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For the last two weeks, I have been wearing Armani Code or “Code”, a fragrance I have previously owned and am very fond of. It is among my favourite contemporary perfumes with a nostalgic quality. However, the one I have been wearing differs from the one I know from old. You may be thinking to yourself, but Gary, there is only one Armani code EDT, right?

Well, there was.

The original Armani Code, released in 2004, was replaced in 2023 with the new “Armani Code EDT” There is a difference between the two in terms of their design and composition, and I’ll be talking about that in today’s article.

Appearance and Presentation

The original, with the long, almost tube-like bottle, has been replaced by something shorter and rounder. Other than that, there is little difference. Most of the Armani Code range follows a similar fashion in terms of design. It’s “OK”, still nothing that unique.

Price and where to buy

It’s a top seller in most stores, so you’ll find it easy enough, along with most of the flankers (and there are quite a few). For the price, I wouldn’t recommend it as a blind buy. You will want to get out there and test-spray this one before pulling the trigger.

When it comes to getting the best deal, your best bet is almost always the discounters — especially when they’re running coupon codes. And the one that’s never let me down is FragranceX.

They ship worldwide, they only deal in authentic stock, and they’ve got a solid 30-day return policy, which keeps things risk-free.

Prices do move around (sometimes daily, especially during holiday sales), so it’s always worth checking the current deal. 👇

The Notes

Top Notes – Green Mandarin

Middle Notes – Lavender

Base Notes – Tonka Bean, Cedar

Thoughts about the notes

The note breakdown looks as if it has been simplified to a larger extent. The original lemon and bergamot have been replaced with green mandarin. In the mid, they have replaced the olive blossom with lavender whilst removing the star anise and guaiac wood. The tobacco and leather base notes appear to have been thrown out, too.

Hmmm 🤔 so what does that leave us with, then?

Well, the opening is fresh, sweet and modern. Within seconds, I could tell exactly why it had been reformulated, and I’ll come to that. As the notes transition to the mid, it becomes apparent that the lavender is the star of the show here. You also have a warm, ambery undertone mixed in with the woods, which is pleasant overall.

As I said at the start, I’ve always enjoyed Armani Code, and I have enjoyed this version of it, too. It’s not something I would gravitate towards now as a 36-year-old man, yet a guy in his 20s could make an excellent impression with it for sure.

Old vs New

Georgio Armani has streamlined the original to align with a more contemporary audience. It retains the signature Code DNA with a clean freshness and a touch of extra sweetness. It’s not as dark and heavy, and the new prominent lavender note was a good idea.

They’ve essentially made a lighter version of the original, and in terms of versatility, it certainly ticks a few more boxes. I still prefer the original as I found it more complex and interesting, although it could now be considered too dated for the modern man. The new version is still good, though and well worth a gander.

Is it masculine?

Let’s put it this way: it won’t put any extra hairs on your chest, but it does have a subtle (and it is subtle) masculine vibe about it. You must be careful with lavender because if it doesn’t have the right blend, you can be left with something rather “grannyfied”. Luckily, that isn’t the case with Code.

🔥NEW FRAGRANCES!

Performance

Armani Code (new and old) could have been a better performer. Similar to designer fragrances like The One For Men by D&G (although not as bad), it’s a fantastic scent that only lasts for a short time, which is a shame.

I got around one hour and a half of longevity before it became a skin scent. It projects reasonably well for the first hour, and most people within about arm’s length will be able to pick up on it.

Compliments?

Code has always been known for being quite the ladykiller, and the new version will still do the job. My wife didn’t seem as excited as she has with others I have worn recently; still, she has a specific taste when it comes to men’s fragrances.

Anyway, you will have no issues receiving compliments for this one. You might have to reapply a few times throughout the day, but you will get them, so don’t worry too much about that.

When to wear?

You could wear this all year round, and I suspect that was one of the motives behind the reformulation. The original would have probably been too dense for the warmer months, and that’s no longer an issue.

One of the problems with these “all-arounder” kinds of scents is they do everything well but nothing outstanding.

Where to wear?

Again, you could wear it anywhere, including the office. Just be mindful that better options will be available depending on the occasion. If you only want to own one fragrance, you could do a lot worse than Armani Code EDT.

Conclusion

So there you have it, my humble opinion regarding the new Armani Code EDT. Let me know your thoughts and experiences with this one in the comments.

READY TO GRAB THIS FRAGRANCE?

If you’re ready to add this to your collection, here are two reliable places to check:

• FragranceX – usually the best prices, discount codes, and a wide selection. They also ship worldwide.
• Amazon – great if you prefer Prime delivery speed, just make sure to buy from a trusted seller.

👉 Pick the option that works best for you.

No matter where you’re reading from, smell good, spend smart.

WANT TO FAST-TRACK ALL OF THIS STUFF?

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It’s built for guys who want to smell sharp without overthinking it.