Men’s Fashion

10 Fragrances Similar to Abercrombie Fierce

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Fierce by Abercrombie & Fitch has been a best seller, since its release, but 10-15 years ago; it was an absolute monster. In high school, I smelled this cologne everywhere I went, seemingly. With such popularity, there are bound to be other colognes that come along, which smell similar to Fierce.

There’s always a market for ‘clones’ of popular scents. Also, over time, the quality of Fierce has dipped and it doesn’t seem to pack the same punch anymore.

With that, guys are looking for an alternative, that either smells/performs better or costs less (or both). In this post, I want to present you ten options, that smell quite a bit like Fierce. Some will be more expensive, while others will be cheapies, but all produce that Fierce-like vibe.

Favorite Fragrances that Smell Like Abercrombie Fierce

Most Similar Designer

MONTBLANC Legend Eau de Toilette, 1.0 Fl Oz– Legend has plenty of similarities to Fierce, but isn’t as spicy nor woodsy as the Abercrombie scent. Legend opens up with pineapple, that isn’t too sharp, and later is joined and tempered by lavender.

Legend also features a crisp apple note and the smooth sandalwood, which is quite nice. Mont Blanc Legend has also been a best seller for years. Legend is clean and masculine with a solid woody dry down.

While this is probably the most similar, out of designer scents. I would go with Mercedes-Benz Man (listed below) before picking up a bottle of this. Legend Full Review.

A Better Legend

Mercedes-Benz Man–  Mercedes-Benz Man is one that has plenty of similarities with Legend above and I actually enjoy it more. It’s different, for sure, but shares a lot of overlap with the Mont Blanc scent.

It also shares a great deal with Fierce, as it it stands sort of in between these two cologne options. Plus, you can find bottles of Benz Man for cheaper than either of these picks.

You get the oakmoss and cedar freshness, along with a top note of a crisp and watery slice of pear. The spice comes across as quite light, with less of a bite, than some of the other listed colognes.

However, the performance is quite good, better than what I’ve gotten with the modern formulations of Fierce and probably a slight edge versus Legend.

Hashtag Inspiration

#Fierce by The Dua Brand– So, this is the only one from the designers that re-create the aromas of popular fragrances, that seems to have done an ‘inspired’ version of Fierce.

Now, I haven’t personally tried this one out, but I have done so for other Dua scents and they do a really good job at almost completely matching the scent of famous fragrances.

#Fierce is based on the original formulation of the A&F scent that used to get pumped into the stores back in the day.

Reviews are really positive and there’s no reason to think that Dua dropped the ball on this one. If you want something that tries to hit the same beats as Fierce, this is probably it.

Woody and Iris

Dior Homme Eau For Men by Christian Dior for Men – 3.4 oz EDT Spray– Dior Homme Eau is of course, a close flanker of Dior Homme. However, it also creates a close aroma like our target scent. Eau has a strong cedar base and the spice of coriander.

But, It starts off with top notes of grapefruit and bergamot.

The grapefruit and coriander is the same as Fierce, it uses different wood notes, but has that same sort of base. One big difference, is the presence of iris, which is the highlight of the original Dior Homme. This one has solid performance of 6-8 hours. Dior Homme Eau Review.

Update: This one has been discontinued and bottles are getting harder to track down for anything resembling a reasonable price.

Best Similar Cheapie

Frank Olivier Sunrise Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 2.5 Ounce– Here is our first cheaper option. It’s not an exact duplicate of Fierce, but close enough, when considering price and the reformulations of the A&F fragrance.

It’s less woody and not as dry as Fierce, but has a good lavender note, and a nice bergamot up front. If I were to go with one of the cheapest options on this list, it’d have to be Sunrise. It gives you the closest approximation and best performance, out of all the cheapies.

Affordable and Popular

Very Sexy Platinum– Very Sexy Platinum smells like a mix between a weaker old school bottle of A&F Fierce and Montblanc Legend. It never had the same level of power as classic A&F Fierce, but it was one that was always pretty popular and could draw plenty of complements. Usually not too bad of a price either.

The main differences between Platinum and those fragrances, to me at least, is a less spicy profile and it feels woodier. Very Sexy Platinum is fresh and has a nice earthiness to it.

Update: Nowadays, it’s less affordable than it had been when compared to Fierce. They can each usually be found for cheaper online versus in their respective stores. It sort of depends on when you’re looking for these colognes, as to what price you’ll pay.

Another Super Cheap Option

PLAYBOY New York Men Eau De Toilette Spray, 3.4 Ounce Playboy– This is the absolute cheapest option on the list. It isn’t the best, can be somewhat watered down, and is closer to Mont Blanc Legend.

Nonetheless, at around $10-15 per bottle, Playboy New York is a viable option. This one has apple and vanilla leading the way.

Yet an understated dryness of vetiver and an interesting vinyl note. It wouldn’t be my first option, but this one does inhabit the same fragrance style as Fierce. Playboy New York Full Review

Update: Playboy discontinued their whole line of older fragrances pretty much. There does seem to be plenty of stock with this one, at least. I just saw bottles selling for $18-20 online. Probably not worth any amount beyond that.

Better High End Version

PLATINUM EGOISTE POUR HOMME BY Chanel  – Updating this, since I put the wrong Egoiste down. Platinum is the version you want, if you’re looking for a grown up version of Fierce.

This has an old school barbershop aroma, that is modern and stylish. Sage, neroli, lavender, and petitgrain take control early on. That top line has a great deal of overlap with our target, just without the citrus top.

It’s greenish, herbal, and has a clean soapy quality. Egoiste Platinum is a deeper and more intricate scent versus Fierce. Floral, with sage and rosemary highlights. The latter stages get dry and woodier, with a nice vetiver note.

Probably won’t appeal to most high school guys, but if you’re an older fan of Fierce, this Chanel is a classic one to try. Platinum Egoiste Review

Fresh and Clean

Skulls and Roses ED Hardy Colognes for Men, 2.5 Ounce– Skulls and Roses is another cheap option that mimics Fierce, fairly closely. It starts off with a top of citrus, lavender, and cardamom spice.

Then, it dries down with musk and dry oak moss. It’s like a simpler and more linear version of Fierce.

This one is fresh and clean with more of a soapy vibe. The sillage isn’t huge, moderate at first, but quite light thereafter. It lasts about six hours, on the skin. Though, you can pick up a bottle for under $20. Skulls and Roses Review

The Newer Legend

MONTBLANC Legend eau de parfum 3.3 fl oz, 3.3 fl. oz.– I’m adding Legend eau de parfum to the list, as some people do like this one. Personally, I’d go with the original EDT, but this also smells similar to the A&F scent.

The main difference is with the violet leaf and leather notes. They are prominent. That takes this away from being a clone of either Legend or Fierce, but the overall feel is the same.

The similarities are going to be with the moss, woods, and musky sort of aroma. The violet leaf is one of my least favorite notes, so I don’t really enjoy this version at all. The light leather is a pretty nice touch.

I’d say, if you can pick this up relatively cheap, it’s an option. The performance isn’t good enough for a full bottle, though. Legend EDP Review

Nautica Voyage vs Nautica Blue Cologne Comparison

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I’ve already done multiple reviews of Nautica fragrances and a list of the best smelling scents from this brand. As such, I think it’s time to narrow down the field a bit more and compare two of this brand’s best sellers, Voyage and Nautica Blue.

In this post, I want to compare how each scent smells, how it performs, and determine which one is the better buy in my opinion. Please continue below for the full comparison. Also see: Voyage vs Voyage N-83

Tale of the Tape Nautica Voyage vs. Blue

Nautica Voyage 

Notes include: apple, musk, cedar, green leaf, amber, mimosa

Read my original review here

Try Nautica Voyage: Nautica Voyage By Nautica For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 oz

Nautica Blue

Notes include: Musk, cedar, bergamot, sandalwood, peach, pineapple, water lily

Read my original review 

Click here to try Nautica Blue!

nblue

Opening

The differences between the openings of these two fragrances is that, Voyage gives off a juicy/citrus scent while being an aquatic cologne, and Blue is leaning more towards the woodsy/aquatic.

Yes, blue has citrus/fruity notes as well but it’s cedar note is more noticeable while Voyage’s fruit notes take center stage.

Voyage starts thinks off with apple, musk, some watery notes, and floral notes. This is a greenish floral fragrance, at times, particularly after the opening. You will get plenty of lotus and mimosa in Nautica Voyage. For such an inexpensive scent, it really is quite unique.

Nautica Blue is a blend of bergamot and pineapple, up top. The newer bottles really seem really quite sharp in the opening act. Like a sharp fruity detergent. It’s strange, as older bottles didn’t have this same level of intensity. It will get woodier, later on, and settle itself down.

It’s really a matter of taste…but I give Voyage a slight edge. Actually, with the newer batches, Voyage wins this category hands down.

Edge: Voyage

Projection

Both of these scents are moderate, however, Blue tends to be on the lighter side in my opinion. Neither is really a projection beast, but they get the job done, for the most part.

Blue gets softer, much earlier than does Voyage. Voyage actually stays moderate with its sillage for a good while, leaving at slight scent trail, but is detectable for longer than Nautica Blue.

Edge: Voyage

Longevity

I get about 7 hours of wear out of Voyage most of the time. Blue, on the other hand, is really hit and miss with somewhere between 2-5 hours depending on the circumstances.

Voyage definitely starts to open a lead over Blue with this category. The last batch of Blue that I tried, really hit the lower end of its spectrum, too. Voyage owns this category.

Update: Yes, after trying Blue again, it’s about 2-3 hours now. Voyage, as of the last time that I tried it out, is still the same.

Edge: Voyage

Versatility

Nautica colognes are well known for being casual aquatic scents and that holds true in the case of these two.

Blue is a fresh and clean fragrance that is quite simple and linear in its aroma. Both are good for work, school, casual situations.

Both would be best for younger guys, maybe Voyage has an edge for the older set head to head, but not enough to make a difference.

Update: I’m changing my stance on this. The newer bottles of Blue, do have a too much sharpness and have too much of a detergent-like aroma. I’d say since both are cheapies, limit the use to casual or some work wear, but I’d for sure go with Voyage before Blue.

Edge: Voyage

Overall Scent

Voyage to me, smells better overall and add that to its better performance and it has to be the winner out of these two.

I remember Blue being much better in the past, not as much of a detergent like smell. The opening of this latest batch, really turned me off this cologne.

Voyage is an easy to wear go to. It’s really the pinnacle of the Nautica brand, that they don’t ever seem to be able to top. For the price, it’s a great option.

Crisp fruit notes, green/floral blend, and a musky finish. There’s a reason that this fragrance, has become a best seller, at this price point.

I’d rather wear Voyage over Blue, every time, nowadays. In the past, Blue might have gotten a few wears, but it’s lost a lot of luster in my book.

The good news is that, since these colognes are so inexpensive, one could simply buy both of them and not break the bank in the process.

See if you actually like Blue, and if not, it’ll only set you back $10-15. I probably wouldn’t even bother with it at this point, since it really doesn’t do much of anything well.

Winner: Voyage

Chanel Allure Homme Sport vs. Eau Extreme

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Chanel’s Allure series, has put out some awesome fragrances for both men and women, over the  years. Allure Homme Sport is one such example that has pretty much outpaced the popularity of its namesake. Then, Chanel came out with Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme, which also received high praise and sales numbers.

However, which one is the better scent? For those in the market, which should you buy? Which cologne has the better performance? Please continue below for my full breakdown. 

Tale of the Tape: Allure Homme Sport vs. Eau Extreme

Allure Homme Sport

Notes include: mandarin, musk, tonka bean, cedar, sea notes, aldehydes, vanilla, pepper

Click here to try: Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 5 oz

Read my review: Allure Homme Sport

Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme

Notes include: mandarin, musk, tonka bean, cypress, pepper, sage, mint, vanilla

Click here to try: Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme Eau de Parfum Spray 3.4 OZ.

Read my review: Allure Sport Eau Extreme

Opening

Allure Homme Sport kicks off with a blend of freshness and sweetness. The opening act features fresh aldehydes, sea notes, and mandarin orange. This is all surrounded by the sweet blend of tonka bean and vanilla.

I really like it, at times I get more citrus/sweetness, and other times it feels more musky in the beginning of the wear. 

Meanwhile, Eau Extreme also goes with a fresh take, that is more ‘green’ than anything sweet. Sage and mint are prominent up top and give Extreme a crisp coldness. It also has a cypress note and more pepper than Allure Homme Sport.

In many ways, it feels like those notes have been added on top of what you find with the original.

I wasn’t always sold on how Eau Extreme starts out, but it has grown on me a lot, over the years.

Which is better? Again, I’d probably would’ve used to say Sport, but now I think Eau Extreme has the lead. For me, it’s a really close decision, but I have come to quite enjoy the sage and mint with the tonka wafting up from the base.

Some people might not like the sweeter aspects of the tonka bean, sort of like a sweet almond kind of smell. But, I think that it works well.

Edge: Eau Extreme

Projection

Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme starts out with pretty strong sillage. It doesn’t project itself super far, like across the room, with normal sprays. However, it does have a very solid and consistent power for much of the wear.

The original Sport isn’t as strong. In fact, I think the older bottles had a bit more power than the current batches. It’s not a completely weak scent, in my experience. Though, it’s pretty middle of the road and for sure doesn’t keep up with Extreme.

Update: I did get another sample vial of Allure Homme Sport with my bottle of Eau Extreme. The sillage is pretty much on the lower end of what you could consider moderate. Still, not awful, just not as good.

Edge: Eau Extreme

Longevity

Allure Homme Sport seems to stick around for 5-6 hours. I swear, I used to get a few more hours of wear out of it, but this is what I’m getting from 2020 batches.

Update: Thinking back, yep, closer to 7-8 hours.  Not completely atrocious, but I want more, at this price.

Eau Extreme still seems to hold up at  or close to full strength. I get 8 hours of wear from this more intense version of Allure Sport. It’s hard to remember that far back, but it may have used to go a few hours more. I can’t be sure, though. 

It too, isn’t incredible, but about a full workday worth of staying power is about what you should expect.

Update: I bought a full bottle of Eau Extreme here in 2022 and it still goes that 8 hours without issue. With that, I still get 5-6 hours from the more recent batches of Sport that I received samples of.

Neither cologne is a marathon runner, though.

Edge: Eau Extreme

 

Versatility

Seasonally, both Allure Homme Sport scents can work year round. Though, with each, I’d stay away from the far ends of the hot/cold temperature spectrum. I think they are both at their best in moderate to warm weather.

Each is very versatile. These fragrances can be worn by men in any age group, have mass appeal, and women seem to like how they smell in general. Not really formal scents or night club beasts, but they’re not out of place in either scenario.

Really, I don’t see a distinction in this category.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these two Chanel fragrances do I prefer?

It’s a very close call, in my book, as to which smells better. Allure Homme Sport does have an enjoyable and sweeter aroma. The light sea notes and mandarin give it some distinction. Also, the vanilla and tonka bean notes are more prevalent and creamier. 

It’s a lovely fragrance. The main issue is the performance nowadays, in comparison to Eau Extreme. It would be a coin toss for me, if Sport had close to the same strength as its flanker.

I’ve owned both of them in the past. Now, I have Eau Extreme, and don’t plan on getting the original EDT…despite enjoying it. It’s not absolutely awful with how long that it lasts, so, there still will be people who will absolutely prefer to get the original Allure Homme Sport EDT.

Eau Extreme gives you most of what you get with the original, but with an added freshness and herbal quality up top. The mint, sage, and cypress are all great additions to the basic composition.

Add to that, you get a stronger, longer, and more consistent wear and I have to give it the edge here in 2024. Older bottles, might sway me otherwise, but for what you’ll get a hold of now…go with Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme.

Winner: Eau Extreme

Stronger With You vs Intensely

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Stronger With You from Emporio Armani, has spun off more than a handful of other fragrances since its release. It’s become one of the more popular lines out there and that goes for more than just the original release.

Yet, that original EDT cologne, still obviously gets compared to those that followed. One of them is, Stronger With You Intensely. Which of these fragrances smells better? Lasts longer? Is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Stronger with You vs. Intensely

Stronger With You

Notes include: vanilla, mint, cardamom, chesnut, amber, pink pepper, sage, violet leaf

Click here to try: Emporio Armani Stronger With You for Men Eau de Toilette Spray, 1.7 oz

My Full Review: Stronger With You

Stronger With You Intensely

Notes include: pink pepper, cinnamon, toffee, lavender, sage, suede, amber, violet, vetiver

Click here to try: Intensely

My Full Review: Stronger with You Intensely

Opening

Stronger With You kicks things off being fully fresh and with its spicier notes out. To me, the cardamom really stands apart from the other notes, as being dominant early on.

Beyond that, it’s: pink pepper, mint, sage. The vanilla and chestnut notes are there also, but will gain strength a bit further in. Early on, it’s cardamom and the gang.

Stronger With You Intensely, also starts with its spiciness. Here, it is warmer and more short-lived. The pink pepper is now the stronger note, joined by cinnamon and sage.

I get a sweeter influence earlier with Intensely. The toffee accord with the cinnamon and caramel notes really gives Intensely a more dynamic feel.

Which do I prefer? These scents do share similarities, but I like Intensely more so, in the opening act.

I like cardamom, but the pink pepper in Intensely with the toffee, is really quite attractive. Plus, I enjoy cinnamon and caramel as notes more than the mint and sage that backs up the cardamom in the original Stronger with You.

The spice is done well in either of these Armani colognes, but I lean towards Intensely.

Edge: Intensely

Projection

The original EDT release of Stronger With You, is actually very strong. Not the most beast mode scent ever, but the projection is great for an eau de toilette, and a more mainstream type of fragrance.

It’ll venture far from the skin during opening, leave a scent trail, and then form a bubble around the wearer.

Intensely, is just a tad stronger than that. It has the same sort of powerful opening, just to a slightly higher degree.

Honestly, it isn’t a huge difference between them, and one might not even notice. But, Intensely gets the nod here. Most of the SWY line has great projection in comparison to many other scents, so, it’s not going to be a deciding factor in this case.

Edge: Intensely

Longevity

So, in either case, you’re going to get very good performance out of either of these fragrances. Both were excellent for designer scents. Again, the Stronger series is great on this front.

With the original, I seem to get just over 10 hours of wear from it. When I’ve tested out the EDT, I’ve never gotten less than 9 hours of wear on skin.

With Intensely, that gets upped to somewhere in the 11 or 12 hour range. The last couple aren’t that strong, but the flanker does stick around longer than the original.

Edge: Intensely

Versatility

I mean, there isn’t too much of a difference in this category. Both are colder weather plays. Both have power and sweetness, that might not be what you want to go with in the office. Both go great for the nightlife, especially with younger guys.

I don’t see much of a distinction. The sweetness of each, kind of precludes either from being a formal type of scent.

Ehh, basically a tie.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

In the end, which do I prefer? Intensely. I was never a huge fan of the original EDT release, but it was a solid release, just not one that I particularly wanted to wear.

The flankers to that original formulation, have surpassed that one, at least some of them have.

Intensely is one such example. Toffee, vanilla, and suede with periods of spice and lavender. Very nice, without the same chestnut note, but also the vanilla seems to be blended better.

The opening act of the original, isn’t my favorite. But, it is a fragrance that I think improves as it dries down. You get the vanilla/chestnut but also some drier and herbal aromas thrown in also.

Really, the EDT isn’t a bad scent at all. I just think that it falls somewhat short of Intensely. None of the Stronger line really towers above the others to me, there’s some separation, but I don’t dislike any. Intensely and Leather, seem to be my favorites as of publishing.

Anyway, Intensely smells better and has better performance. It gets the win here. Intensely, Leather, and Absolutely are my top three from this line. With the original coming in fourth currently.

Winner: Stronger With You Intensely

Y EDT vs EDP by Yves Saint Laurent Comparison

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For this entry into the men’s fragrance, head to head match ups, I want to do a comparison between two recent releases from Yves Saint Laurent: Y eau de toilette vs. Y EDP. Which one of these colognes from YSL, smells the best?

Which has better performance? Which is the top buy? I have worn and reviewed each, linked below, and will now share my thoughts as to how the compare to one another.

Tale of the Tape: Y EDP vs EDT

Y EDT

Notes include: bergamot, ginger, aldehydes, violet leaf, geranium, sage, cedar, musk, incense, ambergris, fir

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau De Toilette Spray 100ml/3.3oz

Read my original Review: Y EDT

Y EDP

Notes include: bergamot, apple, ginger, sage, vetiver, geranium, juniper berries, tonka bean, amber, cedar

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent Y Eau de Parfum Spray for Men, 3.3 Ounce

Read my original review: Y EDP

Opening

Y EDT opens up with a cool and crisp aroma. There is a light bergamot note, along with aldehydes, which gives the EDT a bright and sunny disposition. Underneath that, is violet leaf, ginger, and a light ambergris. It is a very good smell, light, and clean.

The aldehydes and the bergamot are the most attractive parts here. Though, I do also always love a good ginger note.

Y EDP starts off with bergamot also, but this is paired with a stronger, crisp apple note. With these two fruit notes, is a coolly spiced ginger note, and underlying tonka bean and amber. It is super fresh, with some warmth, and a great smoothness.

The second layer of EDP, gives you juniper, sage, amber, and tonka bean. This one has plenty going on and is a deeper fragrance than the original.

Which is better? While I like the Y EDT opening, I do like the eau de parfum version, even more. The apple note with the ginger, is a great pairing, and just has a better smell than the original.

Edge: EDP

Projection

Neither of these scents, has a huge sillage. The EDT has a moderate sillage, that move more into something that sticks closer to the skin. Still, it will be noticeable and I’m never really disappointed with how EDT performs.

The EDP isn’t a total beast either, but the greater concentration, does give it a more pronounced sillage than the original.

I’d say it’s definitely in the strong camp, just not completely overpowering in my experience. Though, the first hour can be pretty powerful and leave a trail.

Now, that does start to change with heavier spraying. You can indeed make this YSL fragrance into something quite potent. Nonetheless, an easy win for it versus EDT here.

Edge: EDP

Longevity

With the EDT, I get 7 hours of wear on my skin. Not great, but not terrible, either. It’s actually pretty good when compared to many other EDT concentrations on the market.

Just not elite, but I haven’t had any problems with it. EDT holds up pretty well and just doesn’t go super weak or anything an hour into wear. You get to spend some time appreciating it.

The EDP, however, will go for 10+ hours and easily has the upper hand in this category. It’s sillage is strong, but its longevity is darn near elite. Particularly, for a mass appealing designer cologne.

With my full bottle of Y EDP, this is pretty standard with how it lasts. Never dropping below that 10 hour mark for me and can go quite a bit further than that. Not that you really need it to, in most any scenario.

Edge: EDP

Versatility

Seeing as they are so highly related, I don’t see any major difference between them here. Both are good year round, but especially in the spring and summer.

However, going into the upper boundaries of heat and humidity, you might want to have a summer scent on hand.  Maybe find a bottle of Y Eau Fraiche, if this series is your thing.

They can be worn during any occasion, also. I would say that the EDP has more of an appeal or sexiness, but that’s about it. Maybe you go with EDT, if you want a lighter and fresher sort of daily wear. It’s more low key than EDP.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I do like the way that Y EDT smells, it’s a solid fragrance, but does fall short of the eau de parfum version. The EDT has a clean aroma, with a balance between fresh and sweet notes, and a good performance.

I like the aldehydes and ginger notes and it is a cologne, that could easily be a daily wear.

The EDP is just better. The smell, the strength, and the performance is all better. It is more complex, you have an herbal sage, and the same ginger at the top.

The apple sets it apart, with a crispness, that pairs very well with the amber and tonka bean notes. The commonalities are definitely there, but this is more of a blue-ish ambroxan sort of fresh scent.

If you want something lighter and more low key fresh, you can now get good deals on the EDT version. I’ve seen bottles for as low as $35, recently.

I think that the EDP version of Y, is going to be quite popular going forward, as its smell and performance are top notch. Plus, the whole vibe of the cologne, has a true mass appeal.

Update: it definitely did become pretty popular. I’ve personally bought a bottle of the EDP and still wear it from time to time. Not nearly my favorite anymore, but I still like it from time to time, when I want a clean ‘blue’ cologne to wear..

Winner: Y EDP