Dia for Men (2002)
by Amouage

Not that keen on the topnotes, but the middle and base make up for that. Very thick, lush and exotic drydown of fruit, patchouli and a dense rich amber. Worth every penny imo as you don't need to use much for all day.

Ridiculously uncharismatic scent considering the price. It smells like a weak fruity powder.

This really is something I could imagine some cowardly safe playing designer house releasing these days.
Harmless little scent without any character. Complex and full official olfactory pyramid feels like it was almost a complete hoax.

I am kind of amused to see some reviews on this one. Amused, but also perhaps slightly confused and disturbed, too.


Again: Considering the value for the money, to me this is just a joke.


Judging by the pictures, I must admit I like the packaging very much. It’s beautiful.

One of the few Amouage offerings I would classify as distinctly masculine. Not for the price, but this is a very nice, slightly powdery patchouli/woods combo. The patchouli smells very dark, and moderately sweet. Well blended, nothing sticks out or is brash. It's a very classy scent. I wouldn't wear it due to the powder, but I think this is Amouage's 2nd best Men's scent.

Honestly, it’s a gorgeous fragrance; it is very sweet and powdery, yet spicy and masculine. Also, the sillage and longevity are absolutely outstanding. You have to really try this one because it is quite unique. I can tell you this though it is a very luxurious fragrance!!

Smells a bit like Ciel on the opening just not as harsh "not too sweet" Dia has more wood notes.

As likeable as Amouage Gold is vile. Where Gold is fussy, garish, and bombastic, Dia is balanced, poised, and elegant. It's hard to imagine when you'd wear a scent as overblown as Gold, Dia is an exemplar of versatility. Amouage makes much of its rarified frankincense note, and in Dia it occupies the place of honor. The frankincense is immediately obvious when Dia leaves the bottle, accented by cardamom, soft neroli, and a brief flash of bright citrus. The gap left by the citrus is soon occupied by some sweet dry fruit, cardamom, and gently balanced floral notes, led by peony and ylang-ylang, as Dia settles on the skin. Soon after there emerge two notes that in tandem with the incense carry Dia’s central structure: a smooth, buttery iris, and a subtly smoky leather.

It doesn’t take long for the spices round out and blend with the frankincense, iris, and leather in a tightly blended accord that is at once gentle and exotic. Dia’s heart accord is more openly floral than most contemporary men’s fragrances, but unlike Gold it eschews aldehydes and indoles, making it at once a sparer and less prissy scent.

Dia is not a weak scent, but it does wear fairly close to the skin, which is just how I like it. Though it’s anything but loud, Dia lasts for the better part of forever before entering its suave leather, iris, and amber drydown. I think that the luxurious drydown alone makes Dia worth wearing. It will persist overnight and greet you with its gentle touch when you awaken. Like all of the Amouage line Dia is costly – it was shockingly so when first released in 2002. Now that you can pay more for the Comme des Garcons Luxe line, scents from Indult, or limited editions from L’Artisan Parfumeur, Dia doesn’t seem quite as extravagant.