Fragrances

6 Best Smelling Kenneth Cole Colognes

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Kenneth Cole has released plenty of popular men’s fragrances over the years and has quite a lineup to choose from, up to this day. Yet, this brand still flies under the radar sometimes, and doesn’t particularly get its due.

Are most of its colognes groundbreaking? No, but there is plenty of great options, that are usually available at value prices. So, in this post I want to cover what I feel are the six best smelling scents from Kenneth Cole for men.

What are the Top Kenneth Cole Fragrances for Men?

Best Summer Cole Scent

Kenneth Cole Reaction, 3.4 Fl oz– Reaction is still a very popular men’s fragrance after all of these years, and will seemingly be for a long time. It is fairly simple overall, but very fresh and crisp. You get a blend of citrus fruits, apple, and melon.

Reaction has a youthful vibe and fits in nicely for many occasions. During the dry down, it is mostly the melon, some apple, and the smooth sandalwood note.

With the melon notes and apple, you do get a crispness, and that sort of watery juiciness that comes with those fruits. So, Reaction does put off a somewhat aquatic feel. Really, Kenneth Cole Reaction is going to be best served, by being worn by a younger man. It does give of a very youthful vibe.

Best Daily Wear Fragrance

Kenneth Cole Signature, 3.4 Fl Oz– Kenneth Cole Signature is another great option from this brand. It starts off with citrus and slightly spicy and warm notes, including cardamom, at the top. Then, it transitions more into a woody fragrance with a unique papyrus ingredient. 

It starts off with that sweet citrus and spicy blend, but the spices take over more further along, and blends with the earthiness of the woods. Not a huge sillage, but certainly not weak. Just a solid performer all around, with a fairly creative, and masculine scent.

When the citrus is at its most powerful, this does come across as a more mature version of Reaction. The woody period is very fresh, while still being understated.

Light Fruity Scent

Kenneth Cole Reaction Connected Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 4.2 Ounce– Reaction Connected is another fruity based scent at the top, with a melon quality, and a slight salty/aquatic feeling that can seem oceanic. That’s really what it’s like, at the start.

However, as it dries down, you still get the fruits but also plenty of violet leaf and wood. The middle is more herbal and the end is more earthy/woody. Connected has a really nice sweet and juicy fruit profile, but with more depth than other similar fragrances, on the market.

Reaction Connected is a lot like Nautica Voyage, but with less of the green-ish smell, and the floral notes. Melon with a ‘blue’ impression and some earthier qualities in the dry down. Pretty simple and a nice alternative to the original Reaction.

Best Seller

Kenneth Cole Black, 3.4 Fl Oz– Kenneth Cole Black is probably the most popular men’s fragrance from this line and it actually is one of the best. The opening blast of mandarin orange is wonderful and juicy.

This is paired with notes like mint and basil, which gives it an intoxication herbal spice which pairs well with the citrus. Black is very fresh and not heavy and dark.

In fact, it dries down with a lovely lotus flower note, to go along with the aforementioned ingredients. This is a good option for guys who want a daily wear, with decent performance, and isn’t ‘too loud’.

Simple and Clean

Kenneth Cole Mankind, 3.4 Fl oz– The original is the best, from the Mankind lineup, and is a much better version than Mankind Ultimate. Mankind is a pretty simple one, with pineapple giving it a fruitiness, and dry woods permeating throughout.

Also, you get some spice from ginger/tarragon and others, but not too much. It ultimately dries down into a clean wood scent, with some pineapple and tonka bean creaminess.

The opening fresh spiciness is great, I really dig the ginger note in this one. Performance is okay, but still serviceable. Smells very similar to many different fragrances out there, but has enough differences to stand on its own. Needs a bit more power, but a good scent to wear.

Great Black Flanker

Copper Black– This one is a nice pickup, with some similarities to Legend Night by Montblanc (though, that one is better in my opinion). Night has a bit more power and freshness to it.

Anyway, Copper Black gives you a nice apple opening with undertones of bourbon coming through. The warm spice is provided by the liquor and the cardamom note, which overlaps with Legend Night.

It’s going to shift more towards the vanilla and tonka bean notes, as the booze burns off pretty much entirely. However, you get a nice journey and development from this one. I would expect this to be a heavier scent, based on the notes, but it really isn’t.

Performance is okay, definitely pretty average as a whole, but the scent itself is without a doubt one of the best from Kenneth Cole.

Prada Luna Rossa vs Luna Rossa Carbon Comparison

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Here we are with another head to head cologne comparison between two Prada fragrances, from the Luna Rossa line: Luna Rossa vs. Carbon. Now, Luna Rossa Carbon is obviously a flanker scent to the original, but did it end up surpassing it in quality? In this post, I’m going to do my usual breakdown of features, which has the edge in categories, and the overall best smelling option out of the two.

Tale of the Tape: Luna Rossa vs. Carbon

Luna Rossa Carbon

Notes include: lavender, ambroxan, metallic notes, pepper, patchouli, coal, bergamot

Click here to try: Prada Luna Rossa CARBON for Men Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 ounce

My Original Review: Luna Rossa Carbon

Luna Rossa

Notes include:  lavender, sage, spearmint, ambrette, ambroxan, and bitter orange

Click here to try: Prada Luna Rossa Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

My Review: Luna Rossa Review

Opening

The original Luna Rossa, opens with a blast of citrus and lavender, which is quickly joined by that cold spearmint note. It has a bright, positive, albeit ‘breezy’ sort of quality. The bitter orange citrus is the main highlight of the open.

It’s not too complex of a cologne. It’s a nice balance between that bitter orange citrus and the cooling freshness of the spearmint. Add to that, the signature lavender (which starts off lighter), and you’ve got yourself a very pleasing scent.

Carbon, on the other hand, opens with a pretty intense bergamot citrus, and is joined by lavender, pepper, and ambroxan.

After about five minutes, the lavender becomes much more of the biggest star of the composition. This whole affair, is why it draws so many comparisons with Sauvage.

Which one do I like better? I think I have a slight affinity towards how Luna Rossa starts off. The orange gives it a different citrus aroma, they share the lavender, and the mint sets it apart.

Plus, the lavender is much more subdued in the original than in Carbon. The more time that I have spent with each, over the past few years, the more that I like Luna Rossa’s start compared to Carbon’s.

Edge: Luna Rossa

Projection

Luna Rossa is moderate. Heck, even on the lighter end of the spectrum of moderate. Carbon is pretty loud at the beginning and then settles down into a moderate, though, it is a stronger moderate than the original. Carbon wins this.

The citrus, pepper, and ambroxan  gives Carbon its punch early on. It outdoes the mint note in the original.

Luna Rossa isn’t weak, it’s just not a powerhouse. You’ll definitely notice that its there, but you’re not going to overwhelm the room, unless you go crazy with the sprays.

Edge: Carbon

Longevity

This is another clear win for Carbon. It’ll last 10+ hours on my skin, while I can only manage 6-8 hours with Luna Rossa. Luna Rossa isn’t bad, but Carbon has better staying power. Both of these fall pretty consistently within this range.

Luna Rossa doesn’t have that one note, that will just keep going, while Carbon does have more heft to its overall composition.

Edge: Carbon

Versatility

I don’t see a real winner in terms of when it can be worn seasonally or during specific occasions. They can both do the everyday, casual, office wear, and date night. These two scents are very versatile.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

So, Carbon has the edge in terms of it’s strength and staying power, and there’s no clear winner in versatility. However, in my mind the original Luna Rossa smells better.

It’s a simple fragrance, but effective. In it’s minimalism, Luna Rossa is very fresh and inviting. The spearmint note adds a nice little dash of cooled sharpness to the cologne, which I feel keeps it from getting boring.

It’s invigorating and very pleasant. The lavender never becomes too heavy and once that initial orange and mint tones down, it’s an attractive wear.

I like Carbon too. If you’re someone who really enjoys Dior Sauvage, this is a very close approximation of that scent, especially when smelled from a distance. Neither one of these is a bad cologne, but Luna Rossa has a more pleasant and desirable aroma, in my opinion.

It sort of all depends on how you want your lavender note served up. I just prefer the original more so.

Winner: Luna Rossa

La Nuit de L’Homme by YSL

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I wanted to start a whole new swath of fragrance reviews on this site and thought that I’d start with an offering from one of my favorite design houses, Yves Saint Laurent. YSL has several classic scents under their belts for both men and women but it is not content on relying on old staples and continues to crank out great colognes.

In this post, I want to take a closer look at the highly popular La Nuit de L’Homme, and give my opinion as to whether or not it is worth a try. Other YSL Reviews: L’Homme Libre, Body Kouros, L’Homme

What does La Nuit de L’Homme Smell Like?

Notes include: cardamom, bergamot, vetiver, lavender, cedar

Try it out: Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit De L’homme Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.3-Ounce

Full Wear Review

The first impressions that I gather from La Nuit is how utterly perfect it seems for nighttime wear. I mean, there are plenty of great smelling colognes, but this is just built for a night on the town and for getting close to the ladies.

It’s a sweet scent that doesn’t venture off into the super candy-like aroma, rather, it remains steadfast in its masculinity. Sweet, but the opening is a spicy freshness, with dry and woody undertones. That will shift, as we move along, but the opening brings it.

At the top,  you are definitely getting hit with the cardamom right away. This note will often be a supporting player, but in La Nuit de l’Homme, it is the main attraction.

At first, it is paired with a very light citrus note of bergamot, which gives the composition a bit of brightness. However, the overall impression is one of warmth, and super freshness.

After the first few minutes, the lavender steps up big time, along with the cedar. So, you get a mix of cardamom and lavender (cardamom still the strongest), with fresh woody aromas emanating from the base.

It pretty much stays like this for the duration of the rest of the wear, but a nice vetiver does begin to peak through to about the same level as the cedar. La Nuit is a warm slightly sweet and slightly spicy fragrance, that has a fresh cleanliness, and a dark character.

For a time, La Nuit is quite powdery and has a really attractive aroma, as it dries down. I like the opening of this scent, but the dry down is fantastic.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s not a fill the room scent. It is subtle, but still noticeable, to those in your immediate presence. The sillage starts off moderate, but goes light after about an hour or two. Don’t expect a powerhouse from this or the other scents in the L’Homme lineup of colognes.

That initial punch is still pretty solid, though. Just nowadays, it doesn’t keep to that same level for all that long.

I don’t find its longevity to be anything spectacular either, it will usually last for what you need it to do (6 hours of solid performance and then maybe 2 more that it has faded a bit). For me, it has been a consistent 6-8 hour scent over the years, including the last time I recently tried it.

I know, there have been reformulations, and some think it is now weaker. I’m not sure, but again, never been a beast for me.

Update: I recently tried a newer batch of this and it was around 5 hours of wear. That’s pretty bad for a designer fragrance. The scent is absolutely still great, but I’ve really got to spray the heck out of my bottle whenever I wear it. Not too big of a deal, but La Nuit has taken a step back over the years.

It is such a balanced offering and I think that is part of the reason that it is so good. It smooth, not overpowering, and it has an alluring mystery behind it. I would say that this is a date night type of cologne and not a bold nightclub standout such as 1 Million.

Also, where 1 Million is more energetic and youthful, La Nuit De L’Homme is classy and refined. Though, it is quite versatile beyond that application.

You can wear it casually or to work as well. It’ll fit in just fine. Seasonally, best in colder to temperate weather, not a summertime scent.

It is among the sexiest men’s fragrances out there, because it always seems to draw compliments. It’s just been consistent for me over the years, with how it draws attention, even in its lighter state.

That seems to be once it settles down into its more powdery state and less during its more intense opening.

La Nuit de L’Homme is one that has been the signature scent for many guys, since its release. It can still play that role, just not to the same degree now, with the performance issues.

Overall Impressions of La Nuit

Overall, though, I have to recommend this scent. It is sexy and pleasing and generally very well-liked by women. I really like the opening burst, with the bergamot. Plus, the dry down when the vetiver arrives is great.

That opening act with the bergamot and cardamom is nice. But, coming back to this one with my newer bottle, I have been remembering how much I enjoy the mid and latter stages of La Nuit de L’homme.

The lavender, vetiver, and cedar…along with the remaining but toned down cardamom is still awesome and a pleasure to wear.

Scent wise, this is a definite buy. Performance wise, it’s just okay. This has been a very popular scent for long time now, so, it has proven itself among the masses and gotten very positive feedback. Give it a try for yourself.

The good news is that, it’s one that actually does go on sale from time to time, either directly from YSL or through a discount site. I got it and a bottle of L’Homme from YSL, buy one get one free, if I remember correctly.

Acqua di Gio vs Profumo Cologne Comparison

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Acqua di Gio was released by Giorgio Armani back in 1996. Since then, it has been a runaway best seller, and one of the most popular colognes on the market. Obviously, to capitalize on that success, the brand has release numerous flanker scents including Acqua di Gio Profumo.

In this post, I want to do a full head to head comparison, to determine which is the better buy: Acqua di Gio vs Acqua di Gio Profumo. Which lasts longer? Which smells better?

AdG vs. Profumo: Tale of the Tape

Acqua di Gio

Notes include: bergamot, tangerine, neroli, jasmine, rosemary, patchouli, rock rose, hyacinth, persimmon, marine notes

Click here to try: Acqua Di Gio By Giorgio Armani For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces

Read my review: Acqua di Gio 

Acqua di Gio Profumo

Notes include: bergamot, sage, patchouli, incense, geranium, rosemary, and marine notes

Click here to try: Giorgio Armani Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Profumo 75ml (2.5oz) Parfum Vapo., 2.5 Fluid Ounce

Read my review: Acqua di Gio Profumo

Opening

The original Acqua di Gio opens up with tangerine and bergamot citrus notes, to go along with jasmine and a sea breeze air. It’s quite pleasant and upbeat with a bright aquatic disposition.

The citrus medley is great. I like the lemon, tangerine, and bergamot. They work well together, beautifully. It starts to have more of a floral influence, after a few minutes, with jasmine and a clean neroli. Sea air and rosemary spice, round things out, in the original AdG.

The jasmine really tends to stick out on my skin, with the latest batches. I do love it, when paired with the citrus and aquatic accord.

Meanwhile, Profumo opens with the same sharp bergamot note, a spicy sage, and more of a watery marine note, than a sea breeze. It is darker, has a refreshing profile, and is later joined by a smoky incense.

It’s feels like the depths of the ocean and not like a gentle shore wind. Saltier, with a hint of that original rosemary, which is outclassed by the sage addition.

Which is better? I really like the original, but the opening of Profumo is better, in my opinion. I like that it goes fully with the bergamot and that added smokiness is a great touch.

There’s more going on in AdG Profumo, which creates a bolder, and fuller aroma. At least, to my nose.

Edge: Profumo

Projection

Acqua di Gio is a fairly across the board moderate fragrance. The sillage isn’t too strong but it is consistent throughout.

Profumo starts out stronger and ends as a moderate. For the first few hours, it has a stronger projection than does the original, and they are close to the same after that. In fact, Profumo’s peak is much more powerful.

Once they dry down, they will project about 3-5 feet from the skin. Profumo can definitely go loud, in the early stages.

Edge: Profumo

Longevity

On my skin, AdG lasts for 6-7 hours, and that is about the max that I ever get out of it. Profumo, will go for 8+ and can hit 10 hours, on occasion. It has better performance.

Classic bottles of Acqua di Gio, may have had a few more hours, to its name. However, the latest bottles are in that 6-7 hour range. Profumo can consistently hit the upper single digits, without issue.

Update: My latest bottle of Profumo doesn’t seem to ever hit 10 hours like my other one did. Still sticks around, but not to the same extent.

Edge: Profumo

Versatility

Both of these fragrances, sort of fit the same bill. Both are spring/summer wears mainly, that can go year round, if need be. Casual wear, work, or even on a date. Profumo has more of a mature vibe, but not enough to really separate these two.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Acqua di Gio is a classic fragrance. It has been a best seller and will continue to be one, for a long time. I like its aquatic style, the citrus, the jasmine, and the rosemary note. It’s got great balance and has been a great starter cologne for guys, for over two decades.

Profumo is all of that, but an improved version, in my opinion. It’s darker, spicier, smokier, and more adult than its predecessor. It feels like a deeper and more complex fragrance and the aroma just smells better to me.

Beyond that, it has a longer wear and greater sillage than the original. It’s the best Acqua di Gio flanker, as it shares a lot with the original, and then adds a twist.

Plus, Profumo is no longer a new release, and you can grab bottles at a discount from full price. Just another additional edge.

Update: Profumo has basically been rebranded as AdG Parfum. 

Winner: Profumo

Polo Blue vs Ultra Blue Cologne Comparison

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For this installment of my head to head fragrance match ups, we have two entries from Ralph Lauren: the original Polo Blue EDT vs. Ultra Blue. Which smells better? The original or its newer flanker cologne release? I have tested out both of them, and as usual, will break down each to some key metrics and declare an ultimate victor.

Ultra Blue or Polo Blue EDT? Tale of the Tape

Polo Blue

Notes include: amber, melon, patchouli, geranium, cucumber, tangerine, moss, musk

Click here to try: Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren for Men, Eau De Toilette Natural Spray, 4.2 Ounce

Read my original review: Polo Blue Review

Ultra Blue

Notes include: lemon, salt, amber, bergamot, basil, verbena, sage, juniper

Click here to try: Ralph Lauren Polo Ultra Blue 2.5 Fluid ounce Eau De Toilette

Read my review: Ultra Blue

Opening

Polo Blue EDT starts out with a crisp blend of melon and cucumber. It’s chilled with a hint of tangerine and amber. To me, it’s always felt kind of bland. It’s nice but not anything spectacular.

I do like that crispness, slight spice, and semi-aquatic feel. On a summer’s day, it can be quite invigorating, even if it isn’t super unique or exciting.

Ultra Blue goes with lemon and salt at the opener, which ain’t much more exciting. It is more of an aquatic and the saltiness is sort of like an ocean breeze. Ultra Blue tracks closer to the EDP version of Blue.

Which is better? Ehhh, it’s a tough call, as neither are great but I think I enjoy the original Blue more here. Ultra Blue tries to go for more of the herbal freshness, with oceanic elements.

That’s not a bad thing, but the execution, isn’t amazing. Pretty good, enjoyable, but I’ll still go with Blue EDT for the starting portion.

Edge: Polo Blue

Projection

The original Polo Blue isn’t a beast, the sillage is moderate for much of the wear, but overall quite solid. You’ll notice it and so will others. I get good performance from the EDT, in this regard. It’s definitely not meant to be a projection monster, but it does give you

Ultra Blue is really kind of weak. It’s somewhat moderate for maybe an hour and then turns into a skin scent. Ralph Lauren fragrances can be so hit or miss, with the power.

Ultra Blue is one of the releases, that is pretty noticeably weak. Particularly when compared to the rest of the Polo Blue lineup, which aren’t that powerful themselves.

It’s kind of surprising, as the other Blue scents are around the same with their sillage. Ultra Blue sort of falls flat.

Edge: Polo Blue

Longevity

Polo Blue always lasted about 7-8 hours on my skin, which is a very respectable amount of time. Blue EDT is at least above average, each time that I’ve worn it. It hasn’t disappointed me, at any time.

While Ultra Blue has weak sillage, it actually stays on the skin for 6 hours, which is a bit weird. However, it is such a light fragrance that its lack of sillage really undercuts how long you think it lasts, since you’re not smelling it all of the time.

Neither one of these colognes peters out early. Blue still wins it fairly easily, with both the hours it can last, and its sustained strength.  But, it’s also true that neither is an absolute performer, on the skin.

Edge: Polo Blue

Versatility

Both scents are spring/summertime wears, since they share a common DNA. I’d wear either casually. They could both be worn at an office or for school. They sort of share the same space.

They can technically go year round, but fit in much better during the warmer months. The summer is the peak of Polo Blue’s powers, it’s really a nice and simple wear for that time.

Each is a very versatile wear, that can serve as a daily cologne, for many guys. No clear winner here.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Ultra Blue isn’t a bad smelling cologne. Actually, I quite enjoy the aroma. The lemon, the saltiness, swimming in amber with just a hint of sage and basil sitting underneath. It’s nice. The sillage is just bad and it offers no real advantage over either Polo Blue EDT or EDP.

I’m not even that much of a fan of the original Polo Blue EDT because I find it to be pretty boring. It does smell good and has nice performance, which versus Ultra Blue, that’s all that you really need.

Polo Blue EDT is the winner here, but I’d take the EDP over either of these. Actually, if you were leaning towards Ultra Blue, the newer Deep Blue is closer to that but with better performance. Much more oceanic and with a nice mango note.

I think nowadays, my number one and two from this line would be Blue EDP or Deep Blue. Really depending on the day, which would take that first spot. EDT is fine and can be an easy to wear scent, but it pretty easily takes the win here.

Winner: Polo Blue