Top Notes 
Black pepper
Sage
Cardamom
Heart Notes 
Chestnut
Pimento
Tobacco absolute
Cinnamon leaf
Base Notes 
Bourbon vanilla
Amber
Elemi resin
11/27/2024
Wusubi
34 Reviews
Wusubi
Helpful Review
6
One flanker to rule them all
This is a joint review of the last five Stronger With You flankers (2020-2024). Cécile Matton keeps getting better at composing flankers that aren't only enjoyable and mass-appealing, but also have enough character to strike my fancy. Not every scent must pose a challenge; sometimes I want to wear a simple gourmand.
What are the characteristics of the line? Other than sweet and creamy vanilla in the base, Cécile often uses elemi, lavender and chestnut. Elemi and lavender provide spicy airiness, elevating the scent and balancing the sweetness. Chestnut complements vanilla, bringing earthy nutiness, which is arguably the most appealing aspect.
A quick scent rating before we begin:
9/10 Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Tobacco
8.5/10 Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Absolutely
8/10 Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Amber
8/10 Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Leather
7.5/10 Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Oud
The performance is similar across the board - you can expect at least 8 hours on skin with moderate to soft projection.
2024 - Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Tobacco
Scent: 9/10
Longevity: 8/10
It's no surprise that the most complex release is my favorite one. Vanilla is accompanied by a more resinous base, making it a bit aromatic. The opening is spicy, which is a proper treat for my spoiled brat of a nose. Then there's also the earthiness of chestnut.
Tobacco and pimento are the real stars of the show. I can pick up the peppery spiciness of pimento, as red as the bottle. What's even better, tobacco actually has some development here, which is unusual for a designer. It starts out green and slightly bitter, almost leaf-like, then dries down to the cherry pipe tobacco we all know and love.
I'm surprised by the quality and creativity of the scent. Where Herod is more polished, Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Tobacco is more playful. There's an argument to owning both if you like tobacco perfumes. The former for going out and special occasions, the latter for casual daily wear.
2023 - Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Amber
Scent: 8/10
Longevity: 8/10
While nowhere as complex as the tobacco flanker, the quality of this blend is phenomenal. It's mixed so well that I have to say there are no rough edges. I prefer multifaceted scents, but I can't deny that there's beauty in simplicity.
Using lavender as a top note gives it more of a fresh twist. It's greener and powdery, which goes well with a resinous heart and creamy sweetness in the drydown. It lacks imagination for my taste, but look no further if you want something sweet and high quality.
2022 - Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Oud
Scent: 7.5/10
Longevity: 8/10
My least favorite from the line, but that's my subjective opinion. The agarwood accord used in here has a medicinal smell. In my head, I associate it with Lattafa clones and poor quality, which doesn't apply here at all.
It's surprisingly pleasant, but sadly, I can't help it - I dislike medicinal oud. If you don't mind the distinctive smell, this could be a good flanker for you. It has a woody base, which works well with creamy vanilla. Unfortunately, it might be difficult to find.
2021 - Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Absolutely
Scent: 8.5/10
Longevity: 9/10
The problem child of the line. Cécile had the right idea; bergamot to elevate a rum note in the opening, davana and lavender in the middle to introduce green notes so that chestnut and vanilla don't become too unbearable.
Well, the plan has failed successfully. This will obliterate your nostrils in a glorious fashion. It's incredibly boozy and sweet. I've been wearing it for years and I still tend to wait for the freezing temperatures before pulling this one out.
As if it wasn't strong enough, it has cedarwood and patchouli in the base, making it stick to your skin like glue. If you're a masochist who enjoys boozy gourmands, this is your remedy. Masculine leaning, because it's loud and unapologetic.
2020 Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Leather
Scent: 8/10
Longevity: 8.5/10
Gorgeous, but too one-dimensional for my personal taste. There's spiciness at the top, but the lavender fades away quickly, then it's creamy sweetness of chestnut and vanilla for the rest of the wear. It's comforting and unisex, so there's that.
It's not too leathery - think of the leather note as a creamy, supporting base for the vanilla. With some woodiness in the mix, this flanker might be worth the chase if you like creamier gourmands but can't stomach medicinal oud.
What are the characteristics of the line? Other than sweet and creamy vanilla in the base, Cécile often uses elemi, lavender and chestnut. Elemi and lavender provide spicy airiness, elevating the scent and balancing the sweetness. Chestnut complements vanilla, bringing earthy nutiness, which is arguably the most appealing aspect.
A quick scent rating before we begin:
9/10 Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Tobacco
8.5/10 Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Absolutely
8/10 Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Amber
8/10 Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Leather
7.5/10 Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Oud
The performance is similar across the board - you can expect at least 8 hours on skin with moderate to soft projection.
2024 - Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Tobacco
Scent: 9/10
Longevity: 8/10
It's no surprise that the most complex release is my favorite one. Vanilla is accompanied by a more resinous base, making it a bit aromatic. The opening is spicy, which is a proper treat for my spoiled brat of a nose. Then there's also the earthiness of chestnut.
Tobacco and pimento are the real stars of the show. I can pick up the peppery spiciness of pimento, as red as the bottle. What's even better, tobacco actually has some development here, which is unusual for a designer. It starts out green and slightly bitter, almost leaf-like, then dries down to the cherry pipe tobacco we all know and love.
I'm surprised by the quality and creativity of the scent. Where Herod is more polished, Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Tobacco is more playful. There's an argument to owning both if you like tobacco perfumes. The former for going out and special occasions, the latter for casual daily wear.
2023 - Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Amber
Scent: 8/10
Longevity: 8/10
While nowhere as complex as the tobacco flanker, the quality of this blend is phenomenal. It's mixed so well that I have to say there are no rough edges. I prefer multifaceted scents, but I can't deny that there's beauty in simplicity.
Using lavender as a top note gives it more of a fresh twist. It's greener and powdery, which goes well with a resinous heart and creamy sweetness in the drydown. It lacks imagination for my taste, but look no further if you want something sweet and high quality.
2022 - Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Oud
Scent: 7.5/10
Longevity: 8/10
My least favorite from the line, but that's my subjective opinion. The agarwood accord used in here has a medicinal smell. In my head, I associate it with Lattafa clones and poor quality, which doesn't apply here at all.
It's surprisingly pleasant, but sadly, I can't help it - I dislike medicinal oud. If you don't mind the distinctive smell, this could be a good flanker for you. It has a woody base, which works well with creamy vanilla. Unfortunately, it might be difficult to find.
2021 - Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Absolutely
Scent: 8.5/10
Longevity: 9/10
The problem child of the line. Cécile had the right idea; bergamot to elevate a rum note in the opening, davana and lavender in the middle to introduce green notes so that chestnut and vanilla don't become too unbearable.
Well, the plan has failed successfully. This will obliterate your nostrils in a glorious fashion. It's incredibly boozy and sweet. I've been wearing it for years and I still tend to wait for the freezing temperatures before pulling this one out.
As if it wasn't strong enough, it has cedarwood and patchouli in the base, making it stick to your skin like glue. If you're a masochist who enjoys boozy gourmands, this is your remedy. Masculine leaning, because it's loud and unapologetic.
2020 Emporio Armani - Stronger With You Leather
Scent: 8/10
Longevity: 8.5/10
Gorgeous, but too one-dimensional for my personal taste. There's spiciness at the top, but the lavender fades away quickly, then it's creamy sweetness of chestnut and vanilla for the rest of the wear. It's comforting and unisex, so there's that.
It's not too leathery - think of the leather note as a creamy, supporting base for the vanilla. With some woodiness in the mix, this flanker might be worth the chase if you like creamier gourmands but can't stomach medicinal oud.
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