Man Calvin Klein cologne – a fragrance for men 2007

I had to revisit this one (the final drops of my last sample!) due to people referring to this as a clone of Dior’s Fahrenheit, well I really don’t get that I must say! I’m not a fan of the Dior at all, I appreciate the fact people love it but it’s just not for me. CK Man has NONE of that leathery aspect found in DF, no ‘gasoline’ type smell either. They share some violet leaf sure, they might appeal to a similar public too (though not always as with me!).

One interesting thing is that CK Man was a collaboration between three perfumers, Ann Gottlieb apparently oversaw proceedings with Harry Fremont and Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud. Interesting because the latter would go on to create l’Eau Bleue d’Issey pour Homme (2004), which to me has some of the essence of CK Man, only in part of course, but they share some kind of stark, herbal yet sort of ozonic aura. Both kind of introspective, rainy day scents. Yet paradoxically they both open very bright. These two fragrances actually share several notes, the most noticeable to me being cypress and rosemary but CK Man certainly goes off to visit the land of violet leaf whereas Issey Bleue loses (or finds?) itself in a spicy forest of juniper.

CK Man, on me quickly becomes a close scent (but lasts quite well), which is kind of a shame in a way as it really seems to give off different nuances at different times, with various notes popping up to say hello during the course of the wearing. If only CK/Coty made this a little stronger, an EDP version could’ve been great! As it is this fragrance really is a reflection of it’s promotional material, a sleek, modern (prior to the ambroxan craze) masculine scent. An office building housing a touch of mystery beneath it’s glossy bland exterior. Not a must have perhaps but I think it’s well worth a try if you find a sample or even a bottle at a good price 😉