Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein
93 votes
A unique visual signature based on accords, character, and seasonality
The Sichuan pepper strikes first with a sharp, almost numbing prickliness that sits atop a billowing black cardamom smoke—it's peppery, warm, and genuinely compelling for approximately eight minutes. This initial surge feels considerably more present than what follows, making the opening the fragrance's strongest interval.
Cedar leaf's green-tinged brightness tries to cut through the synthetic sweetness that's become unavoidable, whilst labdanum provides a honeyed warmth beneath the leather's suede-like softness. The composition settles into a predominantly sweet, slightly fruity character that lacks the complexity to sustain genuine interest beyond the first hour.
Vanilla and patchouli emerge as a soft, skin-scent whisper rather than any sort of structured base, the ambrox providing a barely-there warmth that's already fading considerably. By the fourth hour, you're left with fragrance memory rather than actual fragrance presence—this is where the longevity score becomes impossible to ignore.
Obsessed for Men announces itself with the aggressive heat of black cardamom and Sichuan pepper—a spice-forward opening that immediately signals intent rather than subtlety. There's a synthetic quality that permeates the composition, which becomes apparent within moments; this isn't about naturalistic complexity but rather a streamlined, almost austere interpretation of spiced masculinity. The heart emerges with cedar leaf providing a crisp, almost minty counterpoint to the warming labdanum and blond leather—that leather note is notably soft, almost suede-like, rather than animalic or rich.
What's most striking about Obsessed for Men is its fundamental conflict between ambition and execution. The fragrance clearly aspires to that prestigious category of spiced-leather fragrances that command attention in professional settings, yet the synthetic construction undermines the gravitas it seeks. The vanilla and patchouli in the base feel obligatory rather than integrated, sweetening a composition that already skews towards dessert-like fruitiness (88% according to the accords). The ambrox adds a subtle skin-scent warmth, but it's fighting an uphill battle against the EDT concentration's inherent volatility.
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3.5/5 (252)