Mat; Very Male

I just did an internet search for Mat; Very Male and saw that Sephora's website now lists this, but they say it's temporarily out of stock; maybe this will soon be in North American stores. I think Renato also recently mentioned that he saw this in Sephora in Europe. I know we were discussing this one on the temporary Basenotes board. Here are the Sephora and osMoz links on it:

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P112503

http://osmoz.com/mag/news_parfum.asp...&LANGUE=en

I haven't tried Mat; Male, though I've heard good things about it. I'm interested in Very Male because of its woody nature, as you mention, plus the anise and coffee, as one or two guys who've tried it have reported on. At least a couple guys said they like it. I'm guessing it might be better for fall and winter, but I don't know for sure.

I was also noticing a few similarities between the pyramids of Very Male and Ungaro's new one, Apparition Homme. Here's Very Male:

Top notes: Bergamot, Aquatic Freshness, Sambucca Accord (like aniseed)
Middle notes: Lotus Flowers, Bamboo, Precious Woods
Base notes: Patchouli, Licorice Wood, White Cedar

And here's Apparition Homme:

Top Notes: Mandarin, Anise, Rhubarb
Middle Notes: Green Tea Leaves, Black Pepper
Base Notes: Liquorice Wood and Vetiver

Maybe the Apparition Homme will be a bit sharper and yet fruitier. I don't know if having one will mean not needing the other.

I just checked the Sephora website, and it looks like they've got this in stock (again). Â*But an internet search shows Sephora's the only western internet company selling it, besides the Russian and Japanese sites. Â*I'm weighing whether I should buy one blind, as some guys here have said they like it, and the notes are appealing. Then again, maybe it'll be at a local Sephora store to test.

I just went to Sephora to spray some of this on. Â*I sprayed on about 6 half to full sprays on the wrist, and it's noticeable but not loud. Â*It reminds me of Gucci pour Homme without the pepper and incense (at least some guys say the Gucci has an incense note), plus of course the Gucci doesn't have the licorice or aniseed notes that Very Male has; while I'm comparing the 2, I'll add that Very Male does not seem to have as much volume (intensity) as the Gucci, and the Gucci seems to have a more distinct character than Very Male. Â*I haven't tried the Lempicka, so I can't compare that. Â*As you know, Black Code also has aniseed, and at present, I would still prefer Black Code over Very Male. Â*I find Black Code has way more presence on me, and I get this sandalwood drydown (that's part of the drydown on me anyway) that lingers lightly for hours; that one lasts really well on me. Â*I will say that I find Very Male has less aniseed but more of a cedary, harder woody quality than Black Code, which I find has a softer, sandalwood-type quality.

Mainly what I notice with Very Male is a fairly equal balance of wood that smells like it's burning, but not too smoky, and the licorice or aniseed. Â*The licorice is not sweet on me. Â*Mixed in with the licorice is a coffee-type note, so it isn't a true licorice, it's more of a licorice-coffee note or blend (that's what they mean by Sambucca, I guess); the coffee isn't too loud, but it is definitely there, and it probably helps to keep the licorice from getting too sweet; I wouldn't say the coffee's bitter, but it leans in that direction. And overall, it seems to be a rather dry scent on me, though it is warm. Â*Also, after about 2 hours, it's fading rather quickly, or getting closer to the skin. Â*

My verdict for a first wearing is that it's good, it's nice, and it's different in some ways from others I've tried, but it doesn't bowl me over. Â*I don't know if I'm even willing to sample it a 2nd time, partly because of my first opinion, and partly because I've got enough bottles already (25 is enough for me, anyway); we'll see if I reach for it again. Â*However, I can see how a lot of guys would like this; it's a good masculine smell.

I forgot to mention it seemed pretty linear to me. Except for the Sambucca Accord, I didn't even notice any top notes, and there was no real development. Didn't notice the bergamot or the lotus flowers, or the patchouli, for that matter.