Drakkar Bleu by Guy Laroche

A run-of-the-mill blue fragrance, cheap, and the sort you’d get from a chemist. Hyper generic; it follows the same route as Y by YSL or Invictus. It has nothing in common with the masterpiece Drakkar Noir, nor with Drakkar Intense, which at least has an original aroma. It’s made to appeal to today’s masses.

A little blue one for the whole year, if not generic, but that’s not a negative criticism. If you’re going for the safe option, this is the kind of fragrance you should have. It reminds you of many other fragrances. In my experience, it’s 98% identical to H. BOSS United.

This fragrance isn’t anything new, but it doesn’t have to be. I understand the foundation of its composition: if you had to create a Drakkar Bleu in 2025, it would have landed exactly on this scent, considering that the Noir has a totally nocturnal, masculine and powerful intention; and if the blue version had been launched in the ’80s, it would probably have been very similar to Cool Water. In fact, here we find three elements of that: lavender, violet leaves and oakmoss (the violet leaves that make up Green Irish Tweed, the inspiration for Cool Water). But also, for it to share the DNA of the Noir, they had to add patchouli and sage. With that base, the only thing missing was to make it more current, with some proven mass-appeal formula. Which one? The green apple from YSL, which together with the sage creates that magic, further refreshed by the mint at the opening. That’s exactly what happened, but comparing it directly with the YSL, here there is more density and a certain darkness that evoke a dark blue sea next to a humid forest, also justifying the colour of the liquid. This Drakkar has more maturity and presence than the YSL EDP; in my opinion, it’s for an audience of thirty and upwards who appreciate the energising quality of a fruity aquatic fragrance, but who look back nostalgically at the ’90s and the blue fougères. Also, there’s something that gives it an aquatic tone. For all that, it seems to me a pertinent aromatic creation that fills a gap in my collection of blue and aquatic fragrances. As a daily fragrance, it’s perfect, especially after the shower. Performance is normal, leaning weak in windy situations or with more body heat, but maybe it needs time to settle; I suspect that, according to this composition, it will tend to improve. If you like the DNA, aquatic fragrances that are somewhat classic and very mass-appealing, and also with good value for money, this is the one.

I bought it blind as soon as it came out because I love Drakkar Intense and expected something in that style but blue. I was disappointed when I smelled it; it wasn’t what I expected. As I used it, I came to understand it, and now I can say I like it a lot. It has also gained intensity, and I wear it very happily to the office. It sits very well and is fresh but aromatic. It will be one of those I’ll repurchase when it runs out. Besides, it’s original: you don’t smell like almost anyone else.

This perfume is a gem, really lovely.

Well, to be honest it’s a good perfume, nothing out of the ordinary; it even reminds me of Hawass Ice at the opening, it’s extremely similar. For the price I got it for in Mexico ($500), I’m not going to demand more than 6 hours of longevity, but while it’s true that I can’t smell the fragrance after about 2 hours — probably olfactory fatigue — it’s pretty weak; nothing an extra spray won’t solve. It’s good, yes, but it’s nothing special; it even comes across as an imitation of any other perfume. For the price, I’m not complaining.

I like Drakkar Blue, but it wasn’t exactly what I expected. Personally, I don’t perceive it as a fresh fragrance, at least not in extreme heat. At the moment it’s 30 °C and I find it a bit heavy, which surprised me. As for longevity, being an Eau de Parfum, I expected it to beat Drakkar Noir, but it seemed fairly similar in longevity. Even so, the longevity is acceptable. I think it can work in summer, but on moderately warm days, not on very muggy days like today.

This perfume is a little gem, very lovely.

It’s fine, it’s a long way from the quality of other Drakkar ones, but it does its job pretty well for the price. A good everyday fragrance for summer, without too much sillage.

Be careful with this perfume – I’ve had it for a couple of months now and its development has surprised me. It’s as if you put a thick layer of Granny Smith apple extract on top of Drakkar Noir, and a few drops of spearmint Listerine. At the start it didn’t last long, not even when just applied, and over time I’m finding it has much more character. I get a delicious fresh, green, clean, sparkling scent; at first it disappointed me because it smelled of pure Invictus 🙁 but over time I’ve discovered aspects that I’ve loved. I sense a more ‘alpha’ vibe for its category. Yes, it also has that fruity and ‘run-of-the-mill’ side, but with maturity… it also bears some resemblance to ‘Fierce’ by A&F, but its biggest resemblance is to Johnson & Johnson’s apple baby shampoo; it’s that, but brought into adulthood. Honestly, at first you don’t feel the Drakkar imprint; it seems like a 180-degree turn, but no! There are reminiscences of the classic. Right now, in the middle of winter, I’m working nights in a gym with the heating permanently at 25 degrees, and it goes brilliantly! Lavender, patchouli and green apple combine perfectly, creating a fresh but authoritative aroma. It’s incredible how this fruit has taken over the market; almost anything with green apple is liked and feels youthful (but generic). It’s the common scent of today, but with flashbacks of a 2000s fougère… exactly, it takes me straight back to a barbershop in 2004. However, I think above 25 degrees it would become heavy. As I described it, you’d think the fragrance was playful, but no… it’s rather serious! From a serious, neat and temperamental man. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone under 26. It isn’t special or different either, but for going to work it’s perfect… to feel clean, bright, soapy, classic yet cutting-edge. I’ve already got through a quarter of the 100 ml bottle. Summary: Green apple > spearmint > Gillette shaving foam (the classic one). One of the best generic scents I’ve come across; at first it feels like ‘more of the same’, but it has its differential factor. It seems to cause fatigue and disappear quickly, but I’ve noticed it holds up well for its 4/5 hours! Good buy. Scent: 8.5 Projection/Sillage: 6.1 Longevity: 5.3 Final rating: 6/10 ***66.3% perfection***

I bought this blindly walking out of the store because I’m a fan of Drakkar Intense and wanted something similar in blue. At first, it disappointed me, but with use, I’ve understood its essence and now I adore it. It has gained intensity and is perfect for the office; it’s fresh, aromatic, and very original—you don’t smell like everyone else. I’ll be buying it again when I run out.

It’s a gem, simply very rich.

Be careful with this perfume; I’ve had it for months and was surprised by its evolution. It’s as if Drakkar Noir had been given a layer of Granny Smith apple extract and a few drops of mint. At first, it didn’t last long, but over time it gains character. It’s a fresh, green, and clean scent with a spark; initially, I was disappointed because it smelled like Invictus, but later I discovered its ‘alpha’ vibe for its category. It does have that fruity and common side, but with maturity; it reminds me of Johnson & Johnson’s apple shampoo but for adults. At first, you don’t feel the Drakkar; it seems like a 180-degree turn, but there are reminiscences of the classic. In winter, with heating at 25 degrees in the gym, it goes wild; the lavender, patchouli, and green apple blend perfectly to create something fresh yet authoritative. It’s incredible how green apple has taken the market—anything with it feels youthful and generic, but this has flashbacks to a fougère from the 2000s, as if you were in a barbershop back then. Over 25 degrees, it could become heavy. It seems playful but is serious: for a neat and temperamental man. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone under 26. It’s not special, but it’s perfect for work: clean, bright, soapy, and classic with a touch of vanguard. I’ve already used a quarter of a 100 ml bottle. Summary: Green apple > mint > classic Gillette shaving foam. One of the best generic scents I’ve tried; at first it seems like ‘more of the same’ but it has its hook. It seems to tire and fade quickly, but it performs well for 4 or 5 hours. Good purchase. Scent: 8.5, Projection: 6.1, Longevity: 5.3. Final rating: 6/10. ***66.3% perfection***

Well, to be honest, it smells good, but it’s nothing extraordinary. Upon spraying, it reminds me a lot of Hawass Ice, almost identical. For the 500 pesos I paid for it in Mexico, I couldn’t get more than 6 hours out of it, although it’s true that after two hours I feel nothing, probably olfactory fatigue, but another application fixes it. It’s good, yes, but nothing out of this world; it passes as an imitation of any other perfume. For the price, I have no complaints.

I was expecting a flanker of the Noir, like the Intense, but this has not even 0% of the line. I can’t stop thinking about the Y or the Yeah; it’s that style: it comes out mentholated and fruity and then becomes a clone of YSL’s Y. If you don’t have or can’t get the Arab versions, it’s a good option for the price. The longevity is a bit low for now, but I’ve worn it for a couple of days and it needs to oxygenate. It’s not what I expected; I already have the Yeah, the Yeah EDP, and a decant of Fackar Black, so I’ll have to swap it because it’s not a scent I like (Y and its flankers), and with so many similar ones, I’ll never finish them.