Summer Men 2009

The Verdict

Burberry Summer Men 2009 is a discontinued limited edition that punched far above its weight — and now turns up deeply discounted, sometimes under twenty dollars, making it one of the better steals in men's fragrance. Created by Emilie Coppermann, it delivers a genuinely interesting opening before settling into a more familiar warm-weather drydown. At its current prices, the performance issues that frustrated buyers in 2009 are much easier to forgive.

What It Smells Like

The opening is the reason people talk about this one. Yuzu, lime, and granny smith apple hit bright and tart, but what separates Summer Men 2009 from a hundred generic citrus flankers is caraway. The spice note arrives in the heart alongside driftwood, adding a distinctly masculine, almost rye-bread quality that transforms the citrus freshness into something more textured and grown-up. Community members who love this one consistently point to that opening as "divine" — bitter, sweet, and fresh at the same time.

The drydown, where white musk, cedar, and amber take over, is less exciting. The caraway retreats and the composition becomes a more conventional warm woody musky base. Pleasant, but the spark of the opening doesn't sustain.

When to Wear It

Summer Men 2009 is a warm-weather fragrance without much question. The citrus-spice opening makes it ideal for hot days: beach trips, casual outdoor plans, or any situation where you want something fresh and easy but slightly more interesting than the usual aquatic. The musk base can feel a bit close in cold weather, and the projection issues make it a poor choice for formal situations where presence matters.

Longevity & Projection

The elephant in the room: longevity is genuinely poor. Community ratings hover around 3 out of 5, and firsthand accounts describe the fragrance lasting 1 to 3 hours before fading significantly. Sillage is similarly light — rated around 2 out of 4 on average — staying close to the skin even immediately after application. "Horribly short" is a phrase that comes up repeatedly. Spray generously and reapply if you need it to last.

The Community Says

Most community members who discovered Summer Men 2009 after it was discontinued are pleasantly surprised. The opening combination of citrus, apple, and caraway generates genuine enthusiasm, and the Burberry name adds credibility to what is otherwise a summery, approachable release. The main complaint, almost universally, is performance: some reviewers feel the drydown is too generic to justify even modest full-price enthusiasm, and the disappearing act within a couple of hours tests patience. At clearance prices, though, the calculation changes significantly. Many recommend buying multiple bottles.

Who Should Buy This

The deal-seekers. If you find a bottle under $25, buy it without overthinking — the opening alone justifies that. Men who prefer light, fresh, slightly spiced summer fragrances over aquatics or heavy orientals will appreciate its personality. Those who need projection and staying power should look elsewhere, and anyone hoping for an evening or cooler-weather fragrance will be disappointed.

The Bottom Line

Burberry Summer Men 2009 is a discontinued gem rescued by its discounted aftermarket pricing. The opening is legitimately excellent, the caraway heart is unusual for the category, and the total package makes sense for a warm-weather daily. Its short lifespan is a real flaw — but at the prices it currently sells for, it's hard to be too upset.