Odyssey Spectra by Armaf

I started dabbling in perfumery a year ago looking for something fresh and budget-friendly for going out. At first, it smells of citrusy cinnamon, though I detect more cinnamon than bergamota. As it dries down, it blends citrus, florals, and cinnamon with a clean touch of lavender, but that evolution doesn’t convince me. In its final phase, it leaves a base of cinnamon, tobacco, and vanilla: sweet, pleasant, and with a masculinity that leans more towards male than female. I don’t feel it’s unisex due to that dry-down, but while testing its longevity, I can say I’ve never had one like this before and I liked it.

In relation to the Ultramale, they are not the same perfume. Smelling one on each opposite wrist, the Odyssey Spectra is a much less sweet but more spiced interpretation, which in my opinion is a plus; that note of tobacco in the dry down seems delicious and very masculine. Very usable during the day, it doesn’t become annoying, although it shines in the late afternoon. Guaranteed compliments, safe purchase, all-rounder.

I bought it a few days ago and it’s excellent: it lasts a long time on clothes and skin, has good trail and projection. It’s perfect for the night, nights out, and parties. Watch out: never wear it during the day or in the heat. Learn that a sweet perfume isn’t worn like that unless it’s cold. Stop saying it can be worn during the day or in the heat, whether trolling or whatever, but it smells like something sweet like cotton candy.

I bought it blindly as a gift, thinking I would enjoy it myself, but it was a total letdown. Sorry, but it’s a headache just from the opening after the first spray. A mix of scents very poorly combined; it’s unclear whether it’s sweet or woody, yet the opening is dry. I still can’t find its identity. Many people compare it to others, but I would not buy it again nor would I give it as a gift. It was a literal waste of money. Never again.

I perceive it as closer to Ultra Male. The Afnan smells like bubblegum plastic and leaves a strange scent as it dries; this one is fresher, more natural, and fresh right now. The Afnan dropped in price to around $22, whereas this Spectra is about $40 in my country and has lasted me two years.

I own all three: Ultra Male, 9PM, and Spectra. Of them all, this is the closest to Ultra Male, although it lacks that juicy pear top note that the original has. The 9PM is more scandalous and cloyingly sweet at the top. This Spectra is completely sweet, like bubblegum, with a less pronounced but warmer vanilla. It has a high concentration of essential oils; you can tell on the skin. The Fraiche clone house’s version of Ultra Male is identical to the 9PM, literally 1:1. Conversely, the Spectra feels a bit different from the 9PM and closer to Ultra Male as it dries. It’s slightly less sweet, darker, and denser. I could say it’s the ‘mature’ and ‘less youthful’ version compared to the 9PM. Up close, against the skin, it’s much better in quality and noticeable. Almost as good as the JPG. However, the JPG is only superior at the top; as they dry down, they are virtually identical. Of all the Ultra Male DNA clones, I’d stick with this one.

I bought it impulsively as a clone and it resembles the JPG Ultra Male, but this one has the freshness of bergamot and lavender, is less sweet and has less cinnamon. Its potency is brutal, lasting 10 hours. I recommend it; look for a deal and buy it.

Much better than the 9PM. This one is definitely worth it; the projection is brutal (even though I own the original Ultramale).

Given the price of the Ultramale, it’s not worth buying clones, especially if you already have a good collection of perfumes. I picked up the 40ml bottle on offer for €28 or €30 and still have more than half left.