Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Freeze Giorgio Armani 2020

Some perfume lines give me goosebumps just at the sight of the latest flankers, and unfortunately not out of anticipation or excitement, but rather because the "collection" (a quite appropriate term given the ongoing flanker boom) tends to repel me rather than attract me. "Stronger With You" by Armani is one such distraction. At least so far, as one should allow each new offshoot an objective and unbiased examination when one has it on hand for testing. But, it's only human; just as I feel joyful excitement when a new "Dior Homme" is announced (even if it's just a reformulation), I can never completely shake off the skepticism towards another "Boss Bottled" or indeed "Stronger With You." But doesn’t a low expectation and bar set bring enormous possibilities for positive surprises? And what can the new icy version of the cheeky cardamom killer deliver?

"Stronger With You Freeze" is still clearly one of its kind - only this time much sweeter, more apple-like, and cooler. So the theme is not missed. But has the DNA been improved or worsened?! It's a mixed bag. Freeze is a fruity-sweet toy boy from the lab. A move that YSL executed quite similarly with its cubic-round bestseller years ago. Vanilla in the shine of a frozen geyser. Sexy for those under 20, almost uncomfortable for the rest. Or at least for my nose. And mine is still quite gourmand. For trendy, neon-lit bars and New York nightclubs, but rather inexperienced, wannabe, than truly established or stylish. A bit of ginger shoots up my nose, but definitely more of a dessert scent than a sushi fragrance. From fruit compote to vanilla roasted chestnuts. However, no matter the stage: a lactose bomb. Not one to wash off, but also not one to linger. Frozen yogurt vibes. With glitter, sprinkles, and all the trimmings. Before hell freezes over...

Bottle: iced out and handy
Sillage: aggressive Ambroxan, silent death
Longevity: chemically-olfactory Viagra. Stays in the air longer than I’d like. 8-9 hours.

Conclusion: even a shock freezing doesn't save the Stronger With You DNA. A piercing, emotionally cold, neon-colored Ambroxan apple, as if freshly out of a test tube. Annoying and boring at the same time?! WTF?! Off to preschool with you!