Men’s Fashion

Acqua di Gio Absolu vs Invictus Aqua Comparison

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In this head to head cologne comparison post, I am going to take a closer look at two of the more popular aquatic fragrances of the past few years: Acqua di Gio Absolu vs. Invictus Aqua. Which of these two scents smells the best? Which gives a better performance? The Paco Rabanne or the Armani?

Tale of the Tape: AdG Absolu vs. Invictus Aqua

Acqua di Gio Absolu

Notes include: patchouli, marine notes, labdanum, tonka bean, wood, bergamot, grapefruit, lavender, rosemary, apple, pear

Click here to try: Acqua di Giò Absolu Eau de Parfum Spray 4.2 fl oz Men

Read my full review here: Acqua di Gio Absolu

Invictus Aqua EDT

Notes include: yuzu, pink pepper, guaiac wood, marine notes, violet leaf, ambergris, grapefruit

Click here to try: Paco Rabanne Invictus Aqua Eau de Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce

Read my review: Invictus Aqua

Opening

Invictus Aqua starts out with yuzu, grapefruit, and the marine notes. The start of Aqua is my favorite part of the fragrance, as I really like the inclusion of yuzu within the composition.

It’s quite an salty aquatic citrus cologne and then the pink pepper kicks in, which brings some added depth.

Aqua di Gio Absolu also starts out with grapefruit, but pairs it with bergamot, instead of yuzu. Absolu has a woody base, apple, tonka bean, and the same sort of sea note that does Aqua.

Which is better? I think I’ll give the edge to Absolu. They have similarities but I like the woody base and tonka bean in the Armani, a bit more than in Aqua.

Edge: Absolu

Projection

Absolu starts out pretty strong for about an hour and then shifts into something that is much more moderate. Aqua is a lighter fragance, but probably is defined as a moderate, it just doesn’t reach the same level as AdG Absolu does at the start.

Absolu is also an EDP, so, it should naturally be stronger…it is.

Edge: Absolu

Longevity

While Absolu has the better sillage, Invictus Aqua actually lasts longer on my skin. I get about 8 hours from Absolu and Aqua can go over 8 hours and touch double digits. It has really good longevity for an aquatic.

It was actually surprising, that this version could match or excel past the other Invictus flankers.

Edge: Invictus Aqua

Versatility

These two colognes pretty much hit the same beats. Spring and summertime wears. They can go casual or to a party or even to work. They can also hold their own in the cooler months of the year. I don’t see an advantage here.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Invictus Aqua has a really nice opening act. Beyond that, the performance is awesome, and it plays its role rather well. The dry down, however, brings out more of the violet leaf note and oud. It becomes woodier and ‘dirtier’, for lack of a better term.

Finally, it pretty much ends on my skin a pure sea water smell. I’m not too big of a fan of how it develops.

Meanwhile, Acqua di Gio Absolu has the citrus and marine notes, and then adds amber and wood to that. It also has an earthier smell, as it moves along, but it doesn’t get completely overrun like I feel Aqua does. Absolu also just has a better aroma, is better blended, and smells more expensive.

In the Acqua di Gio lineup, I actually prefer AdG Profumo, to Absolu. Though, between the two in this head to head, I’m going with AdG Absolu. If price is a serious consideration, then, Invictus Aqua isn’t a bad choice at all. You can usually pull bottles of that for cheaper than Absolu.

Winner: Absolu

Polo Red vs Polo Red Extreme Comparison

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or this cologne comparison, I am going to do a head to head look at two Ralph Lauren fragrances, from the Polo Red line: Red vs. Red Extreme. Which one of this scents smells better? The original Red has enjoyed a lot of popularity over this decade, but does its newer flanker release, surpass it? Which lasts longer? Continue below for the full breakdown.

Tale of the Tape: Red Extreme vs Polo Red

Polo Red

Notes include: grapefruit, italian lemon, cranberry, saffron, sage, coffee beans, and amber

Click here to try: POLO RED by Ralph Lauren, 4.2 Fl Oz

Read my full review: Polo Red

Polo Red Extreme

Notes include: blood orange, coffee, ebony wood

Click here to try: Polo Red Extreme Eau de Parfum Spray 4.2 Ounce, Ralph Lauren Men

Read my review: Polo Red Extreme

Opening

Polo Red opens up with a bright mix of citrus and cranberry. The citrus notes are lemon and grapefruit, which provides an upbeat and juicy aroma, to go along with that tart cranberry. The cranberry is the strongest note, in this cologne, and it is all wrapped up in an increasingly strengthening amber.

Polo Red Extreme opens with coffee and blood orange. I also pick up on some of that same cranberry note, but it isn’t listed officially. The blood orange is great and they invert the coffee note in Polo Red (which was weaker) and make it the main attraction.

Which is better? I like Polo Red, but Red Extreme really captures my attention. It’s very simple at the start with a juicy blood orange and warm coffee, but there is some spice and the base note of ebony wood.

Edge: Red Extreme

Projection

Polo Red starts off strong for me and then goes into a moderate sort of scent. Meanwhile, Extreme is pretty darn strong, and stays that way. It doesn’t require more than a few sprays.

Edge: Extreme

Longevity

If I go heavy with the application of Polo Red, I can get it to last somewhat longer, but it hits the 4-6 hour range with normal sprays. Polo Red Extreme lives up to the name and can last in that 8-10 hour range, it’s very good in this regard.

Edge: Extreme

Versatility

Polo Red has always been more of a spring/summer wear for me. It’s a casual type of scent you would wear hanging out, to class, and possibly to work. Not really much of a sexy fragrance.

Red Extreme is more geared to fall/winter, but could venture into more moderate temps. It’s simple yet attractive, but I don’t know if one really has an advantage over the other here.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Polo Red was a really nice release, when it came out years ago. I enjoyed wearing it around and thought that the cranberry note was an interesting ingredient to use. It has that really tart fruit aroma that gets tempered by amber, as it moves along. I always wished that the performance was better.

Later on, Polo Red Extreme was released, and it’s a much better fragrance in my mind. Quite linear, but the coffee and blood orange combination are great, and pretty unique.

Add to that, a base of ebony wood note, and you have a rich and smooth cologne that outdoes the original. It has become one of Ralph Lauren’s best men’s fragrances and wins this head to head, fairly easily.

Winner: Extreme

Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford

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For today’s review, I am finally getting around to doing a full write up of Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford. I am still getting through my reviews of fragrances from this designer and this is among the most highly regarded of the bunch. This one came out in 2007. But how does it actually smell? Does it have good performance? What are the ingredients?

What does Tobacco Vanille Smell Like?

Notes include: tobacco, vanilla, dried fruit accords, cocoa, tonka bean, wood sap, spices

Click here to try: Tom Ford Beauty Tobacco Vanille Private Blend Spray/3.4 oz.

My Full Review

Tobacco Vanille opens up with a lot of very sweet tobacco, vanilla, cocoa, and creamy tonka bean. It is loud and really sweet, which I think puts off many people from giving this a fair shake, because it can kind of be overwhelming at the start.

The sweetness is somewhat offset by a layer of unnamed spice, but from what I can tell is mostly cinnamon. It’s a warm enveloping cloud of tobacco and familiar gourmand notes.

One thing about the sweetness is that it has a dry and powdered quality to the aroma. The cocoa note smells like cocoa powder and the dried fruit accord provides a different type of sweet scent from that of the strong vanilla and cocoa.

As it dries down, it becomes less sugary sweet, and more of a rich and dark aroma. It’s a very thick fragrance, smooth overall, but notes like the wood sap give it a resinous undertone.

As it dries down, I get more of the tobacco as a stand alone, that is less drowned out by the gourmand notes. It’s a green leafy tobacco, not a cured and toasted one. This is surrounded by sap and spices.

Plus, the sweet combo of the cocoa and vanilla, which lend it a creamy powdery disposition. It’s pretty much what I get for the rest of the wear.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage of Tobacco Vanille is really quite strong at first. It’ll stay that way for a few hours, but I’d put it on the upper edge of moderate for the rest of the wear. It isn’t a super bomb scent for the entire way, but it can hit hard at first.

Longevity is great. It’s an all day wear, and can hit double digit hours of wear, with only a couple of sprays. Probably in the 11-12 hour range, at its best.

This one has always stuck to my skin very well and kept going. I’m not sure everyone will experience the same, but it’s one of the best performing Tom Ford scents for me.

Seasonally, it’s a cold weather scent. Too much warmth and sweetness to be of use for me in the spring/summer, but it’s great when the temperatures drop. Very versatile, sexy enough to be worn out at night, but mature enough for office wear.

Doesn’t offend and gets positive reactions from people, as long as you’re not doing a crazy number of sprays. Also, it’s more masculine than anything, but it is still within the realm of being a unisex scent.

Overall Impressions of Tobacco Vanille

Overall, do I like Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford? Yes, it is a very good tobacco based fragrance. The dry down period is my favorite part, because it doesn’t have the same in your face sweetness, but I cannot say that I totally dislike the opening either.

It is expensive, but this is one of the Tom Ford scents that has really great performance, while being pleasing to wear. If you live in a very humid climate, it might not be the best choice. Obviously, you’ll also need to like the smell of tobacco.

For me, this is one of the Tom Ford perfumes that I can and do enjoy. Though, it isn’t my favorite or one that I personally want to wear all of the time. Especially since, the autumn and winter is when I get to break out a whole host of other scents with a dark, sweet, spicy profile.

Other Tom Ford scents like: Noir Extreme and Parfum. Different high end stuff like Oajan, Angels’ Share and Chanel’s Egoiste.

So, I do recommend giving this one a try at least. But, I already have a glut of fragrances with a similar use case, and this one gets left out of the mix for me.

Neroli Portofino vs Forte by Tom Ford Comparison

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Alright, so here we are with another head to head match up between two Tom Ford fragrances. In this edition, I am going to compare how the original Neroli Portofino measures up to its flanker, Neroli Portofino Forte. Which one of these perfumes smells the best? Does Forte outdo the original? Which is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Portofino vs Forte

Neroli Portofino

Notes include: neroli, orange flower, amber, mandarin, bergamot, jasmine, lavender, lemon

Click here to try: Tom Ford Neroli Portofino 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum Spray

Review: Neroli Portofino

Neroli Portofino Forte

Notes include: neroli, orange flower, amber, mandarin, bergamot, jasmine, lavender, lemon

Click here to try: Tom Ford Neroli Portofino 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum Spray

Review: Neroli Portofino Forte

Opening

The opening of the original Neroli Portofino is a blast of lemon and other citrus notes, to go along with the neroli, and orange blossom. It has a citrusy top with floral undertones and a sort of soapy clean quality to it.

Forte, on the other hand, starts off musky and spicy, with white floral notes at the heart. Plus, there is a strong herbal spice, provided by the basil note. I really dislike how Forte starts off, it is just really off-putting. The musk and the basil beginning just isn’t as good as the original with the lemon and floral notes.

Edge: Neroli Portofino

Projection

The original Neroli Portofino was a pretty light fragrance, at best, the sillage was moderate at the start. Forte, isn’t heavy either but it is stronger and more consistently moderate throughout the wear. Clear edge.

Edge: Forte

Longevity

The original lasts on my skin for about 5-6 hours. Forte does do better and gives me 7-8 hours. Neither are super amazing in this department but the flanker does out duel the original.

Edge: Forte

Versatility

Both scents are spring/summer wears. Both are unisex and lean towards feminine. Both for more non-casual occasions. There isn’t a clear difference in this aspect.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I want to say that while I think that both of these versions of this namesake, smell nice, I’m not a huge fan of either. Neroli Portofino is a pretty simple fragrance, citrus with the orange blossom and neroli. Then, jasmine and lavender pop in to solidify the floral notes. It’s clean, soapy, and bright but also pretty similar to other scents that I’ve smelled.

Forte, I hate the beginning. However, it does get better, and is much more interesting than the original. Once you get past the first five minutes, the blood orange and bergamot, come out and add a zesty citrus.

Then, they add the leather note, which takes it to a different place than the original and it turns out quite well. Also, the better longevity and projection, make it much more worth paying those Tom Ford prices.

Again, neither is something that I’d personally buy, but Forte is the better fragrance overall.

Winner: Neroli Portofino Forte

Mont Blanc Legend vs. Legend Spirit

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For this head to head match up, I want to take a closer look at two of the options from Mont Blanc’s lineup: Legend vs. Legend Spirit. Which of these smells the best? The original or its 2016 flanker release? Which lasts longer? Which is the better buy?

As usual, I will cover each in a variety of categories before declaring an ultimate winner. I have also included my original review of each cologne below, for further info, and my personal experience wearing them.

Tale of the Tape: Spirit vs Legend

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 Spirit

Notes include: grapefruit, pink pepper, bergamot, musk, aquatic accord, lavender, cardamom, oak moss, wood

Click here to try: MONTBLANC Legend Spirit Eau de Toilette, 3.3 Fl Oz

Read my review: Legend Spirit

Opening

Legend opens up with a trio of fruit notes: bergamot, apple, and pineapple leaf. There is also a creamy tonka bean and lavender which eventually takes over. It has a citrus aroma, but it does have a drier undertone to it.

Spirit opens up with grapefruit, as the citrus note, but it sits within an aquatic accord. There is also a warm and spicy cardamom note. Plus, a dash of pink pepper.

Which is better? Legend Spirit’s grapefruit aquatic blend is great and better than the original. Plus, the cardamom and pink pepper really separate Spirit, giving it a very nice starting aroma.

Edge: Spirit

Projection

Both Legend and Legend Spirit have pretty moderate sillage. They can project themselves fairly well for an hour or so, before moving much closer to the skin. Neither is bad, but they aren’t beasts.

Edge: Push

Longevity

Again, these two are very close competitors, and near identical in terms of how long they last. The original will do 5-6 hours. Spirit will do 4-6 hours. About the same.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Both of these scents are extremely versatile and can fit in, in just about any situation. Both are best in the spring/summer months, but can go year round. Casual wear, to the office, school, or even on a date without problem. These are simple crowd pleasers and there isn’t a real distinction in this category either.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Alright, in terms of their performances and uses, these two fragrances are quite similar. However, how each smells is actually quite different, even with some obviously shared DNA.

The original Legend is a pretty simple blend of lavender and fruit notes, with dry sandalwood and tonka bean notes, bringing up the base. It’s nice and pleasant and one that will fit in anywhere. It’s not a scent that will offend anyone.

Legend Spirit has the better smell and is the more interesting fragrance, in my mind. Like the original, it dries down with plenty of lavender. However, it is also heavy with that great cardamom/pink pepper combo, an aquatic accord, and the still present grapefruit. When all put together, you get an aquatic scent that has dry elements, warmth, spices, and citrus.

It’s really fresh and attractive. It is a cologne that will gather complements. It would be better, if the longevity was top notch, but it is still the better of these to Mont Blanc’s.

Winner: Legend Spirit