Roger & Gallet Lavande Royale

Roger and Gallet Lavande Royale starts out with a shot of citrus and lavender that is herby, fresh, floral but fairly dry. It's not a sweet and cloying lavender, no vanilla present. The lavender is fleeting, lasting only 10-20 minutes. There is a clove note in the middle with cedar in the base.

Lavande Royale is a clean and mildly spicy lavender fragrance with natural smelling notes. The lavender is quite floral and you can spray quite a bit on without going overboard. An enjoyable addition to lavender lovers' wardrobes.

Vetiver by Carven

This is a light vetiver that is rather fleeting but with some complex, sophisticated character included. It starts out with a burst of lemony, dry citrus and rapidly moves into floral notes of carnation and orris in the middle. The base notes are vetiver and cedar with a lingering floral component that lends a roundness and comfortable feeling to the drydown. There might be some sandalwood in the base as well. This cologne doesn't shout, it is a comforting vetiver that lingers close to the skin. Vetiver Carven is probably more for people who like mature and classic fragrances rather than ozonic or fruity scents.

Incanto Pour Homme by Salvatore Ferragamo

This is a modern, rather sweet and basic cologne that can be worn in a variety of settings. It starts out with citrus notes and floral accents and quickly goes into a middle of jasmine with trace notes of cypress and muted spice. The dry down is sandalwood primarily with some light wood accents and perhaps some musk.

I like the straightforward feel of this cologne but it has a character like a much lightened Eternity by Calvin Klein that gives me somewhat of a headache. This won't happen to everyone, it's just how my body reacts to scents in the Eternity mold. If they took out that note this scent would lighten up considerably and be that much more pleasant.

Not a lot of complexity in this one but good as a starter cologne.

Eau de Paco Rabanne

I really enjoy this cologne. It's like a lightened regular Paco Rabanne Pour Homme with a layer of aquatic freshness and some sandalwood in the base. It starts out with a citrus and flowery opening which includes quite an aquatic note, lavender and possibly some lemon and neroli. It has a fresh yet complex feeling to it that is a bit perfumey but not overbearing. The middle notes are floral with a continuing lavender presence and some kind of herb, perhaps basil. The base is quite balsamic, with a smooth sandalwood and a very light frankincense note.

This is a well constructed fragrance that gives an overall impression of cleanliness and freshness with undertones of floral complexity and sandalwood richness. Good for both casual and formal occasions and different from the standard aquatic fragrances due to its herby nature.

Open by Roger and Gallet

Open is a distinguished and refined masculine oriental. It has a strong and well-rounded 80s character with body and sophistication. It starts out with citrus notes of bergamot, greenish notes, aldehydes and lavender. The middle is floral and rich with carnation, jasmine, fern and some spicy notes which could include coriander and a slightly soapy quality. It may include clary sage as well for an herby note. The base is a rich combination of vanilla, musk and oakmoss and wood. The overall feeling of the cologne is intoxicating but not overly heavy. There is a lot going on but it is blended in a way that makes it seem like a slightly spicy, slightly floral oriental.

Open is appropriate for use on special occasions and is probably best used in cooler weather due to its complexity and depth. Apply in small doses so as not to overpower yourself and others. To my nose, this cologne resembles Perry Ellis for men only it is smoother and less sharp. If you love 80s orientals, you'll likely enjoy this fine cologne.

Essenza di Zegna by Ermenegildo Zegna

A light, herby-spicy-fruity-piney modern cologne. It starts off with bergamot and an orangy note. The middle quickly comes in with myrtle and cardamom which gives a greeny/piney type note. There is a soft woody note in the base that I like and it has some light musk as well. The overall feel of this cologne is light but distinguished. Would work well in the office or in casual settings. Not overly complex and it has a bit of the ozone quality modern colognes seem to have nowadays. I reminds me a bit of Clinique Happy only with a little more wood and pine. A good everyday, pleasant cologne.

M7 by Yves Saint Laurent

M7 by Yves Saint Laurent is an interesting cologne that falls squarely into the modern camp. The overall impression is of an oriental with some fruit and herbal notes. It starts out with some bergamot and citrus as well as a fairly prominent rosemary note. I also detect a grape-like note that develops fairly early on. The middle is made up of woody notes which the literature attributes to agarwood. I'm not sure what agarwood smells like on its own but it might account for the medicinal smell I pick up in the mid notes of this cologne. M7 dries down to a soft, ambery, vanilla and wood base that is quite pleasant. This fragrance is rather interesting because the notes stick out and don't blend into a cohesive whole. This would probably be a cologne that an oriental fragrance lover would like as long as they also enjoy slightly medicinal notes and herbs. M7 is probably best used as a fall/winter cologne as it is fairly strong.

Sybaris by Puig

A deep and sophisticated 80s style cologne. Sybaris starts with some bergamot and possibly some basil and spices. It has a slight aldehydic note that increases its complexity. The middle is composed of a floral and spicy mix including carnation and geranium, cinnamon and a smooth balsamic note. I perceive oakmoss, amber and a bit of patchouli in the base as well as some frankincense and perhaps a bit of sandalwood.

None of the elements jump out, they mix together seamlessly to create a rich, fragrant scent with spicy accents including possibly cumin. This one is a special occasion cologne for lovers of scents with some body and refinement.

Happy for Men by Clinique

This is a modern, bright cologne that works well in the summer and in casual or office settings. It starts with a remarkable blast of orangy notes, yuzu and citrus that is rather effusive and expansive. The middle notes are slightly greeny and there is some light flower in there, perhaps jasmine. The drydown includes light cypress and a soft wood of some kind.

Clinique Happy is not overly complex after its opening and it possesses a slight ozone quality that many modern colognes have. It does project a cheery feeling that makes you feel good. There is a sour note in the drydown that doesn't agree with me but that's a personal reaction based on my nose. I do think anyone looking for a well made, modern citrus might enjoy this one.

Cologne by Thierry Mugler

This is a fantastic fresh cologne that is a mixture of the traditional eau de cologne like Jean Marie Farina and modern elements. It starts off with bergamot, neroli and petitgrain followed by a middle that is soapy and may have some rose in it. A light musk in the base with the least amount of light wood or vetiver rounds out the bottom and gives the scent some depth.

There may be some rosemary in the top notes and I perceive a slight bamboo note in the middle. This smells like a fine french soap with a slightly more synthetic and modern feel. Deceptively light, it lasts many hours. Great for casual or boardroom wear because of its timeless, clean scent.

Polo by Ralph Lauren

One of the great scents from the 70s. Starts with an invigorating opening of green notes, pine, some citrus, lavender and herbs. It has a robust middle with pine, geranium, carnation, rose and jasmine and perhaps coriander or marjoram. There is plenty of pine which, when mixed with the florals, creates a complex middle that smells strong and masculine. The base is deep and satisfying with cedar, patchouli, musk and a strong leather smell. The leather smell is a little like wet leather. This is a rich and masculine cologne that is best worn carefully since it can be overpowering.

Sienna by Crabtree and Evelyn

A rich and aromatic cologne. It starts with a bergamot opening with some herbs including rosemary and possibly cinnamon. A floral middle that likely has jasmine, possibly rose and some spices. There is a slight incense or smoke note deep down. Dries down to a woody finish with sandalwood and cedar. I believe there is also some oakmoss in the base. Has a refined but not overly heavy feel. This is a fragrance that has solid ties to 80s colognes more so than the current fresh trend. Distinguished and masculine.

Lacoste Style in Play

This cologne is sometimes called Lacoste Red as well. A fairly light and innocuous cologne that starts with ozonic and fruity notes including a fairly prominent apple note. The middle notes are vaguely floral, possibly some jasmine in there. Dries down to a sweet, lightly woody and ozonic base. The overall feeling is light and synthetic. I like this cologne for what it is, a basic fragrance that can be used at work or at play.