8 Best Smelling Jean Paul Gaultier Colognes

Jean Paul Gaultier fragrances have enjoyed massive commercial success for both its men’s and women’s line. While now, Le Male is almost ubiquitous in its usage, when it was released in 1995 it became popular because of its great scent, even if now it trades based on its reputation.

For this list, I have selected eight scents from Jean Paul Gaultier which I feel represent a best of their men’s cologne collection.

I have updated this page to take off a lot of discontinued colognes and add a host of new ones to the mix.


Quick Overview

Ultra Male is the top nightlife pick from the list. It is sweet, powerful, spicy, and built around pear, cinnamon, vanilla, mint, amber, and lavender. It is not the best daily-wear option, but it works extremely well for colder nights out.

Le Beau Paradise Garden is the best warm-weather pick here. It takes the Le Beau coconut style and turns it into a lighter tropical scent with coconut water, fig, and a green freshness. It is best for spring, summer, and beachy casual wear.

Le Male Le Parfum is the best option if you want a more mature take on the Le Male DNA. It has cardamom, iris, lavender, vanilla, and warm spice, while still keeping enough of the familiar JPG style.

Fragrance Best For Season Key Notes Performance Sillage
Ultra Male Nightlife star Colder months Vanilla, cinnamon, pear, amber, mint, lavender Great longevity Bold
Le Male All-around classic autumn, spring Orange blossom, mint, lavender, vanilla, cinnamon, woods Decent Moderate
Scandal Le Parfum Sweet aromatic wear autumn, winter Geranium, tonka bean, woods, creamy notes Really good Strong
Le Male Elixir Absolu Captivating elixir Autumn, winter Lavender, plum, tonka bean Strong Massive
Gaultier 2 Bold cold-weather scent Cold weather Musk, amber, vanilla Strong Bold/heavy
Le Beau Paradise Garden Bright tropical wear Spring / Summer Coconut water, fig, green notes Good Moderate
Le Beau Le Parfum Tropical mass appeal spring, summer Pineapple, coconut, ginger, woods, amber 9-10 hours Good
Le Male Le Parfum Most versatile Le Male autumn, winter, spring Cardamom, iris, lavender, vanilla, spice Very good Good


Favorite Gaultier Fragrances for Men

The Nightlife Star

Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male Eau de Toilette Intense 40ml Spray– This is the best choice in my opinion and the Gaultier fragrance that I keep a full bottle of for myself.

Ultra Male was introduced as another flanker fragrance to the original Le Male (listed below) and has surpassed its predecessor in terms of quality, smell, and performance.

I will say, this won’t be the best option for those who are looking for a daily wear. This isn’t an office scent, is limited to colder climates, and skews to a younger audience.

It’s sweet, powerful, and spicy with notes of vanilla, cinnamon, pear, amber, mint, lavender, among others. Ultra Male has great longevity and a bold sillage, that works well for the nightlife during the colder months of the year.

Pear, cinnamon, and mint are really strong early in the wear. The pear and cinnamon give it a distinct vibe from Le Male.

It’s got a candy-like presence while maintaining a masculine vibe throughout. Read my full review: Ultra Male Review


All Around Classic

Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier for Men – 4.2 Ounce EDT Spray– One of the most popular and widely used fragrances in the world. Le Male blends orange blossom, mint, lavender, and woods to create a fragrance that is sexy and wholly masculine.

The vanilla note is paired early on with the orange blossom, bergamot, cinnamon, mint, and lavender. The cinnamon and minty fresh spice aroma, is at its peak during this time.

The bergamot does give it a slight citrus note up top, to break things up a bit. Then, the cinnamon will begin to fade and it becomes a creamy/powdery kind of scent.

Things end with amber, vanilla, tonka bean, and woods enveloping the floral heart.

It’s been around for decades and is still going strong. This one is more vanilla and mint than Ultra Male and doesn’t have to same bold projection. However, Le Male is still a very nice option for an everyday scent, particularly for younger men. Le Male Full Review

le male jpg review


Something Else Scandalous 

Scandal Le Parfum by JPG– To give the list more representation outside of the other Le Male flankers and Le Beau, I’m going to update and change this one to Scandal Le Parfum.

I received a sample of this scent and I started to warm up to it more than Scandal EDT which I used to give an edge to. I sprayed it on clothing and kept getting whiffs of this scent throughout the day and it increased my opinion of it.

I have yet to try the Absolu version of Scandal, since I’d already bought three bottles of other fragrances from them in a short period of time. So, maybe that’s better?

Here, you get a nice use of geranium and tonka bean. It’s a greenish and sweet aromatic in the early stages. Quite attractive and you get a woodier and a creamier finish.

Performance here is really good, also. Strong with a far reaching projection and it sticks around for a long time.


A Captivating Elixir

Le Male Elixir Absolu- I am replacing the original Le Male Elixir on the list with the newer Elixir Absolu.

I wasn’t sure that this one would be anything different or worthwhile in comparison to Elixir. Also, Absolu kind of gets off to a slow start, as I still prefer the opening act of the original.

Here’s my YouTube video comparison.

However, that changes as it moves into the middle and latter stages of wear. Lavender, plum, and tonka bean highlight the mix and make it a much more pleasing and wearable fragrance versus the honeyed scent of Le Male Elixir.

Plus, the performance is the same for me.

If you already own Elixir, you don’t really need both. But, this is different enough to be distinct, while the changes they made are better. If I didn’t have a bottle of either, I’d go with Le Male Elixir Absolu.


The Bold JPG

Gaultier 2 By Jean Paul Gaultier For Men and Women. Eau De Parfum Spray 4 Ounces– Not as heralded as Le Male, however, Gaultier 2 is a winner. It brings together a triumvirate of notes including, musk, amber, and vanilla to create a sweet, warm, and memorable fragrance.

This is a unisex fragrance, that is also quite simple, and very appealing. Gaultier 2 is bold and heavy on the amber and vanilla, which generates a seductive cloud of inviting heat around the wearer.

It’s been discontinued, but you can still pick up a bottle on the secondary market. If you live in a warmer climate or if it’s summertime, this is one to avoid. However, it can be an absolute gem in the cold and crisp weather.

Note: The Dua Brand has their ‘inspired by’ version, called: Error 405.


Le Beau Favorite

Le Beau Paradise Garden– I bought a bottle of this and the newer flanker, Flower Edition, and Paradise Garden turns out to be my favorite scent of the Le Beau series.

It takes that well loved coconut note and makes it a coconut water that is paired with a sweet and greenish smelling fig note. It’s light and has a tropical air, really well built for the spring and summer months.

I get good performance for what this is. It’s a notch below Le Beau Le Parfum, in that department, but I think that how it smells makes up for it.

Might not be for everyone, especially if you don’t want a bright, beachy, and tropical fragrance. But, this is one that will get some use when it gets hot out. Paradise Garden Review


The Other Le Beau

Le Beau Le Parfum– I actually think that I personally prefer Le Beau Flower Edition to this one. But, I think that has less appeal for a general audience and may only be a special edition release.

Le Beau Le Parfum is a bit better than the EDT, has the best performance of the line, and has a greater mass appeal.

Pineapple, coconut, and ginger start things off. This has a freshness on top of that sweet and tropical fruit aroma. It will end up with a woodier and amber finish. More substantial than the original Le Beau.

I get 9-10 hours of wear out of this one. Again, it’s not my own most liked scent from Gaultier, but it deserves a spot on this list, as of now. Le Beau Le Parfum review


Most Versatile Le Male

Le Male Le Parfum– The most popular iteration of the Le Male series and it’s a really good one.

A nice amount of cardamom and soft powder from the iris note. Very nice with the appealing DNA of the original Le Male, especially coming from the lavender in the beginning.

I originally had a mini bottle and wasn’t impressed. Turned out to be a crummy batch. I received a travel sprayer of this and liked it more. Still not my personal favorite, but I get what people like about Le Parfum.

However, it also gives you hints of Ultra Male, without the same powerful sillage (though, performance is still very good). Very warm with spicy punches throughout and wrapped up in that familiar JPG vanilla note.

It’s a more mature fragrance than either of the others. Not super high-end and formal, but it does give a nice update to the classic formula.

Le Parfum is another solid entry from this line and I prefer it versus something like In the Navy, in comparison. This is one if you want something beyond Le Male, but not the same level as Ultra Male. Le Male Le Parfum Review

gaultier le male



FAQ: Best Jean Paul Gaultier Colognes

What is the best Jean Paul Gaultier cologne for men?

Ultra Male is my personal top pick. It has great longevity, bold sillage, and a sweet spicy profile that works especially well for nightlife and colder weather. Le Male Le Parfum is better as a daily wear, though.

Which Jean Paul Gaultier cologne lasts the longest?

Le Beau Le Parfum is one of the strongest performers on the list, with around 9-10 hours of wear. Ultra Male and Le Male Le Parfum also perform very well.

Which Jean Paul Gaultier cologne is best for summer?

Le Beau Paradise Garden is the best summer choice. It has a bright tropical style with coconut water, fig, and a green freshness.

Which Jean Paul Gaultier cologne is best for winter?

Ultra Male is one of the best winter picks. Gaultier 2 is also a strong cold-weather option because of its heavy amber, vanilla, and musk profile. But, you’d have to buy it from a secondary market. Le Male Elixir Absolu or Ultra Male, currently.

Is Le Male still worth buying?

Yes, Le Male is still worth buying if you want the classic JPG style. It has mint, lavender, vanilla, cinnamon, amber, tonka, and woods, though it is not as bold as Ultra Male. Le Male Le Parfum is better nowadays, however.

Is Ultra Male better than Le Male?

Ultra Male is better if you want stronger performance, more sweetness, and a better nightlife scent. Le Male is better if you want the classic, more everyday-friendly version. But, yes, I do consider it to be a better cologne.

Which Jean Paul Gaultier fragrance is most versatile?

Le Male Le Parfum is the most versatile Le Male option on the list. It is warm, spicy, slightly powdery, and more mature than Ultra Male.

Which Jean Paul Gaultier cologne has the best performance?

Ultra Male, Le Beau Le Parfum, Scandal Le Parfum, and Le Male Le Parfum are among the best performers on the list.

Le Male Elixir Absolu vs. Ultra Male

Le Male Elixir became a wildly popular flanker of the original Le Male and then JPG released the follow-up, Le Male Elixir Absolu. This series just keeps producing hits.

So today, I wanted to compare Absolu to another favorite fragrance from this line, Ultra Male. How do they compare? Which smells better? Which lasts longer? Which is the better buy?


Tale of the Tape: Ultra Male vs. Le Male Elixir Absolu

Ultra Male

Notes include: vanilla, pear, amber, woods, cinnamon, cumin, sage, lavender, mint

Read my review: Ultra Male

Click here to try: Ultra 


Elixir Absolu

Notes include: lavender, tonka bean, plum

Click here to try: Le Male Elixir Absolu


Opening

Ultra Male is noticeably missing the same level of powdery quality as the original Le Male and has a sugary sweetness like Elixir. But with an added pear note.

What it does have is a burst of initial spice, mainly from the cinnamon note. Pear, vanilla, and light citrus round it out and give it a bubble gum-like aroma.

It packs a punch and is thoroughly enjoyable.

Elixir Absolu drops the mint note from the original Elixir. Instead, you get plenty of lavender with some warmer spice and the new addition of a plum note.

The plum actually isn’t too heavy at the start for me. It’s also less tart and sweeter than I expected.

I’m not sure what the spice is here. Kind of smells like cumin mixed with a bit of cinnamon.

Lavender is a stronger focus with Le Male Elixir Absolu. There might be some iris in here or it’s just how the lavender and tonka bean are coming across.

Which start do I like more?

I’ll go with Ultra Male. Elixir Absolu isn’t at its best upon first spraying, it does take some time to settle into a better fragrance. I think the opening act is its weak spot, which isn’t the case for Ultra.

Edge: Ultra


Projection

I am going off of the bottles that I own of each of these fragrances. My bottle of Ultra Male is from years ago, so, I don’t know if the performance has weakened since (I haven’t read anything about it) then.

Ultra Male has a fresh element to it, but it is a heavier scent that creates a massive cloud and projects like crazy. Really, it’s an absolute monster for a designer cologne. Probably the strongest of all that I own, at the moment.

Is it an easy win for Ultra? It’s a win, but not easy. Le Male Elixir Absolu is also very powerful, pretty much the same as the original Elixir. If you’ve tried that one, expect more of the same. 

I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with what either of these two brings to the table. However, one clearly has an edge, and it’s Ultra Male.

Edge: Ultra Male


Longevity

Ultra Male at the low end lasts 9 hours for me. At the higher end, well into double digit hours. Most of the time, it goes towards the 12 hour mark. The last few times that I’ve worn Ultra Male, that’s what its done.

Elixir Absolu matches the original Elixir with a 9-10.5 hour time frame. It’s no slouch with how it performs in comparison. A very good designer cologne, in this respect.

It’s a close contest between these two, but Ultra seems to have the edge at the high end. It can add a few more hours on top of what its competitor is capable of. 

Edge: Ultra


Versatility

This is a category, where I think Elixir Absolu has more of an edge.

Neither of these fragrances is formal. Both are best in autumn and winter. In that sense, they are similar.

But, I think that Elixir Absolu would be the better daily wear scent between them. I’ve always liked Ultra Male as more of a nightlife scent, when I want something fun and powerful to spray on.

Each of them also lean much more youthful, in how they come across. But, I think the Elixir version has more refinement when compared to Ultra. I’ll give it this category.

Edge: Elixir Absolu


Overall Scent

Overall, which of these two scents do I enjoy more? It’s a close call, because as of now, these are my two personal favorite colognes from this line. I own bottles of each of them and obviously wear them around quite a bit.

In comparison, I still think that I prefer wearing Ultra Male a bit more than Le Male Elixir Absolu. It’s not a massive advantage, but I still think there is a bit of a separation for me.

The opening is better, a tad greater performance, and I think it holds on to its top spot throughout when compared to the high marks of Absolu. 

Elixir Absolu is quite nice in its dry down phase, which is why it rose so quickly on my list. Both of these are bold and fragrances that might not be the best picks for some people. For instance, if you’re looking for something more suitable for professional environments, neither of these is going to be ideal.

Winner: Ultra Male

Le Male Elixir Absolu Vs SWY Intensely

Le Male Elixir Absolu follows on the heels of the very popular Elixir, as a part of the best-selling Le Male series from Jean Paul Gaultier. It’s entry as a bold and somewhat sweet cologne, is naturally going to draw plenty of comparisons with the other usual cold weather choices.

Stronger with You Intensely by Emporio Armani, is one of those usual choices. But, which of these men’s fragrances is actually better? Which lasts longer


Tale of the Tape: SWY Intensely vs. Elixir Absolu

Stronger With You Intensely

Notes include: pink pepper, cinnamon, toffee, lavender, sage, suede, amber, violet, vetiver

Click here to try: Intensely

My Full Review: Stronger with You Intensely


Le Male Elixir Absolu

Notes include: lavender, tonka bean, plum

Click here to try: Le Male Elixir Absolu

Read my review: Elixir Absolu


Opening

Stronger With You Intensely opens with spice as well, though it’s warmer here and doesn’t linger as long as in the original. Pink pepper really takes the spotlight, with cinnamon and sage rounding out the blend.

I notice the sweetness in Intensely shows up earlier. That toffee accord mixing with cinnamon and caramel really gives Intensely a more energetic personality.

Elixir Absolu opens differently yet familiarly compared to the original JPG Le Male Elixir. It drops the cooling mint note. Instead, you get plenty of lavender with some warmer spice and the new addition of sweet plum.

The plum actually isn’t too heavy at the start for me. It’s much less tart and sweeter than I expected it would be.

I’m not sure what the spice is here. It kind of smells like cumin mixed with a touch of cinnamon. The plum can carry a bit of spicy character too, but I’m personally getting cumin.

Lavender is the main focus with Le Male Elixir Absolu. What’s interesting is I get the sense of iris floating around in this mix. Haven’t seen anything from Gaultier mentioning this though.

Which is better? 

The opening for sure goes to the Stronger with You. While I like Absolu overall as a fragrance, the opening act is kind of messy and probably its worst part.

Edge: Intensely


Projection

This is a pretty close call. Both of these fragrances are quite powerful, have a large projection and a heavier dense feeling at times while wearing them.

I might give the edge to Elixir Absolu, as I think that it might have a slightly farther reach with how it projects. But, they’re about the same in my experience.

Edge: Push


Longevity

I get 11-12 hours with SWY Intensely. It’s a really great performer for a designer fragrance.

Does Absolu go beyond that? No, but it gets somewhat close, at least closer than many other colognes would. With the Gaultier, I get 9-10.5 hours of total wear from it. Still really good, just doesn’t hit the same level.

So, the Armani has the definite edge in longevity, with about equal projecting power.

Edge: Intensely


Versatility

Both of these fragrances are best worn autumn through early to mid-spring. Elixir Absolu isn’t as thick or cloying as the original Elixir can be, but it’s not exactly light either.

Within that, though, I think that SWY Intensely is the better option for date night or some other nightlife event versus Absolu. Neither is a formal sort of fragrance, but I think that the Armani can fit in better on a day to day basis.

Not a massive difference, but Intensely has the edge.

Edge: Intensely


Overall Scent

Overall, which of these two fragrance do I prefer?

Le Male Elixir Absolu has quickly become one of my favorites from JPG. The opening act is a bit rough, but the dry down is quite good and something that I have enjoyed wearing.

I started wearing it almost exclusively versus the original Le Male Elixir. It’s smooth, sweet, and the lavender with a touch of plum is great. The performance is also great.

However, in comparison to Stronger with You Intensely, I don’t the Absolu is as good. The Armani is more versatile, is more consistent, has a bit better performance, and I think smells slightly more appealing than the Gaultier cologne.

Intensely is the best from the SWY series, in my opinion, and is also going to be the better choice for most men here.

Winner: Stronger with You Intensely

Best Le Male by JPG Fragrances (Ranked)

Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier is a series that has been going for about 30 years, at this point. In that time, the brand has released plenty of new editions or special bottles under this fragrance title.

While most of these scents are no longer available on the market, there are some which are more recent, that can be tracked down. On this page, I want to rank the Le Male colognes that I have reviewed on the site, and update it as newer releases emerge. 


Best Le Male Colognes (Ranked)

Still My Favorite

Ultra Male– This one is not going to be a daily wear for most. Even for me, it’s one that I only go to on occasion, and for that reason it may not be the one that you buy. But, I do still think it’s my favorite.

Ultra Male represents a lot of the qualities that I like about JPG colognes. It’s bold, out there, and doesn’t  need to be a signature scent. I’ll wear something else for the day to day, but I want some fragrances in my collection that hit hard and are borderline obnoxious.

Ultra gives you a massive pear and cinnamon combination. It’s sweet and spicy and fills up a room. I’ve got an older bottle, so, I’m not sure if they’ve toned it down in more recent bottles…but this is very potent juice.

Lavender, mint, and vanilla also come through. Later, the lavender and vanilla are the main attractions, along with some amber.

Ultra Male isn’t the Gaultier for everyone or every use case, despite its popularity. Though, it’s a very good release for what it is. Ultra Male review


A Better Elixir

Le Male Elixir Absolu– Yep, this has already climbed up to the second spot on my list of favorite Le Male fragrances. I’m not sure if this one has gotten a positive reception since its release, but I wear this one way more often than the original Elixir.

Admittedly, the opening is kind of shaky and not my favorite. Once we get into things, I think Elixir Absolu really starts to shine, and I thoroughly enjoy wearing this.

This one opens with lavender as the big player, along with some warmer spice, and the plummy sweetness. Now, it’s not a juicy plum note, it’s subtle but present.

Lavender, tonka bean, and some smooth sweetness highlights most of the wear. Performance is great and it’s a better formula than the first Elixir. Elixir Absolu review


Best Daily Wear

Le Male Le Parfum– This is the one to go with, if you want something that’s going to be an easy to wear and attractive cologne for day and night use.

It opens with a prominent cardamom note and some other spice (pretty sure it’s cinnamon). Lavender and vanilla already begin to emerge. However, early on the iris is the main focus of this scent.

The dry down? Lavender, vanilla, and amber.

This is a really good cologne for most guys. It’s an easy no brainer sort of wear. There are plenty of other iris fragrance options. A more recent release, Society Extreme, is one that I bought and like more than this Gaultier.

Yet, I have to give this one its due, even if I tend to like the bolder Le Male scents. Le Parfum review


First Elixir

Le Male Elixir– I’m going to put Elixir here. It’s still one that I like, but Elixir Absolu has pulled away as my favorite between them, to the point that I barely spray this one on anymore.

This is still likeable, but you’re going to have to appreciate a very sweet and loud sort of cologne. This one is warmer and thicker, with its honey note and amber. Yet, it has a cooling spiced opening act with mint.

Lavender, honey, amber, tobacco, and tonka bean are major players here. The scent does develop and has different facets to enjoy during the wear. I’d like Absolu more, but some of you might still want to go with this one. Le Male Elixir review


Lover

Le Male Lover– I don’t have too much experience with this one. But, when I tried it out, I liked what it does. If you don’t like the Elixir entries to this series, Le Male Lover could be a good alternative for you.

It’s a better version of Le Male In the Navy. More complex with a better use of vanilla and the oceanic accord. In the Navy feels much thinner and has less going on than does Lover.

Based on my limited testing with this, I’d put it about equal with the original Le Male. It’s good, maybe I’d find it to be a notch below, if I gave it some more time. But, if you find it at a discounter, I think it can be a good pick up.


The Original

Le Male– I’ve gone through so many periods over the years of loving this fragrance and then not wanting to wear it at all. That’s basically what happened again with my latest smaller bottle of Le Male.

Yes, it’s the original. Yes, it’s a classic. It still has its positives and can be worth it, but I’m not always enamored with the result.

It opens up spicy and with its vanilla already coming out and never leaving. It’s a mix of coolness and warmth, before the smoother lavender and vanilla blend really take hold. Orange blossom is another floral note in the mix.

At times, Le Male is creamy, but it does have more of a powdery finish overall. Still a nice buy. Le Male review


Not so Terrible

Le Male Terrible– You probably won’t find many bottles of Le Male Terrible still around, but just in case, I’ll put it on the list since I’ve already reviewed it. It came out back in 2010.

Overall? It’s pretty good. Quite similar to the original Le Male, but Terrible opens up with pink pepper in lieu of the mint note, along with a grapefruit.

Cardamom is also missing from the mix. Lavender and vanilla are still the leads with this one. However, vetiver, pink pepper, and amber also lend support to make it more of a unique blend.

If you can find this for really cheap and want a different take on Le Male EDT, it warrants a try. Anything above $50-60? I’d almost certainly pass. Le Male Terrible review


Fly with JPG

Le Male Airlines– Airlines had potential. The opening act with the cardamom is really attractive. Much of the time, this one feels like a relative of 1 Million Royal. Overall, it’s a nice cologne, just not one that you need to have.

My bottle was $30 or so, a few years ago. Even with that being the case, I don’t wear Le Male Airlines very often. I wore it a few times in autumn and winter, just to go walk outside with.

Light citrus and artemisia break up the usual Le Male pacing. The Cardamom is really amped up here, but it still has the familiar mint and cinnamon combination in the blend.

The back half is less fresh and spicy. It’s cooler and softer, with the lavender and some woods taking hold of the composition. Airlines review


On the Ocean

Le Male in the Navy– I’m not sure if bottles of In the Navy are still easy to find a decent price, but honestly, don’t bother. This isn’t a worthwhile fragrance and I would rather wear Airlines versus this, any day of the week.

Peppermint, vanilla, ambergris, and an oceanic accord. I thought that it might have some style with its simplicity, but was ultimately disappointed.

I do like the peppermint in the beginning, but the rest of the way its a watery mix of vanilla and ambergris. Nothing too spectacular here and not one to track down. In the Navy review

Ranking Le Beau by JPG Fragrances

Le Beau is a much newer line than the more popular Le Male fragrances by Gaultier. But, they have become quite popular in their own right. The question is, what is the best smelling Le Beau from JPG? Or better yet, which is the top option for you?

On this page, I keep track of these scents and rank each of them from first to my least favorite.


Ranking JPG Le Beau Colognes


Trip to Paradise

Paradise Garden– The tropical summertime theme may limit its use case for a lot of people. However, in terms of how each of these colognes smells, Paradise Garden is my favorite from this line.

The opening blends sweetness, freshness, a cooling spice, and an aquatic quality throughout. It carries a greenish aroma from the fig that pairs beautifully with the coconut, and I personally detect a substantial dose of the ginger note.

The fig leans more toward the fruit rather than the leaf, though it seems like you get a blend of both parts. Sweet and green.

Salt? Not too much that I can detect.

While the coconut has a more watery quality, there’s still some creaminess to the mixture. Nice support from sandalwood, fig, and tonka bean ensures this.

I get more of the sandalwood during the dry down period. Really nice performance, too. Le Beau Paradise Garden review


Pineapple, Coconut, Creamy

Le Beau Le Parfum– Le Parfum, to me, is a much more interesting variant of the original Le Beau formula. More depth and almost as good as Paradise Garden.

At first,  I get a really tropical vibe with the pineapple coming out of the gate strong and the coconut note sitting underneath. It’s juicy, creamy, and sweet with an added light spicy kick from the ginger note.

The ginger will fall away and the pineapple will lose its prominence at the top. Coconut, tonka bean, amber, and a general set of woods will dry this one up and take away the juiciness of that tropical vibe, at least.

It’s crazy how quickly that aspect fades from the picture. Sure, that sweetness stays around for the duration, just not in the same way.

Sandalwood and the tonka bean really do assist a lot at adding the creamy finish to this one. Le Parfum review


Flowers Everywhere

Le Beau Flower Edition– This one is going to have a lot more of a narrow reach in terms of its fans. This is due to its floral composition. While not completely amazing, I actually have enjoyed this release from JPG.

Le Beau Flower Edition starts off being sweet, fruity, green, and fresh. I was hesitant about this one when I saw that it had a violet or violet leaf note.

This, along with the kumquat and slight lemon pairing up top is surprisingly good. It replaces the coconut note found in other Le Beau releases.

Kumquat is a note that’s not used too often, but I don’t think either this or the violet takes over completely in this early stage. I did think that this one might be a lot fresher than it is.

It’s there for sure, but once the kumquat starts to fade, there is a somewhat musky/greenish transition before it settles into a violet led ending. Flower Edition full review


The Original

Le Beau EDT– I don’t find this one to be bad, but Le Beau EDT is my least favorite of the bunch.

Le Beau EDT starts off with its citrus and coconut wood blended together. It’s got a fresh and blue sort of tone to it in the opening. Pretty simple up top.

To me, this one really gets going once the tonka bean note has ramped up and the bergamot has settled. That’s when the creaminess of the fragrance unfolds.

Le Beau EDT, again, is a likeable cologne. As a daily wear for younger guys, it works well. The opening act isn’t great, but that dry down is pretty nice with the tonka bean and wood coming through more.