X
X by Clive Christian is a masculine-leaning parfum from 2001 in the luxury price tier. It opens with bergamot, grapefruit and cardamom, moves into orris root, jasmine and rose and dries down to sandalwood, vetiver, musk and amber. Expect around 10 hours of wear, and it projects strongly.
Notes, explained
Opening
- Bergamot Sharp citrus with a faint bitter edge. The opening of about half of all men's fragrances.
- Grapefruit Bitter, slightly sweaty citrus. More grown-up than lemon.
- Cardamom Cool, aromatic spice with a eucalyptus lift. Smells expensive.
Heart
- Orris Root Iris root aged for years. Buttery, powdery, unmistakably refined.
- Jasmine Heady, sweet and slightly animal underneath. Rarely subtle.
- Rose Can be jammy, green, peppery or soapy depending on the type. Not one smell.
Dry-down
- Sandalwood Creamy, milky wood. Soft and almost edible.
- Vetiver Dry, earthy, smoky grass root. Smells like soil and citrus peel.
- Musk Warm, skin-like and slightly sweet. Makes a fragrance feel like you.
- Amber Warm, golden and resinous. Not a real material — a blend that glows.
Smells like this
- Ajmal Aristocrat
- Armaf Club de Nuit Sillage
- Amouage Reflection Man
- Xerjoff Ivory Route
- Clive Christian No.1
- Amouage Reflection Woman
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