Random Reviews: Freshies (part 1/3)
As a regular on this sub with quite a big collection of my own (w/ about 40% being clones) I've decided I could do my own little reviews of the clones I own.
All my frags are well matured and have been worn often enough to be judged properly by me.
The reviews will be split up in 3 parts: Summer freshies, Spring/more neutral frags and fall/winter frags
DISCLAIMER: There are some clones, where I do NOT know, what the OG smells like (also english is not my first language)
Armaf CDN Milestone: This one gets really close to the OG and it properly captures the essence of Millesime Imperiale. It's definitely way more synthetic (especially in the opening) but if you like the DNA you can't do much wrong with this... + performance is really really good imo
subjective score: 7/10
Shobi Virgin Island Water (50+2): Unfortunately this one misses the real VIW by a longshot. The opening has a similar fresh lime, but in the drydown I don't get any sugarcane or coconut - it's rather very floral imo. So far all 3 Shobis I've tried have been big misses (yes, I have matured them for 6 weeks+)
subjective score: 3/10 (it's not horrible but not close to the OG)
Saheb Intense: Very underrated cheap clone of Imagination w/ a fresher, more citric opening and a little more soap and less tea in the drydown than the OG
subjective score: 6.5/10
Aqua Dubai: Similar to Saheb, as it's more soapy than the OG but Saheb smells closer to the OG than this one does. Still I prefer this because of its stronger sillage + longevity and the added cinnamon (even though not listed)
subjective score 7.5/10
Afnan Rare Reef: Ok so this one also isn't really close to the OG (Pacific Chill) - it starts off w/ a heavy dose of apricot and citrus (less sweet than the OG) and get's joined by a strong fig note after around 10mins. This frag smells like someone took the OG and tried to make it more manly and more mass-appealing (also more bland). As everyone knows, the drydown is where this shines as the super-ambers in it make it last seemingly forever. It's a good summer dumb reach if you want something pretty safe with way above average performance and sillage.
subjective score: 7/10
Montagne Pineapple Frais: First Montagne on the list...and it's damn near perfect. I don't know what to say other than this is 99% close to the OG imo. I love Aventus Cologne so this one gets extra points from me but I was so blown away by this (even before maturation) that i instantly had to order another bottle. Only thing keeping it from being perfect is the performance - it's about the same you get w/ the OG
subjective score: 10/10
Montagne Buko Intense: Another Monty that exceeded my expectations...I don't know how they manage to make it smell so incredibly high quality. It's a little more sweeter in the drydown and more sugarcane heavy than the OG but it's so similar overall that I couldn't tell you if I prefer this one or my VIW bottle. Unfortunately the performance is not that great, as it is w/ the OG
subjective score: 9/10
Montagne Eau de Montagne: This Silver Mountain Water clone is the first Montagne that full on disappointed me. Something in the drydown repulses me and the performance is horrible on my skin. The opening is very similar to the OG
subjective score: 2/10
Jean Lowe Immortel: I do NOT know what the OG smells like but i LOVE this. It's heavy on ginger and very fresh woody in the drydown. Everything from the freshness to the great performance I'm a fan of. It's very safe and versatile but I mostly use it when going to the gym or playing sports. Maybe the only downside you could see is that it's a bit boring but you won't offend anyone. I don't get any BO from it as some ppl were suggesting.
subjective score: 8.5/10
Jean Lowe Azure: I don't have the OG or a sample of it at home so I can only try recalling it from memory. It's about 85-90% close to Afternoon Swim and gives you that photorealistic orangepeel smell w/ some very woody notes joining it in the (very short lasting) drydown. If the performance wasn't so horrible and imo even worse than the OGs I would probably really like this but it being gone after 2 hours makes me wear this really rarely nowadays.
subjective score: 5/10
Posted Feb 20, 2026, 4:31 PM UTC