Joop! vs. Cool Water

For this edition of the head to head men’s fragrance match ups, we are going to be breaking down and comparing, two of the most popular colognes from the 1980s: Cool Water vs. Joop! Homme. Which of these classic scents, smells the best? I am going to be comparing each, in a number of categories, before declaring an ultimate winner. I have linked my original review of each scent below, for further details on these colognes.

Tale of the Tape: Cool Water vs. Joop!

Cool Water

Notes include: lavender, mint, tobacco, amber, musk, jasmine, sandalwood, neroli, coriander, rosemary, and more

Click here to try: Davidoff Cool Water Edt Spray for Men, 6.7 oz

Read my Review: Cool Water

Joop! Homme

Notes include: orange blossom, vanilla, cinnamon, mandarin, amber, cedar, jasmine, bergamot, lily, heliotrope, tonka bean, patchouli, and sandalwood

Click here to try:  Joop Pour Homme Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 4.2 Fluid Ounce

Read my review: Joop!

Opening

Cool Water obviously starts off with its aquatic accord front and center. However, the top is also composed of prominent mint and tobacco notes. It all comes together as green with a spicy freshness, that is later joined by floral notes, to create a soapy sort of effect.

Joop on the other hand, opens up spicy with patchouli and cinnamon, creating a bold tandem at the top. These notes are joined by an enveloping and warm amber with some light citrus coming through. It has a mix of spicy and syrupy honeyed sweetness, with floral undertones.

I like how Cool Water starts initially, with a very clean and green freshness. However, I do prefer that initial punch from Joop!, that just hits and dominates. Yes, it’s spicy, but there is a lot else to enjoy in there.

Edge: Joop!

Projection

Joop! is still a sillage monster. Perhaps, the modern version doesn’t have the same peak as the vintage bottles, but it still has a lot of power. Cool Water is probably in the same boat as to reformulations, but it never had that same projecting power, as Joop did. It’s more of a moderate fragrance, not weak, but doesn’t touch its competitor.

Edge: Joop!

Longevity

Cool Water will get me 6-7 hours on my skin. Joop is good for 7-9 hours of wear for me, depending on the climate and other factors. However, it still consistently equals or outperforms the Davidoff scent.

Edge: Joop! 

Versatility

This is the category where Cool Water has an advantage. It is great in the warmer months of the year, but can go year round.

Meanwhile, Joop is pretty much a cold weather scent. It doesn’t do well in the heat. Joop is better for nightlife, but Cool Water can fit in many situations, as it is much more moderate and less in your face than Joop can be.

Edge: Cool Water

Overall Scent

So, when it comes down to it, which one of these men’s fragrances is better? I like either one of these scents and both definitely have their positives.

Cool Water is a classic and a solid choice for everyday wear. It blend of green and aquatic notes at the top is great, before it moves into a classic soapy clean. The performance is still quite good, even if it doesn’t reach the levels of Joop Homme. 30 years after its release, the fragrance still sells a ton of bottles, and might be the better choice for most guys.

However, I think Joop! smells better, and is the more interesting fragrance. The spicy beginning is bold, when paired with that honey-like sweetness, it is a real attention grabber. Then, the dry down comes along with the floral notes and the vanilla/sandalwood blend. This was always a fun cologne to wear, even if it was sometimes limited in its uses.

The versatility of Cool Water might be a selling point in a lot of cases, but if I have to go with one of these, I am wearing Joop! Homme most of the time. It’s the winner, in this match up.

Winner: Joop!

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.