Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche

Drakkar Noir has been a staple in the fragrance world for a long, long time. It’s been so widely used, that it’s been joked about in popular culture based on guys who douse themselves in it, but there are still plenty of people who swear by it.

In fact, this Guy Laroche fragrance is one of the absolute classic scents to come out of the 1980s, and you don’t make it for almost 40 years by being a ‘garbage’ cologne. It always been one with a complex blend and personality, that has many facets, which don’t always get appreciated.

In this post, I want to throw in my two cents about Drakkar Noir and finally give it a proper review on this site. How it smells, how it performs, when it should be worn, and whether or not it is worth a buy.

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What Does Drakkar Noir Smell Like?

Notes included: sandalwood, lavender, citrus, cinnamon, leather, vetiver, oakmoss, cedar, fir, jasmine, coriander, amber, juniper, and more

Click here to try: Drakkar Noir By Guy Laroche For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 6.7 Ounces

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Drakkar Noir has been around for seemingly forever, it predates my existence, at least. That being said, what is the reason for its continued success over three decades after its release? Well, I think it’s because of how ‘classic’ of a scent it seems like.

It just feels old school like a fresh bar of soap or shaving cream for men. Drakkar Noir is dark and masculine from the start, yet still remains very clean throughout.

It has a certain attitude and style, that defines that decade of fragrance, which isn’t found in many modern releases in the slightest.

There are so many aquatics and Sauvage clones out there, that an older option like Drakkar starts to have a greater appeal.

Heck, even the latest Drakkar flanker release, Drakkar Essence, was pretty ho-hum and not much to write home about.

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My Full Wear Review

The opening of the scent brings about an aroma of the oak moss and lavender notes. It’s a rather dry and smooth opening with assistance from leather, a cinnamon spice, and some citrus notes. It’s a really fresh and masculine clean scent that has a ‘showered’ like aroma on the skin.

The bergamot citrus has its moment to shine early on before it is relegated to the background. I rather like how the lemon and bergamot notes are featured here. They never dominate, but they are noticeable, almost fleeting in how they are presented.

Another note that shines in the beginning, is the super crisp mint note. It brings a definite cooled air to the composition, it’s that usual sharp spice, which contrasts extremely well versus the lavender, oak moss, and leather notes.

It all comes together as really green, herbal, and outdoorsy. This is the basic formula for about 30-45 minutes.

One important aspect about Drakkar Noir, is how complicated it can be. There are a ton of notes in this. Different types of woods, floral, herbs, etc.

Sometimes, your nose will pick up on an individual note above the rest.

Other times, you really won’t know what you’re smelling, beyond a pleasant scent. It becomes blurred and quite difficult to pick out individual ingredients versus how easy it can be with simpler colognes.

With all the woody notes, it has that green/herbal type of scent that you would expect it to. As Drakkar dries down, I get more leather and spice then I do at first, and the cologne maintains its masculinity. The dry down is the best part of this fragrance, in my opinion.

It’s darker, warmer, and has a different sort of spice than the cleaner/soapier beginning. It’s a perfect earthy scent, at this point, like the right balance of woods with herbs to create something quite attractive.

During the dry down, I get: lavender, pine, leather, some patchouli, moss, cinnamon, and some other herbs/woods.

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How Strong is It? Does Drakkar Last Long?

Projection wise, Drakkar is still pretty damn good, in that regard. I know it has been reformulated over the years, and while I don’t have a vintage bottle to compare it to, it still projects itself nicely.

Due to government regulations, there are certain notes (like pure oak moss), that you cannot use anymore.

With that having been a main ingredient in Drakkar, it is of course going to have an effect. But that wasn’t the only one to fall or get watered down, it’s so hard to maintain the greatness of a vintage scent.

However, the latest incarnations of Drakkar that I’ve tried, weren’t too weak nor too powerful. They were moderate, but noticable.

Longevity, can be hit or miss but six hours seems to be average and sometimes it just lasts for a long time. It’s kind of a weird scent in how it performs and I wish it could still be that classic beast mode.

Drakkar is a solid casual or nighttime fragrance and I think that it works best in the late autumn or winter. Its dry and woodsy spice hangs really well in the crisp air.

This is one that can be a versatile everyday wear for many men and while it’s demographics skew older, a younger guy could definitely still wear this. In fact, many younger guys used to wear this, back in the day.

I will say, that I don’t think it’s all that great in the summer months. The heat isn’t so much the problem, as the humidity, which can wreak havoc on Drakkar’s performance.

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Overall Impressions of Drakkar Noir

Overall, is Drakkar Noir worth a buy? Yes, but, it doesn’t blow me away. I think it’s pretty good. It doesn’t fit my personal style, but I can certainly appreciate it. Maybe, I would’ve enjoyed the vintage formulation a lot more than the current one.

It’s nice to put on from time to time, but I have so many other choices. For many guys, this will do extremely well as an every day, signature scent. It’s an interesting scent and one that was a landmark in the history of men’s fragrance.

You’re going to have to enjoy this sort of classic fougere aroma. The lavender, leather, the woods, and herbs. It definitely gets points for complexity. Give it a try, it’s very affordable.