Valentino Uomo

Once again, I have been introduced to a fragrance that already hits the market filled with comparisons and a lot to be said. The first thing you read around, is that "Valentino Uomo is equal to Dior Homme". And once again, I open space to criticize the generalizations made by people who forget that, once placed their opinion, they influence the opinion of another person. So, I'm always careful with those terms, since there is a big difference between saying "it’s equal” to "it’s similar". It is very common when a brand asks his/her perfumer to create something "very similar" to a specific fragrance from the competitor brand, changing just a little in the composition and trying to capture the audience for their own product. But in the case of Valentino Uomo, is more important to pay attention to a detail that makes all the difference: the perfumer of the two creations is the same: Olivier Polge. So, it would be too much stupidity on the part of the creator, to put his name and/or reputation in a bad position inside the perfumery circle, with the risk of being called as "uncreative" or "unethical", by reproducing a great success for a competitor brand. Obviously, I believe it may have been asked something in the same "style" of Dior Homme, but make a statement that they are the same, definitely, it's a mistake. While Dior Homme has, as greater differential, the presence of the IRIS and the famous makeup smell, besides cocoa and cardamom, Valentino Uomo surprises us with notes of Calabrian bergamot and myrtle liquor, at the top, followed by notes of gianduja cream (mixture of chocolate and hazelnut) and racy notes of coffee, in the heart, finished with the intensity of cedar and white leather at the base. The result is a very similar output aroma to the scent of Dior Homme, well evolved, i.e. approximately 5 hours after applied, when the creaminess speaks louder. I prefer to say that it reminds me more of Dior Homme Cologne (2007 version). But that's just the output, the initial impression. We still have a whole evolution to be discovered ahead. So, Valentino shows itself more gourmand, with a denser and creamier aroma that makes your mouth salivate, with something that reminds me of that dessert called Tiramisu, which by the way is also of Italian origin. The coffee is pretty light, but appears, slightly toasted. And the leather ends the journey in a elegant and sensual way, not dry or rasping, but cozy. Finally, it comes in a beautiful bottle, as the most chic liquor bottles, which hold that amber-colored liquid inside, ready for tasting. Valentino is a beautiful perfume of Italian characteristic, that runs the risk of being misunderstood because of generalizations. For some, it will be redundant to have it, if you have one of the Dior Homme’s fragrances (EDT or Intense). For others, it will be a differentiator. Where do you fit in?

I've been wanting to purchase this one for a while now but I've kept putting it off for one reason or another. I was at the local Dillard's over the holidays and I stopped by and sampled this, they had the original formulation, and it was just too good to put off buying any longer and I came home and ordered the best deal on it I could find. I received it today and I've gotten the new formulation, and it's been completely changed to my nose. Actually, I'm pretty pissed off with the crap that I've received. The old formula was so rich and smooth. A nice creamy hazelnut and leather fragrance. The new one, well I honestly can't tell hardly ANY difference between this and the $15 bottle of Zara 9.0 that I recently got rid of because it was cheap smelling. Yeah, I'm definitely not happy about this at all. Every time I put off getting what I know is a great fragrance something always happens to cause me to not be able to get it anymore and I'm stuck paying outrageous prices for vintage batches or just buying some neutered version of what I truly wanted that just pisses me off every time I wear it. Well, guess I gotta hunt down an original version of this stuff and try to pass the B/S I just got on to someone who hopefully has never smelled Zara 9.0!!!😡😡😡 The original version is like the Olivier Polge version of Dior H'omme, rich, deep and chocolatey and sweet. The new L'Oreal version is cheap, metallic and the perfumer's alcohol they used burns your nostrils. I actually love the original version and I HATE the newer one. That's quite a large gap and I don't even see how they are trying to pass it off as the same fragrance. Edit: Okay I have to admit that now that I have the original PUIG version in hand the difference in between the two upon application is not nearly as drastic as I first thought it was. Now into the mid and drydown it does start to lean warmer and sweeter than the new version, but not a huge amount. It's actually still a very good and unique fragrance that both enthusiast and laymen can appreciate and enjoy! This fragrance has really grown on me! It falls right in between Dior H'omme and Dior H'omme Intense, and that's exactly what I have been wanting for quite a while. I have a pretty large collection of niche and designer and I've been wearing this one for almost a week straight and I have almost used 2/3 of the 100 ml bottle that I recently bought and I still have it on today!!! Just get it ! ! !

I have the current (2022 batch code) iteration in a 150ml bottle. A triumph. A revelation. An outstanding achievement of modern designer perfumery. I never smelled the OG 2005 Dior Homme, but I can only hope this is what Polge’s original view of Homme smelled like. I have the current “Dior Homme Original”, which opens a bit similarly but does not have the longevity of the depth of that opening that Uomo has. While both Uomo and DHOriginal dry down to something less dense, and more airy than the opening, the Valentino stays closer to that warm chocolate opening than the Dior now does in its current form. That boldness lasts a good few hours before settling into a smooth and creamy nutty/wood/vanilla scent that I can get close to 12 hours with. The reason I find this fragrance particularly special is that the intense version does not make this one redundant. It seems that people who like iris, /really/ like iris (myself included) and that the idea of a diluted/lighter version does not appeal. I can see those who like Givenchy Gentleman EDP or Prada l’Homme Intense not having the need for their original versions...I don’t find that to be the case here. Uomo Intense is much more focused on Vanilla and oddly enough, the original here has much darker notes (the chocolate for instance) on offer. The end result is that both of these fragrances I feel are must haves in the designer iris world that both fill their own purposes. I currently own every modern iteration of iris designer regular/intense offerings and find this to be the most well rounded and most worth your initial $$ for variety’s sake of the bunch. While I do think Dior Homme Eau/Dior Homme Intense would give the Valentinos a run for their money, Eau is currently discontinued and must be (carefully) bought used. For what is currently out there, Valentino Uomo is an unheralded gem and is worthy of definite consideration as a signature scent. It is fantastic.

Personally I'd rather that Valentino stayed with the Olivier Polge 2014 version of Oumo without adjusting away from the gourmand elements... + Though I do understand the house's interest in having their, "Uomo," offering adopt a strictly classy stance so their flanker business stands on ground more solid for luxury markets. Especially if one doesn't quite catch the brilliance of Polge's creation it is very difficult to justify coffee beans and gianduja cream as the cornerstone of the interpretation of, "Man." + It is difficult to translate Torino (Turin), Italy's gianduja (djann-dou-ya) to an international upscale clientele without stepping in a puddle of Nutella. Mr. Polge shared sweet secrets of manhood from the Piedmont Region. These hazelnut - chocolate touches make the casual version superb. It is just difficult to have enough people understand why it works even as a foundation for lux flankers. + As I understand, Valentino adjusted away some degrees in the 2019 version and back closer an extent in 2021 but then remove the gourmand notes altogether. The current version is quite different than the description and note breakdown here on Fragrantica. Check out the 2021 version. The Valentino website reports a substantially different fragrance; the focus has shifted from casual with chocolate, coffee and hazelnut to refined with Iris. + It can be valuable in life to roll with changes if there is no ultimate principle at stake. When a 2014 or loyalist mix turns up at a fair price I tuck it away, while sporting other versions including the most recent. My skin likes Uomo by Valentino and it likes my skin. Socially - just a good fit for me, some versions a little better here and there. In total, this is a great men's frag worth living in and through.

I know Uomo Intense has the big cult following, but I've always preferred this one. It's such a rich, complex fragrance that really evolves over the course of a couple hours. It starts as a sweet herbal scent (I think it smells like black liquorice, which I happen to love, though I know plenty of people who hate it and love the top notes here) before settling into cozy hazelnut coffee--a supremely lovely scent--that uplifts the cedar and leather base notes. Altogether, it's reminiscent of waiting for your order at the cafe in the cold autumn, and who wouldn't want that bottled up to wear? I haven't come across anything that quite resembles this one (Though I've heard it's similar to Dior Homme, which I've yet to try myself). It's absolutely an 'occasion' fragrance, very powerful with a strong throw, especially for an EDT, and while I adore the scent, I imagine it might irritate some co-workers. You probably won't want to wear this all the time. Definitely not for the office, definitely not for warm weather, but perfect for date night or a chilly day outing. (Admittedly, this is one of my favorites just for wearing around the house. I find it so cozy and comforting and, from what I've been told, is apparently nice to snuggle up next to.) It wears sophisticated and mature, but not 'old.' I think people of most ages could pull this off, and while the leather and cedar base notes end this on a very traditional masculine scent, the sweet herbal top notes and nutty chocolate heart notes could make Uomo EDT a particularly bold and daring unisex choice, if you're so inclined. It's a shame this is so hard to come by these days. It's a stunning and truly unique fragrance, and one of the best performing EDT's I've ever tried.

This is the second part to a review of I posted not too far below this one. I just wanted to try and simplify this fragrance, what it smells like, and the differences between the new and older versions as much as possible. So how does it smell? Like a slightly less sweet, slightly less waxy, but more nutty and slightly creamier Dior H'omme Intense. That's the perfect description in my eyes. I actually prefer this one over the Dior, and I actually Prefer Uomo Intense over the Dior offerings as well. But I recently got in a 5.1oz bottle of the original formulation of this fragrance and it's just simply amazing. The newer version, while still truly great, does lose some of the creamy character and nuttiness that this one has while it's slightly lighter upon application, the far drydown is very close between the two!!! If this fragrance has the performance of Dior H'omme Intense I would be ready to say right now that it's the best men's fragrance on the market, but even with the older version, performance is not great. It barely makes it five or six hours. But for the time it's there, this stuff is sublime! A better version of Dior H'omme Intense. More wearable, more versatile, more likeable, and more attainable, it's better in every single way, other than that one I mentioned. So if you want to experience the perfect iris fragrance for men, then look no further. Just expect to spray a little heavy, and don't expect it to last. Even with the bigger 5 ounce bottle I now have I don't expect it to last long, so I'm just going to have to be looking for another good deal for one so I can at least have enough of this stuff to last me several years. It's GREAT ! ! ! Go try it out as soon as you can.

Man oh man, where do I begin. The opening of Uomo by Valentino is awesome. Now, Dior Homme Intense, has long held my top spot for best opening act, but I think it’s got some real competition with this one. It starts off with a juicy and slightly sour bergamot that is paired with gianduja cream (smells like hazelnut), along with some myrtle. This trio is utter heaven and I wouldn’t have ever thought to pair such things. Further along, I begin to get a lot more similarities with the original Dior Homme, which explains why I’m digging this Valentino so much (because I wear Dior Homme often). Mostly this is from the cedar note, floral note (myrtle instead of iris) and the warm sweetness, which here is a mix of the gianduja and roasted coffee. However, even with their similarities, those two fragrances are still quite distinct from one another. It’s mostly a similar vibe shared. There is also a similarity with 1 Million Lucky, due to the hazelnut, albeit this is much more mature, and less tart sans plum. So, as the scent dries down, I get less of the bergamot (which is great) and more leather and the coffee note. It all comes together a very smooth and sort of has a chocolaty aroma to it, which is another Dior similarity. Seasonally, mostly for autumn and winter, but like the Dior’s this one can be perfectly fine in the springtime. It’s not a really heavy scent that can only come out for two months of the year, but not really a summer wear, in the slightest. This is an absolute awesome fragrance. The whole thing is well blended and a joy for me to wear. Yes, it has a lot of similarities with Dior Homme, but it is still quite distinct from anything else.

For people wondering this is the note breakdown from a few different European discounters... "Top Notes: Bergamot Essence, Lemon Essence, Cardamom Essence. Heart Notes: Clary Sage Essence, Lavendin Accord, Black Pepper Essence. Base Notes: Cedar Essence, Vetiver Essence, Vanilla Accord, Iris Accord." I have tried several samples of this and the note breakdown I just posted makes a lot more sense because I can definitely smell a slightly similarity to the Intense version with the Iris. I have no idea why the note breakdown on Fragrantica is completely different, but if you're looking for something with coffee, chocolate, hazelnut etc this won't be it. With that being said, this is an amazing fragrance. I didn't like it as much at first, or perhaps the Intense version just caught all of my attention at the time. This grew on me the more I wore it. I think I would be a little more willing to wear this during the day time in comparison with the Intense version, but this would still be more of a night time fragrance for the colder days. The only reason I haven't bought a bottle yet is because I already own the Intense version and I'm afraid this may be a little redundant since I'm not planning in owning 100+ bottles or anything like that. It's still different from the Intense version, but the Iris in the background does kind of bring both scents a little closer together and you would probably wear them in similar situations. So, I will just hold off on it for now. I will be keeping an eye on this because I love the way it smells. Hopefully this doesn't get discounted any time soon.

I am so happy I decided to pick up this wonderful scent. I originally purchased the 2021 version produced by L'Oréal (made in France) . This version opens with a nice dose of citrus at the the top. Once the fragrance sits for a few moments the Iris in this starts to shine alongside the spices, which gives this fragrance a unique edge over many other fragrances on the market. Despite the hate this one get's due to the reformulation I still love this stuff. It's refined yet seductive. I actually prefer the presentation compared to the older versions. The atomizer and cap of this new version are great. I get around 7 hours of longevity with this one. I recently was able to get my hands on the original 2013 version produced by Puig (made in Spain). The two scents are very similar yet the 2013 version has a sweeter and creamier smell because of the chocolate hazelnut combo in the mid. This version is less spicy in my opinion which I actually prefer. This scent slightly reminds me of Givenchy Gentleman Reserve Privee because of the gourmand accord and the iris. The notes in both fragrances come across as waxy and chocolatey. It is truly a charming scent that will draw attention to you. I get about 8+ hours of longevity with the 2013 version. Both versions have a wonderful iris note but I prefer the scent of the Puig version due to the chocolate hazelnut scent in the dry down. Both versions are easily a 10/10 fragrance!

The comparison to Dior Homme is very odd to me. I guess there may be a different version of this scent that would be more comparable. I do not sense any Iris in this whatsoever. This is a chocolate coffee gourmand scent, and a really good one at that! This lasts for a long time, and projects moderately well. Very solid for fall and winter, but not good for any weather with warmth outside. It is a nice cuddly scent, and my girl tends to really like it :) I have a sample of this that smells very different. That has iris in it and does have some similarities to Dior Homme, but still with a coffee and chocolate that makes it very different. I guess at one point they started adding Iris (Why?) I like Iris, but in this scent it doesn't really make sense. It's a pleasant unisex gourmand, burnt coffee and rich chocolate with a nice sweetness. I like it every once in a while. Zara has a descent version of this, I do not know if that has been discontinued, but that does contain some iris qualities. I hear that the original Uomo has been discontinued, which is a shame. This is very nice, and probably my favorite in the Valentino Uomo line. I do not know why other releases attempt to follow Dior Homme so much, Dior Homme is it's own thing for sure. The intense is not bad, but it's very far from where it came from. If this fragrance was a song it would be Dress Down by Kaoru Akimoto.

What a beauty! I have been wearing Very Irresistible by Givenchy for years as a teen and couldn't find anywhere these nutty notes that I used to love. Some reviews suggested the Valentino Uomo for these chocolaty nuts and I don't regret one second trying that one out. Without a surprise, I still love the nutty notes. But the iris in the Uomo line is truly stunning and feel more elegant and adult than something like Very Irresistible. It definitely smells Italian, gourmand and powdery and I love it. The dry down from slight citrus to gourmandish powdery smell with that iris note the whole time is simply stunning. I love it from the beginning to the end, very elegant and sexy at the same time. I am 30, and to me it is the perfect blend that I can see myself wearing in pretty much everything: work, home, event... Somehow everybody seem to think it's mostly for winter and fall, but I disagree! I live in a tropical country with average 30°C and 80% humidity rate and I would have no problem wearing this all year round at all. It is not an overbearing smell that would be off-putting for the people around you like some sweet / gourmand fragrances. Performance is great, and price is reasonable in regards to the overall quality. The flankers of the Uomo lines I've tried are all amazing in their own right. But that OG... simply a masterpiece. I will buy a bottle of this for sure.

I’ve loved Valentino Uomo since my teenage years. Looking back, I realize I’ve always had a good nose for fragrances even back then, when I knew nothing about perfumery, let alone the expensive niche creations I appreciate today. I honestly don’t know why it took me 12 years to finally buy this fragrance, even though I had always loved it. Perhaps it was meant to happen this way. I’ve now managed to find the original 2014 formulation the version many consider superior and more refined and owning it feels truly special. Needless to say, I couldn’t be happier. This fragrance is undeniably elegant, seductive, and effortlessly sexy. It carries a gentle sweetness balanced by a subtle citrus freshness, making it a perfect choice for anyone who appreciates a refined and polished scent. The opening greets you with a touch of bergamot, bright and slightly sparkling. After about 15 to 20 minutes, it transitions beautifully into a smooth and comforting blend of hazelnut, cedar and chocolate a combination that feels rich, sophisticated, and quietly addictive. To me, this is not just a designer release it’s a timeless composition that proves true elegance never goes out of style.

I don't usually do reviews of fragrances but I have to on this one. I found a PUIG version of Valentino Uomo. For reviewing, I sprayed on my wrist to tell you how it smells to me from top to bottom. The opening is okay with me, I'm not in love with it. It smells fresh and citrusy. The mid is where it transitions to a smooth smell. The citrus dials down but I still can smell it. It becomes woody and nutty. Mostly woody with citrus on the side. The DRYDOWN is which I love. I get like a really smooth leathery sweet chocolate/vanilla vibes from it. It kinda reminds me of Dior Homme Parfum with the smooth leather smell. My ideas on where you can use this fragrance; I would say mostly at night. When you go out on a date, or a dinner party. This does not smell like a bad boy, it's more formal, intimate than that. You could use this for clubbing but I prefer Ultra Male, 1M Elixir or something like those for clubbing. (More in your face kind of fragrances) I also use this in the daytime when I'm working at the bank. This is an elegant fragrance so I think it goes well with a suit. On my skin this lasts 10+ hours. The sillage is good as well. Well projecting fragrance.

The Puig Version (Original before Reformation) Has the listed notes as seen above. The new version (Spiked Neck!!) Has the new reformulation. UPON READING THE NOTES FROM THE VALENTINO WEBSITE, Its entire possible that the note section here is completely wrong. From Valentino itself - "A COLOR TOP NOTE A color-filled pairing of Italian Lemon with Bergamot open the fragrance in an uplifting air of fresh confidence. A COUTURE HEART NOTE The refined elegance of the heart note is inspired by one of perfumery’s most treasured ingredients, the Iris flower which provides earthy, floral sophistication. The Iris accord is interlaced with an aromatic vetiver to provide an unmistakable couture uniqueness, as the backbone to this fragrance. A COOL BASE NOTE The trail of this fragrance envelops the senses with the unexpected warmth of a resinous, sweet cardamom with a spicy touch of black pepper." While i can see how people smell chocolate and coffee, if they flat out say it isnt in there, it isnt in there. Nonetheless, this fragrance is delicious, rich, earthy, dark. It's honestly the best mens fragrance I've ever smelled.

Gorgeous scent, my first and favorite out of the Valentino uomo collection. It starts fresh but shortly after it turns in to a yummy sweet gourmand with a slightly woody background. Perfect date fragrance, saying that I lost my virginity wearing that scent and I think valentino uomo was a good help at that hahaha. Perhaps that’s one reason why I love this scent so much, it’s often about the experiences you make with your scent. (Plus the fact that the edt was completely under the radar here in Germany after the intense dropped) The only reason why this scent isn’t my colder weather signature scent anymore is the mediocre performance in both longevity and sillage. It broke my heart that the intense version jumped on the iris hype train rather than just concentrating this gorgeous hazelnutcoffeechoclatewood juice. But IMO it’s still one of the best choices for a indoor date fragrance if your partner not only likes boring freshies on a man and allows him to smell yummy and extravagant :) P&L, El Butco

10 times better than Dior Homme Intense and Valentino Uomo Intense. The fragrance community is so fake. If you want the floral iris notes, buy the other ones, but if you want a simple linear fragrance that smells like a gourmet coffee shop with some leather in the background, buy this one. The black bottle does not sell in the real world. This one sells like hot cakes. I would say this is the best inexpensive winter designer fragrance out there. Time to upload a video and call out some fake reviewers that hype up fragrances just because they are newer. To my friends that live out in the country who don't have the luxury to go to the mall like I do, trust me on this one. My biggest complaint is the Intense Version should have been the same composition with more fragrance oil, or throw in some ambergris or ambroxan and double the price. That didn't happen. This is a great fragrance for the everyday gentleman who has a fun vibe, and loves to laugh. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This older formulation of VU is my all time favorite and the only bottle I have bought a backup for. I am often annoyed when I see fear mongering over scent reformulations, but sometimes they really are worth mentioning. The current version of this scent isn't bad, but it's definitely not as interesting or complex, and is genuinely less enjoyable (for me) since it doesn't possess the same smoothness and chocolatey-hazelnut that define this version. I think some comments below said it best: if you have never tried this version, the new Valentino Uomo smells very good, BUT if you have tried this, the newer formulation is likely to come across scratchy and/or flat. TLDR: The newer formulation of Valentino Uomo is good, but the older version of the scent (this one) is signature material, and a will likely stand as an all-time great designer for me.

Hazelnut, coffee, and chocolate notes might lead you to think that this is a gourmand. Well it somehow has a slight gourmand aspect but I wouldn’t categorize Valentino Uomo as a gourmand. I easily recognize citrus, chocolate, and herbalist notes upon the first spray. It turns quickly into more warm, nutty, and fairly sweet scent. I don’t have to wait for so long until it reveals its leathery, woody, and lipsticky-iris facet. At this stage, Valentino Uomo captivates me with its charm and comforting offer. It’s rich without being complex. It brings out the soulful and jazzy vibes in you. And yes, it smells very similar to Dior Homme 2005 / Intense version, which I love as well. Also reminds me of the vibes I enjoy so much from Pour Lui TL. Notes: Mine is the old batch (2013) with Antonio Puig on the label and box. I guess I was lucky? ;)

I think the notes here are off, as the new versions smell just the same as this 'old' version pictured here, despite the differing notes on Valentino's website. Really impressed with this one. I got a robust cedar and citrus (probably the bergamot) on initial spray, but it quickly dried down into a sweet and slightly spicy scent. I know the hazelnut and chocolate may be imagined scents... but my nose can't help but smell them. I really do pick up a milk chocolate and hazelnut feel from this EDT. It's a gorgeous take on a gourmand. There is a base of vanilla in there, just a little bit, to help ground it. While some may call this a masculine scent, I think it could be unisex. It smells great on my skin, probably because of all the chocolate like sweetness.

Absolutely gorgeous! delicious!!! Notes as described. Sweet without being cloying at all. Perfectly blended. Uomo is more gourmand (chocolate / nutmeg / coffee), whereas Uomo Intense is more "serious" and "dry" (leathery / iris, but not as much iris as in the terrible Dior Homme, here just a touch to make it so elegant.) I love both!!! 100% recommended. By the way, NOT even similar to Dior Homme. Dior Homme smells like women's make up (horrible! keep away!). This one however smells manly, exquisite, delicious! Possibly more comparable to Dior Homme Intense which is more gourmand than its original version. 12/10 in all aspects. Cum Laude. EDIT: Did I say that I love this stuff? No??? I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE IT!!!!!