Nuke 2.0

Notes & Nuances

Nuke 2.0 kicks off with a blast of peppery spice. It’s intense. The caraway pushes through first, almost medicinal, like a pungent herbal cough drop, softened by a dusting of dark, bitter cocoa powder. The saffron adds a touch of intriguing bitterness, but it’s all a bit brash at first. As it settles, the heart reveals a creamy vanilla that's slightly boozy but, sadly, also slightly synthetic. The cinnamon is there, but it lacks that natural warmth, instead presenting as a cinnamon-flavored hard candy. The tobacco surfaces in the base, but it's more of a dried leaf smell, lacking the richness and depth of a quality blend. The lavender is a phantom note; only detectable as a soapy, slightly floral undercurrent. The drydown is where the cracks show, with a plasticky amber emerging that clashes with the lingering vanilla.

The Performance Stats

I got a solid 6-7 hours out of Nuke 2.0. The first hour projects strongly, easily filling a room. It settles down to about an arm's length for the next 3-4 hours before becoming a skin scent. I wore it to a chilly outdoor sporting event, and it held up nicely against the cold. I also wore it to dinner, and it felt a little too loud at the start.

Is it Worth It?

Wearing Nuke 2.0 versus the original is a trade-off. You gain boldness and initial impact, but you lose some of the sophisticated complexity and refined smoothness. It is more bombastic and less gentlemanly. If you want something that announces your presence, this might work, but be prepared for a slightly less nuanced experience and a more synthetic feel in the drydown.