Armani Code Sport Athlete

Before I go on, I should mention I've previously owned Dior Homme Sport (original), which I’ve just sold because something about the dry down got very annoying. So I was in the market for a new summer scent... During my quest I sampled a lot of popular summer scents like Allure Homme Sport, Allure Eau Extreme, Allure Blanche, D&G Light Blue, Chanel Bleu, Hermes Eau Tres Fraiche, Dior Homme Eau, Dior Cologne (new version), Platinum Egoiste, Creed Aventus, Code Sport, L’eau D’Issey etc. Out of the lot I quite liked Code Sport and L’eau D’Issey, so whilst reading the reviews on this website it naturally led me to Athlete. Although I couldn’t sample Athlete because it was no longer available in Boots or Debenhams, I was curious to try it because of all the hype on this very website. So I went for it and blindly purchased online via Escentual hoping that I hadn’t made a really big mistake. Heck, I got a free Armani bag with it, so it was worth a punt. Thankfully, I really, really like it. Phew! So how does it smell – I get a lovely sort of quality lemonade vibe which is wonderful, very classy but inoffensive at the same time. It certainly has something a bit more special about it than some of the heavier scents I tried, like the Chanel Allure line, or DHS/Aqua Di Gio. Its kinda sparkly when you get a fleeting sniff of it on your clothes, where it tends to sit for a long time (on my shirt collars for example). On my skin, it lasts for about as long as I’d like - most of the working day. It’s mostly undetectable by the time I get home, which for me is good because I hate lounging around the house smelling of cologne dry down. I’m one of those people that can get overpowered and fed up of smells after a while (can’t you tell), so I tend to spray the back of my neck so that it’s not in my face all day. I use 3 or 4 sprays of this as it is quite subtle, and I get a lovely waft from time to time when I move around. I assume others may be able to detect my sillage faintly, but no one has mentioned it apart from my wife. Sometimes it’s nicer to be discreet I think. I think this is a classy scent that can be worn anytime anywhere really. To finish, I note some people compare Athlete to Dior Cologne (new version) and some to the original DHS, but to me there is no comparison between them. Athlete is like a sparkling, sweet lemonade. Whereas Dior Homme Cologne and DHS both generally have the same kind of pure lemon vibe about them (despite not having the same ingredients in the note pyramid - surprisingly, every subtle nuance of DHS is present in the Dior Cologne sample bottle I tried, all the way to the annoying dry down. If you’re trying to find the original DHS, then Dior Cologne may be what you are looking for). Anyway, back on topic - if you can find it, Armani Code Sport Athlete is well worth a sniff!

Armani Code Sport Athlete was launched in 2012, right after the original Code Sport, which came out the previous year. However, this perfume feels more like a differentiation move than a “follow-up scent”. The Athlete version moves away from the sophisticated and detailed structure of the original Code Sport, focusing on a more direct, simple and youthful energy. The familiar freshness is present again in the opening. Mint and citrus notes create an icy effect that hits you in the face at first. This opening gives the impression of someone who has almost just come out of the gym and washed their face with cold water. In this respect, it is extremely energetic and dynamic. However, this freshness is not in the natural mojito atmosphere of the original Code Sport; it is more linear, more artificial, closer to a “body spray” aesthetic. When we come to the middle notes, the perfume does not evolve much. Instead of deepening, it remains in the same line, which increases its ease of daily use but reduces its depth of character. Although a slight amber and woody feel comes towards the end, these elements remain in the background. The aim of the perfume is clear: to leave a clean, energetic impression, far from chaos. It may be a bit too ambitious, but the original Code Sport has a niche uniqueness. Code Sport Athlete is a more accessible alternative for the user base that the original Code Sport is a bit “too niche, too refined”. It is like a “younger cousin”: It is consumed faster, makes you think less, but still does its job on fresh summer days. However, it should be noted that Athlete does not carry that unique mojito atmosphere or that creative mint-citrus harmony that the original Code Sport brought. Athlete acts more like a successful player in the fresh perfume category; but it does not make its mark on the stage. However, Code Sport was a pioneer in Jacques Cavallier’s approach to summery scents. Athlete, on the other hand, makes this legacy more digestible but more ordinary. From a collector’s perspective, the Athlete is now a rare flanker, but it’s not as big a loss as the discontinued Code Sport, but if you’ve got a bottle in your possession, it’s still a nice window into the “sporty freshness” of that era.

Giorgio Armani was the designer of the Olympic Team for the 2012 Games, in London. Such inspiration has made that the owner of the Armani Empire released another sportive fragrance, honoring athletes. And this time, he hit the nail on the head! Sharing most of the notes from the previous release – Code Sport – from 2011, and just changing how they were employed in the olfactory pyramid, it was possible to get a stunning result. The fragrance of Armani Code Sport Athlete opens with citrus, pink pepper, and ginger. In the heart, the same three types of Mint from the previous version: wild mint, spearmint, and peppermint, besides aquatic notes. Finally, at the base, notes of incense, vetiver, and ambrox. The result is exquisite! Forget the sportive versions that you know, because this one has not the generic output or the artificial scent of a great part of them, even though we have to admit that the Sport fragrances are getting better, more and more. In this limited edition dedicated to athletes, the citric accord, combined with the burnt aspect of the ginger, denotes the quality of the time and the money invested in this creation. It's so natural and tasteful that could perfectly be in a bottle of Italian niche because it would be the same. Not to mention that two single sprays are enough to project very well. And the lasting is also not bad, quite the contrary. Even after the fragrance gets calm, when the projection decreases, the scent still remains on the skin. When Armani Code Sport Athlete fragrance was released on the market, its box brought the inscription "Eau de Toilette Fraîche". Particularly, although I understand the concept, I think it could have been released as Armani Code Fraîche, without mentioning the term Sport. Finally, it is worth saying that most users who know both versions tend to prefer this one. So, if you love refreshing and quality scents, forget the term Sport and buy a bottle of this wonder. You won't regret it! With respect to the bottle, the visual identity was kept, but the glass was not painted, revealing the bluish-green liquid.

Just revisiting this Armani gem today. Truly the best mint/citrus scent that I've had the pleasure of trying. To my nose, this is a much improved and more wearable/enjoyable version of original Code Sport. The balance of the mint and citrus is superb here, vs. the original that was a little rough around the edges for my liking. I kind of get the comparisons with the 2008 Dior Sport reference....except that the ginger is cut WAY back in this, which I really appreciate.;) Normally I'm got a big ginger or vetiver fan, but the blending of this juice is so great and the focus is mostly on the mint.(and citrus) All the components come together lovely. The only real fault I can find in it, it that it is very linear....but hey, that's the case with most "summer" scents anyway. Also this frag has some serious legs in the longevity and projection depts....no weak summer juice here! 3-4 sprays and I'm set, smelling uber fresh for a whole work day. Oh yeah, one more thing. Since this juice was a limited 2012 release, prices spiked on it big time a couple of years back. But lately there has been quite a few new bottles for the normal retail price of $60-70. So not sure if a bunch of old stock was found, or if they started to produce it again? But either way, if your a fan of long lasting/well done mint/citrus scents....pick up a bottle(or 2:)before this juice disappears for good!

Before I give my review on this fragrance, my biggest pet peeve is after testing a fragrance and you want to buy it, but you can't because the retailer discontinued it and they couldn't be bothered to pull it off the shelve. After searching around I finally found this fragrance. Now about the fragrance, After spraying it on my skin I enjoy the opening notes of citrus/minty note as well a sharp spicy note of pepper/ginger giving it a real sharp clean aroma. After it settles I could still smell the spicy notes with a hint of vetiver giving it an overall a cool pleasing vib. The only two notes I can't detect is water note and barely incense. Incense is a smokey/woodsy note found in a winter frag and at a Catholic church. This fragrance doesn't have that aroma!!!! In fact I find it more FRESH/CLEAN juice. Longevity and Silage is excellent on my skin lasting over 6hrs which is perfect during the summer months. Overall thoughts, I don't normally buy sporty frag's because they lack depth and the notes tend to be watered down. In my opinion this fragrance is definitely not weak in aroma and longevity. I enjoy using this juice during the summer 7/10.....⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. I definitely recommend it as a summer/fall fragrance if you can find it!!!!!!