dolce and gabbana

Light Blue Pour Homme Discover Vulcano by D&G

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Discover Vulcano was the 2014 release in the Light Blue Pour Homme series. It’s one of the fragrances that really didn’t get too much attention upon release and still doesn’t to this day. I had the opportunity to grab a small decant of it to review for the site. So, here I am to give my thoughts on this one and whether or not it’s an underrated gem.

What does Light Blue Discover Vulcano Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, cypress, ginger, lavender, cedar, vetiver

Try here: Discover Vulcano

My Full Review

Discover Vulcano opens up with a huge blast of citrus, along with, cypress and ginger. It’s actually quite sour, ashy/smoky, with a certain saltiness to it. This is sort of like the Light Blue version of AdG Profumo (in terms of style), just way less subtle in the opening (and not nearly as good).

Once that initial lemon blast tones down, this one is much more wearable, but still the most unique smelling of the line. Whether or not that’s a good thing, is probably up to your personal tastes.

Lavender is what I think comes in for a while to help take some of that sourness away. It’s not too prolific of a note here, just a stabilizing force. The cypress is absolutely massive, on my skin, and this scent goes full on dry and fresh woods.

If we’re trying to capture the scent of a volcanic island, I think it works as well as one could expect, without creating something noxious. I like the spicy hints of ginger and can deal with the cypress bomb, once it’s not completely surrounded by a sour lemon.

Vulcano actually is a pretty simple scent. The only real changes towards the end, is the inclusion of more cedar and vetiver butting in on the space of the cypress. Those three notes covered in a light spray of lemon juice.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is about the same as some of the other flankers, but towards the weaker end of the series’ spectrum. Like, Italian Zest, Vulcano opens up very strong with its citrus before retreating into something that sticks to 2-3 feet from the skin.

Though, this is a tad better with its projection than Zest.

Again, this is another Light Blue that will go for about 6 hours. Probably 5-6 hour range, for most people. It’s not very strong, nor is it going to be an all-day wear.

Seasonally, this is a summertime wear. Daytime for casual wear or those in need of refreshing. I suppose it could be worn to work, also, for some people.

This is probably the lease mainstream appealing from the series. Not one that is probably going to appeal to most younger guys or draw a bunch of complements. If you’re one who loves woods or an older man, this might work for you…but far from a guaranteed winner.

Overall Impressions of Discover Vulcano

Overall, do I like Light Blue Discover Vulcano? Not really. I’d have to say it’s my least favorite of the Light Blue line. It’s not my style, even if it has a more unique smell than the others in the series, it’s just not all that good.

Some might dig this. If you want a cheaper summer use of cypress and other woods. But, there are better examples out there than Discover Vulcano. From performance to the scent itself, it’s all pretty mediocre.

Bottles of it don’t seem to be too hard to find, even today, after its limited run back in 2014. Not too many people are checking for this cologne. I don’t recommend it, unless you’re just very intrigued for whatever reason, or are someone like me who needs to complete the entire Light Blue series.

Light Blue Pour Homme Italian Zest by D&G

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Italian Zest is the Light Blue flanker release from 2018. It really wasn’t one that I was too interested in trying out, but since I’m working my way through the entire Light Blue Pour Homme line, I grabbed a small decant to put through its paces. How does Italian Zest smell? Does it last long? Is it worth getting a bottle?

What does Light Blue Italian Zest Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, mandarin orange, Sichuan pepper, rosemary, rosewood, musk, hedione, moss, incense, amberwood

My Full Review

The opening of Italian Zest is a mix of sour, bitter, and tart citrus aromas. The lemon has the upper hand early on, with strong contributions from the usual Light Blue grapefruit, and the lighter bergamot.

That will settle into something more tolerable rather quickly. But, that first minute or two is pretty tough.

Underneath all this is a dry, spicy, and musky aroma which will grow in prominence as we move forward. The rosemary, Sichuan pepper, and even a very light smokiness from incense are all here.

The lemon note will fall back and the grapefruit will come back into play. Italian Zest starts to resemble more of the original Light Blue, but a muskier and woodier version, in the latter stages.

So, once that lemon has taken a backseat, you will get a bit of an orange peel aroma that is surrounded by light floral touches. Really, the floral notes here aren’t major players.

The progression of this scent is: citrus, citrus/spice, citrus/musk/spice, citrus/musk/woods.

That’s pretty much the extent of it. Not super complicated, but one that does evolve throughout the wear. The ending is the remaining citrus blend, rosewood, musk, and a general dryness underneath it all.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Italian Zest Pour Homme starts out with a bang, but that will very quickly dissipate into something that is a lighter moderate. The citrus opening can punch you in the face from across the room, but the fragrance for most of the duration will be in 2-3 foot range, from where you sprayed.

Fine. It’s a lighter summer cologne.

The longevity is also pretty basic. I get just about 6 hours of wear, maybe 5.5, as I wasn’t keeping exact time. Just don’t expect some all day monster fragrance.

Seasonally, summer. Wear Italian Zest on the hottest days of the year. It holds up as well as it can and actually smells it’s best in that sort of weather. I wore it on an 80+ degree Fahrenheit day and it was more enjoyable than inside with the AC running.

Like the other flankers in the series, Italian Zest is casual and mostly suited for daytime wear. Even during the summer, I’d go with a different evening cologne. It’s appealing enough, not sexy, but a laid back scent to freshen up when it’s hot.

Overall Impressions of Italian Zest

Overall, do I like Italian Zest? It’s not something that I dislike, but it’s pretty average in terms of smell and the performance is below average for this line. It’s like a worse version of the original Light Blue and on the bottom half of the list for all of these flankers.

That opening is a sharp citrus mess. I’m glad that it doesn’t last long. The next phase is lighter and easier to wear. Surprisingly, after that bold start, Italian Zest is actually one of the worst projecting (if not the lightest) from the Light Blue Pour Homme line.

Musky, woods, the usual take on this line. I do like the additional spice from the pepper which comes across for a while.

The performance isn’t really good enough for me to want to pick up a full bottle. Sure, this is a basic summer scent, but the other D&G options smell better and give me a little bit more power and longevity.

Since this was a limited edition, bottles of this stuff are getting scarce. It’s not really worth ponying up very much money to acquire Italian Zest. I’d say skip it and you can pretty much grab any other summery citrus cologne to get the same effect.

Light Blue Love is Love Pour Homme by D&G

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Light Blue flankers are like clockwork, with a new one coming each year. In 2020, Dolce & Gabbana released, Love is Love editions for both the men’s and women’s line. Today, I’m going to review the men’s version of this scent. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it worth buying?

What does Light Blue Love is Love Pour Homme Smell Like?

Notes include: Granny Smith apple, ice cream, grapefruit, bergamot, mandarin orange, rosemary, pink pepper, amberwood, musk, vanilla

Click here to try: Light Blue Love is Love

My Full Review

Right off the bat, Love is Love isn’t going to be a flanker to fit every man’s tastes. It tries to be sort of a bridge between Light Blue Pour Homme and Light Blue Pour Femme. In particular, it takes lots of elements from Light Blue Pour Femme Intense and blends it with the original Pour Homme.

Oh, and add a dollop of vanilla ice cream to the mix.

The opening  features a variety of citrus notes, but this isn’t overwhelmingly citrus. It’s basically the same accord as in Light Blue Italian Zest, just stifled by the other notes.

The apple note from the women’s version is pretty prominent early on and easier to distinguish for me versus the individual citrus ingredients. There’s something floral here too, it might be a touch of jasmine, which is in the women’s version. If so, it’s not listed.

Love is Love feels aromatic, crisp, but with an underlying creamy sweetness. The rosemary of the original is there, but not too heavy. This is a softer take, quite unisex, and even leaning to the feminine side of the spectrum. Which is strange, since D&G did also put out a women’s version of Love is Love.

As we move further along, the apple and more feminine aspects of the scent will back off a bit. Pink pepper and the rosemary have a nice influence in this second act. With that, amberwood and vanilla.

Love is Love actually strikes me as being somewhat similar to The One Gentleman, also by Dolce & Gabbana, at this stage. The peppery vanilla, just with a Light Blue style.

In the end, it’s got the same amberwood that’s in both versions of Light Blue Intense. That, the vanilla, a mix of the fruit, and musk is what’ll be there in the final stages. Much of the apple and ice cream has basically vanished.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this isn’t a massive fragrance that’s going to leave a long scent trail in your wake. The projection isn’t amazing and is lighter than most of the Light Blue colognes. It’s not terrible, just don’t expect too much past that first hour.

On my skin, Love is Love will stick around for about six hours on the nose. Pretty middle of the road, but again, below average for this line from D&G.

Seasonally, spring and summer. Yes, the ice cream and vanilla notes do sound as if they’d be thicker and create a cloud around you. But, Love is Love really manages to retain a lightness that is pretty delightful in the warmer temperatures.

As a casual or nighttime  wear during the summer, this is pretty versatile. I wouldn’t use this one dressed up or with any real formality, but it works fine elsewhere. Very unisex, leans feminine, then back to masculine. But, one for the younger crowd to enjoy.

Overall Impressions of Love is Love

Overall, do I like Light Blue Love is Love? I like aspects of it. I see what they’re trying to do and it does work to some extent. It’s pretty good. Honestly, it’s not going to appeal to a wide swath of guys.

For sure, some will really enjoy this and it might even be one of their favorite Light Blue flankers. For me? It’s got some positives, but ultimately falls towards the bottom of that Light Blue Homme list.

I like the ice cream aspect, not a heavy creaminess, kind of a gelato sort of scent. The apple does add some freshness and a different vibe to the men’s line which usually only has the citrus. Eventually, that signature grapefruit presents itself more in the mix.

The rest of it? Ehh, pretty mid. I don’t dislike it, but it doesn’t cover much new ground, and isn’t as likeable as the basic Light Blue Homme formula. I like the original and Light Blue Intense for Women, but this doesn’t really capture either. Once the ice cream has faded, it’s forgettable.

If you can get it for cheap, it might be worthwhile to have, if it sounds interesting to you. For most, it won’t be something that you’ve just got to try. I thought that I’d like it more than I did, based on the notes. Ultimately, it doesn’t do much for me.

Light Blue Swimming in Lipari by D&G

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Light Blue Pour Homme has spawned a ton of flankers over the years and it still keeps right on going. I’m currently working my way through reviewing the rest of them that I have missed, including today’s entry, 2015’s Swimming in Lipari. How does this smell? How long does it last? Is it actually worth a try?

What does Light Blue Swimming in Lipari Smell Like?

Notes include: grapefruit, musk, sea salt, orange, rosemary, ambergris, wood

My Full Review

Swimming in Lipari opens up very much like the rest of these earlier Light Blue Pour Homme flankers, in that you can easily tell which cologne it is based on. It’s just got that same early vibe of something like the original or Light Blue Sun, which I have a bottle of.

But, this is obviously going to have its own personality versus the others. While Sun, bring a somewhat tropical coconut accord, Lipari goes salty and marine. The grapefruit is also joined by a mandarin orange early on, which also distinguishes things.

Take the grapefruit and rosemary of the original, add the amberwood base of Eau Intense, and amp up the saltiness of a marine/sea breeze accord…that’s basically Swimming in Lipari.

Very fresh, not as citrus dominant throughout. We’re going woody, salty, and amber. More along the lines of something from the Bvlgari Aqva series (without their seaweed accords).

Note that the grapefruit here, isn’t the hyper-realistic grapefruit rind of Forever or Italian Love. It’s the more synthetic type of the earlier Light Blue’s. Towards the bitter side of things, slightly sweetened up by the mandarin orange.

The next phase of this is noticeably less citrusy. Musk and the ambergris really come up from the base to join that sea salt accord. The orange is basically gone, at this point. It’s a salty and refreshing swim in the Mediterranean with grapefruit highlights.

Essentially, that’s the dry down also. However, the weighting shifts and things become woodier, also. The ambergris becomes more noticeable, this feels closer to Eau Intense, at this point. Not the same, but the vibe is there.

The saltiness will dissipate, it’s still fresh and a little spicy, with the grapefruit hanging around on the skin.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here isn’t too heavy or far reaching. It’s a clear notch or two below the original or even Light Blue Sun, in my experience. It starts off roughly as the same, above average moderate. It’ll be noticeable and project itself well.

Then, it will mostly be sticking closer to the skin. Maybe a 1-3 foot radius, depending on where you’re at in the wear. Not great, but I wasn’t expecting all that much here.

The longevity is actually better than you’d expect from the sillage. It stays for 6-6.5 hours, before finally fading completely. Again, not going to blow the doors off with how it lasts, but very serviceable.

Seasonally, we’re obviously going summertime. Warm or hot weather. It provides that coastal oceanic vibe very well.

This isn’t going to be a formal wear or even something you’d might want to reach for on a daily basis. This is summer casual. You’re hanging out, by the pool being active, or actually on the coast. Pleasant, but not a romantic wear or club beast.

Overall Impressions of Swimming in Lipari

Overall, do I like Swimming in Lipari? Sure, it’s somewhere in the middle of the pack, in terms of Light Blue Pour Homme scents. It’s a clear variant of the original, with more appeal for those that want a greater marine experience. Let’s just say the name fits what you get here.

I like the saltiness and Bvgari Aqva-like aroma, without straying too far into a realistic oceanic smell. Swimming is salty and has that decent ambergris note,

The performance is slightly better than the average cologne, but not as good as others in the Light Blue Pour Homme series.

Who is this cologne for? You like the original Light Blue and want a salty sea note version for the summer months. Or you’re just a fan of salty aquatics.

It did come out in 2015. As such, bottles are becoming fairly scarce. I wouldn’t overpay too much to add this to my collection. But, if it sounds like you’re cup of tea, you could do well to snag yourself a full bottle before Swimming in Lipari disappears forever.

K EDP by Dolce & Gabbana

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K (King) EDP by Dolce & Gabbana was released in 2020 and I recently got a sample sprayer of this fragrance to try out. This was a complete blind buy for me. Which is good, because I could come at it without any preconceived notions on what it was. How does it smell? How does K perform? Is it worth a try?

What does K Eau de Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: pimento, fig, juniper, blood orange, lemon, cardamom, lavender, sage, patchouli, and more

Click here to try: Dolce & Gabbana K for Men Eau de Parfum Spray, 5 Ounce/150ml

My Full Wear Review

Before we get to my thoughts, let’s see how D&G describes this fragrance: K by Dolce & Gabbana eau de parfum reveals a fresh and spicy cardamom note, followed by a stronger woody base more sensual than ever with a fig milk accord, the fragrance is the essence of masculine seduction.

I haven’t tried the EDT version prior to getting a sample of the eau de parfum, so I really had no expectations coming into trying this one. I didn’t even know whether this would be a sweet fragrance, aquatic, or whatever.

Initially, there’s a lot going on here. Holy pimento! Not a note that you encounter a lot, but it is definitely present in the opening act of K. Fig and cardamom are also major players here but I really get pimento at first.

Underneath all of that, there is some citrus. I guess it’s mainly the blood orange, but it isn’t really that noticeable to my nose. After a few minutes, K is more of a hodgepodge of different spicier aromas: pimento, cardamom, sage, and some earthiness from the patchouli note.

It can be somewhat off-putting but I think that the fig note holds things together. The middle act is a bit messy to me, lots going on. The opening while loaded with that pimento, actually seemed to have a clear direction.

As it dries down, K EDP is woodier with some smokiness and it has a level of bitterness to it. This is a densely packed cologne  and one that kind of shocked me. Not a bad thing, as there are facets here that I do quite like.

The final dry down for me is fig, cedar, and vetiver. Vetiver really comes through at the end and makes this feel more traditional. I am surprised that the fig note, made it this deep into the wear.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

On me, this doesn’t come across as a powerhouse. I’d say that it has above average sillage, just not a complete monster. I sprayed it on a shirt across the room, as well, and can’t pick up anything from 10 feet or so away. Not weak, just not insane.

On skin, it’s noticeable throughout. Towards the 4-5 hour mark, King will really start to sit close to the skin. It doesn’t fade away, though, and I do catch whiffs of it when I’m going about my day.

It also seems to stick around for 7-8.5 hours, give or take. Nothing to sneer at and I certainly wasn’t upset with its performance.

You could wear this casually to semi-formally to out on the town for the evening. Not really a summertime scent, but summer evenings would be fine. Probably at its best in more moderate temperatures, so, spring or autumn.

I could see this being a solid option to wear out to bars and clubs. Not the super sweet attention grabber like many others, but something sort of well put together without being overly formal.

It can be worn be younger men or older guys. It has a nice balance that should appeal to a wide age range. Having said that, it will be more polarizing than many other popular men’s fragrances. Not everyone is going to dig this, as those spices, may not be what you’re looking for.

Overall Impressions of K EDP

Do I like this fragrance? I sort of do. I’m not completely into every aspect of it, but I do find it intriguing. Ultimately, I don’t think that this particular Dolce cologne fits with my style. However, some guys are going to absolutely love this stuff.

It is something a bit different from the norm. Again, I haven’t tried the EDT as of yet, so I can’t compare the two. This starts out with plenty of depth and uniqueness, but becomes much more of a typical woody fragrance.

That pimento and cardamom combination is a great curve ball. Not insanely great, but I do enjoy that D&G took things in a different direction. Plus, I do like a good fig note. The one in K EDP really holds things together, as the various spices begin to compete for attention.

I think it’ll mostly appeal to guys in their 20s and early 30s, even if the scent itself has a much broader use case than that. The presentation and marketing feels geared towards that age group.

Nice and it doesn’t have any particular weaknesses. You might want to try before you commit to a full buy, though.