American Novelist

This fragrance manages to hit almost all of the mainstream contemporary "masculine" accords at some point or another. The only ones missing are tobacco and smoky notes, but those seem to be less prevalent in new mainstream men's fragrances anyhow. American Novelist is many things throughout its life, but it spends most of it posing as a newly-made bookshelf covered in pine tar. However, the opening blast where the leather, citrus, and spicy herbal notes are on display is by far the best thing about this fragrance. The drydown, in contrast, is a bit offputting - most of the bright, outdoorsy notes are stripped away and the leather is left to linger a bit long for my liking. That's the only reason this one isn't a "love" for me. Projection, sillage, and longevity are all moderate. Edit: After wearing it intermittently for about a week, my nose now tolerates the drydown much better. This is a "love" now. I'd also say that performance has improved a small bit, although I'd still put it in the moderate range.

I love this fragrance and I’m impressed with it. To be honest I wasn’t expecting too much from these fragrances even though I do like Michael Malul as a brand, well let me tell you it surprised me quite a bit. This fragrance is like a reversed Dior Fahrenheit. Dior Fahrenheit starts heavy with the leather, woodiness and gasoline-like violet leaf and as it dries down it turns fresher, ozonic and almost aquatic, this fragrance (Michael malul) starts of more citrusy, minty fresh and aromatic and as it dries down it develops into a nice leathery woodiness that I can only describe as Fahrenheit like, it even has a slight petrol vibe granted nowhere near as potent as Dior. Overall I enjoy this fragrance a lot, I think it’s a year-round scent but i wouldn’t recommend in high heat, day and night but preferably afternoons and nights. Very good longevity at about 7-8 hours with ok projection. Once again I’m very impressed with Malul and Esquire and I’ll definitely be getting a full bottle of this soon!

I can't put my finger on what is making this so pleasantly sweet. It's so inviting. I'm fascinated by it. So much so I had to buy the full bottle. It's leather without being harsh. Like a briefcase from the 1930s that's been lovingly cared for. It's photorealistic mint from out in the yard brought inside to bake with. Far from toothpaste, but sitting comfortably in reality. The pine is juuust there, in the background, reminding me of walking up to a Christmas tree farm. These are the main notes, and the rest complements. The bergamot is there as it always is for my nose, rounding out the scent with a clean element akin to fabric softener or soap. But unlike other perfumes, the bergamot isn't obnoxious here. I only wish this projected more. It's quite intimate. To the other people saying this is a take on Fahrenheit, I worry for their nose. There is no violet leaf in this whatsoever. So please, always skin test before you take people at their word. Don't blind buy.

So far im loving this fragrance. When first sprayed it's very bright of mint. Fresh and nature smelling with that juniper, and bergamot. Once everything drys it is FANTASTIC. A mature inoffensive leather note mixed with refreshing pine woodysness. Im usually up at 6-7AM outside walking my dog and when the breeze hits it's like getting hit with a blast of crisp mountain air. 2-3 hours of projection then it's nice lasting skin scent. Definitely becoming one of my favorite green fragrances.

This is like a modern Dior Fahrenheit, more fresh, bit earthy, slightly woodsy, leather and gasoline vibe. But it's taken into a more citrusy direction. I love DF hence I love this one. It just smells like Dior came up with a frieshie Fahrenheit. Just what I needed.