Perfume Reviews by markc
Sous Le Vent by Guerlain
I received a sample of this from a Guerlain boutique, and I wasn't expecting to like it. However, this is definitely a feminine perfume a man shouldn't have trouble pulling off. Green turning to floral it develops nicely. It is pretty close to the skin though, but it's worth a try if you find a sample.
Messe de Minuit by Etro
Some get Church Incense, some get old damp books, but I think most of what I get is musty basement, or what I would imagine an old abandoned (not tourist) castle would smell like. I love it. No, it's not for everyday wear, but it just seems very nostalgic. Super longevity, if this is Etro's EDC then if they had an EDP that would be scary. Very weird in a good way for me.
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Black Aoud by Montale
Black Aoud has two major things going for it in my book. It is not hard to detect, and people absolutely notice and love it. I just wish I loved it. I find it pretty simple. I don't find it as magnificent as others. I really think Attar is way more interesting. But due to the two pluses for me, I won't swap it...yet (which I know would be extremely easy to do.)
Attar by Montale
Very appealing. Beautiful Rose/Oud combination. Very good sillage, and outstanding longevity. This leans to the masculine side and just smells very romantic. It would be great for a date to the drive-in movie after dinner at a restaurant. I recommend and it near the top of my wish list.
L'Anarchiste by Caron
Very original, but ultimately not one I'll buy again. I love the Top Notes, I do get that weird blood, clove, metallic feel. I hate the middle notes. These are also strange, but to me unpleasant. I really doubt it's the cedar, because I'm a huge fan of cedar. Finally, it dries down to musk. I do like it enough not to put on my swap list, but don't find it good enough to buy another bottle when this one's empty. Slightly above average longevity, and average sillage for me.
Aoud Pur Oriental by Montale
My favorite Montale. Oud, oud, and more oud. It's in the same vicinity as M7, but much drier, and with just the right amount of Frankincense. I've not tried any Oud oils, so I wouldn't know how to compare. This wasn't for sale very long, and I'm very happy my favorite BNer was willing to sell me this prized bottle.
Kouros Cologne Sport by Yves Saint Laurent
The dry down is a bit musky. I really feel for me this is a comfort scent. It does relax me. My favorite of the Kouros's.
Patou pour Homme (original) by Jean Patou
Ok, I hope I don't offend the legion of Patou Pour Homme admirers. I find it very good. I was trying to think of what this might compare to that I know, and the best I can do is it may be the more formal version of RL Safari. It exudes class. Very good longevity, decent sillage.However, the part where I hope does not offend. I realize this is discontinued. I love it but would not consider buying it at the pretty much $200 it's being sold at if you can find it. So, in essence I think it's great but not that great. I do wonder what it sold for when it was in production.
L'Homme de Coeur by Divine
Superb iris as others have described. Masculine. Very very close to the skin. Would be bottle worthy if it projected more.
Virgin Island Water by Creed
I'm glad I waited through 3 full wearings to put down my opinion here. I'm liking it more and more and also finding the longevity is pretty good, especially for a Creed. The first time I thought I was getting coconut and not much more, but now I'm getting more of the lime and some rum too. Overall I am starting to enjoy this.
Parfum d'Habit by Maître Parfumeur et Gantier
Dueling notes? Green? Earthy? Booze? Leather? All come to the party but none really dominate. I have to say this one works for me. The only thing keeping it out of my top 10 is less than average sillage and longevity.
Acqua di Cuba by Santa Maria Novella
Very close in my opinion to the smell of a lit cigar. This has great sillage and amazing longevity. This is a very strong tobacco frag. Unfortunately my wife despises it. I love it but don't absolutely love it that I couldn't do without it. Therefore, I am reluctantly moving to my swaplist. This is one if the few she makes just a hideous face at saying it reeks of piss.
Series 2 Red : Sequoia by Comme des Garçons
I like it (hence the thumbs up), but wish it projected more, and wish I got more wood out of it. It is very sweet as some have mentioned. I really don't think it is named very well. I would love to have something that evokes the redwood forest among the giant sequoias but this one just isn't it.
Costes by Hôtel Costes
Very nice. Spice, Clove, a bit of florals. I did walk past the Hotel Costes earlier this year. I should have stepped in to compare.
Cristobal pour Homme by Balenciaga
Take the vanilla out add some incense and cedar and this would be pretty similar in my opinion to Azzaro Visit. I do see some similarities to Body Kouros as others do. I will say that it really warms the skin. If I didn't already have over 160 bottles in my wardrobe, I probably would spring for a bottle of this. It is a very nice price. Try it you might like it.
Play by Comme des Garçons
Pretty true to the notes listed. I got much of the Bitter Orange, lime, and sea notes. It is unique, especially for a citrus type scent. That said, I'm not a citrus type fan, but if I was I would definitely try. Pretty good longevity too for a citrus.
Curve for Men by Liz Claiborne
In the 90's it wasn't so bad, but today after experiencing over 500 others, this just seems so generic. I have a buddy who wears only this and one other (Nautica), and I can always smell him coming without even looking at him. Should I give the rest of my bottle to him? I see him a couple of times a week, so it's kind of a dilemma. This is one of the worst in my wardrobe, but if I gave it away, I would be subjected to it about 100 times a year. It's not terrible, just boring and generic.
Chergui by Serge Lutens
I don't deny the beauty of Chergui. It is a very nicely constructed blend of honey, hay, amber, and some nice floral notes. However, I honestly find it hard to believe that is is one of the absolute favorites here if not the favorite on the entire site. This is extremely close to the skin. I completely 100% understand that some, if not most don't want to be too loud with too much projection so everyone within 20 feet of you can smell you. However, at this price tag, I really don't want to bury my nose to my wrist to try and detect it. I for one believe most Lutens' are way too potent (Arabie, Miel de Bois, etc), but this one is just way too weak. If this had let's say average sillage, it would be in my wardrobe in a second.
Black by Bulgari
Extraordinary. I honestly cannot believe there are so many different very wide ranging opinions out there. This has been my absolute favorite since first buying it in 1999. Not many others as distinct or unique. From reading some previous reviews, I'm convinced that people are smelling only what they want to smell. I definitely smell rubber, black tea, and vanilla. How some only get cloying sweet vanilla only is beyond me. I have to say, I will now study Luca Turin, because if it's in his top 10, I already have great respect for him without knowing much at all. Pure genius. 10 out of 10!
Héritage Eau de Toilette by Guerlain
Very evolving. It is nice to apply, sit down, and every half hour take a sniff. It changes so much, and most of it is good. This is a pretty powerful one, so don't apply too much.
Firewood / Feu de Bois by Ava Luxe
This is after only 1 testing from a sample vial. I do have to say I wonder what could have been, because I do agree with the sythetic smelling note. I have the same problem with the Absolute version of CB Burning Leaves. On paper, this should be right up my alley. In reality, I wish it were a bit more natural smelling.
Jack Black Signature Silver Mark / Jack Black Signature by Jack Black
A good but not great one. I love the Cypress here, a bit salty smelling. Nice woodsy, average sillage and longevity. It is unique, just wish it was a bit more powerful (even though it is an EDP).
Fahrenheit by Christian Dior
Resides in my Top 10. I first wore this when it came out, and whenever I did friends of mine would say I was wearing the celery smelling cologne today. Not sure I ever understood that. Wonderful opening, uttlerly raw and masculine. I just wished it lasted a bit longer. I wonder how I lived without this from about 1994-2000. Will always have a bottle of this at the ready.