Best Smelling Colognes at Kohl’s Department Stores

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Kohl’s is a highly popular department store here in the United States, which usually has some great deals and discount opportunities associated with its merchandise. They also seem to have quite a wide selection of colognes available for a department store.

For this post, I wanted to present to you what I consider the top fragrances offered by Kohl’s and I have linked each one out to its page on the company’s website and have included a link to any review I have done for each cologne.

Top Men’s Fragrances at Kohl’s

Polo Black– Polo Black features top notes of mango, tangerine, and lemon giving it a tropical feel from the start. The mango note is fantastic here and a real selling point. Sage and patchouli come in to give it a woody/earthy/spicy finish.

The sillage and longevity are pretty moderate but Polo Black smells fantastic and has been a best seller for many years now. It’s not really a heavy or ‘dark’ sort of fragrance, despite what the name would suggest. My Full Review

Light Blue Eau Intense– Some people prefer the original Light Blue and if you want a spicier citrus, it’s also available at Kohl’s. However, I think that Eau Intense is the better of the two, both in terms of smell and performance.

It kicks off with a frozen grapefruit note and mandarin orange. It gives a smooth and chilled feeling, that is great in the summer months. It has an aquatic feeling, but isn’t oceanic, from its mix of juniper and amberwood. Feels more like a dive in the pool, rather than the sea. My Eau Intense Review

Diesel Bad– Diesel Bad has more of a niche use than the others on the list, but it is still a really nice cologne. It’s geared more towards casual wear and nightlife, mainly for younger men (think college age to mid-20s).

It opens up with lavender and bergamot, this is the weakest part of the wear. Then, the tobacco, amber, and woods come in to give a more well-rounded aroma. Add to that, some underlying spice and you have a bold and enjoyable cologne. I get about 8-9 hours of wear out of this one. Diesel Bad Review

diesel bad edt review

Burberry Brit– Burberry Brit takes on a really fresh and powdery sort of aroma. It starts things off greenish with some spice from ginger and a rose note. Then, it softens up with a lovely finish that is perfect for moderate to colder weather.

This is one that I have been a fan of for a long time. It’s one that I like to spray on during the autumn months. Again, it has that fine powder smell, so if that’s not your thing…go with another. Burberry Brit Review

Versace Man Eau Fraiche– Very crisp and bright, Man Eau Fraiche starts off with a cold blend of lemon and starfruit. It’s pretty straightforward, as a summertime scent, but you do get sage and tarragon to add a bit of spice. Plus, the base notes of wood help to give this one some more body.

Mostly, this will be a good pick for the warmer weather. Although, if you live in a place with a hotter climate year round, it could absolutely be a daily wear. Not super powerful, though, it has solid performance. Man Eau Fraiche Review

 

 

Reaction by Kenneth Cole– Apple, melon, and citrus lead the notes of the always popular Reaction by Kenneth Cole. This has been around for a few decades now and still has its loyal followers.

Quite youthful and easy to wear. The juicy fruits give this an almost aquatic sort of presentation and it is held together by a sandalwood note, in the base. A good option for teens and college age men. Not too complicated, just clean and pleasant. 

Mont Blanc Legend Night– Legend Night has gotten somewhat more popular since its release, but still seems to fly under the radar. It’s another one that I love to wear. It starts with bergamot citrus and candied apple. Yes, it does have a sweet profile, but it’s more complex than that.

Mint, sage, and cardamom come in for that added depth. At first, the mint and candied apple create a nice duo, before the cardamom grows heavier and warms things up. Sometimes, it reacts differently on my skin and I get more sage and cardamom, at first. 

Either way, Legend Night shifts from cool and fresh to warm with a kick. Not overly heavy, but I can get 7-9 hours of wear. This is more geared toward the nightlife, but I’ve also worn it during the day in autumn and winter. Mont Blanc Legend Night Review

Black Opium vs Poison Girl Perfume Comparison

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For this fragrance comparison, we are going to take a closer look at to women’s eau de parfums, Black Opium by YSL vs. Poison Girl by Christian Dior. Which of these perfumes smells the best? They share a lot of similarities, have lots of sweetness, are gourmand, but which one is a better buy? As usual, I’m going to break down each by different metrics, and then declare a winner. I’ve also linked my original reviews of each scent below.

Tale of the Tape: Black Opium vs. Poison Girl

Black Opium

black opium perfume review

Notes include: coffee, vanilla, patchouli, pink pepper, orange blossom, cedar

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, Black Opium, 3 Ounce

Read my original review: Black Opium

Poison Girl

Notes include: Damascus rose, tonka bean, bitter orange, vanilla, almond, sandalwood

Click here to try: Christian Dior Poison Girl Women’s Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce

Read my original review: Poison Girl

Opening

I’m not too much of a fan with the way that Black Opium opens up. The first ten minutes or so are pretty jumbled, and honestly not that great, but it gets better. It’s a lot of orange blossom, cedar, and vanilla at the top. It’s loud and not very cohesive yet.

It’s strange, because I do really love orange blossom and vanilla. But for some reason, it just doesn’t click in the beginning.

Poison Girl, hits first with the Damascus rose note, tonka bean, and bitter orange. It’s creamy and smooth and actually feels quite close to how Black Opium ultimately smells.

At the start, the Dior fragrance, takes the edge.

Edge: Poison Girl 

Projection

Ok, Black Opium is a bold fragrance. The sillage is quite loud and it has the ability to project far and wide. Really, that’s one of the perfume’s major strengths. As such, Poison Girl is going to have to match that at least, does it? It doesn’t.

The Dior starts off strong but never reaches the same level as does the YSL. Later, it fades more into a moderate perfume while Black Opium keeps going strong. Poison Girl isn’t bad at all, it just doesn’t meet the pure power that Black Opium displays.

Edge: Black Opium

Longevity

Actually, this category might be a tie. Black Opium goes on and on, but I also got double digit hours out of Poison Girl. I mean, if you want to keep going into the deep hours, maybe there is a clear winner but not in normal situations.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Two cold weather fragrances. Poison Girl can be worn at the office, casually, or out on a date. Black Opium can do the same, although, in confined spaces its best to go lighter.

I’d say Poison Girl is a tad bit sexier to my nose and is subtle enough to wear anywhere. So, I’ll give the Dior the slight edge here.

Edge: Poison Girl

Overall Scent

So, these two perfumes are very close in how they stack up against one another. They share many elements and this close competition is to be expected.

Black Opium EDP turns into a vanilla and coffee mix as it moves along to go with an orange blossom note playing the support role. It’s very warm and super sweet. The pink pepper note and the patchouli, give it a cozy spice to sit underneath the sweetness, and create that enveloping feel.

Poison Girl is also quite sweet but has a creamier aroma, thanks to tonka bean and the almond note. The rose, vanilla, and tonka bean notes make for a formidable trio that lead the way. The bitter orange note supplies the citrus and sort of gives a similar vibe to Black Opium.

Ultimately, though, I think that I prefer Poison Girl. It’s smoother. Almond, sandalwood, and tonka make sure of that. It’s sweet, creamy, and smooth. It’s not as bold as Black Opium, but performs just as well. It’s difficult to pick a winner in this contest, but Poison Girl just strikes me as a tad more interesting.

Winner: Poison Girl

Noir Anthracite by Tom Ford

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I haven’t posted anything on the site for over a week now,as I took a trip to Las Vegas and then got stuck there for a number of days more due to all of the weather-related travel cancellations. I did however, get a chance to sample some new fragrances, during my time there to write up some one-time wear reviews.

One of these scents is the new tom Ford launch, Noir Anthracite, which is a flanker fragrance to the original Tom Ford Noir. So, I’m going to delve into my initial impressions after wearing a few sprays around for the day.

I would’ve liked to spend some more time with it, to truly get a full picture of this scent, but this will have to suffice. Note: I have updated the post, after more testing.

What Does Noir Anthracite Smell Like?

Notes include: Sichuan pepper, bergamot, tuberose, ginger, cedarwood, santal, and galbanum

Click here to try: TOM FORD NOIR ANTHRACITE EAU DE PARFUM 3.4 OZ/100 ML SEALED (3.4)

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Noir Anthracite starts out with a bang. It’s spicy, intense, and the bergamot was most prevalent to my nose at this point in time.

Some of it seemed vaguely familiar, which now that I’m home, I realize it’s the Sichuan pepper note that is also found in my sample sprayer of Amouage Journey.

There is a definite overlap between these two scents, though Journey Man is smokier in my opinion. However, Noir Anthracite does kind of seem like it could have been an Amouage release, as it fits right in with that line.

I cannot think of the other cologne that Noir Anthracite sets off memories of but it does feel like deja vu.

The cedarwood and santal gives Anthractie its woodsy/smoky aroma which complements the spiciness provided by the Sichuan pepper and ginger notes. It’s actually quite a masculine scent but doesn’t overdo it in my opinion.

What’s interesting about this cologne is that it doesn’t take the route of so many others and use its spiciness to create an enveloping cloud of warmth around the wearer…maybe it’s supposed to be ‘warm’ but it never seemed like it.

Perhaps, it was due to wearing it in a desert climate. It’s a pretty strong scent but it doesn’t feel all that heavy to me, more like a dark, rich, and deep aroma.

Noir Anthracite also eschews sweetness of any kind, which is a nice change of pace versus other popular scents of this era. Yes, there is a bergamot note, but it was mostly confined to the very start of the scent’s life cycle.

After that, it’s spicy/woodsy with a smokiness that is fairly mesquite. When you get right down to it, this cologne isn’t all that complicated and stays along the same line, for the rest of the wear.

Sillage, How Long it Lasts, and Versatility

Projection on Noir Anthracite is pretty darn good. It’s strong, but not overly powerful, to the point of annoyance. The sillage also sustains itself fairly well, over the life of the wear. It doesn’t just quit a few hours after spraying.

The longevity during my wear was around 7 hours. I also spent some time outside in the heat, so that probably effected it somewhat. I’d say this is best for fall/winter and I’d need another few rounds with it to properly gauge its longevity.

Update: Yeah, it’s about 7-8 hours of wear, in the colder weather too. It’s nicer when the air is crisp, but still didn’t wow me.

It strikes me as a versatile scent, that could be worn in a business or business casual situation but also work well for nightlife at a restaurant or lounge-type of atmosphere.

It is a mature masculine kind of cologne, so I’d say skip it, if you’re still in school…at least while in the classroom.

I know a lot of Tom Ford scents are pretty unisex but this is one that leans heavily toward the more traditional masculine kind of cologne.

Again, fall/winter seems like the perfect time to wear and I’d lean more towards saving it for the nighttime. It’s not really a sexy fragrance and I don’t know how most women would react to it.

Noir Anthracite seems to be stuck somewhere between niche fragrance and mass appeal. Dark, spicy, woody, and warmth has its appeal…just not one everybody would go crazy for.

Overall Impressions of Noir Anthracite

Overall, would I rate Noir Anthracite a buy? I sort of like it, but I’m not crazy about it. It doesn’t quite fit my personal style or tastes but I know a lot of men would really enjoy it. If you’re into spicy woods fragrances, you should check this one out.

If you like sweetness or aquatic types, then, this one probably isn’t for you. There is a lot that this scent does well and I honestly can’t say anything about it is ‘bad’, it all comes down to whether or not the composition fits your lifestyle.

Ultimately, there’s a lot of peppery spice, wood, and some smoky aromas. For most people, I don’t think that it’ll blow them away, and some might hate it entirely. There’s a whole lot of Tom Ford scents, that I’d rather wear, but this one is decent.

Sauvage EDP by Christian Dior

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For this review, I am going to be taking a closer look at another Christian Dior cologne, this one from the insanely popular Sauvage line: Sauvage Eau de parfum. I was interested to see if this would be an improvement or a complete dud.

How does this fragrance stack up versus its competitors and even the EDT original, that has been a best seller since its release. How does it smell? Does it perform? How’s the sillage? Is EDP worth a buy?

What does Sauvage Eau de Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: nutmeg, bergamot, ambroxan, vanilla absolute, lavender, Sichuan pepper, anise

Click here to try: Sauvage by Dior Eau de Parfum Spray 100ml

My Full Wear Review

I’ve never been a huge fan of the EDT release of Sauvage. One of my biggest complaints about it, was the sharp bergamot/pepper opening, and the amount of lavender that was in the composition. So, I really wasn’t too excited to try the eau de parfum version, and have held out up until now.

I have to say, the EDP’s opening gets it right. It leads off with the famous ambroxan note at full strength, which subdues the harshness of the citrus and Sichuan pepper. The opening isn’t really all that spicy and definitely way smoother than its predecessor.

The added vanilla and a lower amount of lavender, team up with that ambroxan, and give the scent a fresh warmth. The vanilla is quite dark and smoky, which makes for an interesting aroma.

After the opening, Sauvage EDP really begins with the spices. Again, it’s still not as sharp as the original EDT fragrance from Dior, but it does have a well rounded spice. The Sichuan pepper, is joined by nutmeg, and star anise.

Both of those additional spices are a lot less in your face. The bergamot note, comes into its own during this time for me, as it isn’t overshadowed completely by that amber-laden opening. Very clean, somewhat sharp, and juicy.

The citrus is there at the start. But, on my skin, it doesn’t seem to really emerge on its own until later. That could just be how it reacts to my body chemistry.

Ultimately, from this EDP, I get the ambroxan, a host of spices, bergamot, and some lavender. It’s super fresh and smooth. The dry down is great. I like how chill and confident this cologne comes across. My opinion of the original has gotten lower, over the years, and I hated having it on the last time I tried it.

This, I don’t get that feeling. It is an enjoyable wear throughout. Fresh, crisp, with periods of absolute smoothness and depth.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage of Sauvage EDP is beastly. Seriously, this stuff can project itself like crazy, and doesn’t require you to spray it a lot in order to create that effect. This is what you’d expect from an eau de parfum, but I can tell you, that is definitely not always the case.

Sauvage EDP has the power that it should have, though.

How long does it last? Well, the longevity is also fantastic. It hit double digit hours on my skin, with any hint of slowing down. Awesome value. Somewhere around 12 hours, seems to be the norm for this cologne.

Seasonally, I can’t quite pin it down. I think that it would work well year round and in a variety of climates. It is a solid blend of different notes, which can operate in so many different types of situations.

Sauvage EDP has wonderful versatility, as it can be worn casually, dressed up, at the office, and especially out for the evening. It is more mature than the original, but still retains a high energy, about it.

Is Sauvage EDP sexy? Yes, this is one that is going to draw the complements, particularly from the ladies. Toning down the sharpness was an important step for Dior, toward making the eau de parfum, a real crowd pleaser.

Overall Impressions of Sauvage EDP

Overall, is Christian Dior’s Sauvage EDP version worth a buy? Yes. I like it a lot, and again, I am someone who is pretty indifferent with regards to the EDT. I still have a sample vial of that and never choose to wear it (and would rather wear, Luna Rossa Carbon).

This, I almost certainly will. It took what was right about the original and improved upon it. Then, more importantly, fixed its short comings. EDP performs extremely well and is one of those highly versatile year round colognes. Bravo, Dior.

I like how much better the citrus is in this blend. Also, the Sichuan pepper, having to share the stage with anise and nutmeg makes it work perfectly.

Updating this initial review, having also tried the Parfum version of Sauvage, I can definitely say that the EDP is the best. I like that newer release also and would rank it second.

Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche

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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.

What Does Drakkar Noir Smell Like?

DRAKKAR-NOIR

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

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.

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.

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.

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.