Abercrombie & Fitch Fierce

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Fierce by Abercrombie & Fitch became super popular during the early to mid 2000s, as a fragrance that younger guys would cover themselves in. Why? Well, it simply worked. It smelled great on guys and the girls around them seemed to love it.

In this post, I want to go back and review this still, amazing seller and see what makes it go. As usual, I will cover how it smells, how long it lasts, when it should be worn, and if it is still worth a buy. Note: I am reviewing the classic formulation of Fierce.

What does Fierce by A&F Smell Like?

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Notes include: petit grain, cardamom, lemon, orange and fir

Fierce By Abercrombie & Fitch Cologne Spray 1.7 Oz For Men

My Full Review

Fierce opens up with an aroma that often gets compared to Mont Blanc’s Legend. I do get the similarities at stages, but I have always felt that this one, was the better of the two.

The citrus notes are prominent at the top, you get lemon and orange, to go along with plenty of dry woodsy elements.

Hence, the Legend comparison. The citrus notes give it a clean feeling, but you don’t really get a juicy aroma, as it is tempered by the rest of the composition.

The next phase joins the citrus with some herbal spice, from notes such as, sage. The spice is there in the opening few minutes, but in my mind the cologne always became a bit more peppery, when it transitioned past that immediate opening.

Finally, you get the fantastic dry down that is laden with vetiver, oak moss, musk, and fir. You do still get some herbal spice and that lemon top note, but you mostly get a green, dry, and fresh smell.

It’s super attractive and one that is etched in so many people’s memories, from days spent at the mall in the early 2000s.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, this stuff had a very good sillage. You could bomb out a room, if you wanted to, but with normal sprays it was just a great performing cologne. The longevity was also there and you could get it to go all day, with only a few sprays.

Again, I am reviewing the original A&F Fierce. From what I understand, the newer bottles have been reformulated, due to regulations and don’t pack the same punch.

I’m not sure what the case is, as I haven’t had a bottle of this stuff in forever now. The smell will be essentially the same, just less power.

Fierce quite simply is a cologne that will get a man complemented. It isn’t an insanely strong scent or anything like that but it is one that leaves a sweet aroma which lingers for a bit.

The citrus notes of lemon and orange are there but sometimes it’s difficult to notice their impact on the fragrance because they are used so subtly.

Fierce has an amazing depth and complexity to it, which I think plays a large part in its appeal. The scent is fresh, clean, and masculine. Its woodsy elements give it that sexy and masculine vibe which the girls love because they’re not too strong and more of a moderate floral scent than some heavier men’s colognes.

Add to that, they layer of sweet tangy-ness and you have yourself a winning fragrance.

It was great for casual or semi-formal events. It definitely was a teenager to early 20s fragrance for guys. Fierce was literally everywhere back in the day, and it was perfectly fine, because you would still get complements on it.

I always liked the fragrance, but the reactions were always pretty crazy to me.

Overall Impressions of Fierce

The only real downsides to this cologne is its overwhelming popularity, so it isn’t one that is unique, and the fact that it can be out of the price range for some guys.

However, if you have the means to purchase Fierce, this Abercrombie cologne absolutely delivers and will draw people to want to stand near you.

Again, none of this may be true anymore, with the newer bottles, so you may need to rustle up a vintage edition. But, the fragrance is almost certainly the same, just with some potential weaker performance.

Hugo Energise by Hugo Boss

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My latest review will be Energise by Hugo Boss, which I recently received a sample vial of and hadn’t yet given it much of a try. I have already reviewed Boss Bottled No. 6 and Hugo Red, which I recommend trying out and wanted to see if this one could find a place in my rotation.

How did Energise perform? What does it smell like? Is it worth a purchase? Please continue below for my full impression of this cologne.

What does Hugo Boss Energise Smell Like?

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Notes include: mandarin, cocoa beans, freesia, pink pepper, kumquat, coriander, and more

Click here to try: Hugo Boss Energise Eau de toilette Spray for Men, 4.2 Fluid Ounce

My Full Wear Review

I have a pretty solid amount of respect for Hugo Boss fragrances, so when I got a hold of a sample of this cologne, I was excited to try it. With a name like Energise, I figured it’d be a youthful and you know, energetic scent.

Upon opening, I get a citrusy type of smell mixed with pink pepper which adds a hint of spiciness. Also, the cocoa beans are faint, but I’m pretty sure I’m detecting them for an added layer of smoothness.

The mint that is present, gives this a coolness to go with the fresh warmth of the pink pepper. However, it just doesn’t seem to have a really crisp edge. It feels pretty flat. Clean, yes, but that’s about all.

Honestly, the opening is just so bland to me. It’s not a bad smell but it does seem really flat and uninspiring. I have no idea where they were trying to take this one.

On the one hand, it is a rather unique type of scent just based on the ingredients…BUT there’s nothing really there to make it pop. Just a semi-sweet blend of citrus and pink pepper.

There wasn’t too much of a drydown period with Energise either, as it doesn’t hold for very long. Some leather, the remaining citrus, and pink pepper. That’s about all that I get from this.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage isn’t huge, probably call it a lighter moderate cologne. It’s somewhat noticeable, but isn’t going to really assert itself.

While the projection is moderate, it only seems to last a few hours. Seriously, after a few tries with this scent, I got it to last 3 hours at its maximum. Somewhere in that range, is about what one can expect from Energise.

I suppose that this was meant to be a casual scent, since it certainly isn’t romantic, energizing, or seductive in any way. I would say that this would be more geared toward younger guys, but not completely a teenager’s fragrance. It has enough maturity to go higher in age range.

Overall Impressions of Energise

Overall, I’m just confused by this cologne. What’s its purpose? Performance is subpar and it is totally average while it does work. I can’t recommend Energise when there are so many others out there that are much better, including from Hugo Boss.

I don’t think that it smells bad at all. It’s just, meh. If it had better performance, I could maybe give it a thumbs up, at a cheap enough price point. But even for cheap, Energise doesn’t strike me as being worth it.

Doesn’t seem to be all that cheap, but the good news is (if you’re interested in Energise) is Boss still makes this, as of now. So, test is out for yourself.

4 Best Smelling Elizabeth and James Perfumes

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The Olsen twins have been creating fashion wear for a long-time now, including fragrances. Their latest iteration is the Elizabeth and James line, which is named after their siblings. This fashion company also has fragrances that have been released over the past 4-5 years and fall under the title of ‘Nirvana’. In this post, I want to explore the top four Nirvana perfumes out of the six that have been released thus far. Each scent has its own unique vibe and there should be something for every kind of taste on the list.

What are the Best Elizabeth & James Fragrances?

Best Seller

Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black Eau De Parfum Spray–Smooth sandalwood note combines with a powdery violet and an added sweetness of vanilla. Pretty straightforward, unisex, and one for those sandalwood lovers out there.

Nirvana Black opens up with the vanilla note leading the way, lending a creamy sweetness to the composition, when paired with the dry sandalwood.

As it moves along, the violet comes through with the powdery aroma, and the sweetness takes more of a backseat. It’s dry and powdery with a very nice woody base. Performance is solid, but not amazing, for a nice wear from autumn to early springtime. Nirvana Black Review

Best Smelling Elizabeth and James Perfume

Elizabeth and James Nirvana Amethyst Perfume Eau De Parfum 1.0 Ounce Full Size– Is this the best of the bunch? Possibly. Very interesting use of tobacco and cedar. It has a smoky, woody, spicy body that mixes with a sweet honeysuckle note. It changes it’s character throughout the wear. Not a powerhouse but a rather unique scent when compared to the others.

Amethyst opens with a gorgeous honeysuckle, that is paired with some non-distinct, yet peppery spices. It’s a warm sweetness with an amber-like quality, which will lead into a lighter use of tobacco.

It’s a cured and sweet tobacco aroma, not really all that ‘green’, but the fragrance remains feminine. Not a smokers jacket or anything like that. Then, the cedar base gives Nirvana Amethyst a really fresh and dry woodsy base.

Dry, Woody Vanilla

Nirvana Bourbon Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 oz– A woody, smokey, and vanilla laced fragrance. Has more of a masculine edge to it than the others but the opening can be quite nice. Longevity isn’t that great, however.

Bourbon opens up with a nice blend of vanilla and some tuberose. Though, the tuberose, is none too powerful here. The main player, in this perfume, is the oak. Bourbon is very woody and there might be some other types of wood, in here beyond just the oak, as it certainly smells like it. Perhaps, the same cedar, as Amethyst?

Anyway, it’s a fresh, dry, and outdoorsy aroma that really stands apart as unique. The vanilla does add a bit of a smoky or burnt quality, to the heart of this fragrance. Bourbon Full Review

Lovely Floral Fragrance

Elizabeth & James Nirvana White Eau De Parfum Spray– This is the perfume from this line that is best for those who like floral fragrances. While the others can be unisex, this one is more distinctly feminine. Clean, fresh florals, meet with a musky undertone.

Nirvana White is led by peony, with some lily of the valley, playing a supporting role. This perfume is going to be peony dominant, so, if that’s not your thing…probably skip this one.

However, the scent does come across and an understated beauty. Very easy to wear and versatile enough to become a daily wear for a woman. A nice sweetness is there, with a light musk to bring the whole thing together. Nirvana White Review

Bleu de Chanel Parfum vs. Acqua di Gio Profumo

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Bleu de Chanel and Acqua di Gio are two famous names, in the men’s fragrance space. Both have numerous best sellers to their names, and are basically legendary at this point. In this post, I want to compare two of their flanker scents, Acqua di Gio Profumo vs. Bleu Parfum. I have reviewed and tested each, and now want to try and determine which is the better fragrance for guys. 

Tale of the Tape: BdC Parfum vs AdG Profumo

Bleu de Chanel Parfum

Notes include: sandalwood, cedar, lemon, lavender, mint, bergamot, tonka bean, amber, geranium

Click here to try: BLEU DE C H A N E L PARFUM, 3.4 oz./ 100 mL

Read my Review: Bleu de Chanel Parfum

 

Acqua di Gio Profumo

Notes include: bergamot, sage, patchouli, incense, geranium, rosemary, and marine notes

Click here to try: Giorgio Armani Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Profumo 75ml (2.5oz) Parfum Vapo., 2.5 Fluid Ounce

Read my review: Acqua di Gio Profumo

Opening

Bleu de Chanel Parfum kicks things off with a trio of citrus notes: bergamot, lime, and lemon. These ingredients don’t have a super sharp opening, because of the other notes at play, from the start. You have mint, cedar, and sandalwood which provide a cool woody freshness to the composition. 

Acqua di Gio Profumo, on the other hand, also has a bergamot note. However, it is alone, and more powerful than the citrus found in the Bleu flanker.  This one doesn’t have a pure citrus smell either, as it is joined by a dark oceanic breeze, filled with spicy sage, and incense. 

Which is better? It’s a very close call, in my mind. Though, I think that I lean toward the AdG scent. The smoky incense and sage, play very well off that familiar marine profile. Though, I must say that I do enjoy the woody/herbal qualitites of Bleu Parfum.

Edge: Profumo

Projection

Both of these fragrances start out with a strong sillage. They can project themselves, quite well. However, AdG Profumo seems stronger, and is more steady throughout. The Chanel fragrance, starts off strong, but becomes much lighter.

Acqua Profumo starts off stronger and ends as a moderately sillaged cologne. Bleu just never gets to the same highs nor does it keep its power at a high level. However, it also isn’t a weak skin scent, just not as good.

Edge: Profumo

Longevity

While Profumo has the edge in strength, BdC Parfum, seems to get the win in the longevity category. I get 8-10 hours of wear from the Giorgio Armani cologne, while the Bleu will go for 10+ hours, on my skin.

Both of these scents has great staying power, but one will go for longer, albeit at a lighter sillage.

Edge: Bleu Parfum

 

 

Versatility

Blue de Chanel Parfum is much more of an autumn/winter type of perfume. It can do well, in moderate climates, but isn’t very good in the heat. AdG Profumo can do well year round, but has more of a warm weather vibe.

Blue Parfum is the better fragrance for professionals or more formal wear. AdG Profumo is the better casual or daily wear, particularly for younger guys, but not exclusive to that age range by any means.

There is separation between these two, but no clear winner, in this category. It will really depend on your individual needs. Both can do well out on a date or for nightlife.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

What do I like about Bleu de Chanel Parfum? How it takes the familiarity of the Bleu lineup’s citrus notes and gives it a woody/herbal component. It’s got a darker profile, than its predecessors, and the sandalwood note is awesome. It’s creamy, woody, herbal, with some citrus zest.

Acqua di Gio Profumo takes the famous Acqua di Gio profile, deepens and darkens it, and gives you a more mature version. I love its incense and sea breeze blend, with the spicy blend of sage and rosemary.

Which is better? It’s a hard decision to make, as both are quite good scents, but I lean more toward Profumo. I think it will work better for most guys and I prefer to wear it versus the Chanel.

Bleu Parfum is nice and it will be an excellent choice for some portion of guys reading this. However, Profumo has the edge in my book, and also has a better price between them.

Winner: Acqua di Gio Profumo

Viking by Creed

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So, being in Las Vegas, I had to remember to make another stop at the Creed Boutique that is on the Strip. There were a few things that I wanted to smell while in there, including the new release, Viking.

Naturally, I sprayed it on myself multiple times, in order to give my one-time wear review. How does this Creed cologne stack up? What does it smell like? Is it worth a purchase?

Update: I am revising this post, a few years after the fact, and after using Viking some more.

What does Creed Viking Smell Like?

Notes include: rose, pink pepper, bergamot, peppermint, sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli

Click here to try: Viking Eau de Parfum Spray for Men by Creed

My Full Viking Review

My initial impressions of Viking are specifically related to just how fresh and green of a scent this is. The peppermint is crisp and biting. This note is then met by a wooden note, sandalwood (sandalwood), which I believe was suppose to lend to the aroma of being like a Viking ship.

Having never been on a ship in the 9th century, I have no real idea, if that’s the case or not.

It opens up with a bit of citrus, pink pepper spice, and the really nice peppermint. The more that I’ve tested this over the years, the more I have come to really enjoy this opening. Fresh, cool, warm, and super crisp. It has such a great hook.

Viking has a certain warmth to it, that goes along with the colder peppermint. It reminds me of Original Santal in that regard (especially with sandalwood), warm/masculine, but Viking opts for a spicier pink pepper instead of a sweeter scent. Yet, there is a hint of sweetness in the opening act.

Viking is extremely well-blended and nothing seems out of place. Even the rose note, isn’t remarkably noticeable to my nose, just adds a dash or floral sweetness the the mint/pepper freshness.

As I’ve spent more time with Viking, the rose does have its moments, just not a huge factor overall.

I don’t really get all that much citrus from it Viking, somewhat at the start, but it quickly fades. It is a minty/spicy/wood with green vibes and a slight smokiness to the wood like the sort of smell you’d get from a dying campfire.

When it fully dries down, I pick up more patchouli and maybe another floral note, that I can’t identify.

Most of what you’re going to get is an old school sort of fragrance that’s got a cleanliness to it, through the interplay of the peppermint and pink pepper notes.

Pink pepper, mint, and drier woody notes. Vetiver, patchouli and sandalwood come through big time on my skin. The end of the wear, really shifts into a classic clean sort of masculine scent. Mature and polished.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it was solid. Not super strong stuff but with two sprays on my forearm, I knew it was there while wearing. It’s also got pretty good longevity, somewhere in the 6-8 hour range, it seems.

I had gone all around the Vegas Strip and the cologne hadn’t faded away at all. I have no real complaints about the longevity.

Update: So, the first time I reviewed this fragrance, part of the time was spent in the Las Vegas heat. It held up pretty well in that circumstance. Now, in more moderate temperatures, it will go more in the 9 hour range pretty consistently.

It’s still not a powerful scent, but it is noticeable, and projects well for a majority of the wear. Just don’t expect a completely ‘in your face’ fragrance, that’s not what Viking is.

Viking is much more of a casual (like business casual) kind of cologne. You could wear it to work, as it’s not offensive, and not super dressy.

It’s an attractive fragrance, like being fresh out of the shower and well groomed, but it doesn’t strike me as something particularly sexy or attention grabbing.

Again, the more time I spent with this cologne, the more it hits me as a classic sort of wear. The opening act, has a great modern take, but it settles down into something highly familiar while retaining its own unique identity.

Overall Impression of Creed Viking

Overall, do I like Viking? Yes, I like it. I wasn’t really impressed with it, either. It’s a good scent but it smells familiar and it’s not reminding me of any kind of remarkable cologne. I think it might be one that would grow on me much like Original Santal did.

Even then, it would never be my go to scent, and at that price..why bother? I think that the bottle looks really cool, though, it’d be a nice decoration.

I think there’s been a lot of people who have been pretty harsh on this scent, but I think that it’s above average, and enjoyable. Just maybe not, $350, enjoyable.

Update: I have come to enjoy Viking, a bit more than originally. I find it to be much more striking, than my initial impressions of it. The pricing concern, isn’t as relevant nowadays, as it has come down somewhat.

You can find bottles discounted. Is it worth the reach? Maybe. I still don’t think that I’d go out of my way to get a bottle, but I do think that it’s a very good fragrance.