Pour Homme Absolu

This has my vote for the most underhyped, underrated and under the radar release of the year. Almost nobody is talking about this and I believe this is possibly the first designer take on the Blue Talisman scent profile and it is an absolute banging one at that! MK Pour Homme Absolu is a very nice upper tier designer release that somehow has received very little hype and attention considering its inspiration. In all honesty MK Pour Homme Absolu doesn’t smell anything like Erba Gold, Absolu Aventus (not even close!), nor is there even much resemblance to the original MK pour homme, which reminds me of Gucci Guilty EDT more than anything. This is a major improvement over the original and for me this flanker is 100% clearly going after that Ex Nihilo Blue Talisman DNA and it is doing so with very high quality ingredients and blending. The note breakdown may be quite different (with no listed pear but I smell it in this!) but that is definitely the vibe going on here. It’s also pretty similar to Bond No. 9 Greenpoint but made more masculine. This is simply some really good juice and you could literally wear this for any occasion much like Blue Talisman. It’s not quite as strong but still performs respectably well and leaves a noticeable sillage. You cannot go wrong here. If you like the Blue Talisman scent profile (think pear scented shower gel) do check out this one or wait until it hits discounters. MK has totally impressed me with this release! And the bottle is a stunning little work of art that would make a great looking addition to any collection. 🍐🧴🚿

THIS IS A SLEPT ON BANGER! An amazing interpretation of the original Black XS DNA from 20 years ago, made with way better aromachemicals, and also modernized with deeper sweetness and a smokier base. Absolutely incredible! The fruity top is part rindy citrus and part non-descript tropical, just like the Black XS pineapple that could also be strawberry that could also be pear (hence the Blue Talisman comparison). The incense in the mid makes the sweetness go deeper and merge with the solid thick woody base. It does have the same earthiness in the base, but here we have cedar, vetiver and akigalawood for that. It also smells way more expensive than the current formulation of black xs, which has a really appalling opening for a few minutes. And performs five times better. Just like Black XS, even though it has a tropical vibe in the opening, it's not ideal for very hot weather, but it's perfect for nights out any season, also great in spring and fall days. Projects strongly for two hours, lasts more than eight on skin. It's a very substantial scent, don't let the opening fool you into overspraying. Is this Blue Talisman on a budget? Not really, it lacks the intense freshness in the opening and the hairspray vibe in the mid. The fruity notes are not distinctly pear-like. It is close to the extrait though after a certain point through the drydown. And it's just as synthetic (in a good way). What a gem! I'm getting it as soon as it drops more in price

Really impressed with this one. The opening is fantastic. If you test on paper this one really sparkles and is addictive. On skin it immediately has more of the woods and has something earthier about it. However this balances out after a little while and you get something that is closer to how it smells off paper. Contentious issue as per the reviews here but I personally DO get Blu Talisman elements from it. I saw someone say it's like a concoction of BT, Absolu Aventus and Invictus. While I don't totally get that, I see where they're coming from. I actually don't really like BT overall; I get an elderly lady sanitary products whiff from it which makes it unpleasant as a whole, despite enjoying some aspects of it. Put simply, this is a really good masculine, citrusy, woody, airy, blue/green-tinged scent. Really versatile, though something about it feels like the perfect scent for a wedding guest. It has that special occasion vibe but is also fun and easy-going enough to be a put together crowd pleaser. Fully recommend giving this one a try, I think most will be surprised by what's on offer here.

I completely disagree some of the other reviews. This scent profile is absolutely stunning. I cant stop smelling my bottle. Fresh lavender, floral, fruity, rose with very subtle woody base notes. I agree with others that the opening is the best part (it’s absolutely incredible) and I find the opening smell lasts a few hours. The later dry down to me holds 60-70% of the openings dna and is still very pleasant but does become slightly more generic. 5hrs of moderate projection before becoming a skin scent, 6-7hrs on clothes. However I received a compliment 9 hours after spraying so maybe I just go completely nose blind. Im completely in love with this already. Everyone’s nose is different, definitely give it a chance and test/smell it for yourself. This might be my favorite freshie in my 40+ bottle collection.

Definitely a good hidden gem release from the brand. The opening is really nice and almost has a "Juicy Fruit" gum type of smell that sort of reminds me of something in line with Blue Talisman but not the same. There is something other than Lemon in the top and if i had to guess what they are not listing it has to be something giving off a pear type of smell. The drydown the lavender, rose, cedar are the stars of the show with some hints of peppermint peaking through still. Projection is slightly above average and longevity does not seem to be a issue at that 7-8 hr range. Solid release from the company. Surprised nobody really talks about it now that its starting to pop up at discounters.