Paul Smith Man (2009)
by Paul Smith

I'm surprised to see so many negative reviews, as I find this scent so easy to approach and enjoy (as do others around me). I will say this - I did pick up on the muddled blending of the notes the first few times I wore the fragrance. However, the effect is not nearly as bad as some of the reviewers would suggest.

I think this fragrance begins with a juicy, green/citrus fruit mixed with florals (loving the yuzu note). The transition falls apart a little when the top notes transition to incense, violets, and patchouli in the middle almost abruptly. Luckily, the scent redeems itself when the base begins to project the beautiful iris and tonka bean combo which merges effortlessly with the spice of incense and patchouli. This is so nice and masculine, and it is probably the most masculine floral-heavy fragrance I've ever worn (when compared to Midnight in Paris, Dior Homme, Kenzo Power, etc). If it wasn't so hot, I'd be happy to wear this everyday as my signature. Plus, the longevity and sillage are just perfect. Love it!

23rd July, 2011.

Interesting top note that deteriorates, for me, into an unpleasant base note, the same thing I experienced with Paul Smith Extreme (and the same base note).

16th April, 2011.

Let me begin by saying that I am a huge fan of Paul Smith London and Extreme. Paul Smith Story would have been included also here had it not been for its tragic lack of longevity ....

However ... Paul Smith Man is just plain ghastly. Honestly, it is by far the worst scent from a reputable house that I can ever remember trying. If one can imagine bottling the smell of acrid hairspray applied to 3 day old sweaty, unwashed hair, you would capture the essence of this vile offering. It is so bad that I actually repelled several women while sitting in my university class the other day. They PHYSICALLY moved away from me. Talk about humiliating. And I'm one who normally wears Creed much of the time!

Someone else reviewing this said that Paul Smith Man reminded them of the smell of "ass". That comment is not far wrong.

I bought this blind due to my love of the other Paul Smith scents. I beg you, TRY this before buying. In my opinion, it is horrible.

1st May, 2010.

Yup, Dior Homme. Or rather, everything that ever had a dominant iris note in it. Paul Smith Man serves up a cheap spicy thrill in the beginning but chills out quickly. At the heart there's a woodsy iris note, hinting at a smoky, distant incense-like accord and tonka bean in the base. Good sillage.

30th April, 2010.

One spritz and it's already spice overload for me which effectively ruins the incense and iris part. Seems to me PAUL SMITH MAN was rushing to get on the incense bandwagon for its composition comes across as clumsy and poorly balanced, like it was hastily put together. Or perhaps I'm just a little sensitive to strong spices since this isn't the first time a spice accord does a hatchet job on a scent under review.

1st November, 2009.

For those looking for a masculine Dior Homme,well,that's the answer...Light,indeed,but not as much as the other Paul Smith scents,with their poor longevity.

25th October, 2009.