I've owned CK2 for almost 7 years and have yet to review it. I always thought it wasn't the right time and kept putting it off for another time. But now, that time has come. Firstly, rarely, but it happened, CK has released perfumes of niche, disruptive, counter-current quality. To name a few,
Obsession for Men Eau de Toilette and
CK One Eau de Toilette. And CK2 adds to this list with its mineral, powdery, and smoky contrasts. CK2 is another genderless perfume like CK One, but they are different. CK2 has an immediate dewy, maritime character, with salty undertones, pungent green wasabi leaves, light violet, mineral pebbles and woody notes, and unlike CK One, it is a scent that recalls a clean and idealised Zen garden.
CK2 opens with an aroma that is hard to describe. I try to explain it to you, but it is an ineffable feeling. It's fresh, it's watery, it's spicy, it's mineral, it's ozonic, and metallic at the same time, salty with a bit of a citrus breeze too. Something rare and unique to me that I've never smelled in any other perfume. The citrus edge of the mandarin orange is subdued and mostly obscured by the horseradish root and violet leaves. If the green, watery freshness, with a metallic touch and that smell of freshly mown grass typical of violet leaves is something I'm used to, horseradish leaves me blown away, even if the taste of wasabi is familiar to me. Wasabi is most commonly known as the spicy green paste featuring horseradish and served as a condiment to all forms of sushi, so rich in sulphur. Those who have eaten sushi know the mustard, peppery, horseradish flavour it can have. As far as I know, a few fragrances feature wasabi; you can count them on your fingers. It's hot, with no harshness and no lasting burn, with green, herbal, and pure flavour.
The heart is made of stone, and I'm not kidding. This synthetic element smells like pebbles mixed with floral and powdery accords of soft rose petals and vivid iris rhizomes, creating something extraordinary together. It reminds me of the smell of wet stones drying in the sun, a tad dusty and a bit dewy. Overall mineral, I can see why some people relate it to pebbles. Underneath, I catch some nuances of watery flowers, which remind me of white jasmine and pink peony. This middle phase is filled with aquatic, floral, and a subtle powdery scents. Iris and rose to create a classic bouquet with a unique hint of wet cobblestone. The underwater and mineral notes balance out the florals, stopping them from being too strong.
The dry-down is relatively quiet, with grassy and earthy vetiver notes, smoky incense and creamy sandalwood. Natural and fresh accords fuse to create a contrasted connection. A shadow of muskiness blends with a dry woodiness and a wateriness. Moreover, the distinctive pebble or mineral note lasts a bit in the base. If I smell the blotter after many hours or even days, I catch the airy, clean, and watery accords.
It has a good amount of staying power, strength and spread for a watery and airy scent. It's great for summer, hot days, and casual occasions, especially with its floral and citrus notes. I'm happy to wear it in an office setting as it is not inappropriate and always puts me in a cheerful mood. With my male skin, it wears neatly. This emulates the smell of wet river pebbles, and it's incredible how the master perfumer has captured it.
I'm basing my feeling on a bottle I've owned since July 2016 (BC 6081, PD 2016-03-21)
-Elysium
Top Notes 
Heart Notes 
Base Notes 
AJG
DPArtist
Topfpflanze3
HugoMontez
Brightstar
