Armani Code by Giorgio Armani

Got the change: I traded my Montale Fougères Marine for this 125ml gem from 2017. Everyone was terrified I wouldn’t like it due to the theoretical performance, but they were completely wrong. It’s my personal bubble: for the first hour and a half, it projects luxury, and on my skin, it easily lasts 12 hours with all-day sillage. A delight, fresh and wearable, perfect for everyday wear.

Art of attraction: the opening is lemon and bergamot, but not shrill, rather contained and elegant. Immediately, dry herbal accents appear, balancing the freshness and lending a sober air. As it dries down, dark notes of leather and tobacco emerge, softened by the sweetness of tonka bean. The result is a seductive accord that invites closeness, sophisticated and refined. The emotion is clear: it generates attraction. It’s masculine, versatile, and delicious, from uni to the office or special events. It feels like a signature scent, elegant and confident, combining fresh citrus with dark sensuality. My rating: 9/10. Balanced and seductive, refined yet accessible.

I never connected with this perfume. It is elegant, yes, but I sense a vintage vibe and something sinister about it. Not quite at the level of YSL Kouros or Chanel Antaeus, but I get a murky feeling. It doesn’t last, doesn’t project; it’s pure poetic fantasies of the fans who acclaim it. I haven’t tried the new formulas under proper conditions to give a more accurate review, as I prioritise other more modern and interesting scents.

This will be one of my favourites forever, even if it doesn’t project or last long. The opening and dry-down are totally delicious. I’ll always keep a bottle of this at home.

It’s a pity it was reformulated; now I understand the tremendous success of this fragrance that still stands despite the destruction done to it. I managed to get a bottle from 2008 and it’s citrusy, woody with a slightly sweet and seductive base. Regarding performance, they surpass their predecessors by a huge margin.

Smells like chokomilk. Fin.

Well, what a pleasant surprise. I had heard about Armani’s Code line and, upon studying it, thought: ‘typical sweet and warm perfumes for going out at night, there are thousands just like them, they won’t work for me’. As for me, I do not go out at night, and if I did, it would be thirty degrees for three-quarters of the year. Seeing the olfactory pyramid, that note of anise put me off; adding everything up, I was not going to bother trying it. That is when the sample vials given as gifts did their magic, and I found myself with this wonderful fragrance. A sweet, deep, almost intoxicating aroma that opens with that sweet and sour lime that drives me crazy and which paradoxically reminds me of a fragrance as feminine as Good Girl by Carolina Herrera. The anise treated in this accord is a marvel; for someone like me who works with star anise, one can relax: this does not smell like ground spices, nor does it have that gritty oriental aftertaste, nor does it smell like anise tea for insomniac grandmothers. It is a subtle anise hint, nothing realistic or cloying, reminiscent of the sweet anise liqueur drunk at parties. I do not know what makes this aroma so sweet; the tonka bean obviously contributes, and the tobacco must be the sweetest pipe tobacco I have ever smelled, but my nose cannot decipher that sweetness so present yet not cloying; it is an edulcorated sweetness, so to speak. I do not smell a notable leather and it is not the first time this has happened to me; it seems I do not understand what some brands refer to with leather, but I do feel that robust base that manages to make such a sweet and aromatic accord pass as masculine. It seems counterintuitive, but this perfume does not clash so much in the heat; it could be worn perfectly in the spring, even on the freshest nights of summer. It does not project but makes itself felt pleasantly; it does not overwhelm but invites. One feels like going out to wear it. A perfume that should not be for me and yet I loved it. To make matters worse, it has made a perfect match with my skin; having worn it on Friday, it was not entirely gone by Saturday; that sweet aftertaste was still perceptible after nearly 20 hours. Despite not connecting with its winning horse, which is AdG, Armani undoubtedly has things for me; to make matters worse, this line is cheaper in my country. Now I want to try the famous Profumo. 8/10.

They gave it to me and opened me up to the world of perfumery. It smells soft, citrusy with a sweet touch, incredible, I had never tried anything like this. I found out it was a tester and it is no longer sold. 10/10.

Smells super delicious. I recommend it as versatile because it does not bother, does not last or project much, but it does it well as an EDT. 7 words essence.

Before I did not know what leather smelled like with this. It smells like an old Mercedes Benz on the inside. It is serious, suitable for formal occasions. For dates I would use something sweeter, like Stronger With You. 8/10, it is good if you are looking for something formal.

Armani Code EDT is a classic that impresses with that metallic touch that accompanies it from start to finish. Upon opening, citrus notes, probably bergamot, bring a distinctive bitter character that lasts about five minutes before yielding to the heart. There, star anise dominates, natural and spiced, interwoven with tobacco and leather to create a rich symphony. Unlike Alien Man, here the anise is not synthetic; the guaiac wood lends that soft, balsamic, slightly dusty aroma that, along with the leather and tobacco, creates an almost tactile sensation of metallic powder. As it dries, tonka bean softens and sweetens it, although the metallic profile persists. It is a master of subtle seduction; I tested it while driving a taxi and a passenger could not resist asking about the scent. Nevertheless, I would rate it 6/10: it is good but not exceptional, as it loses the originality of its beginnings due to having similar competitors. It remains solid for those seeking something sexy and secure that smells of money.

Elegant and smells like money. It remains incredibly rich despite the years and has a very sensual touch.

Perfumon is the king of the night out: it has identity and character. It stands out among the new generics; although it’s been on the market for years, it still pleases everyone and people ask what you’re wearing, something that doesn’t happen with so many hyped launches.

I still have the bottle with remnants of the original version and it remains one of my favourites, a scent with character for different circumstances. At first it made an impact and drew comments, but the reformulations have left it without force. I’m sorry that brands don’t take care of their lines to avoid disappointing loyal customers.

I’ve used it occasionally for five years and it’s perfect for dates: it’s liquid sensuality. It still generates compliments because the sweet base balances the fresh opening well. It doesn’t project or last long, but it’s made for closeness and intimacy. If you want someone to smell you and sigh, it’s the best option.