Cool Water by Davidoff

A very rich, classic, old-school fragrance. It smells very aquatic with soft lavender and pleasant green notes. It’s for summer; although it doesn’t smell totally modern, you can still wear it if you like good classics like this. I used it a long time ago, but this image always comes to mind: a boat at sea, an unbuttoned white shirt, and swim trunks… I don’t know why, but that’s what I imagine. Very pleasant to the nose. There are low-cost Argentine perfumes that imitate this scent quite well, but Cool Water is unique.

I bought it without testing it, and the moment I smelled it, I was transported back to university because it reminded me of a very similar Oriflame version. From the first minute, it smells fresh, icy, and special. On the dry-down, I notice salinity and spicy green notes, but as it settles on the skin, it becomes sweeter and softer. It brings back memories, so it has more emotional weight; unknowingly, I used to wear an unmistakable scent like Cool Water, which seems essential in any collector’s wardrobe.

A fresh and clean fragrance through and through; it reminds me of my father. Whenever he wore perfume, the scent gave me the same feeling that this one does now. Now, honestly, it’s not for me—it’s not a scent I enjoy, especially on the initial projection where it’s even a bit overwhelming. Once it dries down, the notes help make it more digestible. In fact, it was so much that I ended up gifting the perfume to my father right after opening it. Good fragrance, just a pity I didn’t appreciate it sooner.

Every man should own one. Refreshing. Ideal after a shower in very hot weather. Unfortunately, my bottle has been sitting for a year and the longevity still hasn’t improved.

A very good fragrance that, like wine, has aged with class. That blend of marine notes with lavender and mint is very rich for a warm day, recommended for everyone, although I don’t see it as ideal for someone very young at first.

I just received this Christmas gift and honestly, I’m not a fan of the initial projection, but the dry-down on my skin is amazing because you can already smell the mint and floral notes. It’s very versatile for daytime use since it’s fresh and light. It lasts about 3 hours, and then you need to reapply, but it’s a good perfume.

I see it as versatile, perfect for the office or the gym. It lasts 4 to 6 hours on the skin. Projection is moderate. For the price, you can’t ask for more—it’s cheap and simple, but with a mature scent. If you’re young, you might not dig it as much; I’d probably go for a Montblanc or something cheap and aromatic instead. 7/10.

I used to wear this in my teens and remember it differently; I guess my olfactory memory played a trick on me. When I bought it recently, it smelled different to me. The first application wasn’t what I expected, but the second time, applying it generously, it reminded me of freshly washed and hung laundry—that crisp, clean burst that makes you close your eyes. A momentary pleasure. It’s called Cool Water. Its Achilles’ heel is performance, but that’s also its strength, offering so many options: going shopping, grabbing a drink, hitting the movies, or the mall. It even works for an intimate date, where it shines best up close. Performance is weak but pleasant. You can feel it for about 4 hours; if you walk by someone, they’ll notice. By 6 hours, it’s skin-deep, only 10-15 cm away. Cool Water won an award in 2009 and is in the Hall of Fame. According to Coty, a bottle sells every 8 minutes worldwide, making it the brand’s most successful line and among the top 10 best-selling men’s fragrances. In short, it should be in any collection worth its salt.

Hailed for its aquatic freshness, in reality, it offers an experience I can only describe as a synthetic slap disguised as cheap nostalgia. From the first spray, you get marine notes and lavender trying to sound clean but smelling like bathroom disinfectant with perfume pretensions. The fougère structure is so heavy it transports me to a decadent 80s barbershop where cheap aftershave reigns supreme. The worst part is the longevity: it doesn’t last a little, it lasts too long. An invasive projection that turns any enclosed space into an involuntary tribute to bad taste. The dry down is an oxidized aquatic accord with a flat, artificial woody base. A true synthetic festival. Gift it? Only if you want to end a friendship. Recommend it? Only to someone who wants to relive the worst of 90s mainstream perfumery. That said: test it before if you dare. I can’t handle it.

Great for everyday wear in summer and spring. Excellent price point, and I get about 6 hours of longevity. Honestly, you can’t ask for much more at this price.

To those who disdainfully criticize this perfume, I’d like to see them in a blind test. It’s easy to judge based on price. Perfumery is a pareidolia. Cool Water isn’t worse than Green Irish Tweed, nor is it a clone; the similarity is limited. The price difference isn’t just about ingredients. Cool Water is a flanker, not a clone. Many perfumers use creations as inspiration. It’s inferior to Creed only in longevity, but its aromatic quality is superb. It’s more musky/soapy and seductive, with a warm touch. Creed is denser and more elegant, but they are distinct perfumes. The quality-to-price ratio of Cool Water is unbeatable.

When I found out the perfumer was Pierre, I went to try it. I imagined something different… but no. A total letdown. It could be used for the gym… but for the price, you might as well buy a kayak from Natura. What a pain!

I find it simply unpleasant. Extremely synthetic and green, but in a bad way. The first spray burns the hairs on your nose. I wouldn’t recommend it even to my worst enemy.

I like it, even though I’m not a huge fan of green notes, and that’s what dominates Cool Water. It’s fresh from start to finish. The opening is harsh, green, and slightly bitter. After a few minutes, that bitterness disappears, and it becomes soft, green, aromatic, clean, and a bit soapy. It’s pleasant to wear. Longevity isn’t amazing, about 3 hours, then it fades to skin scent. In summer, you get out of the shower, spray it on, and feel luxurious. All for 27€ for 200ml. Being a classic, it’s almost a crime not to own it.

I came from the opposite direction and after years of enjoying GIT, I was gifted CW. I understand the similarity; they are very close if you look past the unnecessary sweetness they’ve added to CW. It’s a pity because it would be a marvel if not for that sweetness. Has it always been like this, or is it a thing with current batches where everything is sweet to diabetic levels? For anyone who detests its sweetness like me, I recommend Egra Men by Rasasi. It’s in the same line as CW and GIT, it resembles the Creed one more, and it’s also affordable.