Joop! Thrill Man Joop! 2009

After the big hit Joop Homme and the piercingly distinct Nightflight, the Joop perfume brand took a significant downturn. They are known for typical designer fragrances that are primarily characterized by apparently inexpensive ingredients. At some point, it was all about quick money. The situation with perfumes is somewhat similar to culinary delights. Even a top chef can't create anything decent from frozen goods, canned foods, and dried herbs.

However, the approach of Thrill is not so bad. It is a somewhat simplified Le Male note, smelling somewhat like gasoline or tar. This usually opulent note is literally dried out by a lot of sandalwood. The dry impression is supported by lavender, which gives the fragrance a nice, floating aura, as well as the note referred to as "apple." I perceived it more as a kind of mint (apple mint?). It is ethereal and fresh and long-lasting.

Thrill is an interesting approach for a kind of Le Male light, quite wearable even in summer…

… if only the perfumer had been given a slightly higher budget. The whole thing is scratchy from start to finish. You can't really sniff it on the skin; it only works at a bit of a distance.

I find that disappointing and frustrating. With better base materials, this could have been a respectable fragrance.