Encounter by Calvin Klein

Mandarin, Cardamom, Rum, Pepper, Jasmine, Patchouli, Cognac, Oud, Cedar, Musk.

Okay, so I'm guessing that the designer houses feel the need to add the oud note in their accord listings these days. The "oud" in Klein's Encounter is reminiscent to barbershop implementations the likes of Black Elixir. To be honest, I prefer this type of oud rendition than I do the boisterous versions found in most high end releases. They tend to be permeating beyond reason, but there are exceptions. The more low-end the oud, the more balanced it seems to be to me. One must take into consideration that the barbershop "ouds" I've tried smell nothing like niche versions. I'm not certain it should even be called oud, but that's another argument.

Encounter by Klein opens with a peppery citrus and balsam. There's a herbal element here lending a polite,stem-like aspect to a safe top accord. Nothing groundbreaking, but pleasant is better than the alternative. It seems so may new releases ( including this one ) embody a borderline chemical vibe and cautious approach. Gone are the days of shock and awe, so for the time being, we will have to become accustomed to a more generic totality.

The Agar rendition is akin to some barbershop products like I mentioned above, but it's balanced and has an acceptable interplay with the implementation of Musk. The Earth and Wood tones are downplayed on my skin, but quite possibly may perform better on others. They accent what's already been described, in spite of being blurred representations. Overall, Encounter is an acceptable masculine for today's sensibilities, but just don't expect anything other than a very ordinary scent. Sillage is average with longevity approximately 4 hours or a little better on me. Neutral rating from Aromi for Clavin Klein's Encounter. A sample wear is highly recommended.