FOREWORD
Sport fragrances are quite polarizing in the fragrance world. For many, they come off uninspired, sometimes "synthetic", often with the same notes, and feel like it has been done over and over again. "Just another sport flanker" could be a typical first thought, after all, most sport fragrances are just flankers of an original scent.
For those who don't know, a flanker is a variation of a scent that adds or removes certain notes while keeping the same basic composition. One of the first types of flankers that were introduced back in the 80s and 90s were Sport, but these days you may also see Extreme or Intense versions of fragrances that either make certain notes more prominent, adds new notes, or it may be an Eau De Parfum release that boosts the potency of the base notes, but I digress.
The question remains though, what exactly constitutes a sport fragrance? What makes it sport? Some aficionados will claim that a sport frag is characterized by being a lighter and more refreshing take on an already existing fragrance (a flanker), more suited for summer and an active lifestyle. Others claim it is just a marketing gimmick, or that it is intended to give a fragrance a more mainstream appeal. That makes sense, but what makes it different in composition? Is there any sort of consistency to the classification of "Sport"?
From my own personal experience, it would seem that while there is a range of variation, most sport fragrances add or enhance citrus notes, or include an aquatic or green note to the composition. This could be listed as the ambiguous "Aquatic Note", or certain citrus fruit notes like orange, petitgrain, bergamot, neroli, Sicilian lemon, or grapefruit. It could be green/aquatic notes like seaweed or cypress, or fresh notes like mint, ginger, or ambrox. It typically takes what was a spicy, woody, or musky fragrance and goes off in a more refreshing and clean direction.
There aren't too many sports fragrances that stand out to me since citrus and aquatic notes tend to dominate whatever fragrance they are used in, and can make the scent seem linear, but perhaps that is what makes them so easy on the nose and mass appealing.
The key, however, is to be mass appealing and sexy, easy on the nose but also exceptional in what it is trying to achieve.
This leads me to my personal favorite (as of this writing) sport flanker that is both charmingly seductive and fresh -- Allure Homme Sport by Chanel.
NOTES
Top Notes
Aldehydes,
Mandarin,
Orange,
Aquatic Note
Heart Notes
Black Pepper,
Neroli,
Cedar
Base Notes
Tonka,
Vetiver,
Amber,
White Musk
Although I haven't gotten my nose on the original Allure Homme, you can see right away the "Sport" notes such as the aquatic note, orange, and neroli. Allure Homme does not have these notes, nor does it have the aldehydes, black pepper, amber, or white musk. Allure Homme also has other notes that were apparently removed, such as bergamot and citron zest from the top, Jamaican pepper from the heart, and patchouli, sandalwood, and labdanum from the base.
All in all, it looks like the composition has been drastically changed, perhaps making this Sport flanker wholly unique scent relative to the original, however, it is said that the foundation in both of these is the tonka vanilla sweetness.
INFORMATION/BACKGROUND
Allure Homme Sport comes in two main sizes:
50ml (1.7oz) ~$75USD
100ml (3.4oz) ~$95USD
There is a very small price difference from the 50ml to the 100ml bottle, so while this is more on a pricier side for a designer, the 100ml is where the value is. These prices were listed on Chanel's website. The prices are similar in department stores such as Macy's and Bloomingdales. www.fragrancenet.com does not have this fragrance (or many of the newer Chanel fragrances for that matter). You can get this scent in a limited edition 5oz bottle. Watch out for fakes! This, as well as other Chanel fragrances, are heavily bootlegged. I suggest going through a big name retailer or directly from Chanel.
This scent was created by Chanel's master perfumer Jacques Polge. The metallic bottle was inspired by Chanel's J12 watch.
The presentation is a bottle that is shaped very similar to Bleu De Chanel -- an almost square bottle with a magnetic cap that has the Chanel logo on top. The bottle is a solid silver metallic color; a contemporary look.
SCENT/SITUATION
The scent starts out very similar to most sport fragrances -- crisply aquatic with a loud citrus zing. However, where Allure Homme Sport differs is in those aldehydes which gives it a sharp clean soapy scent. It is undoubtedly fresh. That aquatic note brings with it wisps of sea spray, a saltiness which is characteristic of a true aquatic. Although the citrus is there, the soapiness is far more prominent in the beginning.
Then, the orange notes really start to mingle together. This has got to be one of the best neroli notes I've had the pleasure of putting my nose on. It is only slightly bitter and balanced out with just a tingle of sweet fresh mandarin and zesty orange. The pictures that come to mind are a man lounging at the front of a yacht, sipping on an orange crush. Perhaps there are two beautiful women sunbathing topless before him as he sits back and takes a deep breath of the salt air.
I get white robbed playboy in a penthouse suite at the Hilton Orlando from this fragrance.
What sets this apart from a typical sport frag and what makes this so seductive is that it still provides a masculine spiciness with the black pepper and the woody cedar notes. It is also warm and sensual from the tonka bean and amber as it settles in, and the musk provides that manly edge. It gives off a comfortable and effortless aura, like that casanova sending a knowing smile to the knockout at the end of the tiki bar.
Or James Bond picking up a gorgeous woman on the beach?
Don't get me wrong, this fragrance is so versatile that you could wear this casually to any event. This is perfect for dates, casual outings, working out or playing sports, dressing sharp for a night on the town, the office; you name it, it just works. It isn't a playful sporty fragrance, it still has that sexy man appeal, so I would suggest it to college age or older, but a teenager could technically pull this off. I agree with Dracdoc (video is below) that this might not be well suited for formal occasions, but I feel that is probably due to the fact that there are better-suited fragrances for suit and tie events.
While this is obviously best for hotter climates and the summer season with its aquatic DNA, that doesn't mean it will only be suited for a beach vacation or when you are around or on the water. Honestly, I think a man could pull this off anytime, even in the winter if he really loves this scent and feels great wearing it. The woody spiciness can work its magic in any weather and it has the sharpness to cut through the cold.
PERFORMANCE
Don't overspray this one! It is strong and has crazy projection, sillage, and longevity. Go with 2 sprays tops, maybe only 1 spray in the summer. It can last for 12 hours easily on my skin. The value here is enormous.
RESOURCES
https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Chanel/Allure-Homme-Sport-607.html
http://www.basenotes.net/ID26122738.html
VIDEOS
Dracdoc Review
Robes08 Review
THOUGHTS/REVIEW
This is notorious for being a huge compliment getter. Along with Bleu De Chanel and Dior Sauvage, this is part of a trifecta of universally appealing sexy man fragrances that I feel should be a part of every fragrance lover's collection. As a disclaimer, like the other two, you might notice this on other guys. I wouldn't say it is overly popular, but it has been out for a while so it isn't going to be the most signature scent in your collection.
Fresh, smooth, creamy but crisp, a sporty fragrance that is extraordinary and is a cut above the rest. As Dracdoc pointed out, this is the "sport" frag that sets the bar.
10/10. No question about it, Chanel Allure Homme Sport is a killer. It isn't original, but people will love the way this smells on you regardless and it does what it does extremely well. To me, this is a safe blind buy, but if you are the kind of guy who demands uniqueness and is looking to be different, then this won't satisfy that need. But, if you just want to smell incredible, want some positive attention (especially from the ladies), want a bit of a confidence boost (super easy to wear, just be careful with the sprayer), then look no further.
Oh and I thought I'd just drop this here...
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good