Burberry
Burberry
92 votes
A unique visual signature based on accords, character, and seasonality
The top notes explode with an almost harsh citrus brilliance—lemon dominates immediately, backed by a grapefruit that's slightly bitter and resinous, whilst the mandarin orange provides a fleeting fruitiness that's quickly overwhelmed. Within the first five minutes, you're struck by the fragrance's synthetic quality, a somewhat soapy aldehydic shimmer that feels distinctly manufactured.
As the citrus dissipates, the green heart emerges with ivy taking centre stage—a slightly metallic, almost watery greenness that combines with oakmoss to create a herbaceous, almost aromatic-cologne quality. The sandalwood tries to introduce warmth here, but it's subdued, almost reluctant, whilst the synthetic character remains stubbornly present, preventing the heart from developing any real depth.
The base arrives with barely a whisper—musk and amber fade in quietly, attempting to anchor the composition with a faint sweetness and warmth. The honey provides a subtle, almost imperceptible warmth, but by this stage the fragrance has largely collapsed into its skin, becoming increasingly transparent and underwhelming before disappearing almost entirely within hours.
Burberry Weekend for Men arrives as a brittle, almost austere citrus composition—the kind of fragrance that feels distinctly of its era, all sharp geometric edges and synthetic precision. Michel Almairac constructs something that prioritises freshness above all else: the lemon and grapefruit open with a slightly soapy, aldehydic brightness that dominates the composition with an almost aggressive clarity. There's minimal warmth here, minimal sensuality. Instead, you're presented with a predominantly green, herbaceous backdrop—the ivy and oakmoss creating a slightly metallic, green-tinged undertone that leans closer to aromatic than aromatic-woody.
The fragrance's character is decidedly cerebral rather than skin-scent intimate. It's a weekend scent in the most literal sense: something you'd wear to clear your head, to feel refreshed, to project an air of casual competence. The sandalwood and amber languish almost apologetically in the base, never quite asserting themselves against the relentless citrus-green accord overhead. There's a synthetic quality throughout—you can sense the molecule work, the deliberate construction—which prevents this from ever developing into something truly rounded or sensual. The honey and musk arrive tardily and quietly, attempting to soften the composition's inherent austerity, but by then the architectural impression has already been established.
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3.3/5 (74)