Fragrance Reviews
Fragrance Reviews by JDBIII
Showing all 43 reviews
Armani Privé Vétiver Babylone by Giorgio Armani
Vetiver? What vetiver? I am so tired of peculiar citrus blends calling themselves "vetiver." This is yet another rip off of Ellena's Jardin series. This one is more powdery and lacks the zing of the original. It is nicely balanced and totally inoffensive, but at this price, I want much more, especially some vetiver. It's not that there isn't enough vetiver; there is no detectable vetiver at all! Give me a break.
24 September 2008
UDV Fun by Ulric de Varens
Thank God it's discontinued. One of the worst fragrances ever. I couldn't wash it off fast enough.
27 June 2008
Rectoverso Man Tea Tobacco by Ulric de Varens
Wow! What a surprise. The only other UdV i had smelled previously was FUN, and I hated it. Really hated it. But based on the reviews here I bought a bottle of Tea Tobacco. I love it. Citrusy and rich and just purely enjoyable. Luca Turin probably poo-poos it, but it sits on my skin beautifully. I can't stop sniffing it. What a shame that it is already discontinued. Grab a bottle while you can.
27 June 2008
Halston Z-14 by Halston
I owned this scent in the early 80's and thought, at the time, it was pretty good. I recently purchased a new bottle and was not disappointed. I have sniffed many fragrances since that first bottle, but Z-14 has held up admirably. It is masculine without being overwhelming, warm without being sweet and complex without giving you a headache (see Quorum). The slight nostalgia doesn't hurt either. I prefer this scent in cool weather, but it is also good for the office and evenings.
03 June 2008
Yatagan by Caron
My skin eats up fragrance, so i typically hunt for heavy ones that stand a chance of lasting long enough for a drydown. I was intrigued by the reviews for Yatagan, so I bought a bottle and squirted it on. What a surprise. No horrid notes. Nothing overwhelming. Just a very nice herb/ wood/ leather scent. It was fairly linear in the drydown, leaning toward sweetness at the very end. I could see wearing this fairly often, even to the office.
03 June 2008
B*Men by Thierry Mugler
I like A*MEN, but I like this even better. Sad to hear it has been discontinued.
05 May 2008
Sandalo Per Teti by Laura Tonatto
On me, this scent is totally citrus. However, it is not necessarily a summer scent; too quirky. It is rich and very pleasant, and, perhaps because of the sandalwood, lasts much longer than most of my citruses. I could wear SPT anywhere but would probably choose something else for evening.
23 April 2008
Spicy Oriental by Pecksniff's
Not bad, but smells surprisingly similar to Bulgari Black. It is perhaps a bit drier and rougher. I would only wear this frag in the evening. I purchased a set with shower gel and shaving balm, both of which are too strong for me to use. A well made scent, but I recommend caution.
25 October 2007
Vicolo Fiori by Etro
I have never worn VdF, but I have given it to two women who wear it for me, and it is so charming. It doesn't really break any new ground, but it is balanced and nice. I don't get a synthetic feel, however, it is cooler than most florals I have sniffed and a bit linear. It is classy but simple.
11 October 2007
Sandalo by Etro
The woman who works in the office next to mine says it smells like sex every time I wear it. I think she means that in a good way. Maybe it's not the best scent for work, but god it makes me feel good every time I sniff it.
11 October 2007
Passage d'Enfer by L'Artisan Parfumeur
Passage D'Enfer or Messe de Minuit? Both are excellent but so different. I would wear Passage with a crisp suit to a business meeting. After the meeting, I would join a few friends and sip noilly prat. The scent is clean and light, despite the name. Sillage is minimal but staying power is good. MdM, on the other hand, is darker, much darker. I find great comfort in it. It has better sillage than Passage, and I prefer it with red wine and roasted meat. Each holds an honored place in my wardrobe.
24 June 2007
Dior Homme by Christian Dior
Sweet,powdery, gourmand, long-lasting. Yes, I agree with most of what has been said. It is a unique scent. The first time I tried it I admired the novelty. The second time I tried it I appreciated the subtlety of the mix and the duration of the drydown. But by the third time, I realized it was going to make me sick to my stomach every single time. Three strikes - you're OUT!
29 April 2007
The Dreamer by Versace
This is totally unique. It is very rich and deep and is quite dry on me. It reminds me of dark, bitter chocolate on an arid day. Very masculine. Most of my friends don't care for it. It is quite strong so hold it a good distance when you spritz.
22 January 2007
Dolce Vita by Christian Dior
I find this scent graceful and elegant. Yes, it might be a bit sweet for a man to wear, but I just can't help myself; it smells great on me! There is a deep quality to it, a serious atmosphere, that seems quite unisex to me. Give it a try.
22 January 2007
Olène by Diptyque
Very synthetic in my opinion. And, unattractive as well. It continued to worsen with the drydown. Such a shame.
22 January 2007
Oyédo by Diptyque
Well, it started out like candy, and that didn't bother me too much. Then, it went away completely, and that didn't bother me too much. Then it came back with a vengeance, the herbal accord smelling like intense BO, and it wouldn't go away. And, that really bothered me. So, I tried it again, and I suffered through the same terrifying experience. This is my first Diptyque scent, so I guess there is nowhere to go but up.
11 December 2006
Gomma by Etro
Everyone keeps mentioning leather, but I smell rubber. It smells like erasers. I loved the smell of erasers when I was a student, and I guess I still do. I thought this would be overpowering when I first bought it, but the drydown brought out warmth and subtlety, so I wear it at both work and play. It is straightforward, simple, and not sweet. Although, it is not dry either. I have not smelled it on a woman yet, but imagine it might be stunning.
11 December 2006
Zizanie by Fragonard
I found this cologne while babysitting the neighbors' children in 1972. Yes, I was snooping in the bathroom. It was the first time I realized that men's colognes didn't have to smell like Aqua Velva. I was hooked and never forgot the scent. I bought my first bottle in 1980 and have had one with me ever since. I don't wear it too often anymore, but i also don't want to be without it. It is powdery and sweet. Others have tried to copy it, but IMHO, it remains unique.
06 November 2006
Opium by Yves Saint Laurent
My God, this is amazing. So warm and comforting but with an edge that makes it oh so sexy. I know this is for the ladies, but after smelling it on my best friend's wife, I had to buy a bottle for myself. I haven't been brave enough to wear it out in public yet, but it can totally turn my boring evenings at home into something special. A glass of red wine, my favorite cardigan, a special DVD, and Opium. Mr. Roger's eat your heart out.
26 September 2006
Comme des Garçons Cologne by Comme des Garçons
OK,well,yes it's spicy. And full and rich and unusual. I love it when I first apply it, but it doesn't change much. A friend asked me why I smelled like Christmas. So, the novelty excites me, but perhaps a bit more subtlety. Great for a twentysomething guy with lots of energy and high self-esteem.
26 September 2006
GF Ferré Lui / Him by Gianfranco Ferré
I think of this as a warm weather scent. The opening cardamon note is bracing but not overpowering or harsh. The scent is fresh and clean and without any of those ridiculous "aquatic" notes. The scent is nice but not great.
27 September 2006
Vintage by John Varvatos
What a HUGE disappointment. This smells like 45 other mens fragrances. To put it simply, it reeks of dog piss from beginning to end, which, by the way, doesn't come near soon enough.
27 September 2006
Heliotrope by Etro
I love Etro scents. So, I bought Heliotrope without even sniffing it. That was a mistake. I suppose every fragrance house has to make at least one thing I will detest, and this is the one for Etro. It begins WAY TOO STRONG. It made me sick. Two hours later, it had settled enough for me to appreciate some subtlety. I don't have the patience or the stomach to try it again, so I gave it away. Better luck next time, Etro. I still love you.
21 April 2006
Sandalo by Lorenzo Villoresi
Gorgeous, rich, beautiful sandalwood in a mysterious blend. The ingredients are somehow familiar but just out of touch. Like other LV scents, this one is not afraid to make a statement, and I prefer to wear it in the evening. Don't get me wrong. You can wear it to work, but it is so rich and delicious you will spend most of the day sniffing yourself, and that could lead to trouble, at least where I work. It isn't cheap, but I splurged on a bottle and couldn't be happier.
21 April 2006
Cannelle Orange by L'Occitane
This is, without a doubt, the most unattractive and painful fragrance I have ever experienced. It smelled like hell on me and my friends who were brave enough to try it. I tried to give it away, but no one would take it. I finally left it at my sister's house and ran away.
21 April 2006
Comme des Garçons 2 by Comme des Garçons
Totally unique. This is quite strong on me and changes very little on the drydown. I easily get eight hours of wear out of it. People seem to love it or hate it. One friend said it smelled like the ocean, while another found it quite sweet. I don't wear it often, but when the mood is right it is a unique accompaniment to the day.
15 January 2006
Vetiver by Lorenzo Villoresi
Wow. What a surprise. I have never smelled anything like this. This fragrance is rich and warm and takes the vetiver full throttle. Guerlain and Carven call theirs vetiver but then try to cover it up. Not Villoresi. If you love vetiver, this is a must.
15 January 2006
Mahogany by Etro
When I first put it on it smells acidic and pungent, like walking into a lumber yard. So, I always put it on about 30 minutes before leaving the house. The drydown is unexpected. The woody richness climbs up very slowly and remains subtle throughout. Very unique.
06 December 2005
Barbier des Isles by Comptoir Sud Pacifique
If you like Aramis, you will love this. The Aramis is a bit sweeter. What a rip off.
06 December 2005
Quercus by Penhaligon's
I love this scent. It is clean and crisp. I can wear it anywhere, any season. I would describe it as a woody scent but by no means overbearing or heavy. It is the only fragrance that has a permanent place in my travel bag.
28 August 2005
Bulgari Aqua pour Homme by Bulgari
I have loved all the Bulgari scents, so I rushed out and bought Aqva. Sadly, like many other mens scents on the market, it has an ingredient that turns into cat piss on me. Chanel Allure does the same thing but much worse. I don't know what the ingredient is, but someone please tell me so I don't have to suffer this again. I hate giving Bvlgari a bad review, as they have done such an excellent job up to this point, but I simply can't tolerate this scent.
16 August 2005
Bulgari pour Homme by Bulgari
This has to be one of the premier mens scents. I have never smelled anything quite so fragile and ethereal and yet sublimely masculine. Each note makes a solo appearance over time, but the dance of this fragrance is greater than any solo note. It swirls and settles then swirls again. It moves from warm to warmer but always clean never cloying. I find that I have to refresh after four hours, but what a joy to start over again. A classic, I pray it never goes out of production.
16 August 2005
Marc Jacobs for Men by Marc Jacobs
I enjoy this scent, but Salvatore Ferragamo did it much better. He gave it a twist and more complexity.
16 August 2005
Brit for Men by Burberry
I was a fool. I sprayed this on paper instead of my arm at the store. I cannot wear this scent. It makes me a bit ill as it dries down. It is rich and powdery and sweet. I can't pinpoint what I dislike so, perhaps the cedar/nutmeg combination. Be sure to wear it before you buy it.
16 August 2005
Vetiver by Etro
The best Vetiver on the market. Rich, deep, and dark. If you like to move about under the radar, this is not the scent for you. On me, it starts strong and raw but gains in richness and complexity during the drydown
16 August 2005
Messe de Minuit by Etro
Everything you have read about this scent is true. My friends either love it or hate it. I love it. Yes, it smells churchy. On me it is so warm. I love to wear it on rainy days when I don't have to leave the house, and I can curl up with a good book and a fresh cup of coffee. Truly comforting. It is also great for evening wear. More opera than disco in style. Great staying power as well.
16 August 2005
Etra by Etro
Another masterpiece from ETRO. Who creates treir scents? Some secret genius, I suppose. Etra is neither sweet or floral on me. Instead, it has a sharp, peppery edge that really puts the flowers and vanilla in their place. It is great anytime of year and is especially provocative in the Autumn when the warmth of my clothing seems to heighten it's richness. It smells great on women too, and they never fail to notice when I wear it. An excellent, unique scent
16 August 2005
Palais Jamais by Etro
This is the scent by which I have come to judge all others. For sheer bravado, nothing beats this. The French may have the subtlety, but the Italians certainly have the gusto. Describing this scent as a smoky floral is way too simplistic. It is rich and scary and delicious. I would not wear it to a job interview. I wear it when i am feeling my most confident. It seems to bolster my self-esteem. How many scents can do that?
16 August 2005
Eau d'Hermès by Hermès
So unusual. On me, the spice comes out first and seems to warm up the air around me. Then the floral elements sneak in and toy with me a bit. The diverse elements blend beautifully in the drydown providing a calm, subtle, and unique scent.
16 August 2005
Un Jardin en Méditerranée by Hermès
What an amazing scent. It truly is a garden that changes as I walk through it. Citrus, herbs, floral, resins, and the bright sun; it's all there. I'm usually a rainy day kind of guy, but this could bring me out into the fresh air.
16 August 2005
Un Jardin sur le Nil by Hermès
I was very excited about this scent. Definite mango. Immediately yummy. Unfortunately, on me it began to smell like bug repellant and disappeared within an hour. But I still love the fresh scent, so I spray it on my pillow cases and spreads. It smells incredible on two of my friends.
16 August 2005











