Mambo Mix for Men
Liz Claiborne (2007)

Mambo Mix for Men by Liz Claiborne (2007) is a flanker to the original Mambo for Men by Liz Claiborne (2001) and honestly feels more like what the original should have been, even if I do like the original a lot. You see, Mambo for Men was a spiced semi-oriental fougère riding on the DNA of Curve for Men by Liz Claiborne (1996), feeling related to its Latin theme only by way of the heavy dose of cinnamon leaf in the heart. Mambo for Men sort of became the de-facto choice for more mature men not wanting the sweetness of the original Curve for Men, making Mambo for Men feel like a flanker in all but name. Most of Mambo for Men's current notoriety comes from its frequent mention by "Scores Man" from The Howard Stern show, which is something, and Mambo Mix for Men doesn't get to benefit from that.

Mambo Mix for Men is quite the opposite of this mature-leaning spiced direction, being a bold and sour melon aquatic built on a heart of compressed sythetic resins and clear leathery musk compounds. Mambo Mix for Men sits somewhere between Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren (2002) and Kenneth Cole Reaction (2004) in temperament, with dihydromyrcenol aquatic notes, a sour lime, and a cucumber opening that moves into watermelon ketone vibes before descending into the aromatics. Caraway, balsam fir, and sage comprise the middle, but these are very clearly stylistic impressions of those notes, as you get this abstract clear green vibe that goes over patchoulol and a leathery base similar to Polo Blue. Sheer musks, clear woody accords, and linalool spit-shine finish out Mambo Mix for Men, with moderate performance.

I'd be lying if I said this scent didn't smell fantastic in the opening, and the dry down isn't half-bad either; but I also have a nostalgic taste for these 2000's candy ozonics and things like Calvin Klein cK Crave (2002) or Abercrombie &Fitch Fierce Cologne (2002). Granted, 2007 was pretty late for this style as blue aquatics had reasserted themselves thanks to contributions from Bvlgari and Dolce & Gabbana, but that doesn't stop Mambo Mix for Men from smelling more like a tropical Latin-inspired fragrance than its progenitor. If you're not a fan of this very 2000's vibe, you'll likewise hate this too; and it is probably for the best since Elizabeth Arden elected not to pick up production of the flanker when it purchased Claiborne Cosmetics, meaning Mambo Mix for Men will never reach the bizarre heights of the lauded Candies for Men by Liz Claiborne (1999). In other words, this is still a relatively cheap thrill. Thumbs up