XP61

The Scent Profile

XP61 opens with a jolt of green mandarin, like a citrus energy drink spilled on cool concrete. It's bright, maybe a touch synthetic, but forgivable. The heart aims for that signature Chrome Extreme oceanic feel, and it gets close – maybe 90%. The juniper adds a pleasant, slightly gin-like dryness which the original has, but it's less refined here, a tad sharper. As it dries down, the cashmeran emerges, a soft, musky blanket with a golden amber glow. The base is where it deviates most; it's less complex than Chrome Extreme's, relying heavily on a simpler amber accord.

Performance Reality Check

This won't fill a room, but it creates a nice personal bubble. Expect around 5-6 hours of wear, with moderate projection for the first hour then settling closer to the skin. It's a work-day fragrance, something subtle and clean for close encounters. If you crave that aquatic freshness but balk at the price of the original, this is a viable alternative. Yes, the synthetic edges are noticeable, and the drydown lacks the depth of the Azzaro, but it captures the core vibe: a clean, confident aura for the modern man. XP61 is a great everyday grab for the guy who likes to smell effortlessly put-together without shouting.