manlyscents

It opens with creamy anisic lavender, geranium, cloves, and a strong gaiac wood note that is missing from the reformulated versions. There still is a strong, fresh shaving foam vibe, but it's the gaiac wood that adds depth which the Rive Gauche PH La Collection version is lacking. Having said that, if all you want is strictly a high quality American barbershop scent, then you'll be happy with the reformulation.

Projection is much better here than the reform, no doubt about that. Longevity is outstanding on both.

Masculinity Level: Paul Newman playing an aging lawyer in The Verdict.

Opens fresh and metallic with lavender, citrus, and a touch of green. Trying it back in the day must have been my first exposure to the annoying woody amber base that has since become the standard for modern designer fragrances. In the late 80s, Eternity For Men and Davidoff Cool Water set the trend for what we now refer to as generic, fresh, clean, office-friendly perfumes. They changed the landscape of designer perfume... for the worse imho.

This early 2000s version by Calvin Klein Cosmetics projects well and lasts 6-8 hours. The current version by Coty is watered down.

Masculinity Level: The stapler guy from Office Space.

A blend of fresh tobacco and saffron on a peppery bed of warm labdanum. There is a dark vibe to it, similar to that of Escada Magnetism For Men. Unlike most reviewers, I don't get any sweetness - thank goodness.

Versace For Man is far from the usual "manly man" stuff I usually enjoy wearing, and it might not be for me nowadays, but it's better than 99% of modern designer releases.

Projects well and lasts 8 hours easy.

Masculinity Level: Jeremy Irons as the billionaire in Margin Call.

On first spray I get a gorgeous melange of astringent citrus, green notes, and neroli. The strong bergamot note is restrained by the greens creating a balance that I greatly enjoy. The dry-down is still citrusy and herbaceous, but also sandalwoody and mossy.

The opening reminds me of a more herbal Capucci PH. The dry-down is like a more citrusy Loewe PH. This is halfway between a citrus aromatic and a chypre. It would have been considered fresh and contemporary in the late 1960s, but was completely out of place when Grès launched it in the mid-90s. Hats off to Grès for daring to release this when men had already been wearing Cool Water and Eternity for years.

Projection is moderate but longevity is good.

Masculinity Level: Pacino's coked-up detective in Heat. Though we never actually see him take drugs.

An interesting opening; huge tarragon with plum. It soon turns cinnamony and floral. Eventually it progresses to a woody amber with vanilla and patchouli. I'd have preferred something in the dry-down to tip the scale away from sweetness (an animalic touch maybe?), but this was launched in the early 90s when the market was diving head first into that. Complex for sure, and very good, just not for me.

Projection and longevity are great.

Masculinity Level: Gosling on the prowl in Crazy Stupid Love