Drakkar Cologne: A Review Of The Generic Fragrance

Drakkar Noir is a men's cologne by Guy Laroche that was first launched in 1982. It is an aromatic fougere fragrance with top notes of rosemary, artemisia, lavender, basil, lemon verbena, bergamot and lemon; middle notes of coriander, carnation, cinnamon, juniper and jasmine; and base notes of leather, sandalwood, fir, amber, patchouli, oakmoss, vetiver and cedar. It has been described as reminiscent of barbershops and old-fashioned masculinity.

Drakkar Noir has been around for almost 40 years and has a complex blend and personality, with many facets that don't always get appreciated. It is a dark and masculine scent from the start, yet remains very clean throughout. It has a certain attitude and style that defines the decade of fragrance it comes from, which isn't found in many modern releases.

The latest incarnation of Drakkar Noir has been reformulated and while it still projects nicely, the longevity can be a bit hit or miss. It is a solid casual or nighttime fragrance and works best in the late autumn or winter. Its dry and woodsy spice hangs really well in the crisp air.

Drakkar Essence is a newer release from Guy Laroche and while it has very little to do with the 1980s classic, it is kept warm and mildly spicy by the musk and mint, though still retaining an aquatic feel. It is a pleasant, simple and straightforward scent and is quite serviceable.

Drakkar Intense, another Guy Laroche fragrance, is a flanker of the original Drakkar, not Drakkar Noir. It has been described as a modern take on the Drakkar DNA, with a more modern and seductive twist. It is a warm, spicy, sweet, oriental, ambery, soft, leather scent with good longevity and moderate projection.

Drakkar Noir's performance

Drakkar Noir has been a staple in the fragrance world for a long time, almost 40 years to be precise. It's a complex blend of notes that has many facets, which don't always get appreciated. It's a dark and masculine scent, yet remains very clean throughout. It's a fresh bar of soap or shaving cream for men.

The opening of the scent brings about an aroma of oak moss and lavender notes. It's a rather dry and smooth opening with assistance from leather, a cinnamon spice, and some citrus notes. It's a really fresh and masculine clean scent that has a 'showered' like aroma on the skin. The bergamot citrus has its moment to shine early on before it is relegated to the background. The lemon and bergamot notes are noticeable, almost fleeting in how they are presented. Another note that shines in the beginning, is the super crisp mint note. It brings a definite cooled air to the composition, it’s that usual sharp spice, which contrasts extremely well versus the lavender, oak moss, and leather notes.

One important aspect about Drakkar Noir is how complicated it can be. There are a ton of notes in this. Different types of woods, floral, herbs, etc. Sometimes, your nose will pick up on an individual note above the rest. Other times, you really won’t know what you’re smelling, beyond a pleasant scent. It becomes blurred and quite difficult to pick out individual ingredients versus how easy it can be with simpler colognes.

With all the woody notes, it has that green/herbal type of scent that you would expect it to. As Drakkar dries down, I get more leather and spice then I do at first, and the cologne maintains its masculinity. The dry down is the best part of this fragrance, in my opinion. It’s darker, warmer, and has a different sort of spice than the cleaner/soapier beginning. It’s a perfect earthy scent, at this point, like the right balance of woods with herbs to create something quite attractive. During the dry down, I get: lavender, pine, leather, some patchouli, moss, cinnamon, and some other herbs/woods.

Projection-wise, Drakkar is still pretty damn good, in that regard. I know it has been reformulated over the years, and while I don’t have a vintage bottle to compare it to, it still projects itself nicely. Due to government regulations, there are certain notes (like pure oak moss), that you cannot use anymore. With that having been a main ingredient in Drakkar, it is of course going to have an effect. But that wasn’t the only one to fall or get watered down, it’s so hard to maintain the greatness of a vintage scent. However, the latest incarnations of Drakkar that I’ve tried, weren’t too weak nor too powerful. They were moderate, but noticable.

Longevity can be hit or miss but six hours seems to be average and sometimes it just lasts for a long time. It’s kind of a weird scent in how it performs and I wish it could still be that classic beast mode. Drakkar is a solid casual or nighttime fragrance and I think that it works best in the late autumn or winter. Its dry and woodsy spice hangs really well in the crisp air. This is one that can be a versatile everyday wear for many men and while it’s demographics skew older, a younger guy could definitely still wear this. In fact, many younger guys used to wear this, back in the day. I will say, that I don’t think it’s all that great in the summer months. The heat isn’t so much the problem, as the humidity, which can wreak havoc on Drakkar’s performance.

Drakkar Noir's versatility

Drakkar Noir is a versatile cologne that can be worn in a variety of settings and occasions. Its versatility stems from its unique blend of notes, which include rosemary, artemisia, lavender, basil, lemon, coriander, carnation, cinnamon, juniper, jasmine, leather, sandalwood, fir, amber, patchouli, oakmoss, vetiver, and cedar. This cologne is perfect for those who want to make a statement with a bold and assertive fragrance. It is ideal for formal events and professional settings during the cooler months. The intense aroma of Drakkar Noir is not for the faint-hearted, but for those who appreciate a classic, robust scent that leaves a lasting impression.

Drakkar Noir has been described as a versatile cologne that can be worn casually or for more formal occasions. Its versatility is also reflected in its ability to appeal to a wide range of age groups, with some reviewers noting that it is suitable for both younger and older men. However, it is important to note that Drakkar Noir's intense and distinctive character may not align with more reserved personalities or those who prefer subtler scents.

The versatility of Drakkar Noir is further enhanced by its excellent performance and longevity. With a strong projection that lasts for up to 8 hours, this cologne is perfect for all-day wear. Its rich blend of notes creates a memorable and sophisticated fragrance profile that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Drakkar Noir's scent profile

Drakkar Noir is a woody, aromatic fougère fragrance with a complex blend of notes. It opens with a fresh burst of citrus and invigorating lavender, providing a crisp and uplifting opening. The heart of the fragrance features a mix of spicy coriander and juniper, creating a complex and intriguing middle that adds depth to the fragrance. The base is grounded in rich oakmoss and warm amber, lending a robust, earthy finish that lingers for hours. This foundation gives Drakkar Noir its signature masculine and enduring character.

The scent is dark and masculine from the start, yet remains very clean throughout. It has a certain attitude and style that defines the decade of its fragrance, which isn't found in many modern releases. It is a classic, fresh barbershop scent with a unique blend of boldness and sophistication.

The top notes of Drakkar Noir include rosemary, artemisia, lavender, basil, lemon verbena, bergamot, and lemon. The middle notes are coriander, carnation, cinnamon, juniper, and jasmine, while the base notes are leather, sandalwood, fir, amber, patchouli, oakmoss, vetiver, and cedar.

Drakkar Noir's price

Drakkar Noir is a woody, aromatic and powerful fragrance with notes of lavender, lemon, rosemary, mint, oakmoss, leather, and cedar. It is a masculine scent, evoking a sense of power and confidence. Drakkar Noir has been a staple in the fragrance world for a long time and is considered a classic scent from the 1980s.

The price of Drakkar Noir varies depending on the retailer and the size of the bottle. Here is a list of prices from different sources:

• Amazon: $60.20 for 6.8 fl. oz
• Walmart: $45.80 for 3.4 fl. oz
• Perfume.com: $34.59 for 6.7 fl. oz
• Fragrancenet.com: $11.89 - $26.59
• FragranceX.com: $15.84 - $27.38
• Jomashop.com: $10.99 - $28.99
• Macy's: $38.25

Drakkar Noir is widely available and can be purchased from various online retailers, such as Amazon, Walmart, Perfume.com, Fragrancenet.com, FragranceX.com, Jomashop.com, and Macy's.

Drakkar Noir's history

Drakkar Noir was launched in 1982 by Guy Laroche and has been a staple in the fragrance world ever since. Created by perfumer Pierre Wargnye, it is an aromatic fougere fragrance for men. Its top notes include rosemary, artemisia, lavender, basil, lemon verbena, bergamot and lemon; middle notes are coriander, carnation, cinnamon, juniper and jasmine; and base notes are leather, sandalwood, fir, amber, patchouli, oakmoss, vetiver and cedar.

The scent is reminiscent of barbershops and old-fashioned masculinity, and is considered a classic, well-known scent. It is long-lasting and strong, with good projection. However, some reviewers have noted that the scent has been watered down over the years due to reformulations.

Drakkar Noir has inspired several flankers, including Drakkar Essence and Drakkar Intense, which was released in 2022. Drakkar Essence is a simple, straightforward fragrance with notes of grapefruit, musk, lavender and mint. Drakkar Intense, on the other hand, is a more modern take on the original Drakkar Noir, with notes of wormwood, coriander, rosemary, bergamot, lavender, clary sage, juniper berries, patchouli, moss and suede.

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