V for Men

I agree with cinnamonswea... V is a completely unique and challenging scent, and one needs to take time to let it reveal its depth. Some comments here clearly indicate that V is either not capable of being grasped by everyone, or that people are not giving the scent enough time to develop on their skin. Smelling it on a stick in a store, or even wearing it for an hour or two after a salesperson sprays you, is shortchanging your evaluation process. As for longevity, two sprays last for 6-8 hours on me, and the scent continually changes throughout my wear. It's fascinating. On a related note, I understand that commenters on this site love to show off by comparing the highest-quality complex scents with cheaper stuff that may have the same top notes (but far fewer dimensions), as IF they could actually be substituted for one another. Do you actually believe that CC and other top houses could sell their scents for high prices if this were true? You know that even (especially!) rich people typically do not like to waste money if it can be avoided. And in free market economies like the ones we live in, if expensive scents COULD be duplicated, marketed and sold for less money, they WOULD be by someone who is willing to take a little less profit per bottle. So where are all the exact dupes? I am also grateful that the expertise on this site allows us to get some idea about a new scent by comparing it to others. Very valuable advice, indeed. I also understand that is it desirable to save money by buying cheaper bottles that "come close enough", if possible. I've done it, but have almost always thrown away the cheap stuff (or used it for bathroom spray) and sprung for the real deals. There is really no substitute for scents like V if you are a discerning and demanding consumer with some means. But unfortunately, often these comparisons are transparently being made in poor spirit to talk down an expensive scent, or worse, one that is over people's heads. This leaves people who already own it and "get it" shaking their heads, and worse, they potentially mislead others who really value and NEED accurate and knowledgeable commentary in order to help them make informed buying decisions. If you can't (or choose not to) afford it, everyone understands, but please do everyone a favor and don't shit on a scent just because it's expensive and/or you have an axe to grind. Everyone has their own price-to-value relationship, just as everyone understands fully well that price DOES raise the bar. You don't help anyone by imposing YOUR p/v relationship on them. We should all just stick to analyzing the scents in the most honest way possible, and let people make their own decisions on whether a scent is "worth it". Buying V is DEFINITELY an expensive proposition and almost certainly a leap of faith on some level for nearly all of us, as are lots of great scents. But this one is a must-have for me. V cannot be duplicated to my satisfaction by another scent currently known to me. If a combination of other scents could mimic V and someone stumbles on it, then they probably have spent more than they would have by simply buying V in the first place. And in reality, most of us don't have the time or desire to work out the combos, and would not blindly trust another commenters ideas on this anyway. V occupies a place on my top shelf, along with X and some Fjord's. You should consider treating yourself to V for the holidays. But remember, give V some TIME to work its magic before bitching about it in some incomprehensible and unhelpful way.

I have been searching for the perfect incense fragrance for quite a while now. I've tried as many of the critically acclaimed classics as possible (Avignon, Cardinal, Lavs, Bois d Encens, and quite a few more). All have been great representations, and all have slightly different nuances to them. Enter Clive Christian V. On first sniff, the pepper really dominates. I'll admit I was a little turned off by what I consider to be a pleasant but boring note. However, and as many others have stated, once I gave "V" time, I learned about all that it has to offer. It is an incredibly deep and layered scent, unfolding beautifully over the course of its 7-8 hour lifespan. What's more is that repeated wearings (something you can't do with only a sample or a spray at the store) reveal even more nuances. It took me at least five or six wearings before I was struck by just how powerful the citrus is in the opening. Beautiful! To me, this checks the box I have been looking for in an incense fragrance, and then checks a few more. It isn't an exact replica of a Catholic incense, a la Avignon or even Montale's Full Incense. But it has its moments in the dry down where you get to experience that. Many of the negative reviews on the fragrance are unfortunately due to short attention spans. It's a shame, because this seems to be an underrated fragrance in the community. I sampled it for about a year on and off before buying a FB. And I'm sure glad I did. My one criticism is performance. It really acts like an extrait on my skin... only projecting a foot or so. Longevity is fine, but I guess this is the ultimate "personal scent". That's probably okay, because it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea. But I do wish it would leave a stronger scent trail. This may be more due to concentration than Clive Christian taking shortcuts. A highly complex near-masterpiece of incense, resins, pepper, and citrus at the top. Lovely

Phenominal,I have CC no.1, X and 1872, but had decided I had moved on since getting these parfumes. Recent favourites and wishlists are from the stables of Tom Ford, Creed and Amouage. Today I was in selfridges and they had the old brigade of Clive Christian CC parfumes that I have, and with them on show was "C" and "V" for men, so while I was there I thought what the hell I'll try them just so I'd know what they're like, not expecting them to be so good, and so contemporary. The two are similar in some respects yet so different, "C" has less depth than "V" which a much more mature and deeper fragrance, "C" is shallower in composition but makes up for it with a highly honed rapier thrusting at you from the offset, this lasts some time untill it begins to fade around 6hrs from application, "V" just keeps giving and in my mind it doesn't reach it's best until 2hrs in when a fully rounded ensemble surrounds you with intoxicating aromas. Hell "C" and "V" are the best outright positive impact to parfum I have experienced, this includes my first introductions to Amouage Epic Man, similarly with Creed Aventus, hell no they were head and shoulders above even these excellent parfumes. I have started saving for them right now and put some of my other wants and wishes on hold CC I am Back! ************************************************************************************* I have to revisit my premature and overly optimistic parfum review above, I have on further use and testing of my CC "V" come to realise the sillage is more restrained than reported and the longevity is less than long lasting as first reported by me, in fact I am moving my CC "C" to top spot in my parfum hit parade, and my CC "V" will drop down the charts from No.1 to just be one of my favourites.

Recently revisited all the Clive Christians and gave them proper skin time to establish whether it was worth forking out a substantial chuck of change...and sadly for my wallet it is! 'v' is an outstandingly unique Frankincense and pepper fragrance with a vague oud base in a condensed summary. However, this doesn't tell the full story the pepper is a prominent, ridiculously dry spicy pepper and the resins are truly the main players in this scent but being a Clive Christian it has an added touch of olfactory sorcery that cannot be analyzed. Akin to dark matter some fragrances contain an unseen construct which can only be perceived of but never quite understood. I really don't relish the fact that I get a bit giddy and teary eyed about CC fragrances. I like to think I remain impartial and unswayed by the regal packaging and inflated price tag...but there truly is a touch of magic in these bottles! Funnily enough I revisited Bois d'encens from Armani in the same week as this one and they do indeed share many similarities. I'd say 'V' goes into some darker more peppered territory, it's definitely heavier and lasts longer on the skin...but they're both great if I'm honest. Despite such a gushing review I don't think I'll be adding it to my collection simply because I have my eye on 'X'. Very, very special nontheless.

Not everyone will appreciate this one. At first the frankincense is almost overpowering and it reminds you of a cathedral or royal festival, the peppers are also somewhat overpowering. However given time, patience and a sophisticated nose V becomes a masculine statement staple (and one that edgy women might wish to adopt also). It is very distinctive. It lingers beautifully in the air and on clothes and as such is a great signature scent as it radiates success, unless you are totally in love with it though it's possibly best left for special occasions.