The Pride of Armaf Admiral Armaf

The Scent Profile

The Pride of Armaf Admiral opens with a jarring clash. The lavender is more like lavender cleaning spray, fighting with a peppery cardamom that's acrid rather than inviting. It’s missing the smooth, honeyed entry of its inspiration, instead giving off a vaguely medicinal vibe. The heart attempts sophistication with incense and patchouli, but the incense reads as burnt rubber and the patchouli is a thin, earthy whisper. The base is where this diverges most severely. Instead of a rich vanilla and tonka depth, you get a cloying sweetness reminiscent of artificial maple syrup, laced with a plasticky undertone that lingers unpleasantly.

Wear time & Sillage

Admiral projects aggressively for the first hour, easily filling a room, before quickly receding to a skin scent within three hours. On clothing, it clings for about five hours, but the drydown develops a faint, unpleasant sourness. Tested in both indoor and outdoor settings, its performance remains consistent: initial blast followed by rapid decline.

Is it Worth It?

Wearing the original Invictus Elixir is akin to donning a sharply tailored suit; it exudes confidence and polish. Wearing Admiral is like wearing a cheap imitation of that suit – the cut is off, the fabric feels rough, and while it might superficially resemble the original, the difference is glaringly obvious. You trade a refined and elegant experience for a rough, synthetic approximation.