Summer for Men 2013

The Verdict

Burberry Summer for Men 2013 was a limited-edition release designed to capture the spirit of the warm season. The community agrees that the scent itself is genuinely pleasant, a bright, aromatic citrus blend that smells exactly like summer should. Unfortunately, the near-universal complaint is that it barely lasts. With some wearers reporting the fragrance disappearing within an hour, this becomes a scent you smell in the bottle more than on your skin.

The result is a frustrating paradox: a fragrance that gets the composition right but the performance completely wrong, leaving wearers wishing they could enjoy the beautiful opening for more than a fleeting moment.

What It Smells Like

The opening is the star of the show. Yuzu and mandarin create a bright, natural citrus burst that avoids both bitterness and synthetic sweetness. Icy mint adds a cooling freshness, while juniper berry contributes a subtle aromatic depth. Petitgrain rounds out the top with its characteristic green-citrus crispness.

The heart brings thyme and driftwood into the picture, giving the fragrance an herbal, slightly marine quality. Gorse, a note associated with coconut-like sweetness in nature, adds an unexpected warm touch. The base of white musk, cedar, amber, and amyris provides a clean woody foundation, though few reviewers report experiencing it fully before the scent fades.

When to Wear It

This is a pure summer fragrance, best suited to hot weather activities where its refreshing citrus-mint character can shine. Beach days, outdoor lunches, and casual morning wear are its natural habitat. The light, inoffensive nature means it never risks being too heavy in the heat. Just be prepared to reapply frequently if you want the scent to accompany you past the first hour.

Longevity & Projection

This is where Burberry Summer for Men 2013 collapses. Multiple reviewers on Basenotes report the fragrance lasting less than an hour on skin. Even the more generous assessments suggest 2-3 hours at best, with projection limited to the immediate vicinity of the sprayed area. The initial citrus burst projects well for a few minutes before rapidly collapsing into a barely-there skin scent. Frequent reapplication is not a suggestion but a requirement.

The Community Says

Basenotes reviewers are blunt, calling it a very boring and inconsequential fragrance that lacks staying power. Fragrantica users are more forgiving of the scent itself, praising the opening citrus as not sweet citrus, neither bitter citrus, but uniformly criticizing the longevity. The consensus is that the initial few minutes are amazing, but the fragrance transitions to basenotes without giving enough time to enjoy the journey. One reviewer in a tropical climate noted it comes across a bit sour initially but blends into something fresh on the skin.

Who Should Buy This

Burberry Summer for Men 2013 suits collectors of limited-edition Burberry releases and anyone who genuinely does not mind carrying a bottle for reapplication throughout the day. If your philosophy is that a fragrance only needs to smell good in the moment and you are happy refreshing it every hour or two, the scent itself justifies the effort.

Everyone else should look elsewhere. The fragrance market offers numerous summer options with similar aromatic-citrus profiles that actually last through a morning, let alone an entire day.

The Bottom Line

Burberry Summer for Men 2013 is a beautiful idea with terrible execution in terms of longevity. The opening minutes showcase a genuinely lovely citrus-aromatic composition, but the inability to stay on skin for any meaningful duration makes it hard to recommend to anyone who values performance alongside scent quality.