummy scent that was $20 for the bottle versus one which was $175+. Creed is a luxury boutique brand known for its high quality ingredients and beautifully crafted scents.

In this post, I want to do a bit of a comparison between two options from Creed, Aventus vs Imperial Millesime and break down which will be the better option for most people and highlight the pros and cons of each.

Tale of the Tape: Aventus vs. Imperial Millesime

 

Creed Aventus 

creed aventus

Notes of Creed Aventus: 

Top: Blackcurrant,Italian bergamot, French apples and pineapple

Middle: Rose, dry birch, Moroccan jasmine, and patchouli

Base Notes: musk, oak moss, ambergris, and vanilla.

Click here to read my original Aventus Review

Click here to get Aventus: Aventus by Creed

Creed Imperial Millesime

Notes include: Lemon, Iris, Green Bergamot, Mandarin

My original review of Imperial

Click here to try Imperial Millesime: Creed Imperial

Opening 

The opening of Aventus can be a pretty harsh citrus to deal with. I don’t really like the opening of Aventus and if all I’d have to go by was the first 15 minutes or so, I’d think that this fragrance wasn’t worth wearing. The pineapple, blackcurrant, and the dryness of birch can be a bit much at first.

However, the fragrance settles down into something much more enjoyable and fresh. The next wave has less of the pineapple, more birch/oak moss, and some sweetness provided by a light vanilla and French apple. 

Meanwhile, the opening of Imperial is much smoother, with a wonderful melon type of scent that blends with sea salt to create something quite pleasant.

The melon-like smell is like a blend of a standard melon and a bit of watermelon. This is paired with a salty aquatic note, which is why I suppose it comes across smelling that way. It’s actually lemon and mandarin orange, as the notes, and not any watermelon. 

Anyway, Imperial Millesime is juicy, musky, and very bright in the opening stages. Which scent is better? To me, I greatly prefer the start to Imperial, more than I ever have Aventus. 

Edge: Imperial Millesime

Projection

Neither one of these fragrances is slipping in quality when it comes to projection. Aventus never really requires more than two sprays while Imperial is no slouch either. Aventus is the stronger of the two and I’d say it projects more than Imperial does.

So, both start strong, but Aventus reaches the higher heights of sillage and keeps at it for longer. 

Edge: Aventus

Longevity

Wearing both of these colognes, I haven’t noticed a difference in terms of how long they last. I usually get 7-10 hours of solid performance out of each. Mostly, Aventus will go 8 or 9 hours on my skin, a bit less when it’s hot out.

Imperial is usually around 7 or 8 hours, but can last better in the heat than can Aventus. It can also reach that 10 hour mark, on occasion, like Aventus. No clear winner, in my experience. 

Edge: Push

Versatility

Creed Aventus is best worn in the spring and autumn, in my opinion. I don’t think that it holds up well in the heat, but early summer isn’t bad. On the other hand, Imperial Millesime is great for summertime wear as well as the warmer months of spring.

However, Aventus can be pulled off rather well in the winter months, to whereas Imperial would seem out of place in the cold weather.

As far as, on what occasion each of these scents could be worn, I’d say that they could arguably be worn anywhere for any event. I wouldn’t really call Imperial a date night type of cologne though and even if I’d wear other scents besides Aventus on a night out, it could be done well. 

I much prefer Imperial, as a daytime wear, in more casual situations. Overall, I’d say Aventus has the greater versatility. 

Edge: Aventus

 

 

Overall Scent

Aventus develops into something that is woodsy/masculine/leathery and the citrus notes become undertones as the fragrances wears on. Meanwhile, Imperial has that unique fruity quality blended with salt notes that just reminds me of the summer and the ocean.

I actually like Imperial better in terms of its smell, BUT I think that most men would be better served by Aventus out of the two.

I say this simply because of its greater versatility of being worn. Imperial Millesime is a great signature type of scent, but I feel that it does have its limitations.

Aventus fits in better, during more situations and climates. Imperial is rather straightforward, but has a really delightful salty melon aroma. Aventus is deeper with greater nuance.

These two are pretty neck and neck, in my book, but most would go with Aventus.  I have grown sort of tired of the formula, as there have been endless Creed Aventus ‘dupes’ coming to market over the years.

Winner: Aventus (for most guys)

Guilty Essence (Black) Pour Homme by Gucci

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I first reviewed this fragrance way back in the beginning of this website. Actually, it was one of the first handful of full wear reviews that I ever wrote. Gucci Guilty Black was a cologne that I would wear quite a lot and really enjoyed it back then.

As such, I felt that it was time to update this page, and expand upon what makes this scent what it is. Especially since Gucci has now changed the name to Guilty Essence. Same cologne, new marketing.

I will cover how it smells, what’s inside, how it performs, and if it is still even worth a try.

Gucci Guilty Essence Overview

Gucci Best Cologne

Guilty Black Notes: green coriander, lavender, orange flower, neroli, patchouli, and cedar wood

Click here to try: Gucci Guilty Black Pour Homme Fragrance Collection 3.0-oz. Eau de Toilette

My Full Review

The first thing I’d like to say about Guilty Essence is that it definitely is not a boring fragrance. One of the best words I’ve read described it as, ‘hypnotic’, and I would agree wholeheartedly with that assessment.

It is a refreshing scent that isn’t fruity or too light, rather, it is completely masculine and versatile in its uses.

I notice immediately, how it shares a very similar DNA to its predecessor, Gucci Guilty. However, Essence doesn’t have that same citrus fruit top, but relies instead on orange flower and neroli to provide a different experience.

It starts off with a bit more of a spicier kick than the EDT version.

I will say, that I think Guilty Essence is better than Guilty Pour Homme. It’d be a tougher pick between this one and Guilty Intense, but I don’t want to get too off track here.

Essence is such a well-blended fragrance, that it can be hard to actually distinguish the notes themselves. Instead, it is more like you get the impression that each ingredient would normally give you, and sort of infer that it is there.

That being said, I can obviously pick up on that oh so familiar lavender, the other floral notes, and that great spicy coriander which adds a sexiness to the composition. The whole thing comes together as very green, fresh, masculine, with a great underlying spice/woodiness.

It shares that really clean and bright feeling that you get from wearing the other Gucci Guilty scents. I love the energy of this one and how I can pick out hints of notes, such as patchouli, when catching a whiff of it on my skin.

Sillage (Projection)

Projection wise, it was always very solid for me. Not huge, but not a weak skin scent either. Here’s what I wrote back in 2014, about it’s staying power: Also, it seems to both project well and it lasts long without fading. I put it on this morning at around 7:30 and it was still there at 6 PM when I left work, so it has staying power. 

This was of course from the original bottles of Guilty Black, but the longevity was great on my skin, and the sillage stayed pretty moderate throughout.

How Long does Guilty Black Last?

Coming back to testing this cologne out again, I still manage to get anywhere from 7-12 hours. It really depends on the climate and how much time I spend outside with Guilty Black on.

Updating again: I don’t seem to get double digit hours with Essence now. It’s more in the 7-9 hour range.

Season and When To Wear

Seasonally, another sort of year round wear. The Guilty line, always struck me as better in warm weather, but ubiquitous enough to spray it on whenever.  This is a cologne which is appropriate for the business world, but can be worn effectively for a date or a night at the club, as it draws attention.

Mostly, I always for it as a casual cologne, with t-shirt and jeans. Here’s another snippet of my initial experiences:  I’ve worn it three days thus far and have had at least one person comment positively on it during each one of those days. 

This is a scent for a man who exudes confidence and wants to be noticed and while it isn’t overpowering it does stand out. That can be a good or bad thing depending on your own personality but with a scent like this, one won’t stand out in a bad way.

It isn’t a heavy scent either, it’s clean, but not really definable as a clear woodsy scent or aquatic or even sporty.

 

 

Overall Impressions of Gucci Guilty Essence

Overall, do I think Guilty Essence is worth a try? Yep. This one has gained a substantial following since its release way back in 2013. It smells good and covers so many bases, that it is great to have on hand, when you just want something easy to wear.

Is it groundbreaking? No. It’s just a pleasant and sexy fragrance, which gets complements, and has nice performance. Sometimes, that is enough to make a cologne worthwhile.

This is still one of the best Gucci colognes for men, one of the better performers, and has good versatility.

They changed the name to Essence, but the formula remains the same and they’re still selling it, more than a decade later. So, you know it has plenty of fans, when so many other scents in this series got discontinued. It, just got rebranded.

Azzaro Pour Homme by Azzaro

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In my continuing series of men’s fragrance reviews, I am going to take a closer look today at Azzaro Pour Homme. I have already reviewed Chrome by Azzaro , which is quite a different fragrance then this one.

This cologne is a long-time seller, and some would say, classic scent. Does is live up to that status? What notes make up Azzaro? What does it smell like? How does it perform? Is it worth a purchase? Please continue below for my full write up.

What does Azzaro Pour Homme Smell Like?

IMG_0768

Notes include: oakmoss, amber, musk, cedar, juniper berries, lavender, lemon, anise, and more

Click here to try Azzaro Pour Homme: Azzaro By Azzaro For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 6.8 oz

My Full Review

Azzaro Pour Homme has been around for a long time, and has basically achieved classic status, in the fragrance world. That being said, it definitely is not a scent for everybody, and won’t vibe well with some people’s style. Especially, if you’re into more ‘modern’ releases.

The opening of Azzaro is a fresh and woodsy blast. The oakmoss, cedar, and anise really stand out to me. Lemon is there, but it is a light touch, to my nose. There seems to be a refreshing spice that lingers quite well, but it’s a cool spice (sort of the same way mint projects itself), and it is all tied together by the smoothness of lavender.

Cold, spicy, and woodsy. Still, Pour Homme is clean at the top, with a very smooth leather and slight herbal quality to its aroma.

Azzaro is quite an interesting scent. It gives off a refined and masculine vibe that is wholly unique, especially compared to more modern fragrances for men.

It is so layered at times that is can be difficult to pick out some of the notes but the lavender and oakmoss are the most prominent, which gives it this crisp and soapy/cream sort of aroma.

The cycle of Azzaro starts off with the fresh spicy aroma, which then moves into the sort of classic barbershop soapiness. The oak moss and lavender, are particularly noticeable in the latter stages of the wear.

Sillage, Versatility, and How Long does it Last?

Projection wise, Azzaro does it’s job. It isn’t a heavy cologne but you really don’t have to use much of it either. I find that 2-3 sprays, is about the max, that I’ll put on.

Even with that, I still don’t think it’s an absolute beast with its sillage either. It will reach rather far away from the skin, for 30-45 minutes or so, and then become moderate to semi-powerful for the remainder of the wear.

It is also one, that doesn’t quit on you after a few hours, and will keep going along for the remainder of the day. Testing it a few more times recently, it was clocking 7-9 hours, on my skin. That’s not an insanely long time, but a full work day is plenty, for most guys.

This would honestly be worn best in the months of autumn, as its woodsy aroma would fit in quite well during that time of year. However, it’ll work well in anything besides extreme heat and humidity.

If you live in a tropical climate, I’d probably avoid Azzaro Pour Homme for anything besides wear in an air conditioned building.

Also, it does seem to be a versatile scent that can be worn everyday, but it isn’t too casual of a scent. Azzaro Pour Homme is an anytime wear really, within the confines of its climate boundaries.

For older guys, it could be a daily wear or something for the evenings. Most younger guys, probably won’t be that enthralled with Azzaro, but it could find a place within a rotation.

Overall Impressions of Azzaro Pour Homme

Overall, is Azzaro a buy? It is an (usually) inexpensive performer. If you enjoy dry, fresh, woodsy, classic types of scents, Azzaro would be right up your alley. However, if you like really sweet or aquatic type of colognes, you may want to look elsewhere.

Azzaro can be a good change up to wear, every once in a while, just to add some variety to your style. I like it to some extent, but it really doesn’t fit with my personal taste. The classic woodsy/barbershop cologne isn’t one that I gravitate towards.

That being said, Azzaro Pour Homme is an example of this style, done right. Amazing? No, but one that does everything well enough.

Fougere Royale by Houbigant

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In this review, I am going to take a closer look at a modern relaunch of a classic fragrance from the 19th century, Houbigant’s Fougere Royale. This is one of the last men’s fragrance samples that I received with my last batch, so, I’m going to have to reorder more stuff to review once I finish with all of the ladies’ samples I have to go through and review.

As usual, I want to cover what it’s made of, how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and if it is worth a purchase or not.

What does Fougere Royale Smell Like?

Notes include: oak moss, lavender, tonka bean, geranium, bergamot, chamomile, cinnamon

Click here to try: Houbigant Paris Fougere Royale Eau de Parfum-3.38 oz.

My Full Review

Upon the first sniff of Fougere Royale, I am immediately struck by the oak moss and lavender notes. Also, I notice how much it smells like Azzaro Pour Homme. These two colognes are almost dead ringers for one another. There is definitely a lot of overlap in the notes and the style of both of these scents, so if you like one, you’ll probably be into the other.

Fougere Royale has a very cool and crisp aroma to it that is very soothing and yet wholly masculine. It comes across as a clean and fresh scent that would be great for a more mature man.

There is a small but noticeable level of sweetness and citrus that comes across and supports the main oak moss and lavender tandem. As a fougere, this scent obviously has that green and outdoorsy kind of feel and it doesn’t get detracted from that path by any of the other notes.

Honestly, I’m never really wowed by this cologne but I do find that it is extremely well put together and they did an excellent job in producing this scent.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s pretty moderate. It’s not an overpowering scent, and is towards the lighter side of things, but I wouldn’t call it weak by any stretch.

While it isn’t a huge or powerful fragrance, it does have pretty darn good longevity, I’ve been getting 7-8 hours of use from a few spritzes out of the sample vial.

Fougere Royale is probably best served as a casual or office wear scent. I actually think that it works really well here in the early spring weather and I think it could be pulled off for most of the year outside of the high heat of summer.

Overall Impressions of Fougere Royale

Overall, would I consider this as a buy? It’s nice, if you’re into the ‘green’ or fougere genre of fragrances. It’s not really my style but I think that this is a good scent.

It has so much similarity to Azzaro Pour Homme that if I wanted to buy one of these two, I’d simply go for the cheapest bottle available to me.

Fougere Royale is just one of those colognes that is solid all around, but doesn’t really ever separate itself enough for me to get too excited about it.

Ultra Male vs Le Male Terrible Cologne Comparison

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or this entry of my head to head cologne comparisons, I’m going to take a closer look at two Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male flankers: Ultra Male vs. Le Male Terrible. Which one of these colognes smells the best? These are two different takes on the highly popular original Le Male cologne, but is there a clear cut winner between them? Please continue below for my full take after wearing both of these scents.

Tale of the Tape: Le Male Terrible vs Ultra Male

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

Le Male Terrible

Notes include: vanilla, grapefruit, amber, lavender, pink pepper, vetiver

Click here to try: Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Terrible Eau De Toilette Extreme Spray, 2.5 Ounce

Read my original Review: Le Male Terrible

Opening

Ultra Male opens up with a candy-like sweetness led by the pear, cinnamon, vanilla, and mint notes. It’s sweet with a spicy profile and a noticeable intensity. It is warm and smooth and doesn’t have the same sort of powdered scent that the original Le Male does.

Meanwhile, Le Male Terrible opens up with a similar vibe to the original with vanilla and lavender notes. It doesn’t have that same minty scent and instead opts for using pink pepper and grapefruit. This makes Terrible brighter, warmer, and smoother than the original.

Between the two? While I do like the smooth warmth of Terrible and think that it is definitely a nice start, I prefer Ultra Male’s brash sweetness and intensity. It stands apart from the other colognes in this series and is just much more interesting.

Edge: Ultra Male

Projection

This isn’t even a contest. The sillage of Ultra Male is loud and bold, while Terrible is a more moderate type of fragrance. Terrible isn’t a weak scent, it just doesn’t come close to projecting as well as Ultra Male does.

Edge: Ultra

Longevity

With Ultra Male I routinely get 8+ hours of wear. It usually is around 8-9, but longer in some situations. Le Male Terrible gets me about 6-7 hours, with its moderate intensity, and I’ll catch whiffs of it during that time frame, but not after.

Edge: Ultra

Versatility

This is the category in which Terrible has an advantage. While both are more suited for colder weather, Terrible can venture into the warmer months of the year also. It’s still not great for the height of summer but it works every other time.

Next, Ultra Male is a late night, party, romantic wear scent. It doesn’t always fit in during low key casual or office type scenarios. Terrible fits in much better, since has a subtle scent.

Edge: Terrible

Overall Scent

I’ve tried out so many of the Le Male variations and I do think that Le Male Terrible is one of the better ones. It’s neck and neck really, with the original, in my mind. Perhaps not better, but it is a serious debate. However, when posted up versus Ultra Male, it doesn’t compete very well.

Ultra Male is the best JPG fragrance, to me. That’s why I have a giant bottle of it. I don’t wear Ultra Male everyday, but it is one of my winter go to scents for evening wear. Terrible is quite fresh and a nice take off of the original, with pink pepper and grapefruit, giving it an alternative dimension.

Terrible is decent as an everyday wear and would be a better choice for someone who doesn’t want a bold sweet/spicy cologne like Ultra Male. For everyone else, Ultra Male is the way to go. It’s just better all around and is distinct from the rest of the Le Male line.

Winner: Ultra Male