AMOUAGE
EPIC MAN

2009

PERFUMER
Randa Hammami

Pink Pepper
frankincense
Saffron
Nutmeg
Cardamom
Caraway
Myrtle
Mace

Myrrh
Geranium

Incense
Oud
Leather
Castoreum
Patchouli
Cedarwood
Sandalowood
Styrax
Musk

I had not smelled Epic Man for about 4 years prior to this wearing and review. It was never one of my favorites when I initially tested many Amouage fragrances; whereas I much preferred Epic Woman (and later Epic 56 became my favorite from the entire brand). I figured it was time to revisit Epic Man.

This goes more in a fougere-direction than I remember, but it also wears nicer than I remember. Often listed as an amber and spicy scent, which it both has prominently, but to me the core of Epic Man feels fougere (I know that lavender is supposed to always be a part of a fougere accord and it’s not listed here, but the overall feeling applies).

Retro, barbershoppy, a tad soapy, but also quite dark and green with a strong resinous woody backdrop. The incense/resins that Amouage was known for add a ton in this otherwise fairly generic scent profile. It uplifts the forest vibe with sweetness and a dense, oily smooth texture. It wears thick and pretty strong, but not at all harsh or sharp at any point in time. It actually feels similar to what Amouage did later with the highly concentrated Exceptional Extraits and how those wear on skin. Not unlike Amouage Jubilation 40 or Interlude 53 in terms of wearing experience.

The opening has more of the (green leaning) spices like nutmeg and cardamom standing out, but it all becomes smooth and blended together almost instantly. The same goes for the heavier notes; you get some earthiness, some leathery tones, but it feels like one big accord, rather than separate facets jumping out at you. The leather has a bit of a shoe polish or gasoline vibe to me here (not jumping out at you like a Gucci Guilty Absolute, but a hint); a type of scent that I rarely enjoy, but it works well together with everything in here.

In many ways, Epic Man is excellently made. Without a doubt a superb constructed fragrance and if you enjoy these, retro, mature, masculine-leaning scents (like perhaps a Roja Parfums Danger), I think Epic Man is one of the best options out there. It’s not likely to ever be a scent profile that I personally love to wear all the time, but I would occasionally and I did definitely enjoy this wear of Epic Man.