I was initially disappointed with 2 Man because it’s so different from CDG 2, which I adore—I felt like labelling this as a flanker is misleading since it’s almost a completely different scent. I also found this one to be less adventurous and original, its masculine flavour a bit too close to more commercial mens’ fragrances. After spending more time with it, though, I have to say it’s grown on me. I’ve come to appreciate how it does share some of the same DNA that I love in CDG 2: mainly the interplay of aldehydes, spices, and incense, though it subtracts 2’s complex cybernetic florals for a subtle iris and does away with the tea accord. Though it doesn’t include “ink” in the official description like 2 does, I find it still gives a hint of that “magazine-page” scent that I like so much in the sister fragrance. Plus, as the weather cooled into fall and winter, I really started to appreciate its leathery, slightly smoky spiced-amber drydown, which is satisfyingly warm and resinous—a lovely twist on the signature clean-incense base of so many CDG perfumes. I find it to be a sophisticated, somewhat bookish masculine fragrance that’s neither too loud nor too conservative. My only complaint is that the aldehydic top notes are both fresh and powdery in a way that reads a bit too much like deodorant (which is what initially put me off)—I prefer how it smells after an hour or two, but the longevity is actually not tremendous, so the drydown phase doesn’t last that long. I also eventually discovered Eris’ Scorpio Rising, which feels like it took the drydown phase of 2 Man and made it sweeter, richer, and more powerful—it’s three times the price, but (unfortunately!) I think it might be worth it.

2 Man really surprised me as I wasn’t expecting this sort of scent profile from a designer fragrance. It opens very spicy straight away with warming masculine notes of nutmeg and caraway, which is then balanced perfectly by airy and powdery aldehydes with a slight fruity touch. From here we get into the depth of the scent - an earthy, dark and vegetal vetiver takes hold and paves way for a base of dark woods, leather and smoky incense. This scent smells incredibly classical and masculine, like a fragrance from a bygone era of vintage-style perfumery which is what took me by surprise. This scent reminds me ever so slightly of Diaghilev, likely due to the aldehydic combo of caraway and leather. It’s masculine, rugged and old-world in all the best ways. I much prefer Diaghilev personally but if I didn’t already own it I would seriously consider this as an alternative.