Polo Cologne: Timeless Scent Or Outdated Odor?

Ralph Lauren's Polo cologne has been an iconic fragrance for men since its launch in 1978. Created by master perfumer Carlos Benaïm, it is a chypre, a family of fragrances that is sophisticated, warm, dry, and mossy with notes of citrus, labdanum, and bergamot. Polo is unapologetically masculine with its rich base notes of leather, tobacco, patchouli, and oakmoss. While it evokes a sense of brawn, it is not a heavy or stubborn scent. The base notes are balanced by a vibrant opening of basil, artemisia, vetiver, and thyme, along with a refreshing spice of clove, coriander, and cumin.

Over the years, Polo has undergone reformulations, and some believe that the current version pales in comparison to the original. However, the cologne continues to be passed down through generations, charming both young and old with its blend of sultry aromatics. If you're seeking an alternative to the original Polo, options include Italian Cypress by Tom Ford, Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche, and Stetson Sierra by Coty.

The scent has changed over the years

The scent of Polo cologne has changed over the years due to reformulations. The original formula was created by Carlos Benaïm in 1978 and was a woody Chypre fragrance for men. The top notes were juniper berries, basil, artemisia, caraway, coriander, and bergamot; middle notes were pine tree needles, leather, chamomile, pepper, carnation, geranium, jasmine, and rose; and base notes were tobacco, oakmoss, patchouli, cedar, vetiver, musk, and amber.

Over the years, the scent has been reformulated multiple times, with some people claiming that the newer versions lack the "bite" of the original. The oakmoss note, which was a central ingredient in the chypre family of fragrances, has been largely regulated out of the industry due to its link to allergic reactions. This has resulted in a noticeable difference in the scent, with some describing the newer versions as brighter and more synthetic-smelling.

Despite the changes, Polo cologne remains a popular and iconic fragrance, with a rich, masculine scent that evokes strength, elegance, and tradition.

The original scent was more masculine

The original scent of Polo cologne was more masculine.

The iconic fragrance, first introduced in 1978, has become a hot commodity on secondary markets. The scent has undergone many reformulations over the decades, but its look has remained virtually unchanged.

The original scent is described as a "dark, dank masculine eau de toilette" with notes of "forest floor, leather armchair and freshly Pine-Sol'd high school gym". It is "dark and masculine – smoky and piney, like an ashtray left in the woods.

The cologne is a Chypre, a family of fragrances that is "widely acknowledged as the most sophisticated (and beautiful) of fragrance families". It is a warm, dry, mossy scent with notes of citrus, labdanum, and bergamot. Chypre fragrances are almost invariably musky with touches of woodiness, giving them a sensual, animal character.

The original Polo cologne is unapologetically masculine, with base notes of leather, tobacco, patchouli, and oakmoss. It evokes a sort of brawn that one might expect in a machine shop or poker den. However, it is not a heavy or stubborn masculinity. The base notes are counterbalanced by a vibrant opening of basil, artemisia, vetiver, and thyme, with a refreshing spice of clove, coriander, and cumin.

The original Polo cologne is a blend of sultry aromatics that speaks to generations of cologne connoisseurs, who have found their iconic scent of strength, elegance, and tradition in it.

The current version is still good

The current version of Polo Ralph Lauren is still really good. I could bathe in the stuff. I also enjoy using the Belcam impression.

The current version of Polo is absolutely beautiful and performs incredibly well. If you want to spend your life trying to chase shadows of a past that is never coming back, that's fine. But don't put people off of what's here now. It's a wonderful fragrance.

The current formulation is pretty good, not really for me. A bit mature, but in a good way! Smells like a man that has his shit together and maybe just cut wood wearing leather gloves.

I haven't had a bottle of this since 1985. I was 19 or 20 then. I recently got a new bottle and immediately sprayed as soon as I could. Sure, its still got that distinctive Polo Green thing. I think the span of time has diminished my perception of what was and what is. My memory thinks it was a little different back then (formulation), maybe it was and maybe not. I remember the first time smelling this and the reaction I had to it. Reality tells me it's probably pretty much the same as it was back then but my nose has become acustomed to more of a variety of scents and my perception and what I notice in fragrances has developed, matured and refined. Polo Green is still Polo Green. Don't worry about what the crybabies say here. You can buy this with confidence that it is still as great as it was back when. Enjoy. I know I am.

I have no emotional connection with this fragrance, and no idea if the vintage one smells better, the hallway of my school didn't smell of it and no one in my family wore it. I bought my bottle this year – 2023 – and to my nose, polo green smells great: Smoky leathery piney goodness! There is something herbal in the dry down that is also very appealing. Good longevity and staying power in my skin/clothes. Beautiful powerhouse from the late 70s that I'm glad is still being produced. Recommended if you like "hairy-chested" fragrances from the same era.

Honestly, Polo Green should be broken into vintage and current. The Cosmair (early) version is far more potent and intoxicating. I have both – this will always be a timeless classic.

The original scent is hard to find

The original scent of Polo cologne is hard to find. The cologne was first introduced in 1978 and has since undergone many reformulations. The scent has changed hands multiple times, with different companies making slight changes to the formula. The current formulation is produced by Luxury Products, LLC, a subsidiary of L'Oreal.

The original scent, often referred to as "Polo Green," is characterised by its dark, dank, and masculine fragrance. It combines notes of forest floor, leather armchair, and freshly Pine-Sol'd high school gym. This unique scent has captured the hearts of many, with some people seeking out vintage bottles to relive the memories associated with this iconic fragrance.

The challenge in finding the original scent may be due to several reasons. Firstly, the formula has undergone changes over the years, with the elimination of oakmoss being a significant factor. Oakmoss was a key ingredient in chypre fragrances like Polo, but it was regulated out of the industry due to its link to allergic reactions. This change has resulted in a noticeable difference in the scent, with some describing the current formulation as brighter and more synthetic-smelling.

Another reason for the difficulty in finding the original scent may be the passage of time. The cologne has been around for over four decades, and older batches may have degraded or turned, affecting the quality and scent. Additionally, the original bottles from the Warner/Cosmair era, known for their distinctive green scent of "wet moss," are becoming harder to find and command a premium price on the second-hand market.

For those seeking the original scent, the best option may be to explore the second-hand market or fragrance enthusiast communities. However, it is important to exercise caution when purchasing vintage fragrances, as proper storage conditions are crucial to maintaining the integrity of the scent.

The scent is still in style

Ralph Lauren's Polo Eau de Toilette, often simply called Polo Cologne, has been passed down through generations of men's cologne connoisseurs, and still charms young men and women every day. Some have even called it the "quintessential American male" scent.

The cologne was first introduced in 1978 by Carlos Benaïm, now regarded by many as America's greatest living perfumer. Born and raised in Tangiers, Morocco, Benaïm's North African roots have inspired his brilliant work. He has won a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Perfumers and the Perfumer of the Year award from the Fragrance Foundation.

Polo Cologne is a chypre, a family of fragrances that is widely acknowledged as the most sophisticated and beautiful of fragrance families. Chypres are almost invariably musky with touches of woodiness, which gives them a sensual, animal character. Quite often, patchouli is in the mix as well.

Polo Cologne is unapologetically masculine, with rich base notes of leather, tobacco, patchouli, and oakmoss. The aforementioned base notes are counterbalanced by a brilliant, vibrant opening of basil, artemisia, vetiver, and thyme. And tying the scent together, you'll note a refreshing spice of clove, coriander, and cumin.

Generations of cologne connoisseurs have found their iconic scent of strength, elegance, and tradition in Polo. If men are still wearing cologne in another 40 years, you can expect to find Ralph Lauren's Polo Eau de Toilette on their shelves.

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