Defy
Parfum, Calvin Klein (2023)

Defy Parfum by Calvin Klein (2023) is an inevitability in a bottle. Thicker, richer, woodier, and smoother than the other entries in the series thus far; from the insipid original eau de toilette to the not-intolerable eau de parfum the following year, if this had been the scent profile we were graced with the introduction of the range, things might have been very different. Of course, that isn't to say Calvin Klein Defy Parfum is amazing, but it is at least good, which is a lot better than most other Calvin Klein products have been, as of late.

The opening is a sweet "blue" melange of mandarin orange, lavender, pink pepper, and various soapy abstract shower gel items that one is accustomed to by now in this particular corner of the market. Of course, there is not much DNA from the other two entries in the series here, and that is a hidden godsend in my opinion, as I didn't have much love for the line as it was. Some slight gourmand tones with wood, some ethyl maltol (dosed low), the usual saffron gummy Francis Kurkdjian scene-stealers, and a bit of ambroxan round this out.

Wearable? Yes. Long lasting? Definitely. Interesting or innovative? The jury is still out on those last two, but at least there is nothing irritating, nagging, or feeling half-finished here. Defy Parfum doesn't feel quite as built-for-cost as the previous Defy fragrances; but since this scent also comes with an up-charge per its concentration, you're still somewhat being ripped off. Coty Prestige really get their money's worth out of the Calvin Klein fragrance license, but now and then they do stumble across something worth a serious consideration, and such is the case with this. Thumbs up