Armani Code Eau de Toilette by Giorgio Armani

Just bought it and what a disappointment. I’m not sure if this applies to all batches, but mine projects nothing and leaves no trail; it stays in a personal bubble. It smells nice but lasts just enough for a quick shop run or even less; for the price, there are better options. If the designers don’t step up, the Arabs will eat everything for breakfast.

Reminds me quite a bit of Allure Homme Sport Eau Extreme. I thought I was the only one who noticed until I saw it listed in similar fragrances. Very good and lasts a long time.

Read several recommendations and decided to give it a try. I regret it. I didn’t like it at all. Being an EDT, I expected it to be fresher, ideal for spring or summer, but it’s so intense that it becomes unpleasant, especially in enclosed spaces. Definitely, if anyone wears it, they should do so outdoors only. The mandarin note is non-existent; what I perceive is a sweet lavender with a dominant, tiring metallic touch. The only thing it has is an enormous sillage from the very first second: it envelops you so much that it feels invasive, even numbing my nose after just six sprays. After an hour, it drops a bit, but the scent remains quite unpleasant for me. At least it wasn’t a huge financial loss: I paid around $100 for the 200ml refillable version. Still, I won’t refill it. I’m not an expert, but I’m speaking from direct experience. In summary, try it very carefully before buying. It might suit some, but it’s definitely not for everyone.

The new Armani Code version presents a reformulation clearly aimed at a softer, more modern and popular formula. The scent feels cleaner, lighter and less dense than its predecessor. The opening is fresh, with a brighter, fruitier bergamot, and a slightly more abstract heart where aromatic and woody notes are well balanced but with less depth. The base, while still retaining some warmth thanks to tonka bean, no longer has the same weight or creamy sensuality of the original. The old formulation (2004) offered a more distinctive character: darker and more seductive. Its combination created a much more enveloping and nocturnal aura, with a bolder profile, a marked trail and greater longevity. This version (2023), although well made and more versatile for daily wear, loses that distinctive edge. In its attempt to modernise and adapt to a minimalist aesthetic, it dilutes part of the identity that made the original famous.

The Armani Code EDT 2023 is citrusy, aromatic, and spicy. This reformulated version shares many similarities with the previous one, except it notes more lavender and less anise, but maintains the citrus opening with a very pleasant base of vanilla and tonka bean. Previously it was for elegant night outings, but now with current trends, it’s suitable for daily wear, work, or parties, maintaining its elegance. Longevity has dropped; on me, it lasted about 5-6 hours, and the sillage, except for the first hour, stays very close to the skin. Compared to the Parfum and EDP versions, the EDT is the most versatile, although now I prefer the Parfum. If you can get it at a good price, it’s probably worth buying a large bottle of this new EDT.

I bought it recently due to the praise for the original version. To my nose, it is merely a pleasant fragrance, nothing special. Lavender dominates from the start with an interesting citrus and a sweet amber note that seems to blend everything together. Extremely soft. The trail is negligible during the first few minutes and then disappears. On my skin the longevity is extremely poor; only a slight sweet residue remains on the skin after two or three hours. At times it seems like a cheap teenage cologne. I applied it twice when starting to write this review, stopped to read other comments and it is almost imperceptible now (probably only ten minutes have passed). I would not buy it again. Scent: 6/10, Trail: 2/10, Longevity: 4/10.

What a pity I didn’t try the old version, but this is an absolute bomb. 100% masculine, super versatile, and a compliment machine. It doesn’t cloy or overpower; it gives that feeling of being watched. It opens with mandarin for 15-20 minutes, then clean lavender and a rich vanilla (perhaps white flowers) take over the party. Tonka bean and cedar finish it off perfectly. Projection and sillage are moderate, lasting around 7 hours. It’s totally worth adding to my collection.

What could be more versatile than this?

Very similar to the original (90% after intensive use). What’s missing is leather, but in my opinion, it doesn’t detract from a scent that everyone who approaches you likes. It’s very versatile, though I wouldn’t use it in extreme temperatures. Lasts 6-7 hours, projection for 1-2 hours. Rating: 8.3/10.

The classic Armani Code EDT is one of my all-time favourite fragrances, and with this new formulation they’ve ruined everything… it’s a shame it no longer has star anise, leather, or tobacco. This new version has very poor longevity and performance, and although they added cedar and mandarin, they don’t match the richness of the ingredients in the classic at all. I wouldn’t buy it; I’ll always prefer the original fragrance, which is becoming increasingly scarce. R.I.P. classic Armani Code, you will always be one of my favourites.

A disgrace in terms of performance. I ordered the old version from Fragrance.net but received this one instead, and unfortunately, it doesn’t last anything like the original from 2004. It’s a waste of money.

For those wondering, the reviews on this page are misleading: it’s not a bad perfume and it doesn’t last short (in my case 6-7 hours). The opening can be misleading because it’s citrusy, but once it dries down, it smells like a very rich vanilla that reminds me of Jean Paul Gaultier’s Le Male. It’s a very good fragrance; if you find it below retail price, it’s highly recommended.

If the idea was to bury the name ‘Code’, this rubbish achieves it… it smells like nothing and the projection is minimal. The bottle is horrible, looking like any alternative cologne, even niche ones are more elegant. The liquid fades away in two hours and the scent… has no personality, a cheap water type like Agua Brava, to smell on the skin for one or two hours at a truly outrageous price for the rubbish they sell.

I tested this new version of my favourite perfume and I’ll get straight to the point: it’s a commercial attempt to save sales for an EDT that already had a bad reputation due to reformulation and its lack of performance. Don’t expect anything different from the classic, because you will be disappointed. It’s the Code as always with a slightly fresher opening, a bit cleaner and less smoky, but if you smell it from a metre away or up close, it smells exactly the same. The difference at a distance is zero. If you already have the previous one, the answer is NO. I’ll keep the original EDT for that mythical leather and star anise, as this version adds nothing new.