Men’s Fashion

Riverside Drive by Bond No. 9

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This is going to serve as my inaugural review of a Bond No. 9 fragrance and I hope to cover them all in the future. However, since I’ve gotten a new vial of Riverside Drive wrapped in the bon-bon style this house’s samples are famous for, and it is fresh on my mind after wearing around…it’s time to write this out.

Riverside Drive is classified as unisex but it is slightly more towards the masculine side of things, though not overly so. In this post, I want to give my impressions of this scent, what it smells like, how it performs, and whether or not it is worth a buy.

Update: This is an older review from many years back. I’ve come back and made changes to it since. Also, Riverside Drive is now back in stock, after being gone from Bond’s lineup for a time.

What does Riverside Drive Smell Like?

Notes include: oakmoss, basil, pineapple, sandalwood, and violet

Click here to try: Bond No. 9 Riverside Drive by Bond No. 9 For Men. Eau De Parfum Spray 3.3 0z

riverside drive

My Full Review

The opening of Riverside Drive immediately strikes me as familiar. It is crazy how much this is like a blend of Creed’s Green Irish Tweed and L’Homme Libre by YSL.

On the Creed side of things, it’s the violet note and pineapple (GIT has lemon), which gives it a similar vibe…it also sort of seems like an Aventus style fragrance. Not the same, just a comparison.

So, off the bat, if you like any of those scents, you’ll probably like Riverside Drive. The basil note is quite prevalent as well, which is why Libre comes to mind.

I’d say it’s most similar to those fragrances in the initial phase of wear, the basil/woodsy/floral notes hit pretty hard at first, and then this Bond cologne mellows out into something fruitier. It does have a slight vegetal aroma, in the early stages before it dries out completely.

The oakmoss is more at play from the start and then becomes more of a background player. Riverside Drive just comes off as a very dry smelling fragrance (ala Azzaro Homme, which shares the oakmoss note), as the pineapple isn’t a ‘juicy’ scent when combined with the other notes.

A fresh and still somewhat mossy sandalwood with a light patchouli and violet earthiness underneath. The basil isn’t too prevalent, towards the end, but the pineapple’s effect does seem to stick around.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it strikes me as a moderate. It isn’t a heavy fragrance, more than intimate though, and definitely noticeable. Maybe a 3-4 foot radius around you, after it has settled down.

It also has very good longevity and sticks with me as the day wears on. Maybe 8-9 hours of wear, in total. Not completely amazing, but I wasn’t disappointed with how Riverside performs, as you’ll get plenty of time with it.

Riverside Drive is a good scent for the warmer months, it really doesn’t have that nightlife appeal, however. I like it as a daily wear option for spring, mainly. Maybe the early part of the autumn too.

It is an attractive scent and girls seem to enjoy it. Again, I’d wear it during the daytime in more casual situations or for work, versus it being something to wear out on a date.

Overall Impressions of Riverside Drive

Overall, is Riverside Drive, worth a buy? That depends. I enjoy the scent but much like GIT, it isn’t really my style. As such, I don’t want to pay for a full bottle.

However, plenty of people would really like this stuff. It is a fine fragrance in my opinion and if any of the aforementioned colognes are one’s you really enjoy, I’d say go for it.

The smell itself is nice and if this is your style, you should at least like it a lot, if not love. The performance is good and this can easily become a signature fragrance for the right guy.

5 Best Smelling Joop! Colognes for Men

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Joop! isn’t a high end fragrance designer and honestly can be pretty synthetic smelling in lots of their scents. That doesn’t mean that they don’t produce some good under the radar fragrances for guys, though.

Joop! actually has some very solid buys at an extremely attractive price point (usually under $25), which can be an absolute steal for men who want something different but don’t want to break the bank in the process.

In this post, I want to present five options from this designer that are the best that they have produced.

What are the Best Smelling Joop! Fragrances for Men?

Note: Joop! has apparently been somewhat busy with new releases over the last five years. Flankers of Joop Homme have come out and sound really nice, in the abstracts that I’ve read. However, they also seem to have only been released in Europe or other select markets. As such, I’ve yet to try them (as of this update).

The 80s Joop

Joop Pour Homme Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 4.2 Fluid Ounce– The original namesake fragrance, that is still a best seller among inexpensive colognes, decades after its release.

It opens up like an absolute bomb. Cinnamon and patchouli guide the way, with only touches of the citrus top notes. Thick with a syrupy sweetness, that will be present throughout, and gain more of a foothold in the middle to late stages.

Spicy, floral, and powdery with a sweetness provided by the honey note. This pink/purplish juice can be loved or hated but I fall on the side of generally being a fan. My Joop! Homme Review

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Clean Nights

Joop Nightflight By Joop For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 4.2 Oz.– Nightflight is a departure from the spiciness of Joop! Homme, it is highlighted by a pineapple note with a clean/soapy vibe provided by the lavender.

A moderate scent with good longevity, Nightflight came out in the early 1990s and had a long run as a daily wear sort of cheapie.

Almond, sandalwood, and rosewood come through in the middle and tail end to create a unique and memorable fragrance.

Update: This has been discontinued it seems. Prices are now pretty absurd online. Worth it, only if it’s like $40 or less.

Wow!

Joop Wow! for Men– Released in 2017, Wow isn’t exactly new anymore. But, it is one of the newer scents that you can fairly easily find around the world. There is also an Intense and Fresh version, that I would like to try (if I can ever find them). Intense sounds great, based on the notes.

This one is a great blend of spice and woods. Plus, there’s a creaminess courtesy of the vanilla, cashmere, and even that spiced cardamom top. Has a warmer quality to it, yet remains fresh thanks to those woody touches.

The violet leaf, is usually one note that I stay away from, but I didn’t find it to be intrusive in Wow!

It’s not as cheap (in the US), as some of the others on the list can be. But, this is a very nice cologne which flies under the radar of grabbing mass attention…from the buying public, it gets attention from its scent.

Joop! Go By Joop! For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4-Ounce– Probably my least favorite of the bunch, but that’s because I don’t really care for bitter orange as a note.

However, it is still pretty nice and has a sweet juicy/fruity type of aroma up top with that orange and some rhubarb.

Later, fir, violet, and geranium help to change things up. It feels more like a clean and green kind of aroma. Fresh. Been a long time, since I’ve come across this one, personally. Though, it still seems to be around for a pretty affordable price.

Wild Times

Joop Wild Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 4.2 Ounce– Wild is such an odd duck to me. I like it, but with notes such as rum and tobacco, you’d expect something dark and heavy.

Wild, however, is sweet and a loud nightlife kind of fragrance with a definite boozy smell. The rum and tobacco notes are of the sweeter variety and it is mixed with pink pepper.

That pink pepper opens up with a bang. But, Wild does settle into something more moderate, an hour or two in. Spicy, boozy, woody, and tobacco. Comes together rather unique.

Interesting to say the least and worth a look for the price. It’s really become a very popular scent from this brand, but probably still behind Joop! Homme in terms of sales.

Shelter Island by Bond No. 9

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Shelter Island is one of the summer fragrance entries from Bond No. 9 New York. One, which goes more into the aquatic camp, with its use of seaweed. It was released in 2014.

I bought a sample of this a while ago, for testing and to see how I actually got along with a that marine note, that I generally dislike. How does Shelter Island smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Shelter Island by Bond No. 9 Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, black pepper, seaweed, lily, oud, musk, sandalwood, amber, myrrh

Click here to try: Shelter Island

shelter bond review

My Full Review

Here’s how Bond describes it: quietly daring, sparkling-clean, unisex, rife with nonchalant beach-time exotica.

Shelter Island opens fresh and bright with a spiciness via the black pepper. The lemon is a light spritzing on top of the marine accord that features seaweed.

The aquatic aspect isn’t overpowering here. Sure, it’s dominant, but balanced out by its surrounding notes. I’m glad I didn’t get a massive seaweed note, that makes you smell like some sort of marine life.

The lily will come in with its waxy aroma, which pairs with the emergence of the resinous myrrh and amber notes in the base. These three, really seem to keep the seaweed in check, and don’t allow this to be just a salty oceanic fragrance.

The lemon and black pepper basically fade completely. This is an aquatic and beachy oud-floral in the middle. Starting to get musky and taking on a bit of a sun tan lotion scent. At this point, it’s more like sitting by the shore than being in the water itself.

That will continue, as this becomes woodier and muskier in the dry down.

Still somewhat aquatic, with a mix of the woodsy notes, a musky aroma, and that amber and myrrh still a bit detectable.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This Bond fragrance opens up with plenty of initial punch. It’ll leave a slight scent trail and project well enough off of the skin. It’s definitely above average in the first hour or so.

Thereafter, Shelter will be much more moderate, before lightening up in the back half of the wear.

While it isn’t a massively projecting nor heavy sitting fragrance, Shelter Island does a good job at sticking around. On my skin, I can still detect it up to about 9 hours. Which is plenty for what most people are going to use this scent for.

Seasonally, this is a spring and summer wear. Mainly, for the warmest days. A good change of pace from the pure citrus perfumes which usually inhabit those months. A solid marine and wood aquatic for something different.

This is a unisex fragrance, maybe leaning slightly masculine, in the early stages. But, that will balance out, as you move further into the wear.

It’s a niche and fairly casual fragrance for daytime wear. Shelter Island isn’t going to be one that you’re very likely to wear for dates, nightlife, or formal occasions. For those outdoor summer events, it can be a fine choice.

Overall Impressions of Shelter Island

Overall, do I like Shelter Island? It’s pretty good. I never thought that I’d be the target audience for this Bond No. 9, once I saw the seaweed and oud notes together.

However, I was sort of surprised that I wasn’t indifferent towards Shelter Island, and that it had its enjoyable moments for me.

The seaweed, really came through here. It’s front and center, but doesn’t overpower everything else. Very fresh and marine done right, where so many other scents with this note have fallen flat.

The longevity is also great, especially for a summertime scent. Sure, it’s not a massive beast of a fragrance, but this one doesn’t quit early on you either.

The downside? Well, the price for the largest bottle, is currently $300 as of writing. As such, Shelter Island probably isn’t a perfume that most are going to want to buy on a whim.

If you want a beachy aquatic with sun tan lotion vibes, this Bond does a good job at hitting the mark. Find a way to get a sample of this stuff, if that sounds like something you’re after.

Sauvage Elixir vs. Spicebomb Extreme

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Two fragrances which have become massively popular for the colder months are Spicebomb Extreme and Sauvage Elixir. Both the Dior and Viktor & Rolf colognes are flankers to their super successful original namesakes.

The question is, which of these scents is better? Which lasts longer? Which cologne should you buy?

Tale of the Tape: Spicebomb Extreme vs. Sauvage Elixir

Sauvage Elixir

Notes include: grapefruit, wood, lavender, nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, patchouli, vetiver

Click here to try: Sauvage Elixir at Macy’s

Read my review: Sauvage Elixir

Spicebomb Extreme

Notes include: tobacco, cumin, cinnamon, saffron, vanilla, bourbon

Click here to try: Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme Eau De Parfum Spray 50ml/1.7oz

Read my Full Review: Spicebomb Extreme

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Opening

The spice in Spicebomb Extreme is actually kind of toned down versus what you get with the original. Yes, cumin and cinnamon are still players here, just not massive with it.

Instead, the early stages are really going to be dominated by vanilla, tobacco, and lavender notes. Smooth and warm, led by the tobacco, with a further freshness supplied by saffron peaking up through the middle.

With Sauvage Elixir, you get a lot of spice. In the Dior it’s: cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In the top, there is a lighter grapefruit versus the EDT version’s heavier use of citrus.

The next phase will have more of the lavender and some sweetness from licorice and amber. Sauvage Elixir is spicy, woody, with enough sweetness to change it up. Lots going on in the mix.

Which is better? It’s a tight race between them. Though, I think that I slightly prefer the opening of Spicebomb Extreme versus the loud spicy affair that is Elixir.

Edge: Spicebomb Extreme

Projection

Spicebomb Extreme starts out strong, maintains its level for a long time, but spends much of the rest of the wear at something that could be considered moderate.

Elixir, starts off stronger. It also stays very powerful for a longer time, and pretty easily takes this category against a Spicebomb fragrance that is no slouch itself.

Edge: Elixir

Longevity

Both of these colognes have been utterly awesome for me, with their performance.

Spicebomb Extreme goes at least 10 hours and can go as high as 12-13, depending on the climate of the day, etc.

Elixir routinely hit 12 hours for me. I’m not sure where it drops off at, as I will shower in that time frame, but it’s more than enough for anyone.

So, while both do have a long lasting duration of wear, Sauvage Elixir can take it a bit further.

Edge: Elixir

Versatility

Both of these fragrances are mainly for autumn and winter. I would avoid both during the hottest summer months, especially.

Also, I’d much prefer to wear both in casual or nightlife scenarios, versus the office. They are more mature as flankers than each of their original predecessors. Though, neither is really all that formal.

Well put together, yes. But, not tuxedo level formality.

I don’t really see much distance between them here.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

Overall, which of these two colognes do I think is better? I really enjoy both of these, so, it’s not easy to have to choose between them.

With Elixir, you get a significantly altered version of the Sauvage formula. A focus on some different spices and the inclusion of a great licorice note, which somehow doesn’t get massively annoying with that unique aroma.

There are plenty of colognes similar to Sauvage EDT, but Elixir really sets itself apart, while remaining somewhat true to the idea of the series.

The performance is awesome. One of the best mainstream designer fragrances out there right now, in terms of its sillage and how long it stays around.

To me, though, I’d rather have Spicebomb Extreme. You take a bit of a step back with the performance, while still being excellent. The fragrance itself, smells better to me versus the Sauvage.

The vanilla and tobacco are awesome together. I like the spices, they are softer, but the round things out. Plus, the saffron helps to keep it from getting boring.

Not a huge margin between them, Extreme smells better and has long been a cold weather gem.

Winner: Spicebomb Extreme

8 Best Smelling Carolina Herrera Colognes for Men

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Carolina Herrera makes some fantastic scents for both men and women. While these fragrances are pretty popular, the men’s scents haven’t been overused and too common like something such as Acqua Di Gio or 1 Million.

Herrera has a whole line of colognes which are both unique and smell really good. Plus, they aren’t terribly expensive, probably in the upper moderate price range.

For this list, I have selected 8 scents which I feel are the best of the lot. I have update the list, to expand upon things a bit, and to revamp this page. I will add any additional scents from this designer that I find, as I see fit.

Favorite Carolina Herrera Fragrances for Men

Best Overall Herrera Perfume for Him

Carolina Herrera CH Eau De Toilette Spray – 100ml/3.4oz,(Packaging may vary)– This might be the best of the bunch, depending on one’s tastes. It features notes of grapefruit, bergamot, nutmeg, jasmine, violet, leather, and amber.

It is a sweet sugary scent with a leather note and vanilla, which gives it an extra smoothness. The dry down is very nice. It can be a bit too strong for my nose, at the start, but it settles down quite well.

The sugary element dissipates somewhat and CH Men becomes more dominated by the leather, woods, and light spices.

Again, the sugar is my least favorite part of CH Men, but even that isn’t ever a completely unpleasant experience. When it hits the right blended amount with the leather, it becomes fantastic.

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To the Extreme

Bad Boy Extreme– This edition is now my favorite of the Bad Boy line. EDT and Cobalt are next and basically neck and neck for me.

Bad Boy Extreme starts off with a blast of ginger and cacao. You will get the similarities from others in the series, but this one just does everything better.

Sage and plum are underneath those two lead notes in the opening act. Not too massive but a nice touch.

It becomes sweeter with tonka bean and the cacao in the dry down. However, you will still have woody and fresher notes like vetiver, sage, patchouli, and ginger throughout.

Also, the performance is much better than you get with EDT. As of now, this is the Bad Boy cologne to buy.

Top Nightlife Pick

212 Vip by Carolina Herrera Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce– I’ve had to update the list to include this gem. 212 VIP is a fantastic cologne for the colder months of the year, especially the nightlife.

It’s got notes of vodka, amber, lime caviar, mint, pepper, and ginger among others.

This one isn’t for everyone and has a limited use, basically just nights out, but is a monster in terms of sillage and length of performance. It opens with that smooth vodka and tonka bean, paired with the spice of black pepper.

From there, 212 VIP, you get sweet vanilla, amber, the tonka bean, and ginger (which lightens the spice provided by pepper). There is also a dash of lime, apple, and mint which aids the feeling of it being a boozy mixed drink.

This one is quite alcoholic in its presentation, again not everyone will dig it, but is a really great example of that type of scent. I love wearing this, on the right evening. Read my full review.

212 VIP Herrera

Most Under the Radar

Chic By Carolina Herrera For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces– A sweet fragrance which is highlighted by lemon and melon notes (at the top), as well as, cinnamon which gives it a bit more body. Chic is a beautiful cologne that isn’t too heavy but it quite seductive.

After its initial citrus and melon combo, the warmer notes begin to take over. The cinnamon is paired with black pepper, which is joined by amber, tonka bean, cardamom, and sandalwood.

The final stages are about the watermelon, warm spice, and the fresh woody base. This is still an underrated fragrance.

Chic isn’t too complicated, but does give a you a rather unique and versatile experience. It can be worn in summer or winter. Though, I’d say it’s better in warmer climates.

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Most Popular Cologne

212 By Carolina Herrera For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces– A fresh and borderline unisex fragrance with notes of mandarin, grapefruit, woods, and sandalwood. The greener notes in here really shine and it has a bit of spice to it, up front.

Later, it becomes spicier with a greenish herbal quality, and the citrus top notes act as a counterbalance. Good in warm weather. 212 is still fresh with elements of sweetness, coming in and out, of the composition.

The grapefruit is really well done here and much more enjoyable than in other similar colognes.

This has undergone reformulations, so, I’m unsure of how the current bottles perform. It at least, used to be pretty good, in that regard. My 212 Full Review

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Classic Style Fragrance

CAROLINA HERRERA Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 6.75 Ounce– The namesake of the fragrance line, Herrera is a blend of tobacco, citrus, amber, and musk notes. The tobacco gives it a warm masculine scent which is highlighted by a spicy undertone.

This is a long lasting and well-projecting cologne for guys who like something that is refined and manly. The tobacco doesn’t seem as green and uncured as in something like Versace Dreamer.

Yet, you do get a good blend of the semi-sweet tobacco, with herbal spice, and some nice citrus touches.

Note: I am referring to the original formulation, this is another one, I’ll have to revisit. I hear, it is quite different now.

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Great for Cold Weather

212 Sexy by Carolina Herrera For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4-Ounces– A smooth and seductive scent from Carolina Herrera. 212 Sexy is a cologne that has a fantastic vanilla note that is fresh and sweet and somewhat similar to Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier.

However, it is woodier than, the JPG fragrance and not as sweet. It’s a softer cologne, with a nice powdered sandalwood dry down, which sits underneath that vanilla lead. Very easy to wear and attractive.

There is also less of a lavender influence in this one, with a great use of other floral notes. Not as much of a powdery cologne, but 212 Sexy is a great example of a very wearable and appealing vanilla scent.  Awesome sweetness.

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The First Bad Boy

Carolina Herrera Bad Boy EDT Eau de Toilette 3.4oz / 100ml For Men, Black– It’s actually a close call between the original Bad Boy and the newer Le Parfum, as to which is the better scent.

Update: Add Cobalt to the mix. For me, they’re almost interchangeable, but I think that I still prefer the original versus the newer flankers.

Le Parfum is interesting and has a better performance, but I like what the original has to offer. It can be sweet and somewhat creamy, while also coming across at times like a peppery honeycomb.

The cocoa and tonka bean notes, really lend to the warm and sexy sweetness of this fragrance. Bad Boy has a solid performance and lasts for 7 hours, on my skin. Bad Boy Review