Xpec Original (2008)
by Xpec

This smells like Aramis without the leather. Harsh, pungent floral notes are what define Xpec, and this is what I like about it. This is a bold, daring scent, and it smells dirty. I like that.

What I don't like is that unfortunately it smells like an unfinished fragrance. The notes aren't particularly well blended, and I feel like the perfumer spent all of her energy in simply making sure this was a daring scent, rather than paying attention to the balance of its numerous notes and how they interact with one another. It smells like it's loud and bold just for the sake of being loud and bold. After wearing this for an hour, I thought to myself, "Is that it?"

Putting aside those negatives, however, Xpec does smell pretty good overall, and I respect it for its boldness. Fans of strong, raunchy floral scents may want to give this a whirl.

MY RATING: 6.5/10

20th May, 2011.

Xpec Original is an ok fragrance. A cyphre with the aim to be a floral cyphre but I don't get any tuberose here. I'd say it's a quite unique fragrance not for the smell but just because nobody knows it. We have plenty of better fragrances out there but if you find it at a discount store for 20 bucks, go ahead. Otherwise, if you're looking for a better floral-cyphre also suitable for men go directly for 31 Rue Cambon by Chanel.

7th April, 2011.

A floral chypre... for men? Yeah yeah florals are for women; marketing I say! But that doesn't make a floral chypre directed towards men any less surprising. I really like this opening. It smells more like aldehydes rather than straight tuberose and spices. The drydown is a very formal smelling oakmoss. I'd feel very out of place if I wore this to anything else other than a suit and tie event. Great stuff but is probably an acquired taste.

12nd June, 2009.

Wow, smells like a Lagavulin Whiskey tastes! And it is lasting longer than any other fragrance I ever tested.

17th November, 2008. (Last Edited: 3rd May, 2010.)