Perfume Reviews by tjr

Defy by Calvin Klein

So, nearly 20 years after Abercrombie & Fitch released Fierce, Calvin Klein decide to introduce their version to the market, but with poorer performance.

If you've ever experienced the aforementioned 'inspiration' to Defy, and surely to goodness you have, either in its original form or from one of its countless acolytes, then you'll know exactly what you're getting here, namely a fresh citrus opening (in this case bergamot) on top of a underwhelming woodsy heart.

It smells fine, it's just that the lack of thought and ambition on display here in bringing something like this to the market in 2021 and labelling it as 'new' just highlights a company, and probably an industry, completely devoid of ideas.

I'm sure it'll sell well if the advertising campaign is anything to go by.

Royal Amber by S.T. Dupont

The title is something of a misnomer as this is primarily an oud fragrance. Amber is definitely in there however and leather is also prominant.

It's pretty linear and doesn't really divert too far away from the opening, although it does provide brief guest appearances from geranium and saffron. Thereafter you're left with the oud and its two accomplices for a long time.

Performance on this one is really good, the sillage is impressive and it is a quality fragrance for cold weather-wear. However, if you're looking for an amber-dominated release, this probably won't be it.

Also, despite being labelled as unisex, for me this definitely more than leans over to the masculine side.