Fate Man

"MAKING FRIENDS WITH FATE" I entirely disagree with some of the views expressed below, that Fate for Men is somehow a more "mainstream" Amouage, a glorified designer fragrance made with better materials. I submit this is the most challenging Amouage that exists, at least for the Western nose. I contend that it would be offensive to most mainstream Western fragrance sensibilities. I imagine the reaction of most westerners sampling this fragrance would be like my first response: "you have GOT to be kidding me?!" I believe this is a more challenging fragrance than Interlude Man, by far. Whereas Interlude has several challenging aspects, it also possesses an equal number of pleasing elements that draw you in. It's a combination of attraction and repulsion that is quite addictive. Fate for Men, however, at least for the first hour or two, is not interested in attracting or pleasing the wearer at all. It is utterly intimidating, challenging, and uncompromising. The unconditional nature of the fragrance is like Fate itself: something that you do not choose, that overwhelms you and forces you to submit to it, contrary to your own will. My analysis of this fragrance picks up three distinct phases: The first I call "Torture by Spices": a vicious assault of sharp, biting, Indian spices that is disorientating and distressing to the wearer. Until these settle down, this is not an easy experience at all. But it IS interesting. For me this phase lasts about an hour. The second phase I call "Desert Journey": where the fragrance turns so parched, arid, and dusty it almost boggles belief - like walking through a spiced sandstorm in the desert. On my skin this lasts 2-3 hours. The third, "Sunset" phase, conjures up images of a long, beautiful, desert sunset turning into dusk. It is the most beautiful drydown imaginable. And incredibly sexy in a very unique and intriguing way ... like love-making in the dunes of the desert as the sun goes down and the purple-black sky fills with stars, far from civilisation...ahhhh So if you can survive the endurance test of the Torture by Spices, and the long harsh Desert Journey, there is a reward that lies ahead for you - you just have to have faith and belief and trust ... in Fate. :)

Do you believe in fate? I purchased a 12x2ml men’s sampler set directly from Amouage. It contained some of their top sellers such as Reflection Man and Interlude Man as well as their latest release at the time Portrayal Man and the discontinued Ciel Man. After trying all twelve fragrances on paper strips and then on skin, the one scent to stand out was not the famous “Blue Beast” Interlude Man or the metrosexual flamboyancy of Reflection Man but indeed by an unexpected underdog - Fate Man. The clearly controversial men’s fragrance captured my attention with its unique, dry and unusual “gourmand” qualities. Fate Man makes it immediately clear what it is about, exploding with the sorts of aromatics you would expect to find in a kitchen of the orient. The exceptionally dry (prepare yourself a glass of water) and undeniably spicy scent teems with cumin (and lots of it), saffron and incense. Building itself a big pot full of culinary spices, whilst burning a stick of incense. As it dries down, liquorice and ginger are thrown in and take their place in the play. The ginger here is not the freshly grated kind dripping with juice but of course desiccated. The liquorice providing a woody, slightly mentholated aroma in cooperation. Fate Man is only missing the garlic and onion to make a curry for your nasal palate. Many people do get a resemblance to curry after all! The oddity about this fragrance is “why do I like it so much?” It is certainly unusual, unique and would rarely garner you compliments, but something about this concoction of aromatics is captivating, intriguing and otherworldly. Perhaps it’s my fate? ;) Performance is very good. Longevity is excellent with 12+ hours and the projection will surely be noticed. Don’t expect Interlude levels of sillage but still nonetheless a strong fragrance. On a side note, the presentation is gorgeous and for me, suits the nature of this remarkable release from Amouage. The box is covered in esoteric and mystical imagery with shooting stars and flying horses and the bottle itself shimmers all colours of the rainbow topped with a gold cap and a clear gemstone. Scent: 10/10 (Outstanding) Performance: 8/10 (Very good)

The comments here on a Fate are so varied that it's easy to discern that, except for the undeniable and persistent cumin note, like most complex fragrances, this beautifully crafted exotic blend speaks quite privately to the wearer. Definitely sample before you buy, as most people you meet will have never encountered anything remotely like Fate, and may be polarized. Clearly complex, bracing gourmand on the open, but develops a woodsy musky backdrop, with intermittent but fascinating and surprising flowery nuances. To be sure, apply it 30 minutes before leaving the house. Two sprays ought to do it for the day. Initially, I liked my sample, then hated it after my FB purchase, only to have it totally grow on me, and my FB is now firmly entrenched in my 30-scent rotation. Definitely get the likeness to Black Afgano in the middle, but since the only common listed note for both is incense, this implies that other notes are interacting to create this effect. Curry is a leaf, not a spice per se, and is not listed as present in this scent. This is because "curry" (more accurately, a masala) is a generic term for mixtures of a number of spices that are typically toasted, then ground into a powder to be used along with garlic, ginger, ghee, and other ingredients in preparing Asian sub-continent dishes that most people dub generically as "curries". There are hundreds of combos of ingredients for these masalas, with some utilizing 40 or more ingredients, but they often include cumin, black and/or green coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, coconut, pepper blends, saffron, star anise (hence the licorice note here), mace, cloves, fenugreek, pomegranate seeds, et al. I suspect what we are smelling in Fate and what some are mistaking for "curry" is simply toasted cumin (thus making it somewhat smoky and overpowering at first), licorice and saffron. I really love Fate Man, and there are perfect times and places to wear it, but these are going to be unique to each wearer. Again, sampling is a must unless you are a cumin freak, in which case this is a blind buy candidate.

Fate Man opens with an assault of Spices. Cumin, Saffron, & Ginger, softly sweetened with an almost "Maple" accord created by the note of Immortelle, & backed by a beautiful note of Mandarin Orange that oddly freshens this heavily Spiced opening.. The Wormwood adds an Herbal Green almost dry woody accord to the composition. Theres so many other notes at work here. Notes of Rose, Olibanum, Lavender, Incense, Copahu balm, Tonka Bean, Labdanum, Cedar, Sandalwood, Musk, & Licorice. While Fate Man comes off Middle Eastern due to its use of Resins & Incense, its South Asian influences cant be ignored. Its prominent notes of Cumin, Saffron, Ginger, & Mandarin blend & create the most beautiful images of Bangladesh & India. ... while also conjuring images of having my "Fortune Told" on a desert road while taking in all of the different Market scents along the Spice Route at night. Thus, solidifying its name "Fate". Concerning the "Cumin" note.... I dont think the Cumin is the issue with Fate Man. I believe the issue is with the Immortelle, & how its Sweet Maple accord clashes with the Cumin. But had Amber been used instead of Immortelle, Fate Man would smell like your average Middle Eastern themed fragrance. I liken Fate Man to Tom Fords Amber Absolute as its Fresh/Spicy cousin. They dont smell anything alike, but they're definitely family. Fate Man is a very complex fragrance. Its a mood. For me, It smells Spiced, & Orange, like an Autumn Sunset through tree branches & pigmented leaves, offering a last bit of warmth before setting into the Cool Evening. Its a beautiful fragrance. But its not a fragrance for someone who isnt into the art of fragrance. Its very strong in projection & sillage. So be careful with your sprays.

It started with Bitter Sweet Absinth, Citrusy Mandarin, a little bite Dusty Spicy and Smoky aroma from blend of Cumin, Ginger and Saffron. I did not get much of cumin which is great. The color I got from the opening is Sandy Orange with dark Green Ripple. After 6 hours I believe this is the middle notes. The silage has lessen to the point of almost skin scent.but I still get a whiff once in a while. By the way, I have not smell copahu balm before so I do not know how strong this note is. I get smoky yet creamy & slightly sweeter, I guess this is from the mix of Immortelle & Frankincense. I also get the feeling of getting an exotic oil massage with something peppery, could this comes from copahu balm ? The rose in here blend beautifully with Ladender to form soapy aroma. Saffron is still around with dry tobacco like smell. The color I got from this phase is Dark Yellow almost golden with smoky grey mist on it. After 12 hours, I get the base notes. It is sweeter and woodier. The creamy Sandalwood is the lead player in this stage. The Immortelle is still hang around, it is not maple syrupy, but dried fruit like. I also get something quit boozy & bitter sweet, it must be Liquorice. The other notes also blend beautifully to form Brown Caramelly Skin. Love it. The best Amouage, if not the best perfume I ever smelt. Extremely Rich & Complex, but still readily wearable. Package : A (Look like a million bucks) Originality : A (Have not smelt anything like it) Scent : A (Pleasant, Well-blended & Complex) Longevity : A (More than 12 hours) Versatility : B (Too sweet for hot summer) Projection : B (Become less projects after 6 hours)