Neroli is not the central theme here Robes. I think lavender and Grapefruit along with a creamy, leathery patchouli and iris along with the pepper produce the bulk of the fragrance. Very mature scent to me. I wouldn't dream of comparing this scent to J Bieber although I am aware you were only comparing quality of Neroli to others like Xerjoff etc. Still I can't recommend this scent to anyone below 25 personally. An all time great scent , for me it's an instant classic, pretty much what I can imagine James Bond wearing when he drives Astons, or gets down with the ladies,...ahem. Anyways great review! Cheers.
Dunhill Icon is great! To me it smells like warm black pepper surrounded by creamie citruses with some juniper berries appearing in the dry down. Black pepper is by far the most prominent note to me. Great work scent, great casual scent, just great overall!
To me, the opening smells like Vaseline and I get that whether I sniff it close to my skin (hand) or if I spray it in the air. This originally put me off, but I see now that the opening isn't where this frag shines. I get the "purple" vibe from this too, but it isn't grape soda at all. It isn't sparkly or fizzy to my nose. It comes off more like blackcurrant -- very tart. Perhaps this is the effect the juniper berry note is having when mixed with the sour citrus? Either way, the first hour is very potent and borders on being offensive. The magic starts to happen about an hour into the dry down. The scent turns into a slightly spicy, slightly soapy, slightly floral, freshie. Rather than being zesty like some soapy frags, it goes more of the creamy route. I also find that sniffing close to the skin is not the best way to assess this frag. I sprayed this on before getting ready for work, then after about 45 minutes, I left my house and the breeze wafted the scent all around me. That is when I realized that the scent is by far more pleasing when it is picked up off of the skin in the scent bubble/aura/trail. After about 4-6 hours, that is when the scent transforms into a soft and subtle woodsy leathery incense until it completely fades. So as loud as this one seems from the jump, it is actually a subtle nuanced frag in disguise. I hear some heads think this smells "grandma", and it probably does if you only go by the opening. I like it quite a bit actually, but I wouldn't use it to make any sort of impression. I would use it like I use Creed Original Vetiver, Prada Infusion d'Homme, or Escentric Molecules' Molecule 01 -- as a subtly fresh and interesting scent that purveys that I am well put together without being tacky or in-your-face about it.
Fairly unique scent to my nose, I don't love it, but I definitely don't hate it, it's one of those scent that I don't necessarily enjoy or love wearing but people around me all seem to love it, especially woman.
I quite enjoy this scent and actually think this house has some nice offerings for the price. Dunhill desire red from 2000 was a beast and hugely popular and ladies went nuts over it, new formula is substantially weaker but still ok. Also really enjoyed the original Dunhill edition from 1984 . Now called London edition, still smells ok. Great work Marc and spot on review mate.
I know you keyed in on a key word in the review. It's not a sugary sweet teen scent, I compared it to much more mature and elegant niche Neroli based scents as a more playful scent not just a teen scent.
I absolutely agree with you Chad! I'm actually surprised with Mark's critique of Icon. I really do appreciate his honest take on it though. For me, Icon is s masterpiece, the sillage is where the magic is with this one.
This scent is bomb sauce. Props to my old man (RIP) who was the OG who rep'd the original way back in the day. The original was very clean and 80's aftershave like BUT damn did that thing get me compliments when I was a pimply faced nerd stacking shelves and pushing carriages at the local mart. Fast forward to today and I am super pumped Dunhill has evolved. This scent is very fruity(I smell grape) as well as citrus and wood. This scent will keep you interested all day long with its constant changes to temp and mood. Easily expect 12hr da-da-da from this delicious scent. p.s. The packaging is gorgeous and the weight of this thing is quite impressive. BUY IT NOW!!
The cigerettes are pretty expensive lol around 30 bucks depending on which ones you buy internationally As a leather lover: whats a decent price and cologne with the leather note in it?
Great review🎉 i received my Dunhill icon and when i first sprayed on my arm i really liked it and in the opening for my nose it was very close to armaf cdni but i like it alot!
My first impression with it , it smelled so familiar and i finally put my finger on it. Its strikingly similar to a diaper rash ointment i used on my children when they were babies. I want to really like this but i cant get that ointment out of my mind every time i smell my dunhill icon.
Since I idiot bought Blu Mediterraneo - Bergamotto di Calabria - I am afraid of citrussy scents. But this Dunhill Icon (received it today with First Instinct by A & F) is really good. Tough and fine at the same time - wild and sophisticated as well.
I freaking love this bottle, but I must admit that it's just an okay scent IMO. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely unique for a designer...but still just a nice scent for me. Still, I wear it from time to time and I love the bottle so much that I picked-up the Absolute and Elite bottles, which I look forward to trying this Fall. Enjoyed.
Thanks Jim for your take on it. I agree fully with your comment and the bottle is so nice I do want to pick the Elite & Absolute just for collection pieces.
Marc! New subscriber here! I just bought TDH ETF from a friend because I wanted one solid fragrance for work - elegant, manly, serious but not too old-manish. To be honest I'm on the fence with it and cannot stop thinking that Dunhill Icon would be a better option for me. Would you agree?
Thank you for a very good comprehensive review. I like, almost love, Dunhill icon. What are the entry level niches that are similar smelling but better than this? I have tried neroli based niche ones and to me this actually holds up quite well among them.
Dunhill is not a bad house. Nothing groundbreaking but consistently good. They always have great bottles. I used to wear Dunhill - Pursuit (Notes:Amber/Orange) & Dunhill - Desire Red (Notes:Apple/Vanilla/Musk/Rose) way back. Btw you're camera lens is either really dirty or really out of focus.
I wish I'd watched this review first. Ive seen several rave reviews, and those, coupled with really good pricing (so there's that!) led to a blind buy. I don't hate it, but don't really think I like it either. Ah well.
I absolutely hate Netroli portofino!! Never got a dam compliment and This Neroli of dunhill might be synthetic but wayyyy better trust me guys!! Its very nice
mark more frag reviews pls, less samplin sample n stuff like that. i instantly clicked on this one, felt like havent seen u for a while. dunhill btw got mostly cheap n super sythetic bs. red one is most famous.
I'm glad that you said grape soda. Thought I was just crazy. I want to love it based on the note break down, but I get a berry/currant/grape scent every time I smell this. I guess for 20ish dollars, it was worth the shot & at least the bottle looks cool....could possibly be used for self defense in the worst case.
thanks for the review... Glad to see a review from ya.. I liked this one at first.. but then I fell out of favor with it.. it started reminding me of a cheap kind of fragrance smell... It has that minty type bargain bin smell u get from fragrances like alpine altitude i believe.. one of those swiss army ones.. I liked it at first tho, but now... For me personally its a pass... I did like dunhill custom.. that one was a very simplistic but decent smelling scent.. Apple black pepper and incense. A balderserini ambre type scent
Guinea54 I got bored of this one fast. Really enjoyed it at first sniff, but after a few weeks it just wasn't doing anything for me. Still think it's a nice unique scent though
yeah same thing happened to me.. good first impression then i just was like.. ehh .. it actually reminds me of some cheap fragrance from swiss army lol
I've seen Dun hill fragrances in 99 cent stores or drug stores like CVS or Duane Reade. After Creed, Xerjoff and higher end fragrances I can't see this as any thing but teenagers frag.
Must have been really old outdated Dunhills. So do a lot of Diors and CK's etc. end up in drug stores. Your point? This is anything but a teenager's scent MC.
Great review , I said before and will say it again skidles and moth balls is what I get from this ; I know is weird but yes , my bottle is still full, on the plus wife's loves I just can't keep my nose on it for long...great take As always ☺
Neroli is not the central theme here Robes. I think lavender and Grapefruit along with a creamy, leathery patchouli and iris along with the pepper produce the bulk of the fragrance. Very mature scent to me. I wouldn't dream of comparing this scent to J Bieber although I am aware you were only comparing quality of Neroli to others like Xerjoff etc. Still I can't recommend this scent to anyone below 25 personally. An all time great scent , for me it's an instant classic, pretty much what I can imagine James Bond wearing when he drives Astons, or gets down with the ladies,...ahem. Anyways great review! Cheers.
I get mad compliments with this juice. I like but don't love but everyone around me loves it.
Dunhill Icon is great! To me it smells like warm black pepper surrounded by creamie citruses with some juniper berries appearing in the dry down. Black pepper is by far the most prominent note to me. Great work scent, great casual scent, just great overall!
My teenage son wears this more than I have! I got a 100ml tester for $38 last year. Solid scent.
To me, the opening smells like Vaseline and I get that whether I sniff it close to my skin (hand) or if I spray it in the air. This originally put me off, but I see now that the opening isn't where this frag shines. I get the "purple" vibe from this too, but it isn't grape soda at all. It isn't sparkly or fizzy to my nose. It comes off more like blackcurrant -- very tart. Perhaps this is the effect the juniper berry note is having when mixed with the sour citrus? Either way, the first hour is very potent and borders on being offensive. The magic starts to happen about an hour into the dry down. The scent turns into a slightly spicy, slightly soapy, slightly floral, freshie. Rather than being zesty like some soapy frags, it goes more of the creamy route. I also find that sniffing close to the skin is not the best way to assess this frag. I sprayed this on before getting ready for work, then after about 45 minutes, I left my house and the breeze wafted the scent all around me. That is when I realized that the scent is by far more pleasing when it is picked up off of the skin in the scent bubble/aura/trail. After about 4-6 hours, that is when the scent transforms into a soft and subtle woodsy leathery incense until it completely fades.
So as loud as this one seems from the jump, it is actually a subtle nuanced frag in disguise. I hear some heads think this smells "grandma", and it probably does if you only go by the opening. I like it quite a bit actually, but I wouldn't use it to make any sort of impression. I would use it like I use Creed Original Vetiver, Prada Infusion d'Homme, or Escentric Molecules' Molecule 01 -- as a subtly fresh and interesting scent that purveys that I am well put together without being tacky or in-your-face about it.
Fairly unique scent to my nose, I don't love it, but I definitely don't hate it, it's one of those scent that I don't necessarily enjoy or love wearing but people around me all seem to love it, especially woman.
I quite enjoy this scent and actually think this house has some nice offerings for the price. Dunhill desire red from 2000 was a beast and hugely popular and ladies went nuts over it, new formula is substantially weaker but still ok. Also really enjoyed the original Dunhill edition from 1984 . Now called London edition, still smells ok. Great work Marc and spot on review mate.
I never think about Icon as a teen scent. I find that a bit strange. Is quite mature in my opinion. I guess is not for you.
I know you keyed in on a key word in the review. It's not a sugary sweet teen scent, I compared it to much more mature and elegant niche Neroli based scents as a more playful scent not just a teen scent.
I think this is a great scent and I love neroli as a note.
What do you prefer ? icon original or icon racing ?
I absolutely agree with you Chad! I'm actually surprised with Mark's critique of Icon. I really do appreciate his honest take on it though. For me, Icon is s masterpiece, the sillage is where the magic is with this one.
This scent is bomb sauce. Props to my old man (RIP) who was the OG who rep'd the original way back in the day. The original was very clean and 80's aftershave like BUT damn did that thing get me compliments when I was a pimply faced nerd stacking shelves and pushing carriages at the local mart. Fast forward to today and I am super pumped Dunhill has evolved. This scent is very fruity(I smell grape) as well as citrus and wood. This scent will keep you interested all day long with its constant changes to temp and mood. Easily expect 12hr da-da-da from this delicious scent. p.s. The packaging is gorgeous and the weight of this thing is quite impressive. BUY IT NOW!!
Thanks alot for your review ...i have it and it is my signture scent during meeting and presentatoins ..and it lasts on my skin for 8 hours easy
The cigerettes are pretty expensive lol around 30 bucks depending on which ones you buy internationally
As a leather lover: whats a decent price and cologne with the leather note in it?
I can't believe you haven't reviewed this one yet!! thanks for your take 😎
I'm always last to review lol
A sparkling, grape pop, metallic, sporty, golf clothes type scent. Seems quality, interesting, and well worth a cheap, authentic sample!
An interesting side note, I noticed that this fragrance performed very poor in high humidity but performed well in the dry summer heat.
Great review🎉 i received my Dunhill icon and when i first sprayed on my arm i really liked it and in the opening for my nose it was very close to armaf cdni but i like it alot!
Nice to see! Enjoy it!
Always very nice to see Marc reviewing ,, great take on this brother, and yes the bottle looks badass :)
There's a new flanker coming out called "Racing Green"
I ordered it, I really hope that smells like grape soda. Id love that
Do you like it? Is it still strong or watered down?
I really like this scent I used in spring and I enjoyed very much and my problem is the performance in summer heat it's not perform well at all
My first impression with it , it smelled so familiar and i finally put my finger on it. Its strikingly similar to a diaper rash ointment i used on my children when they were babies. I want to really like this but i cant get that ointment out of my mind every time i smell my dunhill icon.
Very good review. I sold my bottle as it made me uncomfortable. Very synthetic a
Since I idiot bought Blu Mediterraneo - Bergamotto di Calabria - I am afraid of citrussy scents. But this Dunhill Icon (received it today with First Instinct by A & F) is really good. Tough and fine at the same time - wild and sophisticated as well.
I enjoyed the nice visual charts on scores and summary. Thanks.
I freaking love this bottle, but I must admit that it's just an okay scent IMO. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely unique for a designer...but still just a nice scent for me. Still, I wear it from time to time and I love the bottle so much that I picked-up the Absolute and Elite bottles, which I look forward to trying this Fall. Enjoyed.
Thanks Jim for your take on it. I agree fully with your comment and the bottle is so nice I do want to pick the Elite & Absolute just for collection pieces.
I want this bottle.. Coolest presentation “in the game” (as you would say lol).. I want this bottle. Will probably buy in the near future
Marc! New subscriber here!
I just bought TDH ETF from a friend because I wanted one solid fragrance for work - elegant, manly, serious but not too old-manish. To be honest I'm on the fence with it and cannot stop thinking that Dunhill Icon would be a better option for me. Would you agree?
Thank you for a very good comprehensive review. I like, almost love, Dunhill icon. What are the entry level niches that are similar smelling but better than this? I have tried neroli based niche ones and to me this actually holds up quite well among them.
Neroli Portofino is not an entry level niche but it's one of the best Neroli's in the game
Agreed man, thanks for the great review!
Dunhill is not a bad house. Nothing groundbreaking but consistently good. They always have great bottles. I used to wear Dunhill - Pursuit (Notes:Amber/Orange) & Dunhill - Desire Red (Notes:Apple/Vanilla/Musk/Rose) way back.
Btw you're camera lens is either really dirty or really out of focus.
I love all 3. I just wished they performed better
I appreciate your professional review..
Great job as always Marc...
Nice, early evening or date night smell
I wish I'd watched this review first. Ive seen several rave reviews, and those, coupled with really good pricing (so there's that!) led to a blind buy. I don't hate it, but don't really think I like it either. Ah well.
love your work my man keep it up ! :)
I absolutely hate Netroli portofino!! Never got a dam compliment and This Neroli of dunhill might be synthetic but wayyyy better trust me guys!! Its very nice
mark more frag reviews pls, less samplin sample n stuff like that. i instantly clicked on this one, felt like havent seen u for a while. dunhill btw got mostly cheap n super sythetic bs. red one is most famous.
I'm glad that you said grape soda. Thought I was just crazy. I want to love it based on the note break down, but I get a berry/currant/grape scent every time I smell this. I guess for 20ish dollars, it was worth the shot & at least the bottle looks cool....could possibly be used for self defense in the worst case.
This is okay, have you tried the oud version?
I have not
thanks for the review... Glad to see a review from ya.. I liked this one at first.. but then I fell out of favor with it.. it started reminding me of a cheap kind of fragrance smell... It has that minty type bargain bin smell u get from fragrances like alpine altitude i believe.. one of those swiss army ones.. I liked it at first tho, but now... For me personally its a pass... I did like dunhill custom.. that one was a very simplistic but decent smelling scent.. Apple black pepper and incense. A balderserini ambre type scent
always a pleasure seeing you on here Paulie!
since 2009!
Guinea54 I got bored of this one fast. Really enjoyed it at first sniff, but after a few weeks it just wasn't doing anything for me. Still think it's a nice unique scent though
yeah same thing happened to me.. good first impression then i just was like.. ehh .. it actually reminds me of some cheap fragrance from swiss army lol
Cause you know it's all about that base, bout that base .
Good work
Thank you so much 😀
*describes the bottle* 'You can knock someone out with this' im done hahah
I get really dirty vetiver notes in this one. Smells like roots and soil... yuck
I've seen Dun hill fragrances in 99 cent stores or drug stores like CVS or Duane Reade. After Creed, Xerjoff and higher end fragrances I can't see this as any thing but teenagers frag.
Must have been really old outdated Dunhills. So do a lot of Diors and CK's etc. end up in drug stores. Your point? This is anything but a teenager's scent MC.
This smells pleasant and a bit sweet on my skin and my girlfriend loves it. But after a month, it's becoming very similar to Terre D'hermes.
Is Icon truly "iconic"?!?! Tell us Marc…………👀👂
it's not :(
robes08: Yup, I figured as much after seeing your review..... I just had to throw out that play on words brother🤙🏼
Mmm, I'll take Mozart any day.
Abit like Tom Ford Noir De Noir. :)
Dunhilll icon absolute
I LOVE THE OPENING BUT UNFORTUNATELY DOES NOT LAST ( low performance)
How is the longevity?
Great review , I said before and will say it again skidles and moth balls is what I get from this ; I know is weird but yes , my bottle is still full, on the plus wife's loves I just can't keep my nose on it for long...great take As always ☺
invictus vibe.
I 💘 icon
This is meh at best, 7/10 is generous i would of given it a 5 or 6.. TOPS!!
yea this one went from a 5 right up to an 8 and I finally decided on a 7. It was a struggle especially when people were so in love with it.
Mediocre at best.
9 for me
I hate this frag totally syntethic pepper
Never understood the hype with this one. A complete pass for me. Not terrible, just blah.