Vera Wang for Men Vera Wang 2004 Eau de Toilette

I always get excited when I stroll through perfume shops and find a rare gem to test somewhere on the shelf, usually at the bottom. That's exactly how it was with Vera Wang for Men. Although it wasn't on display, I had never seen it on the shelf before. Normally, one orders such fragrances based on a hunch that they might like them (due to comments or the scent notes), blindly and cheaply online. So, bam, onto the wrist with it and conducted a half-day test.

At first, I thought: well, nice enough, but I've smelled it a thousand times before, no one needs this, it could be a (shallow) criticism. That's when the headline came to mind. But now, after several hours, I must say that the scent is good. A gentle, understated, and high-quality blend of D&G's The One and Aura for Men by Jacomo. It starts off peppery-fruity. Nice for a 16-year-old as a first perfume, but very ordinary. Even if, like me, you prefer mandarin among all citrus fruits, there are no waves of enthusiasm here. Then it becomes spicier with nutmeg and leather. Definitely nicer, also a fitting transition, and now you slowly recognize the overall concept. It also vaguely reminds me of a softer One Million during these hours. I like leather too, and I start to smile more. In the end, there's sandalwood and tobacco, so the scent turns out to be much more masculine due to the leather and tobacco than one might have suspected after the start. A macho in a velvet suit.

The bottle isn't worth a longer sentence, but it's also suitable and well-made. Sillage is at a rather low frequency and longevity at 6 hours is a bit short for a fragrance that clearly wants to be an all-rounder and a year-round perfume.

Overall, after a cautious start, I am pleasantly surprised. A good starter perfume, but for seasoned sniffers, just a nice prelude to the real delicacies!