Man

On first take, for a flash of minute, this looks like a retread of the already well-trodden Dior Fahrenheit model, with that burst of gasoline violet mingled with citrus that the top notes promise. But, in no time at all, at least on my skin, this mutates into a thoroughly American spearmint bubblegum, with only distant spars of spice that linger before settling into that summery, nutmeg kissed calone that is familiar to anyone taking the sun by the pool in the wherever US. The violet returns towards the end, like a distant echo, from a bed of warm, familiar woods. In short, those anchoring for Fahrenheit are better off with Mercedes-Benz Intense. This is billed to Gottlieb but both Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud, behind Acqua di Gio and L'Eau d'Issey, and Harry Fremont, he of CK One and lots and lots of Lauren, had a say in this, and it shows. Is it commercial, not niche in any way? Of course it is. Original? Arguable, if you like losing debates. Is it strangely enjoyable? Well, any kid who has taken pleasure from chewing mint flavored gum on a warm summer day, grass waving in the wind, would not think twice about the answer to that. Is it a great value? No kidding.

I feel as though this is the perfect scent to wear any time, anywhere, any season. I guess the rather broad name "Man" is apt considering how versatile it is. I'd happily wear this day or night, summer or winter, casually or on a date. The top note is rather sweet, in the base I could really smell juicy apples, the dry down is rather masculine. It is a little reminiscent of Calvin Klein Eternity but it seems more mature and a little less summery. Longevity for me was pretty good, reapplied after about 4 hours, sillage is good too. Nice price at $29.99 for 100ml here in Australia. It has the potential to be a signature scent and would make the perfect gift for a gent, I think every kind of man could wear this. I love it!!

If it was 1987 now, I would say it is one of the best scents ever. But in 1988 Fahrenheit came out and there is no place for the obvious copies on my shelf. I will consider it only if Dior discontinues Fahrenheit...never I hope. EDIT...since my firs review I started to like this perfume more and more to the point where I bought it EDIT 2...I changed my mind about this one again :) I swear if you take violet away and put little bit more woods/pepper this is Gucci por Homme. Actualy I think this is lighter and softer version of GpH. I still like the original Gucci better, but i think CK Man can be worn in more situations. The longer I have it more I like it.

I have a unique obsession with this cologne as it was the scent my husband used to wear when we first started dating. It still gives me butterflies whenever I smell it on him - having beautiful scents linked to wonderful memories is one of the best feelings on earth. There isn't too much special with this scent, very basic men's fragrance with woody and spicy notes and a hint of freshness. I would imagine this to be good for a young man, perhaps a teenager who is just starting out with their scent collection. I think it is an excellent basic staple, it is non-offensive and smells very sexy and masculine.

I differ a little bit of some comments below whom didn ́t mention the masculinity and spicy blend in this CK fragance, it might be true that is not a classic CK aroma, it isn ́t either the best aroma of this designer, But It is fresh and innovative. It ́s definelity a manly original fragance for any time and place. The opening is quite herbal, but as soon is drying it become more woodden and citric as well. I just adore Man of CK. Please before you discard the decision of buying Man CK, give yourself the opportunity to try at least once this aroma.

Calvin's best male fragrance. Perfect smell & quality while his other fragrances usually are very poor quality. I simply adore it but I love both violet leaf & cypress. This one will not be for you if you don't like those notes for they are the only ones you will smell. I really cannot smell any amber, incense nor nutmeg. An absolutely perfect aromatic violet fragrance. Quality also is perfect. A quality Calvin's fragrances is not known for.

For some years, CK Man was my daily office fragrance since it's fresh opening, friendly nutmeg heart note, and easy to wear woody and musky based note. I still keep 2 bottle, the older one is made in US, sweeter and more citrusy. Another bottle is made in France, woodier and less sweet.

This, now a classic, is fragrance which is great to start (and use it occasionally) with designer fragrances. Its aura is good, moderate longevity and it will keep the feel of cleanliness all the time. Good fragrance for all ocassions and ages.

At the first spray, you can really sense the woody notes in here. It was really great! It's a little bit spicy but not overpowering. Did anyone notice that in every woody scent, they have the same scent molecule that is similar to each other?

Perfume absolutely wonderful. It smells wonderfully well. It is certainly one of my favorite perfumes. The longevity and projection are impressive. And to top it off, a perfume is something unique. What more can you ask for in a perfume?

This smells soooo goooood! I can smell the violet leaf, ROSEMARY, bay leaf, MINT, CYPRES and sandalwood. It also has an incense effect, which I really like. Not a really big fan of the drydown, but it's giving seductive

Its actually beautifull, the spicy citrus, cinnamon and wood hits u all at once in a very fresh and masculine way. Its really a perfect every day frangrance in every season besides summer. Solid 7/10 for the price.

close encounter fragrance gorgeous smell with hint of black pepper ideal for cold weather in casual day or date this fragrance for gentleman not bad boy vibe longevity better on clothes rating 8

This was wonderful! If you miss this discontinued delight, just buy Abercrombie & Fitch's First Instinct Extreme, as it's the exact fragrance to me anyways.

This perfume is unique! It has a unique scent that I cannot find anywhere else! it's really mysterious I LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKE IT, no, I LOVE IT!

بوی خیلی خوبی داره. یه جورایی خاصه. اما ماندگاریش خیلی کمه. در حد 2-3 ساعت. ضمنا پخش بوش هم ملایمه و کسی رو آزار نمیده. عمدتا مورد پسند همه قرار می گیره

This is definitely a dark fragrance. And yet this is a transparent fragrance. A rare combination, and that is what I like about this one.

Outstanding fragrance. Dry down is so beautiful, reminds of a peaceful summer sunset. Very masculin. Great for office + casual wear.

i love it when i smell it on my husband. its so man-like. absolutely favorite. this smell make me feel safe.

Great fragrance, longevity and projection are average. Perfect for a date.

Reminds me of Fahrenheit a little. Pleasant and very good for the price.

I wish it smelled longer, but it's good smell.

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 ;)

The forest floor is littered with beastly bay trees - their cinnamon like odor tingling in the bronchi of your lungs. The wind sings its whimsical song through the treetops calling you to rise from your place. You see a trail ahead of you - it calls to be explored. As you ascend to some unknown height, violets begin to bloom mere steps ahead of you...as if magic is held in every step. The trail winds is serpentine path toward an imposing peak, far from view. The silence of the forest takes hold of your wandering mind - it forces you to face questions of your being. Are you man, machine, or some natural force yet to be revealed...you continue to climb. The smell of nutmeg clings to the air as does hints of some from some faraway fire. As you break above the treeline, the world opens up and you are confronted by a ferocious wind cloaking giant drops of icy rain. The world below rises with the wind into amalgam of spiced woods and sweet, gummy resins...here you stand, bravely, against the wind and the rain. Tensions melt away and time is forfeit to the elements...no longer man nor machine, you have found your purpose. Day 77 - Ascension Listening to: The Black Keys - Howlin' for You Notes: I must say that the greatness of my experience was provided more by nature than by the actual scent. It certainly is enjoyable as the bay leaf and nutmeg notes are quite present as is the lush violet with a faint waft of muted incense. These notes linger for a few hours before morphing into a bubblegum like wood and spice scent. The latter phase lasts around 8 to 10 hours but ultimately lacks the intrigue of the intro. It is pleasant but a bit commonplace, even among the CK collection!

On the one hand, it's like a soft Fahrenheit, but it also kind of goes in it's own direction, in that instead of a contrast between light and heavy, it stays light so that there is only pleasantness, which of course is perfectly fine. There's also no major synthetic quality and the interplay of notes is compelling, with reasonable complexity overall. I have only tried the aftershave, which seems on the strong side as far as aftershaves go. In sum, I don't think one can expect more from this kind of release, so I would give it a high rating. UPDATE: I obtained a bottle of the EdT and it's similar but stronger. To those who say, just buy a dollar store clone of Fahrenheit, sure, if you just want something "in the ballpark," but you can say the same thing about buying a botlte of Fahrenheit itself! I much prefer CK Man to something like Bleu de Chanel, which to me is harsh and there's too much iso e super. CK Man is a light herbal scent to me, with a little this and that added for complexity (and no obvious lavender, thankfully). It's cheap, so it's not like some sort of major commitment of funds. Sure, if you are thinking you are getting something like vintage One Man Show when you look at the notes, you'll likely be disappointed - this scent is obviously not meant for someone like you. I think this is much better than Jaguar Performance, for example, which is a similar idea. Know what you are seeking and you'll likely make better buys!

Ditto (repeat/+1) everything already said about poor performance. This will not project and will evaporate off of your skin very quickly. On clothes, I get about 5 hours when I dig my face into my shirt. I hope it will perform better after i get some air into this skinny bottle. This is sold at drugstores and discounters for a low price in Toronto. The scent is really nicely blended and the quality is on par with other CK offerings. On my skin, this is pretty straightforward, a quiet leafy green opening, immediately making way to a dry powdery amber and woody base. I like what I can smell. If there was better performance, this would be a winner for me. It's going to have to be my second favourite CK scent after Shock, and will be used for quiet days at home more than anything. I'll stick to using my Cavalli Uomo and Dior Fahrenheit for the office and nights out. If you are looking for an accessible violet scent and don't want/can't get CK, Dior or Cavalli; Burberry's Touch is an ultra powdery one. Lalique offers L'hommage a L'Homme (original) which is slightly more mature and formal while Zegna's Uomo is probably the most refreshing violet leaf scent I have ever found and one of my all time summer favourites. CK Man fits in the middle of all these and will have its place when I need something quiet and calming. Thank you to our perfumer, Ms. Gottlieb, for this charming scent.

I've had a sample of this for a few years now and I'll every so often give it a sniff, then ask myself (you know like Gollum in Lord of the Rings) whether I should get a full bottle. I still stand by my previous abstract review below, that is the ambiance I get from this one. It's not a fun fragrance, it's kind of austere but I think due to the rosemary and the blend in general it is somehow compelling. A modern glass and steel structure surrounded by vegetation. When I first sniffed CK Man I was sure I didn't like it but after a while I kept having to sniff my arm where I'd sprayed it. I honestly think some people (like me) will actually find some complexity in CK Man, a scent which is generally written off as nothing special. It's a scent of contrasts or even to (almost) cite the name of another CK frag 'contradictions'. Bright and strangely dark-ish at the same time, urban and green, cold yet somehow inviting. Definitely an odd one for me for something which seemed/seems bland on first view it's certainly interesting and thought-provoking. Full bottle worthy? I'm starting to think so... EDIT: I'm getting some similarities to Lanvin Oxygene Homme on the dry-down, not the exact same of course but they are definitely olfactory cousins at least. It must be the cypress and ozonic qualities.

This feels like a pretty underrated scent. It's a mildly sweet, ozonic, aromatic scent driven by violet leaf. I don't get much nutmeg or other spiciness in the opening but it comes through a little bit in the drydown. The comparisons to Fahreneit aren't completely off but this like the CK version of Fahrenheit Aqua or Cologne. It's very mid-2000s in the sense it's not really sweet (like current stuff) and it's quite aromatic but missing the overload of early 00s white musk. This is an office-friendly, masculine release that is completely pleasant and brings something different to the table than you're likely to find in today's releases (without feeling very dated). There's an underlying tonka that isn't listed but is very present (as in things like YSL L'Homme) in the drydown. Sandalwood, incense, amber - nothing that I can find, even looking for the notes. Longevity, for me, isn't as bad as everyone is saying. I get 5-7 hours, not a beast, but a good workday scent with low-to-moderate projection for an hour or so before it settles down. Not sure if this got watered down but mine is from 2008. This is a 7.25/10 for me. You could easily wear this as a daily office scent. For what it's worth, and likely not a lot, but I've received multiple compliments from coworkers on this one.

I bought this fragrance while exploring some cheap daily fragrances for work/gym use etc. I was really surprised with this purchase and happy. Its a great fragrance for anytime of the day. Good for use in the office or daily routine etc. Its not very expensive i got mine in the UK a 100ML bottle for £22.00 and for this price its a bargain. A nice woody fresh fragrance with the hints of the bergamot and orange at the top and a nice dry off to a woody fresh clean fragrance. Definitely a light young manly scent. I wouldn't particularly use this for nice lavish nights out or evening wear to a luxury or high up restaurant or venue, but it would be okay for general outings at casual places etc or somewhere mid market. I do find that i can smell this for quite sometime after i have sprayed it. I always spray in the morning as i get ready for work at around half 6 of a morning and find i can still smell this in the afternoon after my lunch and still sitting there when i am in the gym. I really enjoy this fragrance that i did decide to buy it again and will probably have it as a daily use in amongst my daily fragrances. I get through a lot of perfumes/Colognes etc and will come back to this again and again.

I don't think people realize the fragrances intention. It is supposed to be a modern man fragrance, with a hint of the classic man. It is subtle and close to skin type and supposed to be layered on skin and although not to be judged at initial spray, let it settle and project with a mans natural scent upon dry down, it compliments your natural scent. Earthy, green and woodsy like a rugged man. Clean yet earthy,dark but lightly modern yet classically brooding. It's not magical but not offensive. It compliments your natural scent giving off a mans second skin. It's not trying to be better than other ck fragrances. Nor trying to be a prize winner.

I have used it as a daily cologne for some time and then stopped, it was nothing special for me (although my girlfriend loved it on me from the first sniff). After a year I tried it again and now I like it. Maybe I have developed my taste in that time or something changed, but now it is good. It is smooth, not offensive and very attractive. I love when perfumers are able to make fresh sweetness with some deep notes. It has a bit of everything: sweet, fresh and deep notes. Very universal scent, most suitable for spring and summer, you can wear it with official clothes, sport clothes or casual clothes.

Very underrated fragrance, blue fragrance before blue fragrances where even a thing. Very versatile and mass apealing, suitable for any situation, but in my opinion perfect for office/school and even manual job. Opens up with a blast of herbal spicines that quickly settles to a transparent herbal violet leaf kinda scent and dries down to a nice violet leaf, woody base that might remind you of Fahrenheit. Solid performer and very appealing scent that is even unique considering that most of the modern scents follow strict citrusy+woody+resinous combo. Scent 8/10 Performance 7/0 Versatility 10/10

Very underrated fragrance, blue fragrance before blue fragrances where even a thing. Very versatile and mass apealing, suitable for any situation, but in my opinion perfect for office/school and even manual job. Opens up with a blast of herbal spicines that quickly settles to a transparent herbal violet leaf kinda scent and dries down to a nice violet leaf, woody base that might remind you of Fahrenheit. Solid performer and very appealing scent that is even unique considering that most of the modern scents follow strict citrusy+woody+resinous combo. Scent 8/10 Performance 7/0 Versatility 10/10

This is a good every day and office wear type of scent. The violet leaf really stands apart from the other notes. To me this smells very similar to Ermenegildo Zegna Uomo but this smells a little bit darker though with the incense and cypress notes. This is a good blind buy if you like citrus, green smelling fragrances. This use to be all over discount stores about a year ago when I bought this. This smells very fresh, very green and herbal in a way. Moderate longevity and sillage for me. It's a good one to have in your collection. I give this an 83/100.

This isn’t going to be an exciting review, and I’m not saying anything that hasn’t been already said, but take it as confirmation that Man smells great, but has no longevity. Even given that, it’s very wearable for both work and going out, but it’s not something I will buy again because the nice scent doesn’t make up for the fact that it only at lasts for a couple of hours. I got through half the bottle and gave the other half to my significant other who doesn’t really like wearing cologne anyway and will take a while to get through it.

A surprisingly under the radar fragrance, I think maybe it is a little too 'green' smelling to have been a hit with the masses and stick around for longer. I really like the scent but it's one of those I wouldn't feel like wearing all the time. A rainy day scent, urban & modern with a nod to nature, a city park or garden in the rain with brightly lit glass & steel office buildings all around? Maybe. If CK/Coty released an intense or EDP version (and increased the citrus in the opening perhaps) they could be on to a real winner.

I think CK fragrances are being unjustly, harsly criticized with being unoriginal, banal, and with poor longevity etc. I think CK is a very good fragrance house. It can be said Calvin Klein Man might lack in the originality and sillage departments but it is a very good cologne nevertheless. Semi-sweet, fresh minty-ozonic-woody cologne which is very versatile. Opening is herbal- fruity which is not very natural but in 15 mins or so the cologne settles. Close to skin with mediocre longevity. Very modern, safe and versatile. 8/10

I like CK cologne’s I use a lot of them, even as a signature scent back in the 90’s. My favorite so far is the newer Eternity EDP, so now the Man...Very Herbaceous in the opening and through the mid. As it settles down it picks up more wood and becomes more smooth, but it is closer to the skin at this point, But it smells very nice and even some freshness. This is a good all around anytime Cologne that will not offend, also great for dates, office, or Church. I’ll give it an overall 7.5 rating.

A sleek tinted black glass & steel office building, the stark brightly-lit entrance lobby in which there is a large forest landscape painting hanging on the wall behind the reception desk, the young receptionist's name badge says Violet. A man wearing a dark suit enters the building and walks between the two rows of impossibly clean looking plants towards Violet, she looks up and eyes him with her cool green eyes, but doesn't smile. Scent:7.5 Versatility:7 Longevity:7 Sillage/projection:6

So beautiful, I love it. It’s sweeter on my skin then the guy I tested it on but it was still beautiful on him. Citrusy ozone opening from the bergamot, Mandarin and violet. The heart of this is so delicious bay leaf nutmeg and mint so aromatic and smell like beauty, all that drys into a green musky smell. I think this is a great date fragrance for warm to hot weather. The performance and longevity are good enough for me to compliment a guy but this isn’t and in-your-face smell.

This is a hidden gem, Elegant, Classy and Romantic. It is between freshness and warmth. If you like the Violet Leaf note , you will like this one. It opens up with like fresh citrusy, violet leaf and green notes in the background then dry down is slightly smoky , woody. It is suitable for the all seasons. I really enjoy it and I like Man Calvin Klein EDT for Men. I'm so happy that I have it in my collection. Highly Recommended. Thumbs Up. Rating : 8 / 10

i like the woody effect on this perfume. Almost barbershop but not so. To me this is pure gentleman. i bought new in box when it was launched decade ago. Still in my collection and i appreciate its quality. The bottle is rare and minimal and the performance is marvelous. Probably i got the first batch of its production. Now it sits well with my niche. It reminds me of Amouage Portrayal Man which is also my favorite niche.

i like this scent very masculine, but not in the overdone musky-woody way. it's a strictly fall-winter/cold day scent for me. never wear this in a hot day. i made a mistake doing so in a hot morning, it was a nightmare day for me. it was to strong for my nose, it made me so dizzy & vomity. so beware. keep it for the cold days or better yet nights. that's why i wonder why the setting for ck man's ad is a man in a desert.

Man, I must have bought a fake, because this is the first EdT that smells of..."nothing"; not even water!! Probably I got water with some kind of scentless alcohol that gives a refreshing feeling. My daughter, who happens to have Rhinitis, felt some smell, but to me it was as odorless as a bottle of Evian. I remember to have tried a vial in a shopping and it smelled good on the paper stripe, but on my skin... Go figure!

Sorry. Not a favourite but ok! Here are two main notes. Violet leaves and mint. But Gets more complex over time ;) Wintery Christmas smell. Wormwood. Hyssop? Lemon balm? Sticks to skin for 8-10 hours. After 3-4 hours the violet, mint and wormwood lingers around, but the smell has deepened and gets more complex in a good way. Smells rather nice then on skin after a couple of hours. It's not a summer smell.

Crass opening, that is very much comparable to an aerosol deodorant spray. Violet is the first thing you’ll notice, not unlike Fahrenheit. I then get nutmeg and a woody mix. I think if you could detect the amber it would feel a bit more rounded, but I don’t get it at all. For the price point it’s solid, but I can’t see myself wearing this daily. I feel like you’d end up with headaches.

I get a family resemblance to Truth. As if you took Truth and spiced it up a bit with the nutmeg. It has the same soft profile - it’s not big and in your face, just subtle and clean. Very balanced and inoffensive. Which is what I probably like about it most. It’s a masculine scent but not an obnoxiously masculine one. I would say it’s office safe, but depends on your office.

I really like Man. To me, it has a sweet, bananary body, fruity, not citruses, but Instead, banana and a berry. I don't know what in the pyramid is causing it, but it's really nice. I would have jumped on this so hard, had I the spare money, but now I realize I'm getting Euphoria, so will have to test for similarity because I'm pressure I categorize them very similarly.

Fresh, sweet and green and quite pleasant. Comes in a masculine heavy square bottle. Staying power and sillage are only moderate. The violet note predominates and it's a little like Paul Smith Men but less sweet. It's nothing mind blowing but I like CK Man. I was a bit disappointed with this coz it's quite weak. Better off with Paul Smith Men.

Nice fragrance i always by passed this one since I always saw them at stores like Ross & Marshalls for 19.00 & I never liked any CK fragrances. Smelled this at a friends house and its a very soft go-to fragrance year round that recalls bits of Dior Fahrenheit & Carolina Herrera CH. I may pick it up for everyday work smell if i see it again.