Vintage Radio

First Impressions & Dry Down

Vintage Radio kicks off with a familiar herbal punch, lavender and sage try to be sophisticated, but the bergamot smells a touch like lemon cleaner at this price point. It's about 85% of Paragon's opening, just missing that luxurious, photorealistic edge. The heart introduces a surprisingly juicy plum alongside dry, woody palo santo. The black pepper adds a needed bite, preventing it from becoming too sweet. The dry down leans heavily into sandalwood and a somewhat synthetic oud. It’s here where the fragrance diverges the most from Paragon; less refined, more… blunt.

Projection Power

Longevity is impressive, clocking in around 7-8 hours on my skin. Projection is moderate for the first two hours, then settles into a close skin scent. You won't fill a room, but those nearby will catch a whiff.

Bottom Line

Vintage Radio is a solid fragrance . It captures the essence of Paragon fairly well, especially in the mid. Is it a perfect replica? No. The synthetic nuances are detectable, particularly in the opening and base. However, if you're looking for a similar vibe without dropping hundreds, this is a worthy contender. Good for the guy who appreciates a touch of class but doesn't take himself too seriously. Skip if you demand hyper-realistic natural ingredients. The original is absolutely *not* 10x better, but it *is* noticeably smoother and more complex.