As one of the sexiest fragrances from the Giorgio Armani, Armani code has a separate fanbase and dedicated clone market.
But when you’re looking for the best Armani Code clones, you need to find a fragrance that has a compatible scent profile and similar notes.
Don’t worry! I tested the original cologne and several other alternatives on myself to give you the top clones of Armani Code.
Read on to find the most amazing colognes that smell like Armani Code.
What Fragrances Smell Similar or are Alternatives to Armani Code?
Armani Code is a masterpiece. It’s tough to find a cologne that mimics this cologne. Released in 2004, Code is well-known for it’s Citrusy-leather type of potent behavior.
The top notes of Code are lemon, bergamot. In the middle, they chose star anise, olive blossom, and guaiac wood.
They prepared a fantastic combination of wood, leather, and tobacco in the base, which is the main attraction of this fragrance.
As you guys can see, how wonderful combination they used to prepare this masterpiece. That’s the reason behind the success of the Armani Code.
In a word, Code is a sure head-turner. It’s a fantastic smelling cologne and a vast compliments getter.
The only alternative to Code is the Code itself. However, I’ll try here if I could somehow manage to save your pocket.
So, here are the best colognes that smell similar to Armani Code:
Paris Elysees Black Caviar
Middle notes: Anise, Herbal Notes, Olive Blossom.
Base notes: Tonka Bean, Guaiac Wood.
Well, Black Caviar is inspired by Armani Code. You may not find many similarities in the notes, but in the case of smell, it’s almost the same.
Like the Armani Code, Black Caviar opens with a citrusy touch. Anise and other herbal notes overpower this cologne, and after some time, it gives a creamy-woody texture.
Though it’s a clone of Armani code, I’m not satisfied with this cologne.
First of all, this fragrance is highly synthetic. The smell is almost like Armani Code, but it’s so poor quality and cheap.
Secondly, the performance is abysmal. It can’t even be comparable with Code’s performance. The best I got was like 4hrs of longevity.
Lastly, the Code vibe in this fragrance fades away with time. Like I got an accurate code representation during the first 15 mins. After then, it fades away with time.
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Let’s talk about the quality. They tried their level best to ensure the quality. And as I said before, this fragrance is highly synthetic. So in terms of quality, we can see a massive drop here.
So, here’s an executive summary of Black Caviar. If you want you can buy them.
When to wear:
Black caviar is a nighttime fragrance, and the price is low. You can use Black Caviar as a daily fragrance or use this for parties, hangouts, e.t.c.
Why you should buy:
- Open like Armani Code.
- Synthetic fragrance.
- Textured fragrance.
La Rive LR Password
Middle notes: Violet, Jasmine.
Base notes: Cedar, Musk.
In most cases, it’s tough to find an identical clone. In this case, LR Password somehow smells like Armani Code, but it doesn’t contain any notes like that.
Well, Like the Armani Code, LR Password starts with bergamot. But soon, it mixes with violet. This full fragrance is powdery and violate-based.
Anyway, I found some similarities with the Armani Code as well. That’s why this fragrance is here.
If you consider this as a particular fragrance, this cologne is fantastic. It’s sweet violet note will melt your heart in a minute.
Where Armani Code focuses on citrus, this fragrance is focused on violet. But in some cases, it feels like you’re wearing Armani Code.
So, there are some similarities and some differences as well. But in the case of quality, they are totally undefeatable. They used rich notes to prepare their fragrance and the quality is impressive.
The performance of LR Password is considerable. It stays like 6hrs with moderate projection.
When to wear:
LR Password is a nighttime fragrance and easily wearable. You can wear this for hangouts, parties, e.t.c.
Why you should buy:
- Armani Code smell-A-like.
- Good powdery fragrance.
- Projects well.
- Easily wearable.
Salvador Dali Black Sun
Middle notes: Fir Resin, Geranium, Clary Sage.
Base notes: Tonka Bean, Vanilla, Vetiver.
Well, this bargain fragrance can be an excellent choice for you. This fragrance is almost like Armani Code, and it lasts well. Yeah, I know, this fragrance should be at the top. But due to it’s availability, I have to push it here.
However, This amazing fragrance gives an aromatic vibe similar to Armani Code. This fragrance is enough greeny, and most importantly, they never forget to give a touch of Armani Code.
Indeed, you’ll forget what you’re wearing Black Sun or Armani Code. This fragrance is not an identical clone of the Armani Code but almost behaves like it.
Once I was asked by a random person, “Which batch of Code is it?”
As you can understand, Black Sun successfully mimicked Armani Code. So if you want to smell like Armani Code in a short budget, don’t waste your time.
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Anyway, the main attraction of this fragrance is it’s performance. I almost got around 8-10hrs of longevity with heavy to moderate projection.
When to wear:
Black Sun is a day-night fragrance and a genuine compliments getter. Black Sun is an easily wearable fragrance. You can use this fragrance for any occasion.
Why you should buy:
- Behaves like Armani Code.
- Compliments getter.
- Fantastic Performance.
- Cheap in price.
- Easily wearable.
Ermenegildo Zegna Zegna Intenso
Middle notes: Iris, Vetiver, Cedar.
Base notes: Tonka Bean, Musk.
Luckily, this powdery fragrance smells like Armani Code. Not much, but you can get a vibe of it.
Firstly, this fragrance is dark, and the opening is strange. At some point, this fragrance behaves like citrus, and after some time, it’s spicy. Inferior combination of notes, I must say.
However, this fragrance seems synthetic to me. I didn’t get that much natural Code vibe from it. And after 15-20mins iris comes up and makes the whole fragrance powdery. I must say, this middle is incredible, along with the base.
As you can see, Zegna used some spices in the opening while the opening of the Armani Code is bright and fresh. And the leather part with tobacco is missing in Zegna. So this is not a complete Armani Code clone but it gives a vibe of it.
Well, let’s talk about the quality. Zenga intenso felt so synthetic to me. The quality is not up to the level. But considering the price, it’s worth buying.
The performance of this fragrance is good enough. I got around 4-6hrs of longevity with intimate projection. Sadly, this is not an attention grabber scent.
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When to wear:
Zenga Intenso is a nighttime fragrance. You can use Zegna for evening hangouts, dates, e.t.c.
Why you should buy:
- Good skin scent.
- Smells fantastic after the opening.
- Somehow smells like Code.
- Mostly synthetic.
Thera Hazor
Middle notes: Jasmine.
Base notes: Brown Sugar, Cedar.
Well, Hazor can be a fantastic alternative to Armani Code. They chose more short notes, but Hazor smells good.
However, The greenish vibe in the opening will instantly remind you of the Armani Code. The flourishing middle and the sweet-woody base is like a little brother of Armani Code whose genetics are the same, but the product is different.
There are some differences as well. Hazor focused on their woody notes, where Code focuses on the citrus atmosphere. And obviously, Hazor is not that much premium like Armani Code.
The lack of leather notes makes Hazor totally incomplete. I couldn’t find a beautiful ending because of this. If they consider some other notes to add some depth to this fragrance it’d be much delightful.
Well, the performance of Hazor is not that much worse. I got around 4-6hrs of longevity with moderate projection.
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When to wear:
Hazor is a nighttime fragrance and easy to wear. You can use this fragrance for evening hangouts, parties, e.t.c.
Why you should buy:
- Easily wearable.
- An alternative to Armani Code.
Final Thoughts
Armani Code is an extraordinary fragrance. Finding an alternative to this fragrance is tough.
Ultimately, I have to say there are very few great alternatives to Armani Code. No colognes couldn’t mimic this fragrance properly.
My personal favorite on this list is Hazor. And if you’re looking for an editor’s choice, go for Black Sun.
Looking for something different? Then check out Tom Ford Black Orchid Clones
If you find any great alternative to Armani Code, don’t forget to comment below.