Uomo EDT by Valentino

In this review, I’m going to be taking a closer look at a fragrance, that I’ve been meaning to try out for a long while but never really got around to doing so: 2014 release, Uomo EDT by Valentino. As usual, I am going to be going over the notes, how it smells, when it should be worn, and ultimately if it is worth a buy or not. Note: I originally reviewed this years ago and have updated since.

What does Uomo by Valentino Smell Like?

Notes include: myrtle, bergamot, leather, coffee, cedar, gianduja cream

Click here to try: Valentino Uomo FOR MEN by Valentino – 3.4 oz EDT Spray

My Full Uomo Review

The opening of Uomo by Valentino is awesome. Now, Dior Homme Intense, has long held my top spot for best opening act, but I think it’s got some real competition with this one. It starts off with a juicy and slightly sour bergamot that is paired with gianduja cream (smells like hazelnut), along with some myrtle.

This trio is utter heaven and I wouldn’t have ever thought to pair such things.

Further along, I begin to get a lot more similarities with the original Dior Homme, which explains why I’m digging this Valentino so much (because I wear Dior Homme often). Mostly this is from the cedar note, floral note (myrtle instead of iris) and the warm sweetness, which here is a mix of the gianduja and roasted coffee.

However, even with their similarities, those two fragrances are still quite distinct from one another. It’s mostly a similar vibe shared. There is also a similarity with 1 Million Lucky, due to the hazelnut, albeit this is much more mature, and less tart sans plum.

So, as the scent dries down, I get less of the bergamot (which is great) and more leather and the coffee note. It all comes together a very smooth and sort of has a chocolaty aroma to it, which is another Dior similarity.

Very delicious gourmand cologne, that blends sweet, warmth, smooth, and fresh together wonderfully.

Ultimately, what I get from Uomo is the hazelnut aroma, leather, bergamot, and the smell of roasted coffee. It’s sweet and inviting, while staying completely classy.

Fairly late into the wear, the citrus seems to make a comeback in the composition, and it’s like a different variation of the opening. It’s a good blend with the hint of coffee that is still hanging around.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Uomo starts off pretty strong, but it quickly moves to be a moderate within an hour. The sillage isn’t going to hit across the room, but people will be able to smell it around you. Above average, just not extreme or super bold.

The longevity is somewhere around 7 hours, maybe an hour more or less, depending on the climate. Not really great, but definitely serviceable. A few more hours with decent sillage and this Valentino would be an absolute gem…though, it’s still awesome.

Seasonally, mostly for autumn and winter, but like the Dior’s this one can be perfectly fine in the springtime. It’s not a really heavy scent that can only come out for two months of the year, but not really a summer wear, in the slightest.

Yes, it is safe to wear at work or casually. Even if it’s not a club beast, I still want to wear it out at night, because it strikes me as so attractive and sexy in a refined way. Very attractive and one that can grab complements, especially in those early stages.

Overall Impressions of Uomo

Overall, do I like Uomo by Valentino? Obviously, yes. I think that it is a fantastic cologne and I am really tempted to get a full bottle, even if I don’t have the need for any other scents right now.

Update: Years later, in 2022, I finally did pick up a full bottle of this that I saw in a department store. This and Oajan, became two of the colognes that I wore a lot over the following autumn and winter. I still enjoy wearing this fairly often, even if I’m not quite as enthusiastic as I initially was. Still very worth checking out.

The opening of bergamot, myrtle, and the gianduja cream is one of the best that I’ve ever come across. I do, however, really like this style personally. I cannot guarantee, everyone else will agree.

Beyond that, it has a great roasted coffee note and cedar at its base. The whole thing is well blended and a joy for me to wear. Yes, it has a lot of similarities with Dior Homme, but it is still quite distinct from anything else.

My only real gripe is that the performance isn’t superb, but still above average. This is wonderful overall, though.

The score gets docked due to the longevity and how much it has resemblance to plenty of other fragrances, mainly the old Dior Homme series. On smell alone? It’s great.

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.