Mont Blanc Legend Night

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I’ve got a whole box full of samples to do write ups on and over 100 more posts in the works, so this site is going to be real active to close out this year. Today, I have a review of a Mont Blanc flanker fragrance: Legend Night. This cologne was released in 2017. How does it smell? Perform? Is it worth a buy? Please continue below for my full take after wearing it around.

What does Montblanc Legend Night Smell Like?

Notes include: candied apple, cedar, vanilla, cardamom, vetiver, sage, mint, bergamot, fir, lavender, violet, patchouli, and musk

Click here to try: MONTBLANC Legend Night Eau De Parfum, 1 fl. oz.

My Full Review

Here is how Legend Night is described by the insert that came with the sample vial:

Montblanc Legend Night is the incarnation of seduction. This new, woody and sensual Eau de Parfum embodies a mysterious, self-confident and iconic man. The note opens with a citrus freshness lifted by cool spices. Meanwhile the candied apple and cedarwood combination reveals an addictive, masculine heart. This is a strong, memorable and elegant signature where vetiver and woods meet black vanilla.

Is this accurate? Well, in so many words, pretty much. I don’t think I’d use the same level of descriptive adjectives, but I’m not trying to sell this to the masses like Mont Blanc.

It does indeed open with the bergamot citrus note being quite present. It isn’t dominant but is paired with the candied apple and mint to create something very nice. The opening few minutes is reminiscent of a more subdued version of Versace Eros. Ultimately, they are two different colognes, but there is a brief time of similarity.

I really dig the freshness of Legend Night. I think that the mint, sage, and cardamom trio provide a great spice to what might otherwise be another simple vanilla and apple based fragrance.

What’s interesting, now that I’ve worn this for a while. The opening act, can be pretty different, depending on the day and my skin chemistry. Sometimes, that apple and bergamot are very juicy, and it’s a sweet gem of a fragrance. With the vanilla and mint, it’s like a sweeter Versace Eros.

Other times, I spray this on, the cardamom and sage really come through. Honestly, it changes the character of the fragrance in that opening hour. I still really like it, but it doesn’t captivate me, in the same way. Much more woody, herbal, and spicy during these wears.

It has a certain warmth to it, but at the same time a breath of crispy coolness provided by the peppermint. It’s a very smooth and green spice, not like the spice of a hot pepper, or something similar.

As it dries down, the citrus is toned way down, and the herbal spices also take a backseat. This is the point at which the floral notes really come into their own. There is that familiar lavender calmness and a very noticeable violet note, as well.

I originally dismissed this, as being a pretty simple scent. Actually, it does have lots of depth and nuance to it. Just needed to spend more time with Legend Night.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Mont Blanc Legend Night is pretty moderate. With three sprays, it performed just fine on my skin, and never felt weak by any means. Though, it’s not an absolute monster in terms of the sillage.

Longevity is pretty decent, I got seven hours from it more or less.

Update: If I double spray both sides of my neck, the sillage and longevity get a great boost. That doesn’t always happen with fragrances, but this one will get a few more hours with this method.

It will perform best during the fall and winter but can withstand moderate heat fairly well. It’s low key enough to be worn casually or at work. However, as a night time scent, I do think it shines.

Again, it’s not a monster, but it is very sexy and seductive. This is a complement getter and will appeal to women, who are within your immediate orbit.

I actually first wore the sample of this, while in Las Vegas, and received numerous positive comments. Since I’ve gotten a full bottle for my own collection, it still grabs attention, especially early on in the wear.

Overall Impression of Legend Night

Overall, do I like Legend Night? Yes, I actually like it a whole lot. I wasn’t expecting it to be this good, but it’s so fresh and well put together that I can’t help but want to wear this fragrance.

Update: I originally wrote this review, using only the sample vial. The more that I used it, the more I liked wearing this fragrance. As such, I bought a full bottle shortly thereafter.

Update 2: I wore this off an on for a few years. Now, I don’t wear what’s left of the bottle too often. Still like it, but it’s less interesting to me nowadays. Worth a try still, though.

Legend Night quickly became one of my favorite sweet autumn/winter wears and one that I keep coming back to.

It’s not a highly unique scent and it does smell like it was pieced together from other popular colognes, but so what? If one can get a bottle of this at a good price, I’d consider Legend Night to be a steal. Judging by the lower prices I’ve seen around, it’s basically becoming just that.

Oud Wood by Tom Ford

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Continuing on into the depths of my Tom Ford fragrance reviews, we have another entry from the Private Blend line: Oud Wood. This is one of the more popular options in this collection, but does it actually live up to the hype? What does it smell like? Does it perform well?

What does Oud Wood by Tom Ford Smell Like?

Notes include: rosewood, sandalwood, oud, vanilla, tonka bean, amber, cardamom, and vetiver

Click here to try: Tom Ford Private Blend Oud Wood Eau De Parfum Spray – 50ml/1.7oz

My Full Review

Oud is one of those ingredients that seems to have a lot of fans in the fragrance world, but one that isn’t super appealing to my nose. Yes, in certain cases, when it’s a part of a well blended mix, I enjoy its presence but not when it’s leading the way.

With Oud Wood by Tom Ford, I get an opening of the oud note, that is paired with cardamom and a peppery spice. Cardamom is a pretty big player in the early life of this fragrance and the other woody notes sort of take a backseat to it.

Sitting underneath the two main notes, is a distinct rosewood, some vanilla sweetness, and the familiar scent of sandalwood. After a few minutes of wear, I notice the vetiver poking through, as well. At this point Oud Wood, begins to be less spicy, and has a bit of a sour element within the composition.

Also at this point, the oud note, isn’t the main attraction. As the fragrance dries down, I get the other woodsy notes, vetiver, amber, a bit of sweetness, and the cardamom.

The oud is definitely still around, but is has more of a supporting role than the lead, which is good for me. Though, odd considering the name of the fragrance.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Oud Wood is light to moderate. Honestly, this version doesn’t have much sillage at all past the first hour or so. Coming into this, I would’ve thought that Oud Wood would be a complete bomb sort of scent…nope.

The longevity too, isn’t that great. I can get 4-5 hours on my skin, but after that, it’s gone. That’s a shame for something at this price point and considering how other Tom Ford scents hold up.

Seasonally, the woodiness reminds me of autumn, but also extending into wintertime. These notes aren’t built for the heat, however. I think that it’d turn gross, especially in the high humidity, so take that into account before buying.

It’s a men’s fragrance, even if it is listed as a unisex perfume. Quite masculine. Elegant and well rounded, Oud Wood should be worn on more dressed up occasions and not with jeans and a tee.

Overall Impressions of Oud Wood

Overall, do I like this Tom Ford fragrance? I do and I don’t. The performance isn’t good. I like how it smells at some points in the wear but then it also has a sour smell at times. The oud note, is actually not overwhelming in this one, so I enjoy that fact and the wood notes are great.

It is warm and has a rather unique aroma. Still, it’s not one for me, but is one that has a ton of admirers.

If it had better performance, I might give it the go ahead for a full recommendation, but I don’t think I can due to the cost. I enjoy the vetiver, tonka bean, and amber. They’re nice touches to the overall composition, but not enough to truly sell me on this one.

1 Million Paco Rabanne vs Issey Miyake Comparison

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L’eau D’Issey by Issey Miyake and 1 Million by Paco Rabanne are two of the more popular men’s fragrances out on the market today. Both of them have been around for quite a long time and are still best sellers even after years of public consumption.

So, what if you’re in the hunt for a new scent to wear and you’ve narrowed it down to these two colognes? Which cologne smells better? Which lasts longer? Which is more versatile?

In this post, I want to put Issey Miyake and the original 1 Million cologne head to head to see which is the best option.

Tale of the Tape: L’eau d’Issey vs 1 Million

1 Million by Paco Rabanne

Notes include: Mint, Grapefruit, Rose, Patchouli, Amber, Cinnamon, White woods, Blond leather, Blood orange, Spice notes

My original review

Buy here: Paco Rabanne 1 Million By Paco Rabanne For Men Edt Spray, 3.4 Ounce

L’eau D’Issey by Issey Miyake Tale of the Tape

Notes include: citrus, spice, musk, amber, and woods

issey miyake

My Issey Miyake Review

Buy here: L’eau De Issey By Issey Miyake For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 6.7 Oz

Opening

The opening of L’eau D’Issey is just ok in my opinion. It’s a spicy citrus scent that doesn’t really wow and is probably the weakest part of the fragrance.

The yuzu and lemon are nice, but it comes across as dry and spicy, thanks to nutmeg and tarragon. It’s a bit too sharp, with some additional tobacco and woodsy notes. Not saying it’s bad, just not my favorite part of this scent.

1 Million starts out with a candy-like grape scent that is bolstered with smoothness provided by leather and rose. Though, this is surrounded by a warm spice as well. Just not nearly as sharp and it’s mainly cinnamon, which leans into that candied sort of vibe.

Both fragrances get better as they go along, but 1 Million is the one that starts out ahead.

Edge: 1 Million

Projection

The Paco Rabanne scent is a heavy hitter when it comes to projection. Issey Miyake is no slouch, but it is more of a moderate type of cologne.

Update: Newer bottles of 1 Million aren’t as strong as they used to be. The sillage is still good and better than Miyake, but it’s not a huge margin any longer.

Edge: 1 Million

Longevity

Both of these scents hold up well, 1 Million is a stronger scent, so it seems like it’s there longer even if it’s the same amount of time. I’ve had no problem with either of these quitting early.

Update: Miyake has always gotten me 6-8 hours of wear. 1 Million used to be 10+. Now, it is more like 8-9 and closer to 8. Sometimes, they are equal, but mostly it’s still the Paco Rabanne.

Edge: 1 Million

Versatility

Now, here’s where Issey Miyake has an advantage. 1 Million can be limited to nightlife and when worn lightly on casual occasions. It also doesn’t work too well in the summer heat. L’eau D’Issey on the other hand almost works well year round and I’ve worn it on just about every type of occasion and it never felt out of place.

Edge: L’eau D’Issey

Overall Scent

I have to admit that I prefer the scent of 1 Million more. 1 Million is a sweet cologne and that does weigh on some people as time goes on, it can get on my nerves, and I only wear it when I’m in the mood.

Issey Miyake isn’t my favorite scent but I like it and others seem to like it on me. Issey Miyake is the better choice for casual wear on a daily basis, but 1 Million definitely has something to it.

I have had L’eau d’Issey as a daily wear in the past, so I do like it quite a lot, particularly the drydown. It would easily be my choice if I needed an all around fragrance versus 1 Million.

If you like citrus/woodsy smells, go with L’eau D’Issey, as the drydown period is much better than the opening.

I wear 1 Million more often, so I’ll go with that. It doesn’t have the same level of power that it used to, but it’s a fragrance that I do like throwing on. In terms of pure smell, it gets the slight edge.

Winner: 1 Million

Individuel by Mont Blanc

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Here is another review from my latest batch of fragrance samples, that I received recently. Today’s cologne is Individuel by Mont Blanc. As always, I want to take a closer look and see what makes up this fragrance, how it smells, how it performs, and whether or not it is worth a purchase. Please continue below for my full take on Individuel for men.

What Does Mont Blanc Individuel Smell Like?

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Notes include: Cinnamon, oakmoss, vanilla, mint, bergamot, lavender, sandalwood, violet, and more

Click here to try: MONTBLANC Individuel Eau de Toilette, 2.5 fl. oz.

My Full Wear Review

The first thing that I am immediately struck by with Individuel is it similarity to a couple other fragrances. It is quite close to Original Santal by Creed and shares a common foundation with Joop!  

Of course when you take a look at the composition of each scent, it becomes clear what they share in common. Namely, cinnamon, vanilla, and sandalwood.

Each of these fragrances are along the same spectrum and Individuel is much closer to Santal than it is Joop!, which is much bolder and spicier.

The main difference with Individuel versus the Creed fragrance is the citrus notes, which are prevalent in the Mont Blanc cologne. The bergamot, raspberry, and juniper notes in Individuel give it a slightly fruity aroma which distinguishes it, in my opinion.

Original Santal has really grown on me and while I still think it’s better than this one, Individuel, is close enough and it’s cheap enough to get a nod.

The opening act starts off with the juniper, raspberry, bergamot, and pineapple. It has a fresh and sweet aroma, which is joined by calming lavender, and cinnamon spice. The cool freshness which permeates the start (juniper and mint) is played well, off of the warmer spiced notes (cinnamon and cardamom), and makes Individuel enjoyable.

As it dries down, this clean freshness, becomes woodier and creamier. The sweetness of the raspberry is paired with vanilla, on top of that sandalwood base.

It’s honestly not that complex and is pretty steady, as to what you get from this fragrance, thereafter. A sweet slightly woody scent, with a creaminess, which is dotted with cinnamon spice.

Sillage and Longevity

The projection is pretty good on this. It’s not overwhelming, but not weak either. It’ll create a scent bubble of around 3-5 feet from the skin. This Mont Blanc is not a beast, but it isn’t really intended to be so.

I also get moderate longevity, of about 6-8 hours, depending on the day. Individuel is a solid performer and more than useful, for most occasions. There are other fragrances from this brand that don’t hold up as well as this. So, it was somewhat surprising that this one did with the notes it has.

Versatility. When Should Individuel be Worn?

Individuel is a clean scent, that is useful for daily wear. Since it doesn’t have the heaviness of Joop!, Individuel, can venture into somewhat warmer temperatures, but still isn’t a summer cologne. This one can work well in casual situations or at the office/school.

While not a sexy fragrance, it is attractive enough to be worn in the evenings or on a date, as it does have a pleasant aroma. It is the type of scent, that will draw complements, but not really turn heads.

 

The scent isn’t offensive nor is it overpowering, which gives it plenty of flexibility as to when and where it can be used.

Overall Scent

Overall, I like this cologne. It’s warm, sweet, and has a bit of a candy-ish scent to it. Also, it’s a decent replacement for Santal and a good choice for those who feel that Joop! is too harsh of a fragrance.

The opening is very nice and has an interesting interplay between warm and cold. Then, the refined smoothness does have a nice similarity to the Creed fragrance, when the vanilla and sandalwood take over.

Is it my favorite Mont Blanc cologne? Probably not. However, for the price, I think it’d be a nice pickup for the late winter or early spring months. I don’t think that I’d pay full retail for Individuel, but at a discount, I wouldn’t be opposed to owning it.

Polo Red Extreme vs Polo Red Rush Comparison

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Swinging back to the Polo line of men’s fragrances, I want to today, focus on two offerings from the Red line of colognes: Polo Red Extreme vs. Red Rush. Which of these fragrances, smells the best? Which has better longevity? Which is the better buy? I have worn and reviewed both, and will now, break them each down by category before declaring a winner.

 

Tale of the Tape

Polo Red Rush

Notes include: mandarin, grapefruit, pineapple, lemon, saffron, orange flower, spearmint, red apple, lavender, red coffee, cedar, musk

Click here to try: Polo Red Rush by Ralph Lauren EDT Spray 4.2 Oz.

Read my review: Polo Red Rush

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 Rush opens pretty similar to the original Polo Red, though, instead uses: apple, grapefruit, mandarin orange, and pineapple. This is versus the tart cranberry of the original, but this blend does get quite tart itself. After 10 minutes or so, Rush starts to become more of its own fragrance, with added musk and spearmint.

Red Extreme, on the other hand, starts off with an intense and juicy blood orange note and coffee. It is sweet and warm, with a hint of that cranberry from its predecessor. The fruit and coffee blend is very well done and quite delicious.

Which is better? I like Red Extreme more, as Red Rush is like a less well-defined copy of the original, and Red Extreme has more of its own style. Plus, it just smells better.

Edge: Extreme

Projection

By name, Red Extreme should have better sillage, does it? Yep. It’s strong, but not insanely so, and don’t think I’d have called it Extreme…but they already used Intense. Red Rush starts off with a similar decent sillage, as that of the original, but then is weaker later on.

Edge: Extreme

Longevity

Red Rush goes for about six hours, on my skin, which is decent. Red Extreme bests it with longevity in the 8-10 hour range, depending on the day.

Edge: Extreme

 

 

Versatility

Both fragrances can be worn casually or at work. Extreme probably has more of a ‘sexy’ profile, but still isn’t really a romantic type of wear. It’s probably got the edge, as a nighttime scent. That being said, Extreme is more reserved for cooler weather, while Red Rush is good year round. In fact, it shines in spring/summer. For that, I’ll give it the edge.

Edge: Rush

Overall Scent

After trying out Red Rush, I was really unsure of what its purpose was? I like the addition of a spearmint note, but most of the wear feels like a rehash of Polo Red, and not a better one.

It’s not a bad cologne, just one that is okay, and the last of the Red line that I’d reach for. The performance is pretty good, the smell is pretty good, but it doesn’t do anything well.

Meanwhile, Red Extreme has been the best release of the Red lineup from Ralph Lauren. It is pretty simple in its composition, but the blood orange and coffee together, are just great.

Plus, the ebony wood, in the dry down offers a distinct type of wood from what’s included in most fragrances. It smells great and has much better longevity and sillage.

There’s no real contest here.

Winner: Red Extreme