Frags that lived up to the hype

[Schad]

For me:

Back to Black
L'air du Desert Morocain
Chergui

3 frags that get praised often on these type of boards, and for good reasons.

Frags that didn't live up to hype:
Aventus
CS 88

[jakespoppy]

Interesting post. And another example of YMMV, as C&S #88 as well as C&S Cuba did live up to their hype for me.

[Greyfox]

Interesting post. And another example of YMMV, as C&S #88 as well as C&S Cuba did live up to their hype for me.

Yep. That's the reason there are so many different ones.

[tehtimmeh]

99.9% of frags don't live up to the hype. The reason is that everyone has different tastes and the chance that you are going to fall head over heals in love with something is quite rare. At least that is the case for me. The last two that "wowed" me but seem to have both lovers and haters were:

Montale Oud Cuir d'Arabie
Byredo Accord Oud

I'll not list the "disappointments" that I didn't really have high hopes for anyway...

[rtb178]

I think this is a really good question. Three I'll throw out there:

Rive Gauche PH
Eau Sauvage
Divine l'homme sage (although the hype came courtesy only of Professorchaos...)

[spoonman]

Lucky the question isn't 'which frags didn't live up to the hype' as there are plenty that don't!

For me, Terre d'Hermes lived up to it's (huge) hype.

[The Knize]

Where did the "hype" originate? Members here and other "reviews'? Or advertising/website puffs by the makers?

I do not read ads much and the ones I do I do not really pay attention to as far as how good the scent might be. In other words, I guess I filter "hype" out from the get go. Re other members, even if I do not like the scent, I pretty much consider the scent a success, and thus living up to the hype, if someone else truly loves it! I particularly think that of polarizing scents. If some really hate a scent and others deeply love it, that is a scent that is out there really doing something and thus is a success to me. As others have said, no scent is going to be liked by everyone, much less loved.

On the other hand, most of the less prestiguous department store frags seem kind of neither here nor there to me. Pleasant enough, but no great shakes. Usually no great love for them by folks at least those with some experience with and focus on scents. If those were "hyped," I would consider them most of the time not to live up to it. Flanker scents (look it up!) seem to me to be particularly not up to any hype.

CDG Wonderwood seems to me a particularly good example of a scent that truly did get a lot of hype before release, and was looked forward to by lots of people based on that hype. But I do not know anyone who thinks it is a great scent, much less one that lived up to the hype! For one thing, if one is going to hype a frag, one ought to make sure it smells like the thinigs that one is citing in the hype, rather than other things!

[Masterkova]

Those that lived up to their reputation:
MPG ~ Santal Noble
Guerlain ~ Mouchoir de Monsieur
Lalique ~ Encre Noire
Tauer ~ L'Air du Desert Marocain

Those that did not:
Creed ~ Green Irish Tweed
Editions Frederic Malle ~ Vetiver Extraordinaire
L'Artisan Parfumeur ~ Timbuktu

[StylinLA]

For me, Musc Ravageur and Pure Malt fell below my expectations.

But after being into this awhile, I've come to realize that MMMV, and they aren't many scents that expect to love. Sample things and see if they work for me.

[fsatsil]

Acca Kappa 1869, Ive really enjoyed this one this spring/summer season.

[Featherweight]

Kouros, Yatagan (sort of), Tommy Girl (Luca Turin's hype), Pour un Homme de Caron (anyone who knows anything about masculine fragrance's hype).

Those that failed to live up to any perceived "hype" -

Chanel Egoiste & Antaeus - maybe they've been reformulated into tamer versions of themselves, but neither of these struck me as anything special. Antaeus especially.
Creed Green Irish Tweed - it's a beautiful scent, and I'll always like it, but in the scheme of things, I think Grey Flannel is better.
Halston Z-14. Truly abysmal. Not really sure what other guys & gals are smelling there, but all I get is a weird hybridization that dries down to cinnamyl alcohol, and I hate the smell of cinnamon.
Ralph Lauren's Polo - kind of a tamer Yatagan. it's very nice, and very wearable, and very not worth all the accolades it's garnered over the years.



...

[wimbouman]

Tam Dao.

It may be hyped, but it is also excellent!

[blantyre]

Some of the Amouage range are excellent - Jubilation XXV and Homage attar for example. They live up to the hype even if possibly not the price. Blenheim Bouquet and English Ferm live up, Endymion does not. Several Creeds don't measure up IMO but some others are outstanding but still best to ignore the hype. 4711 and Florida water don't measure up to the hype IMO.

[jakespoppy]

Where did the "hype" originate? Members here and other "reviews'? Or advertising/website puffs by the makers?....

That's a good point, Robbie. I wasn't considering marketing hype. I was only thinking about hype on forums, and right or wrong, I view hype here on B&B as more credible as hype on other sites. I suppose I think of hype as praise that is grossly exaggerated, and I feel folks on here are generally more inclined to make up their own minds and voice their own opinions, particularly because individual's perspectives are appreciated and encouraged, and "YMMV" is held in higher regard than in other places. Of course I could be wrong, but that's here I operate from. So I think of hype coming more from other places, and here it's more likely just a difference of opinion, where I may be in the minority.

[T007]

Creed-GIT. I loved it!

[nEver-Ready]

Top three of each for me that...

Did live up to positive hype:

YSL - Kouros
Knize 10
Aramis Havana

Did not:

Creed Aventis
Creed GIT
Domenico Caraceni 1913

[The Knize]

That's a good point, Robbie. I wasn't considering marketing hype. I was only thinking about hype on forums, and right or wrong, I view hype here on B&B as more credible as hype on other sites. I suppose I think of hype as praise that is grossly exaggerated, and I feel folks on here are generally more inclined to make up their own minds and voice their own opinions, particularly because individual's perspectives are appreciated and encouraged, and "YMMV" is held in higher regard than in other places. Of course I could be wrong, but that's here I operate from. So I think of hype coming more from other places, and here it's more likely just a difference of opinion, where I may be in the minority.

I wonder if there is any scent that is universally liked, much less universally loved on this forum.

Perhaps Creed GIT is at least thought of as decent by most. Nothing else springs to mind!

[Obsessed]

Perhaps Creed GIT is at least thought of as decent by most.

Can't stand it.

[nEver-Ready]

Can't stand it.

I'm not on that bandwagon either.

[Sam]

Timmeh, tell me more about the Byredo Accord Oud? Projects, lasts long? SMells like?

[Isaac]

Some that lived up to the hype

Creed GIT
Creed Aventus
C&S #88

Fell very short

Santa Maria Novella Cuba
C&S Cuba
Serge Lutens Bois et Fruit
Creed Milliseme Imperial
Creed Vintage Tabarome ( I still want to like it, but it really puts me off)

[yaderhey]

Terre d'Hermes
Aramis Havana

And actually, I think Pure Malt smells pretty good, too.

[Silk]

The ones that lived up to the hype:
Mazzolari Lui
This is one absolute beast of a scent, with so many different faces/aspects. Definitely full bottle worthy.
Czech and Speake (Basically Everything)
I realised the other day that If I keep on the way that I'm going, I'll happily own full bottles of almost everything that C&S makes - the exceptions being Mimosa (makes me queasy) and Frankincense & Myrrh (doesn't last very long on my skin). Neroli is one I've been exploring more lately, and it's amazing; warm sunshine in a bottle (with incredible staying power, especially given that it's an orange flower scent).
Hammam Bouquet
This one doesn't need an introduction, does it?

The ones that didn't make the cut:
I can't think of too many off the top of my head, but I will say that everything I've tried with the name "Polo" on it has made me go "blech". Deodorant / hair gel with a twist. Blech.

[Obsessed]

I wonder if there is any scent that is universally liked, much less universally loved on this forum.

Perhaps Creed GIT is at least thought of as decent by most. Nothing else springs to mind!


Can't stand it.

I'm actually going to amend my statement a little. I gave myself a test spray today (I keep thinking I should like GIT because I used to wear Cool Water), and for the first time I actually found it to be ok. I may have to get a decant.

[mdevine]

Nothing demonstrates YMMV like taste in fragrances (with blades coming in a close second). Two that immediately spring to mind are Black Aoud and Eau Sauvage. As to GIT, I think it is a great choice for those that have a single signature scent. It is pleasant, safe and can be wore day or night all year round. However, the very qualities that make it ideal for certain people the same ones that disappoint many of us here. Those of us that like a large variety of fragrances tend to find it a little too safe. I find it a very well made fragrance but not great. Since it is perhaps the most hyped fragrance out there, the expectations are very high. It would be hard for any "safe" scent to live up to that much hype.

[tehtimmeh]

I'm actually going to amend my statement a little. I gave myself a test spray today (I keep thinking I should like GIT because I used to wear Cool Water), and for the first time I actually found it to be ok. I may have to get a decant.

You know I was thinking "Can't stand it" seemed a little harsh and out of character for your taste profile. It's definitely not anything that will blow you away, but it is certainly a pleasant enough scent. It's just not terribly interesting. I didn't know how you could have detested it so! Aside from the fact that it's just a wee bit TOO popular, which can in and of itself be off-putting.

[jeff2011]

Czech and Speake Cuba and O&C both do it for me. I haven't found any other fragrances out there I like every time (I get something from with every spray)--and these two do it.

[Obsessed]

You know I was thinking "Can't stand it" seemed a little harsh and out of character for your taste profile. It's definitely not anything that will blow you away, but it is certainly a pleasant enough scent. It's just not terribly interesting. I didn't know how you could have detested it so! Aside from the fact that it's just a wee bit TOO popular, which can in and of itself be off-putting.

Sometimes the verbena is too pronounced for me.

(I worded my "can't stand it" post as I did partly as a joke response to Robbie's post about everyone agreeing on GIT.)

[T-Dog]

Here comes trouble, but for the money: Davidoff's Cool Water.

[Sterling Cooper]

Totally a YMMV query.

As for my mileage:

Three that achieved:

Opus 1870
Sartorial
Floris Vetiver

Three that failed to achieve on a level field of play:
C&S 88
Endymion
Anything Le Labo

[Mitsimonsta]

For me, Guerlain L'Instant ticked the hype box....

[nEver-Ready]

Here comes trouble, but for the money: Davidoff's Cool Water.

I'll give you some support here. I like this better than GIT.

[superfly]

Guerlain Vetiver,
Bvlgari Black
Chanel Pour Monsieur

[Alraz]

I love Pure Malt.

Al raz.

[jss4fish]

I have to pass my vote to GIT and Aventus. I enjoy them both, but never expected to buy a bottle due to the price. Got a couple samples and SWMBO ordered 4 oz bottles of each...that is a ringing endorsement! I also thought Sartorial met the hype but the wife isn't crazy for that one.

[tehtimmeh]

I have to pass my vote to GIT and Aventus.

While neither certainly live up to the hype or even close, they are decent scents and my wife's top two scents on me of all time. Sounds like your wife's taste is similar to mine. She won't let me come within 10 feet of Sartorial either (or anything from Pens for that matter...)

You might see how she reacts to Creed Tabarome Millesime and Himalaya as well. My wife digs both of those and she doesn't like 99.9% of frags. She seems very partial to Creed and always chooses them out of everything else even when sniffing totally blind. That ambergris is a panty dropper in my household! :lol:

[jss4fish]

While neither certainly live up to the hype or even close, they are decent scents and my wife's top two scents on me of all time. Sounds like your wife's taste is similar to mine. She won't let me come within 10 feet of Sartorial either (or anything from Pens for that matter...)

You might see how she reacts to Creed Tabarome Millesime and Himalaya as well. My wife digs both of those and she doesn't like 99.9% of frags. She seems very partial to Creed and always chooses them out of everything else even when sniffing totally blind. That ambergris is a panty dropper in my household! :lol:

My experience has been similar. I have tried many scents on her and the only ones that seem to get beyond "it's ok" are Creeds. Pen's, Hermes, and many others have been tried. I enjoy many of them, but she loves the GIT and Aventus. While I like them both, if it weren't for her reaction I probably wouldn't spend the money for them. The women at work love the Aventus as well and hint that I should wear more because they only catch a whiff when I walk by... I certainly dont understand what it is about that frag, but if reactions from others are an indication of living up to hype it has to get the nod. (and no, I will not be wearing more, lol...a whiff when you walk by is plenty IMO!)

[christhach]

What a great idea for a thread! Kudos to OP.

Those that not only lived up to, but surpassed the hype:

Caron Yatagan (all in all, this is still my favorite frag ever)
Jubilation XXV (only reason this isn't my favorite frag is cause I can't afford it :001_tongu)
Floris Vetiver (my favorite vetiver, even slightly above Frederick Malle's...and that's sayin' something)

Honorable mention: Rive Gauche, Tom Ford Italian Cypress, Clubman Special Reserve

Failures:

Azzaro pour homme (I really tried to like this with many applications. I get the similarity to Yatagan...mixed with a very health dose of dirty BO...ug!)

Azzaro was really the only horrendous failure that I can think of. Mere disappointments include Lalique Encre Noire (too inky and much hyped), Bvlgari Aqva (supposedly the best aquatic ever - meh) and English Leather (sickly sweet).

[Dennard]

Guerlain Vetiver,
Bvlgari Black
Chanel Pour Monsieur

+1

[Schad]

Add guerlain l'instant pour homme to my list

[He-Ben]

Lived up to it:
Caron's Le 3eme Homme surpassed all of my expectations as to what a fragrance could be and could do. :-) It really just "clicked" for me, and the drydown - oh, the drydown! - is ever changing, always surprising me...in a most pleasant way, of course.
Guerlain's Vetiver was the first fragrance with a perceptible "soapy" note that I have really enjoyed. Very good stuff!

Dissapointments:
Platinum Egoiste (Chanel) smelled clean and very familiar to me. Then it hit me - it was very similar to an Axe bodywash I used in high school. Hmph.
Azzaro PH, while an enjoyable and nice fragrance, had absolutely NO staying power on me - as in, I couldn't it smell it after about 5 minutes. Even if I doused myself in it, none of my co-workers could smell it.
Creed's GIT is nice, yes, but has been copied so much that whatever specialness I was hoping for had been lost in a sea of clones.

*My 100th post! Sweet!

[g8rforester]

Live up:

Opus 1870
C&S No. 88
Floris Santal

Not so much:

Blenheim Bouquet
C&S Cuba

That's not to say I don't wear either of those, just that I'm happy with my sample vials!!

[Indaco]

Off the top of my head...

Lived up to the hype:
Creed GIT

Not so much:
Terre d'Hermes
Pen's Blenheim Bouquet (although I'll be giving it another shot when it gets warm again!)

[Schad]

Add sartorial to my list!

[Puig]

I'm actually going to amend my statement a little. I gave myself a test spray today (I keep thinking I should like GIT because I used to wear Cool Water), and for the first time I actually found it to be ok. I may have to get a decant.
I was in Saks last week and decided to try GIT yet again, you know I really hate this stuff, think it's awful, terrible common aquatic, just like a million other scents, just don't get the hype. Normally I can at least appreciate what others may see in a scent, but this is just beyond me. Have a few others like that as well, Caron's Third Man being at the top of that list.

[Princecookie]

Floid Blue. I'm surprised it wasn't mentioned yet because when it was rumored to be discontinued there were many people looking to stock up before the supply ran out.