Calvin Klein’s 9th men’s fragrance (excluding the CK line) is the counterpart to 2005’s pomegranate and orchid-infused Euphoria. In the men’s version, developed by perfumers Loc Dong, Jean Marc Chaillan and Carlos Benaim, top notes include ginger pepper cocktail, raindrop accord and chilled sudachi; heart notes include black basil, cedar leaf and sage; and basenotes include creamy suede, patchouli, Brazilian redwood and solid amber.
First, I’ll admit to being a long time Klein-o-phile, loving pretty much every scent the company has released, starting with the original Calvin. It’s true, there’s nary a Calvin Klein fragrance that I don’t like, or haven’t worn at some point in my life, including many of the women’s scents as well. That being said, I haven’t exactly turned cartwheels for the original Euphoria, finding it very sweet, almost cloying until the scent settles into those amazing basenotes (I’m still dying to try Euphoria Blossom). So I’m happy to report that Euphoria for Men shares the sweetness of Euphoria, but is pleasantly tempered by warm woods and green herbal notes.
Euphoria for Men opens with an accord that has that "I’ve smelled this before" feel. A typical ginger and pepper accord with a zesty twist of Japanese sudachi (a citrus fruit similar to yuzu) immediately recalls the opening to Lancome’s Miracle for Men. As the scent progresses, and there’s not a lot to tell here as Euphoria for Men has a very linear feel, it recalls 2002’s Truth for Men (one of my personal favorites) with its raindrop accord and light patchouli notes. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if Klein had initially conceived of Euphoria as a variation of Truth — maybe Truth Night for Men? Back to the Lancome comparison: whereas Miracle was anchored by a rich coffee bean note in the base, Euphoria stays lighter and brighter, and seems remarkably apt for any season. The basenotes are perfectly blended, but surprisingly quiet woods, amber and suede. Now and then I do get an echo of summer rain and dewy green leaves, but no single note really stands out.
So here’s my main beef: while other Klein scents were extraordinary and completely unique (i.e., Eternity for Men – the father of men’s marine fragrances; Truth for Men — a truly under-rated and magnificent green aroma; Obsession for Men — the groundbreaking men’s oriental), Euphoria for Men is simply "nice". It’s true! It smells great! But I was hoping for something richer, something slightly more unusual, and something, well, groundbreaking. But please don’t let my expectations dissuade you. Euphoria for Men is smooth, sexy, and completely affordable. It will be the perfect fragrance for sons and husbands around the world, and I’d even wager that for those of us who find Euphoria a "little much", the men’s version will be the perfect alternative.
Euphoria for Men is available now at imaginationperfumery or nordstrom, and will launch at other department stores this month.
I will try this as soon as it hits our lowly shores (which I think luckily won't be long, as Euphoria was launched here almost as soon as in the states)
Really got my interest going here. I think this could make an intriguing summer (southern hemisphere 😉 ) fragrance.
Keep it up.
p.s.: I really love Truth for men, but in my skin it turns into something synthetic smelling and unpleasant.
I hate when my chemistry messes up a fragrance i like.
I, too, am a big fan of CK fragrances, but I'm a bit dissapointed in the longevity of Euphoria Men. I love the fragrance itself–it's a great counterpart to the women's version–but an eau de parfum would have been much better. It's missing that depth that an EDP would have offered. But something tells me that most American “sons and husbands” might have shyed away from something labeled as a “parfum”, thus making a toilette version for the masses. Too bad, this one could have been outstanding instead of just very good.
Oh no! I'm so sorry Truth doesn't work for you. Yes, I think Euphoria will work well in warm weather!
Marlen
Yeah, I thought that Euphoria could have been a bit bolder, stronger, but it just quietly fades on the skin. It wouldn't surprise me if a Euphoria Extreme comes out next year following on the heels of Guerlain's L'Instant pour Homme EDP…
Marlen
When Euphoria Men launched here (Australia), it did phenomenally well – probably because it was timed around Father's Day and had some attractive Calvin Klein-related gifts, rather than actually being an amazing fragrance. I have to agree with you: it's “nice”, but I was really hoping for something phenomenal. Though I guess it strays a little from the “safe” fragrances Calvin Klein has previously released – a perfect match for the Euphoria for Women, which certainly strayed from the safe…
Oh, and Euphoria Blossom is a very pretty fragrance. Very fresh, very floral, and very affordable. A good one to just have, rather than a “signature” fragrance. 🙂
what on earth is raindrop accord?
Thanks for the comments on Euphoria Blossom….Neeeeeed to try it….now….must……restrain….credit..card…..in danger….
Tell me about it! But in the fragrance, it creates a kind of watery/airy feeling…lightens the otherwise heaviness of the other notes….
Marlen
Hi Marlen,
It's funny but I've also experienced that “I’ve smelled this before” feel the first time I smelled Euphoria for Men. I even tried in on the skin and though it smells pretty nice and even thought of buying it at some point, I felt a little dissapointed that it was a little weak. I'll be looking forward to a «stronger» version of it. Don't you think that would be a great fragrance?
Regards, R.
Fragrance is getting too technologically advanced. What they do is manufacture the smell of certain places or things, like the air off the sea or rain or freshly cut grass, by somehow bottling that smell, then recreating it through synthetic materials. It's weird. What happened to just plain old flowers?
The weirdest thing I heard was bottling air from outer space. WHY?
Why? “You gotta have a gimmick, if you wanna get ahead!”
Marlen
I totally agree, Raphael. A stronger, more intense fragrance would actually make me happier.
I feel bad for not liking this one. At first, I thought it smelled rather like Escada Sentiment for men (my ultimate favorite). But… after it dried a little, it was nothing like it (45 minutes or more).
They should try to do a deeper, EDP version. It might be good. Or, heck, a Euphoria Blossom for men!
Oh, and props for Truth! An amazing fragrance, that is indeed under-rated.
Glad I managed to find a brand new bottle of Truth on ebay then! I look forward to trying it 🙂
I lone ck fragrences to death. But in terms of euphoria men, has everybody forgoten ck Crave? They are both close to identical. but Crave was first. popular for a short time but seems to have almost dissapeared.
I lone ck fragrences to death. But in terms of euphoria men, has everybody forgoten ck Crave? They are both close to identical. but Crave was first. popular for a short time but seems to have almost dissapeared.
Hey matf,
I don't personally see the similarity between the two, but things always smell different on different people, right? Crave has indeed been discontinued – it only seemed to be around for a short time, I wonder why? It was quite popular in Japan while I was living there at the time.
Marlen