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Potion Blue Cadet 2013

6.7 / 10 80 Ratings
A perfume by Dsquared² for men, released in 2013. The scent is fresh-citrusy. It was last marketed by ITF Cosmetics.
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Main accords

Fresh
Citrus
Aquatic
Sweet
Woody

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes Top Notes
Mandarin orangeMandarin orange Bergamot zestBergamot zest Pink grapefruit zestPink grapefruit zest
Heart Notes Heart Notes
Balsam firBalsam fir Canadian hemlock needleCanadian hemlock needle Siberian stone pine needleSiberian stone pine needle White cedarWhite cedar
Base Notes Base Notes
CistusCistus MuskMusk Tonka beanTonka bean

Perfumer

Ratings
Scent
6.780 Ratings
Longevity
5.961 Ratings
Sillage
5.258 Ratings
Bottle
6.667 Ratings
Value for money
7.114 Ratings
Submitted by Michael · last update on 12/30/2025.
Source-backed & verified

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to
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Versace pour Homme Dylan Blue (Eau de Toilette) by Versace
Versace pour Homme Dylan Blue Eau de Toilette

Reviews

6 in-depth fragrance descriptions
Chnokfir

213 Reviews
Chnokfir
Chnokfir
Helpful Review 4  
In a good mood - at Lake Kleinhesselohe
"... and my father drove a White Cadet!" Specifically, a three-door white Opel Kadett B LS. For years, he had been a diehard beetle driver, but with the birth of your review writer, the family needed roomy transportation, a car with a trunk. Therefore, in the early 1970s, the aforementioned "White Cadet" was acquired and my parents still praise it as the first car with a heating system worthy of its name. It is amazing what associations come forward when one sees the name of a perfume label. But what, then, is the message that Dsquared seeks to convey? Is "Blue Cadet" an allusion to an unlucky-in-love Navy cadet far away from home? Or is it a reference to male aquatic scents a la "Old Spice" with the navigator flair of past generations? Well then, let's approach this question via the scent itself ...

The new bottle is of the same shape as the original bottle, except that the label listing the contents has been adjusted, plus the color of the liquid and the box are a rich blue. Not very imaginative, but as a marketing effort to create a fragrance family quite logic, especially since the bottle with its black top is timelessly attractive and fits well in the hand. I like it.

The scent starts fresh, citric, with precise notes of mandarin and grapefruit which definitely taste fruity without any resemblance to those artificial lemonade aromas. Tart and woody notes follow making a nice contrast, but I could not name any individual trees. A soft tonka and a comfortable understated musk can be found in the base.

I like this scent because it combines the current trendy fruit notes with classic woody accords and a cozy warm base. This is not particularly exciting or even interesting, there is no special magic ... this scent is just easy and wearable. Absolutely recommended not only as a fresh, fruity Summer scent but also for cooler days. Know that the sillage is not intrusive but makes a rather relaxed statement. The durability stretches loosely over a whole working day and what I find remarkable is that the head notes do not slacken off but continue on with their fresh and fruity components. The single notes are very balanced and harmonize well together. A trustworthy and agreeable companion during a hard office day. Yes, female co-workers might sniff with some interest, but a "Grrrrr" reaction is not coming.

So, the scent does not match - I am sure - the Opel Kadett driver of the 70s. Neither does it go with the edgy explorer types who prefer male, maritime fragrances of past times such as "Old Spice". Rather think of relaxed boaters on Lake Steinhude near Hanover or family weekend pedalo riders on Lake Kesselohe in Munich's English Garden. And, I am quite sure that it fits well with all those colleagues who love a calm and understated scent in the office. "Potion Blue Cadet" is a delightful fragrance promoting a good mood for the whole day, but it certainly is no magic potion ... or love potion.

(Translation: Pipette)
2 Comments
DrKong

45 Reviews
DrKong
DrKong
2  
"Born in Canada, living in London, made in Italy"
The opening is delicately citrus based on bergamot, tangerine and grapefruit, but in such a way that the whole is almost more than citric, it seems floral, due to its delicacy.

Perhaps the idea of ​​a cadet in a blue suit wants to evoke an imaginary sailor, with youthful and fresh airs. If so, this fragrance has succeeded, because the halo of fresh youth emanating from its aroma invites joy and a smile.

A bright, clean, clear and luminous musk enhances that carefree aspect, filling the atmosphere with a sky blue color between white bursts of flashes of light.

A background sweetness, which comes from the tonka bean, sweetens this refreshing juice.

Despite not being an original fragrance and its smell is surely reminiscent of other fresh, aromatic and slightly woody aquatic perfumes in the same range, it has the quality of its materials in its favor.
It is very common to find aromatic musky fragrances that have a very artificial and stomachic smell and give the impression of cheap supermarket colognes.

However, POTION BLUE CADET is made up of components that exude quality and balance, achieving that smell of clean clothes, slightly floral and with hints of lavender, which is not as easy to achieve as it may seem at first glance.

POTION BLUE can be a very suitable option for those looking for a fresh, summery, pleasant, quality perfume that can be used by the whole family.
0 Comments
Elysium

913 Reviews
Elysium
Elysium
1  
An Airy Spell in Liquid Form
In mythology and literature, a magician usually makes a potion, dragon, fairy, or witch and has magical properties. It is used for various motives, including the healing, bewitching, or poisoning of people. For example, love potions for those who wish to fall in love with another, sleeping medicines to cause long-term or eternal sleep, and elixirs to heal/cure any wound/malady.

Potion Blue Cadet is a decisive spring and summer elixir, is an intoxicating blend of citrus and woody tones, powerful as the magical energy of the air, and dangerous as the highly poisonous herbaceous hemlock plant. The name Blue Cadet is not a case. Blue like the brightness of the sky, and its serenity, quiet, harmony. Cadet because it is the blue adopted by the cadets. It expresses all their strength given by education to discipline and pride of belonging to a group. This Potion is bottled in a transparent bottle that carries in itself the inspiration of the sapphire blue sky, with its immensity and endless depth.

That being said, Potion Blue Cadet is a deviation in DSquared2's fragrance aesthetic, for men at least. Usually, they are centered around woods — warm and pungent (He Wood Rocky Mountain Wood, He Wood Silver Wind Wood) or fresh and aquatic (He Wood, He Wood Ocean Wet Wood, He Wood Cologne). Potion for Men falls into the first category, and it goes on smelling like a cinnamon cookie, its spiciness enlivened with a drop of mint and perhaps a squirt of Angelica. Instead, Potion Blue Cadet is not a flanker of Potion and well, blue, and a cadet is almost always young and active. I expected Potion Blue Cadet to be a sports fragrance, and I was correct. I was also hoping to hate it, thinking about yet another aquatic, but I don't.

We're all familiar with "formulas" and "classic" combinations. Using the classic formula of a sport fragrance—citrus, some invigorating/menthol-like element, and light musk—DSquared2 "exchanged" some of the ingredients. It replaces standard sport-fragrance bergamot with strong "pink" grapefruit, which is sweet but not "sweaty," using blue hemlock with a pleasant green-pine aroma instead of salty, ambergris or Calone. More, adding a diffuse, almost-powdery white cedar and tonka accord in place of a blatantly synthetic wood-musk mixture.
Potion Blue Cadet has a masculine aroma inspired by the times where infusions of flower and plant aromas made by the master alchemists were considered authoritative sources to enrich and strengthen the spirit of victory.

Potion Blue opens up with rousing and citrus notes, bringing all vibrant energy with touches of bergamot, pink grapefruit, and mandarin. This mix is not ordinary citrus like a classic cologne, and there is a resinous note that gracefully blends with the zesty accord and keeps the opening brisk and clean. There's a youthfulness to the citrus notes off the top.

Slowly, the citrus aroma calms down and lets a more greenish heart made up of hemlock notes and spruce balm to kicks in. I don't think I have any other cologne in my wardrobe containing hemlock, the Devil's Beard, so to me, this heart aroma is pretty unique and so addictive. The white cedarwood and the pine leaves keep the heart balmy and airy as if you take a deep breath in a Canadian forest. However, it is the balsam fir note that makes an impression.

Finally, the woody notes that give the tone of the fragrance are revealed, in a harmonious combination of cistus, musk, and the exotic tonka fava. The dry-down is warm and woody, a bit animal and a tad sweet. Its woody redolence is a true magic elixir that transports you to a different universe, where calm and serenity live in perfect harmony.

Potion Blue Cadet is brisk, fresh, and clean, but not banal or dull. Best of all, it doesn't smell like a laundry room redolent of scented detergent, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets. It is one of the more pleasant sports fragrances I've smelled and worn, and not one person who knows me said: "That smells cheap." If you like sports fragrances, give Potion Blue Cadet a try, on my skin it has all-day lasting power and just-right sillage. Due to its moderate longevity and sillage, the cologne can be worn during the day or evening throughout the warmer seasons. This one is excellent in my view, and although perhaps understated, it is not in the least bit bland. I think it's also very versatile, being uniquely suited to daytime casual, sport, and work use. Overall, I recommend it without hesitation.
Updated on 03/11/2020
2 Comments
Basti87

1155 Reviews
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Basti87
Basti87
Very helpful Review 5  
Good-Mood-Summer-Fragrance
This little blue one has been in my collection for some time now. I have known "Potion" for a while, but I wasn't familiar with "Blue Cadet." Since I really like the original, I wanted to test the summer version of this fragrance.
As this scent is only available in a 30ml version and is reasonably priced, I ordered it blind. It's a fragrance that you can't really go wrong with. It's fresh, uncomplicated, and doesn't offend.

It starts off very fresh. It radiates good vibes from the very beginning. Mandarin and pink grapefruit come together beautifully, accompanied by bergamot. Then there are a few notes that I can't identify. It has a slightly piney scent. This is also noted in the fragrance pyramid. They are not really green. It feels more like pine with a marine accord. This truly makes this fragrance a very lovely summer scent with a good-mood effect. For me, it's a great summer fragrance with a certain something. For many, it might be an average scent, but for me, it has that special something. It feels like an independent fragrance. It has nothing to do with Potion. They probably wanted to market it with the name.
The sillage is quite decent, and the longevity is also in the good middle range.
Conclusion: A great summer fragrance that you can't go wrong with. No revolution in the fragrance business, but a scent with a high feel-good factor.
3 Comments
RobGordon

59 Reviews
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RobGordon
RobGordon
Very helpful Review 8  
Just my 2 scent!
Dear noses,

I have noticed that this fragrance is still
uncharted territory, which I would like to plow for
you with my Bulbus Ifaktorius.

Recently at the fragrance bar, I just wanted to get an impression
of what spring smells like this year. All sorts of wafts from the brand:
"been there, done that" shook my nose's paw, even though I
definitely told the lady behind the counter, "Only the good stuff."

The "blue cadet" failed to impress me at first glance,
just like many other fragrances. But this one at least got to take
a place on my right wrist, resting there and did not end up like the others,
as a white paper strip, with a flag of anonymous alcoholics,
in the graveyard of nameless scents.

Disappointed by this year's spring fragrance happy hour, I made my
escape. But the further I moved away from the fragrance station
of trust, the better my right hand suddenly smelled.

I decided not to put the counter-evidence to the test, fearing my dorsum manus
might just as quickly lose its appeal again if I returned to
the source.

It smelled so heavenly and I didn't want to miss my scent mark for anything
in this world. The thought of "heavenly" gave me a déjà-vu.

In any case, I now know where the saying: "talk to the
hand!" comes from. Some sort of Terminator probably couldn't let go of his paws
after a heavy fragrance high, just like I did that evening.

But to return to the heavenly déjà-vu: At a close
distance, the so-called "tissue-filling distance," this fragrance develops into
"Heaven" by Chopard. And from a slightly greater distance,
one perceives a less intrusive, more elegant version of
Lagerfeld "Man".

Both are fragrances that are no longer produced and that I really
liked. This blend is contained in a bottle that could just as well
serve as a container for a stain-remover water.

This makes the fragrance perhaps less attractive for last-minute gifts; the
likelihood that a third party on the street smells just as heavenly might decrease.
In this regard, the ugly face in the form of the top note, which initially led me
around by the nose, is also very helpful.
6 Comments
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Statements

8 short views on the fragrance
27 days ago
Something something a male cologne covered with citrus notes. Nope.
0 Comments
8
These fresh, citrusy, and aquatic notes paired with the fir are really interesting and pleasant. Very affordable.
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4
2
Pleasant clean man scent. The four listed heart notes of conifers are of course not in the expected form ...
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2 Comments
4
A summery feel-good scent instead of a love potion.
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0 Comments
3
Successful combination of citrus and green-resinous notes with a hint of tonka cream. A bit more punch behind it wouldn't hurt.
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9 years ago
3
Citrusy start, then not much happens. Gold chains sparkle on the evening beach promenade...
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0 Comments
2
Barely noticeable citrusy fresh aquatic. There are much better alternatives. Rightly rated.
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2
Wow, what does my nasal epithelium achieve there?! A fruity, sweet summer fun!! Price-performance: 10/10!!
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