Oscar for Men (2000)
by Oscar de la Renta

My father actually owns this, but being a 60 year old Australian male, wearing cologne is seen as being homosexual. Thank god the younger generation of Australian men think differently.

There's nothing overly unique about Oscar for men, however it is very fresh and quite likable. Very summery, in my opinion, just light enough to wear casually on a warm day.

The opening, although primarily citrus (my least favourite smell), is very masculine and refreshing. I'm not sure what it is but I really do love citrus scents worn by men, however on myself and other women, I can't say the same.

Oscar for Men is actually quite a complex and well structured fragrance. This isn't a sweet fragrance, however the notes may suggest otherwise. It's purely masculine, not a single hint of femininity, a woman could never pull this off.

3rd June, 2011.

There's something really sympathetic in this specific house. You know, during these oversupplied times when manufactures put out fragrances and flankers one after another, OdlR has kept his masculine line nice and tidy : Only two well made scents to this date and no flankers !

Oscar for Men is absolutely wonderful fragrance, and if I think about it, very understated in a way, too. It really deserves more attention and appreciation.

Fresh, woody and spicy juice with delicious grounded pepper note at the top, and a refined cedar note with traces of leather at the base. Quiet, fresh characteristic masculine fragrance that has outstandingly natural atmosphere. I'm in love.

Works wonderfully on clothes too, especially since the lasting power could leave one unsatisfied.

The beautiful, minimalistic frosted bottle I have is placed in marvelous, leather-like cardboard box, coloured in dark yellow.

21st March, 2011.

I'm a big pepper fan, but I find the opening of Oscar to be a bit harsh and has huge projection. I only really start to enjoy it around the 2 hour mark. Overall though, this fragrance is completely off my skin by 6 hours max, and anywhere from 2 hours on, it's pretty dull. The pepper is there from beginning to end though, accompanied by a lot of greens. Very fresh, and mature.

15th December, 2010.

My dad bought this one for my little bro two years ago. The given the tropical climate of Jamaica, any note with a high ammonia content will overpower the other notes present. That came through every now and then, but when it settled or if experienced in a cold area it was a nice, overtly masculine smell.

In retrospect, it was far too mature of my brother. Perhaps that's why my father and I used it more than he did :)

20th June, 2010.

Bought it blind a year ago on clearance and wasn't 'wowed' as I recall, but fired it up again recently, and thought 'hey, I like this'. Overall, it seems firmly masculine, but in a more outdoorsy, less boardroom sort of way.

The lemony opening and heartnotes do remind me of Monsieur Balmain, Eau Sauvage and Chanel Pour Monsieur. To me, dill seems to be the main herbal note, and there's also also a certain tobacco / cigarette butt note that smells better than it sounds. Thumbs up

14th February, 2010.

I have to agree with the reviewer who mentioned that this one smells like pencil shavings. That's right on.

Something about it reminded me of Gucci pour Homme - kind of an "ashy" smell that they share.

It may be a "technical" good fragrance that I don't have the knowledge to appreciate, but as a younger guy, it's not for me at all. I wear cologne on a daily basis, and this is the only one that has ever given me a bona fide headache. I could see the guy in the cubicle next to mine making faces as well - probably should have known better than to use it for office wear. My head was throbbing, I felt sick to my stomach, and I had to go to the bathroom to wash it off. Not recommended, especially for the younger crowd.

3rd February, 2010.