HM, from Hanae Mori was released in 1997. The perfumer behind this creation is unknown. It has the top notes of Black Currant, Green Notes, Lavender, and Lemon, middle notes of Iris, Jasmine, Lily-of-the-Valley, and Rose, and base notes of Amber, Cedarwood, Dark Chocolate, Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, and Vanilla.
Wow! I can't believe I hadn't tried this one until now and it took something I thought I'd got passed (blind buying) to do it. I have to say that although it's reminiscent of a few flavours I could happily reel off, HM for men is unique enough among scents of this type to have real alt-classic status. The combination of a definite blackcurrant and sharp lemon/grapefruit smell in the opening is very sweet, tropical and quite synthetic, giving an almost jelly baby type of smell. Luckily I enjoy that and it does settle rapidly to something more refined. Just while we're still on the top notes there's a hint of lavender and even a detectable touch of white floral, perhaps the jasmine and iris which all together makes for an interesting opening and heart. The drydown is generally a creamy base of tonka bean, touches of vanilla and white chocolate. I actually really like the soft development of this fragrance into a sweet and calm skin scent. One thing I can't make my mind up on is the quality or refinement of this juice? On the one hand it seems cheap but still quite captivating and wearable on the other. So not bad then lasting power is average and projection dies down after the first hour to a cosy skin scent. This was a good blind buy and I suspect I will wear it.