Encounter Calvin Klein 2012 Eau de Toilette

There is good news to report: CK has left the world of bland unisex fragrances and is trying something new. With the men’s fragrance Encounter, the perfumers aim even lower, targeting the suspected musk variants of many shower gels and drugstore perfumes - just to get the best out of what is presumably a modest budget.

Regarding the top note, I must agree with my predecessor; it is very well done. For me, it has a hint of mandarin, forest fruits, and gummy bears - since it is very subtle, it works quite well. Surely, it is the only element in Encounter that could relate to the "typical" CK fragrances.

After that, it becomes peppery-spicy, especially directly on the skin. There, Encounter is not really pleasant; ultimately, these fragrance components, which I suspect are in the musk category, are only good from a distance from the sprayed spot - but then they are really attractive, more rounded than rough, with a slight sweetness!

As much as this type of scent is in everyone's noses, it is ultimately difficult to describe. The vague term musk represents for me a certain animality that emphasizes the physical presence of the wearer. Since the notes of this kind predominantly occur in very inexpensive, pocket-money-friendly fragrances, many of us have probably learned to associate it with youthfulness - this is how boys smell when they just come from practice.

Some eager perfume testers from Parfumo may not think much of Encounter. Those who cannot keep their nose away from the sprayed spot will primarily perceive bitter-woody synthetics after the top note fades and will rate Encounter accordingly weak. So, out with the noses from the crook of the arm and away from the back of the hand! No sensible person walks around like that! Here, it is better to spray a bit more and wait until Encounter comes to you on its own.

And it will come! Nomen est Omen, Encounter belongs to those fragrances that are directed at others, rather than focusing on the well-being of the sniffing wearer. Encounter needs the cloud, because that’s the only way it works.

I like the idea of starting in the budget range and then making something good out of it. Although the price gap to the world of Axe deodorants in the case of Encounter is not that large. For perfumes that seem to follow this concept, you can also spend significantly more money (Bond No.9 Riverside Drive). Encounter is a contemporary and youthful everyday scent. It is fun if you are willing to overlook the quality standards of niche perfumery and the usual testing behavior.

Oh yes, and I did not notice the now obligatory oud in new releases, let alone as a base note.