Blind Smell Test To Determine Best Cologne For Fathers Day
We conducted a blind smell test with 6 popular fragrances to determine the best cologne for Fathers Day.
Fragrances are one of the best gifts you can give or receive – but they can also be one of the worst ones, if you buy a scent that is not the best or not a scent profile your gift recipient likes.
So for fun, we gathered a group of 6 popular colognes that the group already owned, and conducted a blind smell test to get honest thoughts and opinions on each. Hopefully this helps you buy the perfect gift of cologne for the men in your life, whether that is for Father’s Day, birthdays, Christmas, graduation, or any other gift giving event.
This post is a review of 6 popular men’s colognes done in a blind smell test to give you honest feedback of each, so you can make an informed decision and get the perfect cologne for your husband, boyfriend, brother, son, or even your cool dad or father figure.
Disclaimer: Affiliate links are included for ease of reference and convenience. If used for purchase, they will result in a small commission at no extra cost to the buyer
6 Popular Colognes Go Head To Head In a Blind Smell Test
We decided to do a blind smell test of 6 popular mens colognes that we had on hand, to give honest reviews of each one of them, so you can have a layman’s opinion on which fragrances they preferred, in the hope that it will be helpful when you are out shopping for cologne for a Father’s Day gift, but also for Christmas, birthday’s, graduation or any other gift giving occasion.
Cologne or Eau De Toilette
When we think of cologne, we group together fragrances that are labeled cologne and those labeled Eau De Toilette. But we looked it up to tell you what the difference is in these two monikers, since the fragrances we tested are from both categories.
The difference in these two identifiers appears to be in the amount of perfume oil it contains. Eau de Toilette will have a concentration from 5-15%, while a cologne will have 2-4%. The result is that the Eau De Toilette will have a lighter fragrance and a cologne will have a more intense, persistent perfume. Now you know!
Testing Group
This experiment was conducted by 6 total participants. The testing group consisted of men and women, ranging in age from 15 to 54. The participants included smell testers from both white collar and blue collar backgrounds. Some regularly wore cologne (or perfume) and others rarely ever wore it.
Test Parameters
The test parameters included two parts:
- First smell – each participant smelled each cologne and wrote their thoughts on it down on a piece of paper. We did this so they wouldn’t influence each other’s opinions.
- Second smell – once all the papers were filled out, the participants went one by one and talked about each fragrance as they smelled it, and we recorded their comments.
The cologne was sprayed on washcloths, and each was numbered. None of the participants knew what the colognes were, didn’t know the fragrance descriptions, or knew what cologne was sprayed on each corresponding number.
They were given prompts to consider, such as – does the cologne smell expensive or cheap? Is it an everyday scent or special occasion scent? What does the fragrance remind you of? Is it a woody fragrance or more like fresh citrus or other fresh scents? Is it a stronger scent? Is it a masculine scent? Does it smell like old man or would a young person wear it? Do you like it? Would you buy it?
Six Mens Colognes Tested
We had six popular men’s cologne bottles that had been purchased in the past 1 to 1.5 years that were blind smell tested.
The list of the best colognes included the following: Versace Man Eau Fraiche, Invictus by Paco Rabanne, American Eagle 1977, Tonic by Hugo Boss, Carolina Herrera Bad Boy, & Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio. These are all linked as well as being available in our storefront.
The colognes tested ran the range of cost from $113.00 to $47.99 for 3.4oz.
We will put the designer description of each fragrance below it, so you can get an idea of the top notes, middle notes and base notes used.
Honest Blind Smell Review – Comments For Each Cologne
Versace Man Eau Fraiche
Price – $47.00
Description – White lemon, rose wood, carambola with musk, sycamore and amber wood.
Written comments included:
- This smells how I would imagine a man in a hallmark Christmas movie would smell. It is a cheap, everyday cologne.
- This is a faint smell. Smells cheap.
- This smells like a grown man, something a more mature guy would wear.
- This has a citrus flavor. You would smell this in a club.
- Like cologne over BO.
- Not a young scent. It’s probably expensive but I don’t think it really smells that good.
Verbal discussion comments included:
- This reminds me of Dawn dishwashing detergent. I think it is a day wear cologne that is likely mildly expensive.
- I smell pine. It has a synthetic pine smell, like a fake Christmas tree. I think it is likely mid price range. I don’t really like it.
- Smells clean, like a fresh batch of laundry but with euculyptus. It smells cheap, like it wouldn’t last a long time. I don’t know if I would buy it because I think it would fade fast.
- Don’t like this one as much as the others, although I do like it. It smells kind of like cleaning products combined with muskyness. I think this wouldn’t work for everyone. Might want to check to see if it works with your body chemistry before you commit to a whole bottle.
- Not my favorite. Smells like soap and cologne kind of mixed with funk. Like you were trying to cover up being smelly.
- Its like they were combining smells and the last one was too much. Too complicated and doesn’t work very well. Don’t care for it.
Invictus by Paco Rabanne
Price – $60.15
Description – Grapefruit, Marine accord, Gaiac wood.
Written Comments:
- Smells like the floral section of Target.
- I love this smell. Smells very strong and expensive.
- A minty, more expensive smell.
- This one smells almost minty. Don’t love it, don’t hate it.
- Interesting. Not an everyday smell. Not earthy at all but more intense than a fresh smell.
- It has some zing to it. Strong and crisp.
Verbal Discussion comments:
- Smells like bubblegum, or like what it smells like when you are in a candy store. Smells strong, sweet and expensive.
- Very Fresh Smell. Like Febreeze in a bathroom. Smells cheap, like you would get it at Dollar tree.
- I am hit with a lemony, citrusy scent. I like it. It is a strong, sharp scent that attacks your nose.
- This one has a stark smell, like mint and maybe soap? Don’t dislike it, but I don’t think it will be able to be as universally used as some of the others. It has to match your personality because it is one of the more distinctive scents. Recommend you use it sparingly because it is a strong smell.
- So crisp and sharp, can’t quite figure out what it smells like, but it smells good. Not earthy or woodsy, not salty, but I wouldn’t describe it as citrus exactly? But good.
- This is strong scent, in that I mean I see a confident person wearing it. It is not a boy next door kind of smell. I think it is expensive and likely best for a grown man.
American Eagle 1977
Price – $47.99
Description – dewy greens, cedar leaf & warm musk.
Written Comments :
- Good. Lighter. Reminds me of summer by the pool.
- A cheaper, woodsy smell.
- Smells like laundry, in a good way.
- Smells like detergent. I think it is a cheaper cologne, one that you would wear on special occasions.
- Smells good. Everyman kind of smell. Warm and inviting.
- Nice. Not overly complicated. Smells good and is a good everyday smell. Likely less expensive.
Verbal Discussion :
- Very citrusy & tangy. Jumps out more than the others. Kind of expensive smelling. I like it.
- Has a lavendar type smell, but faint. This is a good everyday cologne.
- Smells like a musk. Not woodsy, but kind of earthy. Strong smell, in a good way. Smells expensive and would catch my attention if I smelled it. I think I would buy it.
- This is a neutral season smell – could wear it any time of year and would be a good signature scent. It is a soapy smell mixed with musk. I like it. Not super strong and not overly complex, so that makes me think it is cheaper.
- This is a good smell, it makes me think the person would be approachable. Masculine but uncomplicated. Definitely a good everyday scent.
- Woodsy and kinda like musk, but light. Definitely not overpowering. I think younger and older people could both wear it.
Tonic by Hugo Boss
Price – $113.00
Description – citrus essences and bold woody notes.
Written Comments:
- Has a sharp smell. Smells expensive.
- Kinda smells like hand sanitizer.
- Good, lighter option. Good for spring.
- Smells mildly expensive. I would like this smell on a man.
- Crisp and clean with a hint of tangy. In a good way. This is a warm weather scent.
- This has some zing. Lighter scent with an edge?
Verbal Discussion:
- Smells clean, like soap, but in a good way. Doesn’t smell like chemicals. Smells more expensive. It’s not for me because I like woodsy smells, but if you like clean scents, this would be a good pick.
- This smells like a flower and citrus. I don’t really like it. Smells kinda cheap.
- I like this one. It is good for everyday wear. Don’t know if you would want to wear it on a date.
- This is giving summer vibes because I get a hint of salt, ocean and beach with a hint of man musk smell. I like it a lot. I would get this one. You could wear it as an everyday cologne. I think it smells expensive.
- This smells clean and fresh and also has something in it that takes it past being a laundry smell, like something tangy that would make your eyes water. But it doesn’t, it’s not bad, it smells good. Just makes it interesting.
- Ok, not woodsy at all. This is more clean and smells a bit like flowers. It’s very sharp smelling but light too.
Carolina Herrera Bad Boy
Price – $89.49
Description – black pepper & white pepper with the citric vibrancy of Italian green bergamot.
Written Comments:
- Smells woodsy/earthy. Smells expensive. I would buy this one.
- Musk with a bit of sweet. I like it.
- This is good. It has a bit of a sweet smell with it. Maybe for younger people.
- This smells like cabin. Not my favorite.
- Sweet, it smells sweet with some musk.
- Makes me think of the fall. Earthy and tangy.
Verbal Discussion:
- Smells sweet, almost. Subtle but strong enough to smell it if I walked by. I think a very rich person would wear this. I would get this one for sure. One of my favorites.
- Smells woodsy, like someone who lives in a cabin. I don’t really like it.
- This is a tart smell. I think it smells expensive. I like it and would wear it.
- This is a good nighttime scent. More sultry and sexy. There is a bit of sweetness with a bit of musk that smells sexy. Might be too intense for every day, but would be great for a dinner or date or to go to the club.
- I like this, it smells not really like a musk but it definitely is not a fresh light smell. It is earthy.
- This smells good. A bit sweet mixed with a bit of tart. More of an autumn/winter smell. Not really a warm day kind of cologne. Smells expensive.
Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio
Price – $65.00.
Description – Calabrian bergamont, neroli, and green tangerine mix with rosemary, sweet persimmon and warm Indonesian patchouli.
Written comments:
- I like it. It is a more mature scent. Herbal, soapy, musky.
- Dayquil. Reminds me of being sick.
- A cheap, beachy flavor.
- Smells like chemicals. Very faint. Not strong.
- This is nice. Not overly strong. Smells fresh with a hint of salty.
- I would wear this. Smells light.
Verbal Comments:
- Faint smell. Not as much staying power, I don’t think. That makes me think it is cheaper. I smell the chemicals more than the scent.
- This is a spicy scent that seems expensive. I don’t really love it.
- This smells woodsy, like a cabin. I would wear this one. Its alright.
- This smells good. I like it. It is quite neutral but also has a bit of salty and sexy. Musky with a little citrus and salt smell. A good everyday cologne if you want to be a little bit sexy, too.
- I like this, it is not overwhelming so probably a good everyday scent. Masculine.
- This smells good, it is fresh smelling so it seems good for day to day. Reminds me of a bit of salty with a little sweet.
Wrap Up
We asked the participants to tell us what their favorite scent of the bunch was, and that answer varied quite a bit. However, we note:
- Every tester liked American Eagle 1977.
- None of the testers picked Versace as their favorite.
- All the female testers liked Tonic by Hugo Boss as an everyday scent. The men didn’t care for it as much.
- One tester commented that they were all decent, masculine colognes with the “man musk” kind of smell.
Best Cologne For Fathers Day
We had an absolute blast conducting this blind smell test experiment with these six popular men’s colognes. The best part is, we had so much fun that everyone who participated wants to do it again with women’s perfumes, so keep an eye out for that!
We hope it helps you find the best cologne for Father’s Day, or any other gift giving occasion. It’s clear that fragrance is such a personal, subjective thing, but hopefully you can get some “regular person” insight on these scents.
If you are looking for more Father’s Day content, check out the Father’s Day section of the blog where we have more gift giving posts as well as great quotes to go along with gifts, and more.
We also have other great gift giving ideas other than fragrances! If you are looking more for power tools and other kind of gifts, you will find some awesome affordable ideas in our posts gifts for men and gifts under $50 for all. If your Dad is a reader, we also have a book section of the blog with plenty of reviews and recommendations as well.
Happy Father’s Day & we know you smell amazing!!
SLOWESTUFF
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