The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
The Young Man flanker takes the brand's fragrance premise literally, a scent designed for the transition between boy and man, when identity is still being figured out rather than defended. Translating that into fragrance meant finding notes that could capture that in-between feeling. Grape and blackcurrant bring the energy, bright and fruity, the kind of sweetness that feels immediate and inviting. Basil and coriander provide the counterweight, an herbal lift that keeps things from feeling too sweet or too juvenile. The combination creates something that sits comfortably in that space between childhood and adulthood, present without being loud, sweet without being childish.
The combination of wine grape and blackcurrant is unusual, not the typical citrus-fresh opening you'd expect from a masculine fragrance in this category. The blackcurrant brings that characteristic tart, almost candy-like quality that adds brightness and keeps the opening from feeling flat. The grape note complements it, contributing a deeper fruit element that rounds out the sweetness. What helps this work is the basil, which weaves through the fruit and adds an herbal, slightly peppery quality that keeps the composition from smelling like a dessert or a candy.
The evolution
The opening hits bright, grape and blackcurrant tumbling over each other, sweet and immediate. The basil arrives and shifts the register, the fruit taking on an herbal quality that moves it in a different direction. It's not a dramatic transformation, more like the composition discovering new territory as it develops. The coriander and lavender emerge in the heart, adding a soft, slightly soapy quality that tempers the sweetness and brings a certain elegance to the blend. The licorice is present but never dominates, it lingers in the background like a memory of something sweet you can't quite name. By the drydown, cedar and sandalwood take over, keeping things warm and close to the skin. The white musk softens everything into a skin-hugging warmth that settles into the wearer's own chemistry.
Cultural impact
Young Man doesn't carry the cultural weight of heritage houses or the hype of niche releases. It's a designer fragrance that knows its audience: younger wearers, anyone who wants something with personality without a luxury price tag. The unusual grape-blackcurrant combination gives it a distinctive character within its category, making it memorable for those seeking something different from the typical masculine fare. The overall approach is stylish without taking itself too seriously, a fragrance that invites discovery rather than demanding expertise or connoisseurship.
