DK Men Unleaded (1995)
by Donna Karan

A worthy younger sibling to DK Leaded Men. It’s lighter than big brother, but just as unique. This is one of those rare cases where the sequel is as good as the original. Unleaded is lighter, smoother, a tad dryer, a noticeable bit fresher. Where DK Leaded is aggressive and edgy and unique, DK Unleaded is smooth and edgy and unique. They definitely are kindred... both filled with passion and talent, but Leaded is raw, and untamed, while Unleaded went to a very good prep school. Leaded is heavier and sharper—it is saddle leather to Unleaded’s suede. I’m not sure what the notes in Unleaded actually are: they could be leather; they could be tobacco and I think there's some cardamom in there, too. The accords in which they are presented do not seem to aim for clarity; they aim for texture—silkiness. And this a unique, silky smooth, exquisitely linear texture that is as brilliant as the texture of its big brother.

Originally submitted 06 April 2007

7th December, 2010.

Meh, don't understand the extreme prices for this, other than it's rare and discontinued. I'd get the same effect by layering Kiton Black with Banana Republic's Cordovan... and rubbin' muhself wid some o' dat chewin' tobaccy.

16th December, 2009.

A stunning tobacco & suede leather composition with a slight sweetened edge to it. Not unlike the composition of vanilla and cardamon ice-cream but not as gourmand . The basil is not as outstanding which I enjoy worried that it might make this scent a little too green but the warmness of the sage is quite appreciated. For a tobacco, suede fragrance, I am surprised that it smells clean (slightly soapy: L'Occitane bath gel) and very smooth.

My first reactions to this were synthetic-rubber but it smelled so very different from the rest, which made it the first ever perfume in my collection. I still find this a very sophisticated scent, much better balanced than the overly sweet Le Male by JPG which was all the rage in my teen years.

This scent makes a strong, dramatic entrance, almost domineering, quickly mellows down, yet retaining a very masculine and charismatic presence. It remains in the background most of the day, but fully in control. Think of a smoking room when the male ego is at play from the beginning but relaxes as the conversation and the night progresses.

Now, if only I could get my hands on DK Leaded...

11th August, 2009.

This is touted as a bracing skin spray. How apt. It's bracingly seductive, uplifting but like most skin sprays, cast only a brief spell on its wearer. But during its short period where it weaves its magic, this is one potent stuff. One of DK's best offering.

8th March, 2009.

While DK Men Fuel tops my list of favorite colognes, DK Unleaded doesn't make my top 10. It's a nice cologne to be sure, but it's missing the notes that make DK Men Fuel the classic that it is.

DK Unleaded is sold as a "Bracing Skin Spray," and honestly I'm not quite sure if that's an EDT or Cologne, or neither. At any rate, it doesn't last nearly as long as DK Fuel, so I'm guessing that it possibly approaches the concentration of a body spray (?).

The smell reminds me a lot of a men's facial scrub product, specifically one that I used to buy from Bath & Body Works in the early to Mid-90's (and long discontinued as well).

I have a 1.7 oz bottle of this and honestly just keep it because it's related to DK Fuel. But I'm not in a rush to wish or campaign for a re-release.

DK Men, on the other hand....it deserves it's recent relaunch!!!

8th August, 2008.

I LOVE THIS FRAGRANCE a 10 two thumbs up please bring this back

5th June, 2007.