Armani Code Eau de Parfum by Giorgio Armani

I’ve always said it and I stand by it: this is the modern Le Male, perfectly suited to have been Le Male Le Parfum.

An aroma for mild or cold days; on my dry skin, the vanilla, lavender, tonka bean, musk, and leather really stand out. It’s highly addictive, miles better than the new Armani Code Parfum—at least in Mexico, I can’t find it as easily anymore (I’m not sure if it’s discontinued). It’s linear but smells delicious, ideal for formal occasions or dates, with moderate projection and a low sillage; it lasts 7 to 8 hours.

Let me summarise it easily: it’s the same as the EDT, but without the fresh bergamot part or the current mandarin. Then it settles with a very creamy vanilla mixed with tonka and spices, so that upon drying, the anise, pepper, etc., stand out even more. Due to its more pronounced spicy scent, I think it’s more for someone older; I wouldn’t recommend it blindly for anyone under 25 or 30. It’s better to go for the EDT. Lasts around 5 to 6 hours, with moderate to low projection and sillage. It’s a perfume to stand out in dates and intimate situations, all year round but leaning towards night wear.

Extremely seductive, elegant, gentlemanly, and serious. Be careful, I don’t feel it’s suitable for a youthful character because the scent feels very sober; that’s why I ended up not finding many occasions to use it when I was young, even though I love the smell. It smells of creamy, clean vanilla with hints of anise, as if you took the EDT and sacrificed its fresh part for the vanilla-tonka bean duo; if you like the classic Le Male, you must give it a sniff. It’s not an extroverted, effusive seducer, but rather a gentlemanly and sober one. As for performance, it’s balanced: it’s not a bomb but it doesn’t stay close to the skin either, just enough not to bother anyone and to make a statement. As it’s neither cloying nor fresh, I feel it’s versatile for a mature personality. The good: the Code DNA is always very seductive, good performance, the scent is rich and no one will dislike it; it works well in formal settings due to its elegance, I see it as a signature fragrance for someone mature because its balanced sweetness makes it work almost all year round; without a doubt, it smells professional, ideal for the office. The bad: its serious character makes it not very versatile for a young person, I don’t see it as very party-ready; if you’re wearing shorts and flip-flops, you won’t feel comfortable with this fragrance because of how elegant it smells.

It’s a perfume I really like, similar to the EDT and a bit less like the Profumo, but more elegant and mature. A very rich, masculine, chic, and fresh scent. The opening is fresh accompanied by lavender, then a pleasant sweetness (tonka and vanilla) appears, which stays fixed with anise and a very soft leather. The longevity is moderate; in my case, it varies between 5 and 8 hours. Its projection is modest, inviting people to come closer to you. A safe card for dates and cold nights.

I tried it and immediately swapped it for a catalogue scent. At first, it seemed hyper-synthetic, plastic, and even intolerable. The dry-down is pleasant, but it doesn’t stick. I own the Absolu, the Profumo, the new Parfum, and the eau de toilette, so what can I say? Absolu takes the crown. That one is truly glorious and spectacular.

In my opinion, the best of all the Code scents. I don’t understand why they discontinued it to release scams like the Code Parfum and the new Code Eau de Toilette. 🤦♂️

Within the Code line, it doesn’t bring anything new; it is a combination of notes already used in previous versions. That doesn’t mean it isn’t very good. I have tried it a couple of times, but this and the CODE A List are the only ones I haven’t purchased. This EDP builds upon the EDT, but if there is one in the line that resembles it most, it is the CODE ULTIMATE, which is an intense EDT with similar performance. If you are a collector, you will want it; if you don’t own any Code, it is a good option.

ARMANI CODE EAU DE PARFUM: For those who have the Armani Code EDT, you should know that this version is the luxury one, whereas the EDT is the austere one. The Eau de Parfum retains the DNA of the aforementioned scent, but it is nothing like it. This one is rounder, more complete, abundant, alluring, and radiant. The EDT has absolutely nothing to do here. This is a sexy, nocturnal, and striking fragrance. I insist, while it keeps the DNA of the EDT, it is with much more aroma, as the vanilla gives it what its mother fragrance was always missing. If you still don’t have the Armani Code, don’t think twice and go for this. One that will always be a success at night, whether for dates or clubbing; you will look great. Scent: 9. Projection: average. Longevity: 8 hours. Recommended.

Armani Code EDP smells of vanilla and musk with a floral touch. It starts citrusy and spicy, reminiscent of the original but sweeter. The lavender-musk aroma soon emerges, aromatic with vanilla notes, a hint of chocolate, wood, and a touch of leather. There aren’t many changes afterwards; the scent is rich, attractive, and sensual, reminding me of Le Male Le Parfum. It’s ideal for dates or cold weather, perfect for autumn and winter. Everyone usually likes it because it’s sweet. It lasted about 10 hours with normal projection. I love it because it’s so similar to Le Male Le Parfum, which I also adore, but that’s a problem right now as I’m not sure if I want two such similar fragrances. Once I finish my Jean Paul Gaultier, this will be my safe purchase. If I have to choose an Armani Code, it will be this one.

It’s basically the EDT with more lavender and a sweeter touch from the vanilla. It has a wonderful dry-down. Edit: they’ve already discontinued it; it’s my husband’s favourite of all the ones he owns. Unfortunately, he bought it in a small bottle, so now I’m thinking of asking to get one for myself 😳. That dry-down is the best 🤤.

On my skin, it lasts 6-7 hours with moderate projection, just like the traditional version. As a regular fan, I notice only a very timid vanilla and a bit more musk, but it’s not enough to differentiate it. I’ll stick with the EDT. It smells good, but if you already have the EDT and it performs as well as it does for me, this one is redundant; it feels very repetitive on my skin.

Imagine Harvey Specter walking into a room; well, this smells like him. It’s for wearing with a suit and tie, with an air of a winner. It’s elegant, very elegant. It doesn’t have a deep sillage, just as a gentleman wouldn’t, because it’s not for a disco-dwelling show-off. It’s delicate yet persistent. It can be worn 365 days a year, in all seasons, whether cold or hot, day or night, because what defines its use is the outfit. It doesn’t go with shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, which is why it’s not that versatile. I think it’s for men who dress formally or for special occasions. It’s the counterpart to Armani Stronger With You Absolute (which I tried), sweeter and louder, like an adolescent trying to attract attention. It lasts a long time and stays there, at 30 cm, dispensing class. It’s not that you choose this fragrance, but that this fragrance chooses you… you’re on the right track if, while searching for it, you spot the cufflinks.

I’ve read they’re going to discontinue it in favour of the new EDP. I believe it was the best designer launch of 2021; for me, it’s an absolute bombshell.

The original Armani Code EDT is one of my all-time favourites. Reformulated beyond all hope, with very scarce longevity. So this new launch put me in a good mood. What do we have in this new Code EDP? The essence of the classic but modernised. It’s as if you took the original, Profumo, and Absolu, and this Code EDP emerged. The opening is marked by lavender and citrus, giving way immediately to tonka. It’s softer than the recent Code flankers, less cloying, though still sweet. Perhaps it’s redundant, but it’s a good alternative if you want a fragrance for autumn/winter or dates. As for longevity? Between 7 and 8 hours. Compliments guaranteed. Regarding age, I see it as suitable for 25 and above without any issues. If you find it at a good price and don’t own any of the Code flankers, I recommend it wholeheartedly.