Le Gemme : Tygar
Bulgari (2016)

Bleu de Chanel EDT loses the ashtray note and picks up some additional ambroxan from Sauvage EDT and then it's been reworked to smell expensive. The grapefruit sticks around for quite a while, but I can't shake that it's like 90% BDC EDT but older smelling.

I'm frankly shocked this isn't a Dior offering. It is so so similar to Dior Homme Sport which I *adore* but this leans more into the grapefruit. It's also very similar to Dior Sauvage EDT but the Ambroxan has a silky almost soapy smoothness whereas Dior's offering is frankly irritating for me to smell after wearing for a while.

Somehow, 2 baby sprays from the free sampler I got lasts 8 hours on just normal skin. My girlfriend and her mom adored this fragrance despite disliking just about everything else I own, even Eau Givree, Sauvage EDT, and DHS 2022 which are all so similar in terms of what they're going for. It projected so strongly they were able to smell it walking by me, whereas normally I have to ask them to smell my arm to smell this.

I'm not sure what's going on with this fragrance but I'm going to give it a happy neutral almost thumbs up. It's a 3 note wonder but definitely has that expensive smoothness like some Aventus bottles I've tried on in Nordstrom. I'd buy a clone to replace one of my aforementioned frags but definitely wouldn't pay retail for this.

A Scent of Timeless Sophistication

The harmonious fusion of exquisite notes, including precious woods and refined florals, creates an aura of refined allure. As the fragrance lingers on your skin, it unveils a captivating trail that draws others closer, leaving a lasting impression of elegance. With Tygar, elevate your presence and immerse yourself in a world of sophistication.

An invigorating blend of citrusy top notes and aromatic spices unleash your fearless spirit. As the fragrance evolves, the heart notes of floral accords and woody undertones add depth and refinement, capturing the essence of both strength and grace.

The first time I tried a sample of Tygar, the grapefruit and ambroxan notes came forward immediately and dominated the front. The woods crept in fairly quickly and at that point I would tell you that this trio of notes offered in the description was dead on and there wasn't much else to it. The fragrance is also quite strong. I thought it was pleasant, clean and masculine, and enjoyed it, but at first I wasn't sure that what I was smelling really warranted the current high price tag ($350/ 100mL as of 2022.) I spritzed a few quick sprays on myself and went about the rest of the day.

I was working in my home office that day and a few hours later I came out and as I made my way downstairs to my foyer, I stopped in my tracks as some ambrosian fragrance hung in the air. What on earth was that incredible aroma I was smelling? I sniffed around and suddenly realized that my denim jacket was draped over the bannister and I was smelling Tygar, which I had sprayed on myself while I was wearing the jacket, or maybe I put the jacket on after donning Tygar on myself, I really can't remember, either way I was pretty impressed because I had only used maybe three small sprays from a tiny 0.5 mL sample bottle, and the projection from my jacket was quite prominent.

I could still smell it on myself as well, and that was still ambroxan and more woods than grapefruit at that point, but coming into the room from a third-person perspective (if that makes sense) it was simply incredible. At this point I could detect something else, fresh and mildly sweet, underlining the woods. Maybe that's the ginger others have mentioned, I'm not sure I would call it ginger, but there is a 'phantom' freshie note in Tygar that grabs you when you walk into it.

I put my jacket down and went back about my business. A couple of hours later I passed by and the same experience occurred once again - it totally hit me by surprise once more. By then I was in love.

The projection and longevity are everything you want in a scent. Lasts all day, my wife, whom tends to crinkle her nose at most fragrances, loves it, and it's versatile enough to suit any situation and season. So I would say it deserves the hype and gets a big thumbs up from me.

Yuck. A fairly standard men's designer release: that chemical sheen over cheap "woody amber" aquatic chemicals. Tygar has a bit of fake citrus on top, mixing with the sheen, and ends up with a jammy patchouli/rose combo underneath, largely eclipsed by the cheap base.

I should also mention that the bottle, in person, is huge and clunky and plastic and looks violently cheap. No stars.

Full disclosure: I'm not a contemporary fragrance person; I like the 70s and 80s, mostly. Received a sample of Tygar in my bloomingdale's "little cologne box." It's really very nice with strong performance; I get the citrus and woods, and maybe a touch of tobacco. I'd buy a full bottle if I cared to smell like it, but I don't. It's a very close call, though.

I first encountered this scent at the Italy Pavillion in Disney World's Epcot in Orlando, Fl. Apparently the Le Gemme line is very exclusive at this time and much more expensive than the normal Bvlgari mainstream frags. The SA said it is a ginger scent even though it's not listed in the notes. After smelling it, I agreed. Going back and sampling though, it's not a ginger scent but the way it reminded me of a citrusy soda, so that had my nose confused. I think it's Fresca that I'm being reminded of based on the grapefruit smell.

The opening is fizzy, refreshing grapefruit citrus and full of ginger-woody sweetness. The drydown is great with a big dose of woody ambroxan. Very seductive and should be versatile for most situations.

Projection is above average and longevity is also very good, pushing 10 hours with this EdP.