FRAGRANCE | A*Men EDT by Thierry Mugler: A timeless gourmand

halfwhiteboy - Thierry Mugler A*Men EDT

Having been around for more than 20 years will definitely net you your own share of fans and haters. But what better way to be introduced to the house of Thierry Mugler than with its flagship men's fragrance A*Men.

I'm not necessarily a fan of the rubberized exterior but that's his distinguishing mark, then so be it. From the moment I first sprayed it—20 years late, I know—I was hooked. There's something comforting about this delectable combination of caramel, coffee, and vanilla. And chocolate. And tonka. And whatever else is thrown in there. It just smells yummy. It's rich, in a way milky, with an underlying smoky note. No, it's not incense-y or anything like that but rather it's more along the lines of something sweet that's burnt, but beautifully so.

A minty floral accord accompanies the sweet opening although it quickly moves away from the main stage. It's still there but it's the gourmand sweetness of A*Men that really charges forward and takes over. There's an earthy scent, somewhat dusty and woody, that appears later in the drydown but it's not as prominent.

The fragrance lasts for hours, with moderate to heavy projection in its first two or so (I still got noticed by colleagues 5 or 6 feet away and after almost 2 hours since applying it), then gradually weakens and settles close to the skin thereafter. Although it can be strong, I don't think it's a roaring beast by any means. I don't find it cloying either. For most of the day this fragrance wraps you in a delicious scent bubble. It also taps you every now and then, reminding you that it's still around, just in case you forgot.

Despite its age, Thierry Mugler's A*Men never feels dated and in fact could be a gourmand that was launched yesterday. It's very contemporary. While it's best suited for colder temperatures, I personally wear it with ease at any time of year. The scent, its modest performance, let alone its relatively inexpensive price tag, all make for something that's more than worth a try. Mugler may have launched a gazillion other flankers (A*Men Kryptomint, for one) but to me this one, the original A*Men, is still a keeper.

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