Blu Atlas Atlantis: The Hype, Explained

Every once in a while, new colognes make a splash when they’re launched. That’s definitely the case with Blu Atlas Atlantis, a fragrance that has garnered all kinds of attention in the last couple of years. To cut through the noise and help you understand why this cologne is so popular, we’ve put together this explainer. Keep reading for the hype, explained!

Details on Blu Atlas Atlantis

Before we explain the hype of Blu Atlas Atlantis, let’s dive into what the fragrance is all about. According to the brand, this fragrance was inspired by the coastal jungle of Bali and designed to bring out every man’s inner adventurer. If you’ve never been to the Balinese jungle, let’s set the scene: Lush ferns and towering palms fringe hidden waterfalls and crystalline pools of water. You hear the murmur and twitter of jungle life, and smell all that green freshness, along with just a hint of the sea lapping on the shore not far away… Basically, it’s paradise. So how does Blu Atlas recreate it?

Atlantis has top notes of citrus and black currant, turning to lemon and bergamot for juiciness before you get a rush of tartness from the berry. At the heart of the fragrance, peach and apricot link up with clary sage and lavender.

The base is where the more sensual notes come in, as you get a hint of orris, oak moss, ambrette seed, musk and violet. This combination certainly sounds (and smells) intriguing, but what do the experts have to say about it?

What Are People Saying About Blu Atlas Atlantis?

Blu Atlas Atlantis has built quite a name for itself since its release. The fragrance has been featured in numerous magazines – everyone from Us Weekly to Men’s Journal, Forbes, Yahoo, and more have named this one of the best fragrances out there. To understand the impression this cologne has made on the fragrance world, let’s dive into what the leading voices in the industry are saying.

BowTie FragranceGuy is a YouTube fragrance expert with over 117,000 subscribers who delivers cologne reviews, style tips and all kinds of lifestyle content. He calls Blu Atlas Atlantis the “best versatile cologne of 2023,” and does a deep dive into everything he loves about the fragrance. “When I first put my nose on it, I was really impressed with what I smelled,” says FragranceGuy. One of the things he loves most about the fragrance is the high oil concentration, which means “it’s going to stick around a little bit longer.”

Upon first spray, FragranceGuy says you get a noseful of citrus. “This is just really captivating when you first put it on your skin.” In the middle, lavender provides the most lasting impression – he calls it the “star player.” He goes on to describe the base notes, sillage and longevity, and concludes: “What makes [Atlantis] really great is two things: the performance and the price point.” Sounds good to us!

UrbanDweller is another popular YouTube channel, with thousands of subscribers who tune in to watch content on top-notch fragrances. This channel labels Blu Atlas a “unique, versatile cologne.” UrbanDweller is especially captivated by the vibe of Blu Atlas Atlantis and the kind of experience the fragrance pays homage to. He says: “That’s the No. 1 thing I look for in a scent – how well it captures the aura of whatever it is it’s trying to capture – and here I think [Atlantis] does that really well.” He also mentions how unique the fragrance is, commenting: “It’s probably going to be like nothing else you’ve smelled before.”

UrbanDweller’s take on the top note of the fragrance? Surprisingly, watermelon. “There’s a little bit of this fruitiness but a strong, watery, fresh, really invigorating vibe to this scent,” he explains. “I think that’s why this captures the outdoors and an environment like Bali so well. You can feel the greenness, you can feel the fruitiness of the scent as well.” In an industry overrun with spin-off scents, it’s always refreshing to find one that dances to the beat of its own drum!

Fragrance Hunter is another authority in the YouTube world of fragrance enthusiasts. This account is all about real, relatable takes on fragrances to help you know what you’re getting into before you make a purchase. The first thing Fragrance Hunter notices about Blu Atlas Atlantis is the packaging: “Very nice attention to detail with the box.” To get a better sense of the scent, he then sprays it, calling the opening combination of citrus and black currant “mouthwatering.”

The heart of the cologne, Fragrance Hunter claims, is where it comes to life. “Once you make it into that mid it’s absolutely where the magic happens… That mid is just mind-blowing.” He finishes up the review by mentioning the fragrance’s uniqueness, saying, “I’ve never smelled anything quite like this one, so hats off to Blu Atlas… They knocked this one out of the park.”

Search through YouTube and you’ll find plenty of reviews like this. Some of the video titles include “Best Freshie of 2023” and “Best Citrus Cologne Going Into 2023.” TLTG calls Blu Atlas Atlantis his “scent of the day,” and Fragrance Doud thinks it’s the best fragrance he’s worn this year. The scent gets plenty of attention from the ladies, too, with one naming it one of the “Men’s Fragrances That Drive Women Crazy,” and there’s a whole video dedicated to women swooning over Blu Atlas Atlantis after just one sniff. Even Greta Beth is blown away, and is particularly astonished by the price point of Blu Atlas, saying, “It smells like a $300 fragrance.”

The hype isn’t just reserved for YouTube, however. Plenty of fragrance connoisseurs with their own cologne blogs have reviewed the fragrance. ScentGrail calls Blu Atlas Atlantis versatile, original and affordable, saying: “Versatility is where Atlantis shines the most, and besides some black tie events, it fits everywhere in the right warmer seasons.” Dapper & Groomed labels the scent “timeless,” and Real Men Real Style praises Blu Atlas for creating “a fragrance that simultaneously blends the freshness of a citrus cologne with the depth and richness of a spicy oriental cologne.”

Besides praise, what else are all these fragrance pros saying about the cologne? Many pick up on the fact that the peach note in the heart of the fragrance is most often seen in women’s colognes. They all concur, however, that it is so well balanced by the aromatic notes in Blu Atlas that the cologne manages to stay masculine. Reviewers agree that this fragrance lasts a long time for such a fresh scent, giving users four to six hours of strong wear. And pretty much every reviewer mentions the fact that Blu Atlas Atlantis is unique and iconic!

The Hype Explained

So what is it about Blu Atlas Atlantis that is making everyone lose their minds? We think it comes down to three things…

Originality

In the fragrance world, clone scents are common. Many people collect fragrances the way others collect fine wines, buying anything that is new and noteworthy or old and hard to find. All of this collecting (or buying fragrances in general) adds up, however, and it’s difficult to afford designer cologne after designer cologne. That’s where clone scents come in. Brands attempt to recreate popular expensive colognes at a lower price point, giving more people access to the same scent profile. Armaf’s Club de Nuit Intense, for example, was the brand’s $30 answer to Creed Aventus, a popular scent that comes in at a whopping $495.

So how does this relate to the originality factor of Blu Atlas Atlantis? Basically, the fragrance market is flooded with clones and identical scents, and it can be hard to find something that makes you stand out. You don’t want to repeat those same masculine notes forever, or smell like everyone else in the crowd. We think the hype about Blu Atlas can partially be attributed to its originality.

Sure, Blu Atlas Atlantis has a few things in common with other colognes. Some have called it chypre, putting it in the ranks of Terre d’Hermès and Aramis; others have labeled it fougère like Versace Eros and Dior Sauvage. Even the fragrance pros can’t quite pin it down.

Aromatic Experience

A cologne is more than the sum of its notes – it’s also an aromatic experience. There are some colognes that bring out your inner romantic, others that invigorate you on the days when you need a little motivation boost and still others that ensure you’re the main character in any situation. Some people return to a signature scent day after day in order to become the person they feel like once they spray on that cologne. Others switch it up to keep things interesting, exploring a different facet of their personality each day by using a different scent. There are colognes that transport you to another time and place and those that make your current time and place more bearable.

With Blu Atlas Atlantis, you don’t just get bergamot, lavender and ambrette seed; you get a whole story unfolding for you as you wear it. The cologne is fresh enough to make the moment you spray it on feel like a new day, with opportunities aplenty and the chance to turn things around. It’s also uniquely inspiring in a way that will awaken your inner wanderlust. Think of it this way: It’s that feeling you get when you’re backpacking in a foreign country. You’ve just settled into your hostel or cabana, unpacked your things, and turned toward the door. You know that outside is a whole new world to explore, complete with people you’ve never met before, food you’ve never tried and a culture you’re not familiar with.

Blu Atlas Atlantis perfectly captures that moment in time, when an adventure awaits but feels welcoming, not intimidating. It’s that leap of excitement in your stomach when the weekend or a vacation has just begun… That’s what makes this a great cologne to wear on travels, date night or to a new job. It signals the start of the next amazing experience, and you’ll want it with you as you embark on your next journey.

Accessibility

Blu Atlas Atlantis accessibility comes down to a few different factors. One is the price point. While this is by no means a cheap cologne, it gives users a high-end experience at a relatively affordable price. That means you can have a discerning nose and great taste and still be able to add Blu Atlas Atlantis to your collection without breaking a sweat. Because it is a high-quality fragrance, it will last awhile and give you plenty of wear, making it a great value.

Another reason this cologne is accessible is that it appeals to a wide range of people. Men who like fresh, summery fragrances will definitely take a liking to this, but so will those who tend to go for deeper, more masculine and sensual colognes. Women like it, too, either on their men or on themselves. It’s an inoffensive fragrance, meaning it won’t bother your coworkers or turn anyone off when you walk by. Simply put, this scent is a crowd pleaser.

This fragrance’s accessibility is also intimately connected to its versatility. Unlike some fragrances, which stand on your shelf, waiting for that one occasion they’re a good fit for, Blu Atlas Atlantis is a top choice for all kinds of moments and seasons. While it definitely works best in spring, summer and autumn, you could bust this one out during the winter when you’re craving a little breath of fresh air. It’s most often classified as a casual fragrance, but you could wear it to an important work or social event. It’s a cologne you’ll reach for again and again.

While there are plenty of reasons to add Blu Atlas Atlantis to your collection, we think these three elements are behind this cologne’s rapid growth in popularity. Originality, aromatic experience and accessibility – the hype, explained.

What Users Have to Say

We’ve heard the voices of major players in the fragrance world and we’ve presented our take on why Blu Atlas Atlantis has quickly gained so much popularity, but what about the people who matter most: the users themselves? To further explain the hype and see if it holds up, let’s see what the customer reviews of Atlantis are saying.

On the brand’s website, the cologne gets 4.7 stars out of five, and you can scroll through five-star review after five-star review extolling the originality and scent notes of this fragrance. One calls the fragrance “a pleasant surprise,” explaining: “It’s a very clean, eye-opening and refreshing scent… The scent overall is great and had the right amount of ambrette and musk undertones for that sexy scent I was looking for.”

Another user says: “It’s so silent and loud at the same time…The smell isn’t overwhelming but is amazing and lasts. Three hours later and I’m still in love, and my woman still approves of the smell.” Lots of reviewers mention the cologne’s effect on women, with one saying: “Was asked by a few women what I was wearing. They definitely loved it! One said, jokingly I think, ‘Can I take you with me?’” Yet another reviewer calls this fragrance “erotic,” saying it “[suggests] intimacy. I almost feel like it’s not fair to wear it.”

One thing that amazed us was that users with extensive fragrance collections as well as those who have been wary of fragrances in the past are now loyal Blu Atlas Atlantis fans. A reviewer who claims he has over 180 colognes calls Atlantis “easily one of the most unique fragrances in my collection… The smell is amazing and I would recommend Atlantis to anyone looking to smell and stand out above the crowd!” Another user says: “I'll be honest, I've never been much of a cologne guy; however, after being such a fan of the other Blu Atlas products (six others and counting), I bit the bullet and decided to take a flyer on this. I'm glad I did as I wear it every day now.”

Many mention how high-quality the bottle is, saying: “Thank god for the pressure sensitive atomizer. Don’t know why more brands don’t do this. Allows me to really control how much I put on each time.” The brand’s customer service gets a lot of positive mentions in the reviews, too, with users expressing their gratitude for quick responses and solutions to issues.

What’s perhaps most impressive is that many reviewers confirm that the hype is completely justified. Many reviewers mention this cologne being “the best” or “just as advertised.” Some users go so far as to call this cologne “underrated,” and one raves: “When I tell you this is one of the best-smelling fragrances I've EVER smelled, I've never been more serious!! It is truly something special.”

Whether the adulation comes from the experts or the users themselves, it seems that the hype surrounding Blu Atlas Atlantis won’t be going away any time soon.

About the Brand

Now that you’ve had the hype explained, you’re probably wondering: Who is the genius behind Atlantis? To fully understand the Blu Atlas Atlantis craze, let’s learn some more about this relatively new brand and what they’re doing that’s so different.

Blu Atlas is based in New York City, and makes all of their products in the US. The brand focuses on “premium skincare for the modern man,” with a whole bunch of products to upgrade your grooming routine. They offer everything from aluminum-free deodorant, body wash and hair-care products to shave cream, aftershave and beard oil. Plus, they offer a whole line of skincare products like a face wash, scrub, mask and moisturizer.

The site introduces the brand’s Medical Advisory Board, a group of three distinguished dermatologists who play a part in developing products, so you know that each formula is rooted in science. The brand offers a comprehensive quiz to help you find the products that will best serve your skin and hair.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Blu Atlas is that they focus on naturally derived ingredients, which make up anywhere from 96-100% of each skincare formula. Clicking through the various products, we saw many ingredients we recognized and could pronounce, which is refreshing after decades of poring over chemical-filled ingredient lists. All of the brand’s products are safe for men with sensitive skin, and all are naturally scented rather than spiked with artificial fragrance.

It seems there is so much more than just the cologne to love about Blu Atlas! We look forward to seeing what they produce in the future…

We hope this article on Blu Atlas Atlantis demonstrates that the excitement for this fragrance is grounded in reality. Everyone from infrequent cologne wearers to fragrance fiends have become die-hard fans of Atlantis. To truly understand the hype, however, you’ll just have to try the fragrance yourself.