Armani Code Absolu by Giorgio Armani
Men 2019
Description
Armani Code Absolu by Giorgio Armani is a spicy oriental fragrance for men. Launched in 2019, the nose behind this composition is Antoine Maisondieu. The top notes are green mandarin and apple; the heart notes are nutmeg, orange blossom and carrot seeds; and the base notes are vanilla, tonka bean, suede and woody notes.
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When to wear it (votes)
Key notes
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Top
green mandarin
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Heart
nutmeg
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Base
vanilla
Community
4,391 votes
- Positive 87%
- Negative 6.6%
- Neutral 6.5%
The olfactory pyramid
A guide to the opening, heart and lasting trail of the fragrance.
The community speaks
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In the collection
Leading answer I own it
16,417 votes
What do you think?
Leading answer Love it
4,391 votes
Season
Choose severalLeading answer Winter
6,762 votes
Time of day
Choose severalLeading answer Night
3,833 votes
Each question has its own vote count. You can choose several seasons.
Fragrance profile
About Armani Code Absolu
Armani Code Absolu by Giorgio Armani is a spicy oriental fragrance for men. Launched in 2019, the nose behind this composition is Antoine Maisondieu. The top notes are green mandarin and apple; the heart notes are nutmeg, orange blossom and carrot seeds; and the base notes are vanilla, tonka bean, suede and woody notes.
Fruits, vegetables and nuts Spices White flowers Musk, amber and animalic Woods and mosses
It may remind you of
Ranked by what the community voted.
More from Giorgio Armani
Related editions
More from Antoine Maisondieu
How it wears
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Longevity
Leading answer Long-lasting
3,013 votes
Sillage
Leading answer Strong
3,170 votes
Character
Leading answer Traditionally masculine
2,471 votes
Value perception
Leading answer Fair price
2,246 votes
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Community reviews
40 reviews
Share what you noticed: opening, drydown, sillage and the moments when it works for you.
My soul scent. I’ve received countless compliments; it smells timeless and lasts all day. I don’t understand why they stopped producing it.
Managed to snag a sealed 2018 bottle for $90. The 60ml version is pricey, but it’s worth having a discontinued fragrance. Smells incredible, seductive yet not innovative. What caught me by surprise is its projection: it’s the beast in my collection. The first time, with just two sprays in an enclosed space, it gave me a headache due to the heat. Many sweet scents work well in summer if you know where to apply them, but this one is exclusive for cold weather and outdoors. Only recommend if you can get it cheap. 8/10.
I bought it on the day for an offer I couldn’t miss, what a good purchase! It opens with a very citrusy mandarin, then the sweet base of the original Code does its job. After a few minutes, the vanilla and tonka dominate, accompanied by a bitter leather. On my skin, the leather is the main note, with that vanilla and tonka bean sweetness, and I sense a slight sticky touch, as if it were cloying, but very subtle. Every nose is a world; if you also smell it this way, great that you share it. For others, it just smells of vanilla, which is incredible; perfumery is like that, no one is wrong. Cheers!
It’s a rich perfume, but you have to be careful. It’s a vanilla bomb and a beast in longevity (it lasts until the next day). At first, I liked it, but then it started to become cloying and give me a headache. Women love it and I’ve received many compliments, but in my opinion, you need to know how to use it, because you can go from smelling exquisite to annoying and making people dizzy. I would use it only on cool or mild evenings and nights; it’s not extremely formal but not daily either. For a date or going out with friends. The first time, err on the side of caution, no more than two sprays. If you overdo it or the occasion isn’t right, you’ll annoy people or look tacky.
A good perfume; I bought it for its performance and its reputation is justified: excellent projection and longevity. The problem is that I don’t like things that are very sweet, and this one is, which is why it’s not one of my favourites. You can tell it’s quality; it’s a scent for adults. It’s a sweet vanilla with suede. It will delight female audiences who smell it. If you like sweet scents, it’s yours.
P-E-R-F-U-M-O-N, if you find it at a good price, go for it.
Wow, what an exquisite Armani Code Absolu. It’s a sweet fragrance with suede notes that make it totally masculine and seductive. The vanilla is present throughout the life of the perfume without losing the suede that accompanies this exquisite vanilla. It’s a winter night perfume where it performs best; longevity is quite good, lasting me about 9-10 hours on skin without issues. An Armani jewel, unfortunately 100% discontinued. 100% recommended.
Buy blind because it’s impossible to find in physical stores. I saw it online at a decent price and pulled the trigger. The EDT is my favourite and I was thrilled to see it today. It’s very rich; I have the 30ml Profumo bottle I keep as a relic, and I like that one more. This one is even a bit unisex to my taste. I don’t know if I have a bad sense of smell, but after drying down a few hours, it reminds me of Layton by PDM (which I hate); it’s sweet and you can tell the fine leather. Rich, but I think it’s slightly overvalued because it’s discontinued and mythologised too much. There are better options today, so I wouldn’t go crazy over it. 7/10.
A standout option for cold climates. Its composition holds up well against the cold, projecting efficiently without being overwhelming. If you find it at a good price, it’s excellent value for money. Recommended for those seeking a characterful aroma for winter, without losing versatility or elegance.
When I first smelled it, it reminded me of when I used to smell strong as a teenager with One Million to go out, except for the huge differences. But I fell in love and didn’t hesitate to take it on offer. The opening isn’t my favourite; it’s citrusy and slightly fruity, undoubtedly sweet because from the second minute the rest of the notes break through. From there, the undisputed protagonist is the vanilla. It’s sweet but not cloying; the rest of the notes form an excellent accord, accompanying and giving, in my opinion, a super-rounded, elegant and sensual aroma. I think the suede base note gives it that soft, masculine touch that makes this fragrance unique (although my girlfriend loves it too). At first, it didn’t last long and no one could smell it; I only got occasional bursts… A year later, it’s one of my longest-lasting perfumes. Yesterday I sprayed it at 8am because it was a rainy day and I felt like it. I could smell it consistently all day. My surprise? Today, before even entering the shower, it was still distinctly perceptible (this has encouraged me to write this). Projection is good, not crazy, and compliments come freely; you can’t escape them. I also like it for layering, although I don’t usually wear it as the main scent. Should I recommend it? Yes. Just check the price and if you like sweet/vanilla scents. If so and you don’t have something similar, it could be a blind buy.
Puff, the best part is that citrus opening with tangerine and apple, giving it a fruity touch. The acidity fades in minutes, making way for vanilla with a hint of leather. It smells very similar to Profumo but with that extra citrus twist. In short, it’s a rich perfume, now discontinued at least in Mexico, though if you’re lucky, you can find it at a good price.
It smells very similar to Lattafa’s Hayaati Black, and for the price, it’s not worth it.
I just bought it from a decant; it smells great. It didn’t blow my mind, but it certainly smells very good. It starts with a scent reminiscent of the original Code EDT and quickly develops a noticeable vanilla and suede. When it dries down, it’s pure vanilla. The longevity is high, around 7 to 8 hours, with moderate sillage. I consider it overpriced due to being discontinued and don’t see it as very versatile; it’s formal and sophisticated, ideal for dates or winter night outings.
I had seen its accords and it caught my attention; one day I passed a perfumerie and tried it. Since I atomised it, it has left me crazy; I believe no perfume has given me such a good first impression; it’s wonderful. It has a slightly citrus opening that evolves quickly into a vanilla base and a delicious leather. This perfume is madness, beautiful, the best by Giorgio Armani.
Luckily I managed to get it in 2024, as it is discontinued. I love its scent; it’s very conquering, sexy, sweet but serious, with an alcoholic-like vanilla, probably due to the nutmeg and suede. Rating 9 out of 10. The truth is, it’s worth having in your collection. If you find it, you’re lucky.
Fantastic perfume, exquisite and of a feminine taste. With this, you’re safe for a night out, a romantic date, or on a crisp autumn or winter day. One of the best in the Code line. Its only problem is that it’s already discontinued, which is why its price is very high. Performance: 8 hours of longevity and 1.5 hours of good projection. The vanilla, leather, and spice make it very addictive. A must-have in a respected collection. Rating: 9.0/10.
Discontinued fragrance in Spain. Ideal for cold days and also usable during the day; youthful and pleasant.
Is it the best Armani Code to date? I think so… Armani Code ABSOLU offers a warm and elegant PARFUM that projects metres away and lasts for hours and hours. Finally, Armani has offered something truly good and nothing generic. It was love at first sniff; it smells so oriental, with that touch of unknown Arab perfumes. This perfume is the ideal Christmas gift because it smells like Christmas. For a kitchen where gingerbread cookies are being cooked, it’s very sweet without being overly sugary. The bottle is a homage to the tuxedo. I recommend it for autumn and winter only because it’s quite warm, and that’s when you’ll enjoy it most.
An exceptional vanilla, although it maintains the DNA of the original Code; I believe this flanker is the most sophisticated. Along with the vanilla and tonka bean, you can notice a soft leather, like a suede jacket, which gives it a plus between night outings and formal events… for dates it’s incredible, because although it’s sweet, it’s also masculine, so compliments are guaranteed… just be careful not to overapply it, though.
ARMANI CODE ABSOLU: I don’t believe there’s a woman who can resist it; one of the best fragrances in Armani’s Code collection, and it could even be a massive attraction weapon. This Code Absolu is bizarrely sexy, ideal for dates, slightly youthful but usable for adults in their 40s without any issue. A fragrance that seems made of pheromones, capable of unsettling the opposite sex, bewitching them, inciting them, and provoking them. It’s tempting, playful, and mischievous, one of those fragrances that look like an irresistible bait. One must acknowledge the effect it has on women. A fragrance that could say… ‘includes a happy ending’. Fresh and cold climate, autumn and winter. Preferably at night. Scent: 9.0. Projection: 2 hours. Longevity: 8 hours on skin, a bit more on clothes. Recommended.
I love it, but beware: it gives me a headache! It’s super intense, so I reserve it for events where I want to be the centre of attention. It lasts all day and I absolutely adore that.
It’s the king of sweet perfumes: wonderful, refined, with beastly performance, a true ‘beast mode’. What I smell most is a sophisticated vanilla that makes it elegant, accompanied by the other notes. The ingredients smell natural, nothing synthetic. It’s for special occasions: parties, suits, or dates, to leave a good impression. They say it doesn’t last, but it’s just ‘olfactory fatigue’ with sweets; this one lasts and lasts. It’s no longer sold in stores in Chile and the price has gone up, so buy it if you find it cheap. I have an 110 ml bottle with 80 ml left, so I use it wisely. Far and away the best of the Code line.
At first, I thought it was Code with sugar, and buying it blind disappointed me as it seemed like other trendy vanillas. But once it dried, what a change! The vanilla-tonka combo is rich and sensual, nothing shrill or overly feminine. It lost points at the start, but it recovers here. It’s not a beast, but it lasts an eternity on skin. If the opening were better, it would be brilliant, but sometimes you can’t have everything. I recommend it, but don’t pay too much.
Smells deliciously rich; I can feel the Armani Code DNA. I bought it this year, though the batch is from 2021. My girlfriend went crazy (though I know it’s me, the perfume just adds to the fact that people keep complimenting me xD). It lasts about 8 hours, ideal for playful nights, but I wouldn’t rule it out for meetings in cool weather.
At first, it smells very similar to One Million Elixir, but once it dries, it’s a soft, round vanilla due to the suede. It’s sweet, with vanilla as the star but sober, very well made to avoid looking juvenile or clubby, instead sophisticated. I like it, but I feel they put too much hype on it, perhaps due to its discontinuation. I don’t like flat vanilla fragrances; I prefer more complexity. In the comparison, I stick with Profumo: they’re similar, but this goes straight for the vanilla, whereas the other has amber, leather, and cardamom in the opening (and performs better on my skin), although both are a bit synthetic. Both are good, it’s a matter of taste.
The best sweet scent I’ve smelled so far. If One Million is the quintessential sweet scent for the young, Code Absolu is its equivalent for those over 30. Yes, I didn’t notice it lasting as long; rather, it was average.
Magnificent refinement for a golden night! It begins with an intoxicating explosion: sparkling apple floating in a creamy vanilla that lasts a lifetime. Then it softens with spices, leather, and powdery tonka. Finally, the talc and light leather close the show. It’s an original flanker that moves away from the original Code, keeping only the talc of the tonka. Its weak point is that, with so much vanilla, it resembles others; but it’s so well constructed that it surpasses them. It evolves vanilla to the next level. It works brilliantly below 20°C; more heat and it tires the nose. Although it’s attractive, I find it hard to classify it as semi-formal; it seems more for mixing gala, charisma, and shine in the evening. It’s also perfect for romantic dates with good clothes. It may appeal to the young due to its character. With 5 sprays between 10 and 20°C, it lasts 10-12 hours: strong projection at the start, then at arm’s length, near the shoulders, and finally on the skin until it disappears by the 10th or 12th hour. The trail lasts three hours. In the cold (0-10°C) it’s the same, just projecting less at the beginning. I haven’t compared other batches. Don’t waste time! It’s already discontinued and is one of the best for elegant dates and parties. If you’re new to perfumes or prefer citrus, it may overwhelm you, but if you like sweets, you’ll notice its coquettish and elegant character. Irreplaceable for suit nights. Although it can’t be tested, risking a blind buy could be an exceptional discovery.
I resisted buying it because my wife said it was similar to Spicebomb Extreme, which I already had, but I wish I’d bought it sooner! I love it. It smells and performs wonderfully. My bottle (batch 38U60UB, June 2021) has excellent performance: over 10 hours of duration and projects well for the first 3 hours. It’s more versatile than it seems, provided it’s cold weather. It suits dinners with friends or business. Although it’s more of a night scent, I’ve used it on cold mornings and it works great; it could be a signature for cold climates. It’s one of the best in my collection and I recommend it to anyone who likes vanilla scents. Hurry up, it’s becoming hard to find!
Lots of spiced vanilla, suede, and too potent for me. It’s a Beast Mode for making a statement, with 12 hours of duration in the dead of winter. With 5 sprays, I’m going crazy. On clothes, it lasts a week. I recommend using it only in cold winter nights. Don’t use it in summer. 7/10.
The best of the Code line today, even if Armani has trashed it. It’s true that no one matches the original Code with its mysterious, magical, oily acidity that made it famous, but today it’s just a caricature (get it online, about 60 ml for $30-40, just for the pleasure of saying: I have the original). It’s not a risky bet like its siblings Cashmere or Profumo, with that note hated by many. The purpose of a good perfume is to smell good and last a long time; originality or extravagance aren’t rewarded. And in that, Code Absolu triumphs. 8/10.