Code Elixir Giorgio Armani 2025

I’ll be honest: I too am bored by this never-ending continuation of fragrance lines with the same names. EdP Intense, EdP Absolu, Parfum Intense, Elixir… no one can keep track anymore, and yet every mainstream house does it. However, the Code Elixir is simply a damn strong fragrance, and I almost don’t care that it carries this name.

The opening is smoky, sweet, and leathery at the same time. I love this type of leather, or rather, how it has been interpreted here, as it is just on the edge of smoky leather that I can still tolerate. Paired with the rather typical and soapy mandarin and the liqueur, it definitely creates an addictive combination.

Moreover, the fragrance makes no compromises in terms of longevity. On the skin? At least 10 hours, for me - depending on the temperature - even more. On clothes? It feels endless. A week ago, I sprayed it on a jacket, and it is still present today, especially a certain smoky feeling that doesn’t go away, but is never unpleasant. So for those who usually complain that designers don’t deliver in this regard: there’s no need to worry here.

The Code Elixir fits - contrary to what many others say - perfectly as an evolution in this line. It still has the familiar DNA of these Code reissues, but it steps up in terms of longevity, sillage (very strong for the first two hours, then slightly diminishing, but never weak), and facets. Top!