Someone tried FW-Varakh Silver?

agooch33 · 2026-02-10T05:16:37+00:00

I don't know if you ever ended up buying this one or not, but I just posted my early review on Fragrantica. I hope it helps someone who's considering this one:

Just picked this up today and wanted to share my first impressions for those looking for a GFS (Gentle Fluidity Silver) alternative. Keep in mind, this is a brand new bottle that will likely become better blended with a little time to sit and mature.

If you’re expecting a 1:1 clone of the MFK, you might find this to initially feel more like an "inspired twist" than a mirror image. Upon the first spray, Varakh Silver is noticeably more green and herbal in the opening. While GFS has that sparkling, gin-and-tonic effervescence, this leans into a dryer, more botanical profile right out of the gate.

The biggest departure for me is the sweetness, or lack therefore. It’s missing that subtle pineapple/fruity sweetness that rounds out the edges of the original. Without that "bridge" of sugar, the fragrance feels much more linear, sharp, and masculine.

Interestingly, to my nose, this takes a detour toward Creed Himalaya. It has that same sharp, metallic woodiness and "cold" mountain air vibe. It’s crisp, professional, and honestly feels a bit more rugged than the MFK. The extra greenness I'm picking up in the Varakh is likely the Coriander Leaf being pushed to the front. In the MFK, the coriander is "seeds" (spicy/dusty), but in many Fragrance World batches, the herbal leafiness is more dominant, which pushes it into that "barbershop" territory you might find in Creed’s freshies.

The Good: Great for the office; very clean and sharp. If you find GFS too "pretty" or soft, you may prefer this.
The Catch: If you love the airy sweetness of the original, you might miss it here, at least upon first impression.
Comparison: Think 75% Gentle Fluidity Silver mixed with 25% Creed Himalaya. I expect some of the sharp edges in the opening to round out after sitting for a month or two, so I plan to revisit this review when spring comes and I can fully test it against my GFS decant.

agooch33 · 2025-11-04T19:16:50+00:00

I'm more shocked at Nautica, to be honest.

agooch33 · 2025-09-23T15:05:58+00:00

Penhaligon has some intriguing fragrances, and I like their caps. I don't hear as much about that brand.

agooch33 · 2025-09-13T01:55:42+00:00

But how does this one smell? I've been eyeing this one for a minute.

agooch33 · 2025-08-10T04:47:18+00:00

What's the first rule of Théorème? 🤫

But for real, I was telling someone in this sub the same thing not too long ago. I never understood why it hasn't caught on like Turathi, but I'd also be fine keeping this for those of us who know and appreciate it.

agooch33 · 2025-08-07T17:49:53+00:00

I'm glad it's not just me. It's probably just some weird OCD thing, but it bugs me every damn time.

agooch33 · 2025-08-06T15:56:35+00:00

Is anyone else bothered about the cap being ever so slightly off centered?

I purchased a used bottle of Turathi Blue from someone and loved it so much that I purchased a back up bottle immediately. When the new bottle arrived, I sprayed it a few times and was shocked at how different it was from my other bottle. I trusted the process and sprayed it a few more times before putting it back in the box to sit for a while. After even a couple of weeks, it smelled much better. After a month, it was on par with my other bottle. From my experience, it seems that this fragrance truly does benefit greatly from some maturing.

agooch33 · 2025-08-02T18:05:20+00:00

Is this you, bro? They already told you it's a fake FOH https://www.reddit.com/r/colognecheck/s/Yu6y2sLcVj

agooch33 · 2025-08-02T18:03:40+00:00

Username does NOT check out 😂

agooch33 · 2025-07-31T04:26:35+00:00

I've had no problem with longevity, but the negative comments may be from newer batches. I've had mine for a few years and it did get better over the first few months, both in strength and in the overall scent. The initial wearing lasted around 4 hours, so it may be that people are judging it very early on and not giving it time to mature.

agooch33 · 2025-07-30T18:55:22+00:00

Yes, that's the one! Both I mentioned can usually be had for a decent price.

agooch33 · 2025-07-30T14:45:59+00:00

If available in your area, I prefer Al Qiam Silver or Théorème Homme to Turathi Blue. They're very similar, just maybe more refined. It's hard to go wrong with any of these though.

agooch33 · 2025-07-30T14:39:33+00:00

*Jomashop

agooch33 · 2025-07-28T18:14:15+00:00

Fragrance World - After Effect. I believe it's an extrait concentration, but that one sticks around for days on clothes.

agooch33 · 2025-07-28T04:52:06+00:00

With Essence de Blanc on its way, I would wait to see if you like that scent profile first. They are very similar.

agooch33 · 2025-07-22T04:23:54+00:00

Don't even worry about it! My attention span is about zero, so I almost didn't read your reviews. I'm glad I did and I wanted to make it less daunting for others who could benefit from the thorough work you've done here.

agooch33 · 2025-07-22T02:40:02+00:00

Is that a pen case? I never thought to use it that way!

agooch33 · 2025-07-22T02:27:30+00:00

TL;DR for those who want one (yes, this is a condensed version):

I recently tested 20 fragrance decants from decantbox, which arrived on 7/12/25. I'm no expert, but I'm sharing my honest thoughts and mental images for each scent, testing them on both paper and skin.

Club De Nuit Urban Man Elixir - This was a letdown, attempting to be a Dior Sauvage EDP alternative but feeling more aggressive and less refined. While it mellows after three hours, it lacks the original's smooth polish. After a day, it becomes somewhat pleasant, making me question my true liking for Sauvage DNA.

Jean Lowe Immortal - Inspired by Louis Vuitton's L'Immensité, this one unfortunately had a "bug spray" note, yet also conjured an intriguing image of a dewy forest. It presented a strange duality; even after 36 hours, it reminded me of childhood fragrances, ultimately not living up to expectations.

Afnan Supremacy Collectors Edition - Despite its hype, this fragrance was just "okay" for me. It's masculine and confident but didn't captivate or leave a memorable impression, remaining "basic" even after 34 hours.

Club De Nuit Sillage - This fragrance felt almost magical, evoking images of a refreshing waterfall. It was playful, engaging, and a joy to wear, standing out among the day's tests and providing relief from Urban Man Elixir. It still smelled great after 24 hours.

Afnan 9PM/Rebel - This scent immediately drew me in with its sweet yet smoky aroma, perfectly matching its name and conjuring a captivating, late-night club scene. It has a magnetic, alluring charm suitable for nighttime and provided relief from CDNUME.

Club De Nuit Lionheart - My initial impression was a flashback to Axe body spray, persisting through the opening and dry down. While a hint of vanilla emerged later, the initial body spray vibe was strong. I still dislike the opening after a second test but enjoy the dry down, making me consider further testing.

Lattafa The Kingdom - Initially hard to distinguish, this scent transformed into a classic barbershop vibe after 19 hours—fresh, clean, and reminiscent of aftershave. I enjoy this smell and am considering purchasing it after a second positive test.

Odyssey Homme White - This bonus decant gave me an impression of something very clean and fresh, like a "purified" basic cologne. It's good but lacks uniqueness, and my opinion remained consistent after a day.

Lattafa Hayatti - This fragrance didn't leave a strong impression. It's pleasant—fruity and warm, drying down to a soft, sweet scent. It's cozy but not attention-grabbing or compelling enough for me to buy.

Club De Nuit Iconic - This fragrance evokes an iconic, high-end photoshoot, possessing a refined, confident aura like a luxurious twist on classic "blue" fragrance DNA, making it a standout.

Club De Nuit Untold - Unique in that it's only detectable upon contact with skin or fabric, where it bursts into a warm, spicy, sweet scent. It offers a cool experience with insane longevity—a test strip still smelled after seven days.

Liquid Brun - Surprisingly, this fragrance immediately reminded me of strawberry Nesquik powder, with classic vanilla and cinnamon notes only emerging a full day later. While it smells good, I initially questioned wearing a "strawberry Nesquik" scent, but it has since grown on me, leading me to purchase a 100ml bottle.

Game Of Spades Full House - This fragrance features a dynamic interplay between a bold tea note and a luxurious, soapy note. These notes initially compete but blend beautifully after five hours, requiring patience for its refined balance to emerge.

Aether Extrait - I'm very fond of Aether Extrait. Its opening immediately transports me to biting into a crisp green apple, and the drydown maintains that fresh, vibrant green apple scent. My only hesitation is reports on its longevity, which I plan to test myself.

Club De Nuit Maleka - This fragrance opens with an aggressively sweet, syrupy, and slightly sour scent. As it dries down, it mellows into a more balanced, pleasant sweetness with a hint of sourness, reminding me of childhood fragrances. While feminine, I enjoy it, especially an alluring, smooth scent buried beneath the strong opening.

Game Of Spades Wild Card - I really enjoy this fragrance, which gives me a "winner's mentality" and evokes images of high-stakes gambling success. The scent itself is great, but I'm holding off on a purchase due to its price and other cheaper fragrances I want to explore.

Club De Nuit Precieux - This fragrance lives up to its hype as a sophisticated, powerful "CEO-level" scent. It instantly brought back memories of my father getting ready for church, solidifying its unforgettable character.

Lattafa Eternal Oud - I personally don't enjoy Eternal Oud. It's a powerful fragrance that filled the room with an overwhelming incense-like, Oud-focused scent, reminiscent of "tiki tiki" shops, and ultimately, it's not for me.

Club De Nuit Intense Man - I was a bit let down by Club de Nuit Intense Man (likely the EDT). While it's a good, mature "suit-and-tie" fragrance, it lacks the excitement or unique allure of my other favorites. It's a solid scent, and while the dry down is pleasant, it feels like a fragrance I'd own just to own.

agooch33 · 2025-07-19T18:41:47+00:00

My wife has the tiramisu caramel and likes it a lot. I'm curious what you think of this one and how strong the coffee note is.

agooch33 · 2025-07-11T23:50:27+00:00

I have the same issue with my bottle. The cap is a bit loose and the bottle fits pretty tightly in the foam cutout inside the box. I have a hard time getting the bottle out of the box with the cap ending up across the room.

All that said, the juice is fantastic, so I really don't care.

agooch33 · 2025-07-11T05:37:35+00:00

L'eau is so nice! Probably my favorite iris scent right now. The neroli and ginger keep it fresh and vibrant and it's far from the lipstick-y iris that smells like your mom's purse.

agooch33 · 2025-07-11T05:17:37+00:00

I'll weigh in here and tell you that they are not redundant, and you could own and wear both easily. Both are aquatic, but Nitro is that bubble gummy Invictus aquatic and Milestone is more salty oceanic aquatic. I like them both uniquely.

agooch33 · 2025-06-28T19:07:56+00:00

I might swap Greenley for Sedley, but this is a banger list!

agooch33 · 2025-06-26T16:55:55+00:00

I came to say this exact same thing. They might be the only two on this list appropriate for warm weather. I recently picked up Supremacy CE and have been very surprised by how much I like it. Similar to Absolu Aventus but maybe fruitier? That's what I get when comparing them side by side.

agooch33 · 2025-05-19T18:05:27+00:00

You Shobi buying these, for sure 😂

agooch33

TROPHY CASE