APOM Pour Homme

BACKGROUND: Francis Kurkdjian says this fragrance is meant to be a representation of the scent you leave behind on your lover after being with them intimately.... It's an interesting thought, but he's certainly not the first Parfumer to conjure this up. Roja Dove, for example did the same thing in the past.... Great minds do think alike :) APOM strikes me as being very very similar in DNA to another fragrance I recently blind bought based on the reputation of the House and the hype on the market and in the Frag community (Xerjoff, Kobe). Right off the bat, BOTH fragrances open up almost identical Yes guys, this is almost identical -a 95% carbon copy to Xerjoff's Kobe. Interestingly, Kurkdjian lists: Orange blossom, Cedar & Amber as his ONLY notes in this blend.... And yet, despite Kobe using far more: such as Styrax, Brazilian Rosewood, Tonka Bean, Labdanum.., etc- the two come out basically very close copies of each other after the blending process.... I dare to say, perhaps very few of us would be able to readily distinguish between the two in a blind, side-by-side comparison.... For me though, I detect certain nuances between the two: How so, the Brazilian Rosewood, Agarwood (Oud) and benjoin add certain subtle distinctions in Kobe.... Result? A beautiful creamy texture, supported by that vanilla-like, very gourmand appeal.... In the end, it can be illustration this way: two drivers set out on a journey to the same destination. One driver uses the expressway, while the other is content to use the back streets and side roads. Result? They inevitably arrive at the SAME destination, despite different routes..... The proof here is that Francis Kurkdjian lists Amber one of his 3 main notes, while Sergio Momo (Master Perfumer) utilizes the combination of benzoin with vanilla and labdanum to create that addictive accord of amber. CONCLUSION: BOTH GREAT fragrances, well-blended with distinct alluring phases... What it comes down to- Kobe brings a little bit MORE to the table and we rightly pay that added dollar for such luxury & performance. If you already own APOM, then I don't see the need at all to add Kobe and vice versa. However, if you have NEITHER, then I strongly suggest you fork out that extra $75 or so and get the Kobe... And as you indulge in its decadence, you'll see it's worth every penny it commands........

I put it as my signature fragrance, bumping French Lover; I like FL a bit more, but APOM is a go to, wearable, comfortable, and very enjoyable fragrance; one of MFK best and most unique compositions. There are light and dark aspects, so it reminds me of Lumiere Noire done with orange blossom vs rose. This has a little more edge to it than Lumiere Noire, which is smoother. APOM is about fragrance accords. Two or more notes combining to make a unique accord note, rather than the individual notes by themselves. There are synthetics with natural notes. The master at work here, FK. They dont give you a clear note breakdown. Yes, it opens with a strong floral presence, orange blossom, not neroli, and I do get the cedar; amber not so much... But then as Francis Kurkdijian does really well, he mixes masculine notes with the floral. So its a floral Oriental like Ciel de Gum. There may be patchouli here, with a touch of cinnamon, cummin, caraway perhaps, aroma chems.. When I first wrote my review, I hardly noticed the floral, when I saw the notes, I thought, oh yeah, I get it... This has an unusual bite/ sharpness to it. I can see this being a Summertime signature fragrance, but not over, say 85'. Its fresher than Ciel de Gum, and more masculine. This is very floral yet masculine, which is rare. This is like no other, it's subtle. I think many don't get it. There is an unusual spiciness, like an anamalic cummin? There is quite a bit of aroma chemicals, but does not smell synthetic in any cheap way. It makes it fresh, but not your typical citrus fresh. It may have a touch of citrus, but most of the freshness comes from the aldehydes or fresh spices. The cummin like vib, gives it a smell like your own skin may have. So it may smell like it's a part of you, APOM. This is reminding me of his J.P. Gaultier's Le Male collection, done with better quality, yet it is distinct. What he learned from Le Male and flankers, he has perfected here. I did add a bottle to a large collection I rarely now add to. I am glad I rediscovered APOM pour homme. Not good to over spray this one, the powerfull aldehydes or Artemisia become over powering and cloying. Just one spray in a few locations is best. Rating: 9/10 God bless. John 3:16

Not sure about all the mediocre to bad review. Don't really see a reason to dislike other than if orange blossom is not your thing, which I totally get although this has to be the best done orange blossom I have sniffed so far. I've smelled too many orange blossoms that are overpowering, and that I have to scrub off immediately unless I want an imminent headache. This isn't like that, it's impeccably blended and plays well with the amber in this concoction. It isn't linear either. While I appreciate MFK's simplistic approach, I can definitely smell many notes that are not reported. Maybe it's just the well done blending on this puppy, but I get hints of vanilla and caramel during the dry down, all along with the amber. Now I know I'm really selling this one, but it has it's flaws. The first time I wore it I hated it, and when I smelled it on paper I detected a note of burning plastic. I don't know what it is, maybe it's just my skin, but I can't smell this hideous note when I wear it. In fact, it's the least offensive thing I've ever smelled and although it does not come close to being my favorite bottle, it never fails to please those around me. In terms of similarities, I get a semblance of the ck comparisons mentioned here and elsewhere, but I personally don't find it similar at all. This might seem off to some noses, but I'm sitting here wearing MDCI's invasion barbare and to me it seems more similar to MDCI than ck (in the dry down, minus the intense lavender blast in MDCI). The longevity on this thing is beastly as well. It's a scent that seems to me to sit close to the skin, but I find myself sniffing it on my clothes/skin up to 24 hours later (from a single spray). One other thing to mention is that I initially had issues pegging this scent to an occasion. The scent lies somewhere between formal and casual and I've come to the conclusion that this makes it more versatile rather than shooting itself in the foot, but it depends on what you feel comfortable with. Bottom line- not the most interesting scent, but very safe, very complex and rich for something so safe, and very well performing as well as a bit expensive. Sample first, don't take my word for it.

As a big admirer of Francis Kurdjian work, this perfume has a big meaning to me. I struggled to have this one in my collection, and I finally have it:) When I holded a box in which was the perfume, I was spellbounded by two boxes, first box - big one with MFK inicals, and second - smaller one, with a perfume in it which comes out from that bigger box with golden interior...:) I wanted a perfume filled up with something animalistic, I wanted a smell of amber or musk with great silleage, longivity and above all, the perfume which smells great...I have found it all in this bottle (except the musk which can be forgotten because the amber replaces it perfectly). I have never imagined a smell of Lebanon like this, because this perfume is inspired by great master Kurkdjian's journey there. He captured oriental & sweet smell and also his emotions into this bottle. The perfume opens very ambery and has a very small hint of sweetness, but it has that crystalized amber. Opening of the perfume lasts prety long until all of the components have settled down. When it has developed, amber doesn't stand alone anymore. Orange and cedar are joining amber to add sweetness to the composition. That notes are making composition warm and rich. Someone would say that this perfume is slightly sweet, but I would say that a sweetness is the product of the specific amber note mixed up with the orange - the sweetness in APOM is not usual as in the other perfumes. Now...when it has fully developed, the composition is rounded with the amber that is always present and never leaves until the end. In the centre of the composition is orange with a touch of cedar. All of that makes a nice, warm, richfull scent which is made for cuddling...seductive & little bit animalistic and pleasent at the same time. The perfume has a biiig projection, silleage and a tremendeous longivity...it is classy, sophisticated, cozy..it is simply a piece of me:) I always see it as a perfume that will back me up in everything I do, it will come to others before I will. (Because of aura and intensity) It will ask others; Are you ready to get A Piece Of Me?

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" A famous well-known quote allegedly said by Da Vinci but the irony is that old Leo probably never said it at all. But hey, it makes a great wallpaper and it sure as hell is spot on for this symphony of notes. This fragrance truly shines in it's simplicity. All notes are instantly recognizable and so easy to identify making this nectar accessible and uncomplicated. None of this 60 notes blends crap where you can hardly pick up 3 or 4 true notes and personally I already like it just because of that. It makes my nose go 'hey - I recognize you' without deep frying my brain cells. APOM delivers a playful, cheerful and delicious fragrance through domination of high quality cedar and orange blossom notes. The amber is there to connect the dots and keep the entire composition sensual. Personally I find cedar an excellent material to combine with sweeter notes. There is something intelligent about it and this wooden touch provides just enough masculinity to keep it interesting and sexy through all the stages. In a way the vibe is highly similar to 'By Kilian - Straight to heaven' but then flowery instead of boozy. In fact this is the perfect pitstop between Straight to Heaven and Sweet redemption. And yes guys, this is flowery combined with woody so it's not the biggest alpha male scent out there but true alpha men change this into mysterious and adventurous. If you're comfortable with yourself you will treasure the comfort level of this fragrance. Longevity is average (4-5 hours) Projection is average Cum laude in uniting niche and wearibility and does it without a drop of sweat, if only the longevity would be amplified ... 8,5/10