IPD

Practically nobody will see this, so this is more of a journal than a message to pass along. But if my layperson take on the topic helps--I'm glad.

I got genuinely interested in cologne within the past couple years, and finally bit the bullet and started buying a lot more bottles. It really started with a sample of Davidoff's Cool Water & Champion. I had no idea about what notes were, which notes I preferred, what top notes, heart and base are, what sillage and maceration are, etc. I soon realized that I love marine/aqua and citrus notes. So i started looking for those.

And that's where I ran into the godfather of all clone fragrances: CDN (Club de Nuit) Intense Man (based off recommendations on Youtube). Not only did I immediately love this cologne, but I realized that industrial/mechanical notes were also something I enjoyed. And I surmised I needed to branch out and try new/different things. So I really started looking into clone fragrances.

Here's where my layperson take comes into play. I can't identify specific notes. What I can tell is what the overall impression is and what something smells like in total. So with that in mind:

Afnan Turathi Blue and CDN Iconic. Iconic is supposed to be a clone of Bleu De Chanel. Turathi Blue is supposed to be a clone of Bulgari Tygar. To me, these have similar notes. Both have a hint of soapiness. Iconic has more citrus that I notice than the Turathi. I dislike the soapy notes. I'm assuming that BDC has that same soapy hint as well--so this probably isn't the blue fragrance for me.

Craze Blue. This is supposed to be a clone of Polo Blue. To me, this is one of THE BEST blue fragrances I've ever smelled. Some seem to dislike it as cheap smelling, etc. I get none of that. To me, this is a fantastic scent. Highly recommend.

Armaf Ventana, CDN Urban Man Elixir, Pride of Armaf, Armaf Hunter. These are all Armaf clones of Dior Sauvage. Hunter has a bit of Invictus thrown in--which probably makes it unique in this regard. All remind me of Balsam Fir. If you know what that sweet fir smell is, this isn't far removed. CDN Urban Man Elixir (not to be confused with Urban Man) probably smells the most distinctly like that. These aren't bad at all--which I would expect from Sauvage clones. I'd probably pick Hunter or Urban Man Elixir over the other two.

Portfolio Neroli Canvas. Supposed to be a clone of Tom Ford Neroli Portefino. This is a fresh-style scent. Again, I don't get individual notes. It just smells like theme-park to me. Like the scent I get from wearing sunscreen and being in the hot sun, mixed with chlorinated water and other theme-park staples. It's not bad. Not something I'd recommend as a first pick.

Davidoff Champion. Lemony. Fades in a couple hours. Bright and citrus, but no staying power. Some deride it for smelling cheap. I don't get that cheapness--but it isn't a complex fragrance or long lasting.

CDN Intense Man. This is the best clone of Creed Aventus you can get. And if you get CDN Intense Man Limited Edition, it is probably the best you can get. I can't really tell the difference between the regular and the Limited Edition. I haven't smelled Aventus, but I'm also not going to buy $350 bottles. Pineapple notes in a slightly harsh opening. But the dry-down and base are just godly. You must have this in your collection.

CDN Untold. Bacarrat Rouge 540 clone. BR 540 is a $600 bottle. This is an amazing fragrance for a tenth of the price. Wild grapes and musk are what I get out of it. Amazing, amazing cologne.

Afnan 9PM and Paris Corner Camaro Homme Intense. 9PM is a clone of Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male. Camaro Homme Intense is a clone of Dior Homme Intense. To me these two have very similar profiles. But the Camaro has a bit of a note to it that doesn't quite suit me. 9PM has virtually all of the rest without that 1 note. So I would recommend 9PM over Camaro Homme Intense.

CDN Sillage. This is a clone of Creed Silver Mountain Water. Comes highly recommended by virtually everyone. There's a note in it that just is a bit pungent to me. Powdery scent.

Armaf Tres Nuit. Clone of Creed Green Irish Tweed. Fresh scent. I don't know what "green" is supposed to smell like, but this is it. Not very strong. Probably need to use a spray or 2 extra. Might be a hint of apple and grass. Great scent. I recommend.

More later as I think of it.