C&S comparison

[red zeppelin]

So I ordered the sampler from C&S, primarily because I wanted to try O&C and 88. I have liked both of them on me, and after having searched on the forums, I notice a lot of people mention that they have found better versions of many of C&S's scents.

For those who have tried them, what are equivalent or similar scents to O&C and 88 in different brands? I assume they would be in the Penhaligons or Floris lines. When I tried 88 on me, it was everything I wanted to like about Floris 89 but didn't.

FWIW I also got the dreaded 'fecal' note from Cuba; I washed it off immediately!

 

[The Knize]

<For those who have tried them, what are equivalent or similar scents to O&C and 88 in different brands?>

I cannot think of them all right now, but there are lots of good lavender scents out there, so arguably similar to O&C. But, I cannot think of one that has the mint. I do not think that anything is really that close to it. O&C is my favorite lavender.

And there are lots of incense scents out there, many very good. But 88 is unique to my nose. Nothing all that much like it.

 

[BillC]

I've never heard people say they've found better versions of C&S frags; I hear that quite often aboutcT&H though. Perhaps you've mixed the two?

I love 88. There are a lotvof rose scents that play in the same ballpark, and I own many of them, but 88 has its own niche in the world. I don't get a lot of similarities between 88 and Floris 89. 89 seems to me Penhaligon's Hamman Bouquet 's less flamboyant younger brother.

Similarly, O&C with its lavendar and mint in your face opening is pretty unique. There are one or two lavendars I like better, but I haven't tried anything quite like O&C. It's many foljs reference lavender.

Regarding Cuba, I getvthe fecal note but it blows off rather quickly. And if you smell closely, I think you'll find that' fecal' note is really a fermented tobacco note. I love this one too. It was one of the first scents that I couldn't let go of when the sample ran out. My only issue with it is I don't find many occasions to wear it.

 

[StylinLA]

Not sure exactly what you are asking red zep... The C&S scents are pretty distinctive. Not sure what is meant by other people saying they "found a better version."

C&S No. 88 is rose and incense... Domencio Caraceni 1913 is rose and incense too. They are kind of similar, but which one is "better" is highly subjective.

 

[tehtimmeh]

Not sure exactly what you are asking red zep... The C&S scents are pretty distinctive. Not sure what is meant by other people saying they "found a better version."

C&S No. 88 is rose and incense... Domencio Caraceni 1913 is rose and incense too. They are kind of similar, but which one is "better" is highly subjective.

No it's not. DC is better. : -)

 

[Lamb Root]

Carré d'As by Parfums de Nicolaï has lavender and mint but Carré d'As is a classic fougere through and through. O&C on the other hand is aromatic medicinal mossy something. What is O&C?

 

[Oscroft]

I have to say I also really like 88 and O&C, and I don't know of anything that I would substitute for either. Nobody seems to mention the frangipani in 88, but to me it adds a subtle extra that I haven't detected elsewhere - and the same (though less subtle) goes for the mint in O&C.

Cuba is an enigma to me. I got the fecal note too, but I do agree it is a scent of fermenting high quality tobacco, as I have detected exactly the same scent in cigars (though I don't smoke them myself). Knowing that, I don't dislike it, and that particular note doesn't last too long - but I haven't bought it because I don't want other people to think I smell like poo.

 

[red zeppelin]

I guess I don't know what I am asking either! I wanted to see if I liked 88 or O&C, should I be checking out something else that is similar? I wore O&C again today but it just confirms that I seem to really be liking 88.

 

[StylinLA]

I guess I don't know what I am asking either! I wanted to see if I liked 88 or O&C, should I be checking out something else that is similar? I wore O&C again today but it just confirms that I seem to really be liking 88.

That's okay...got it.

Basically, you just have to read up on scents and sample for yourself. "Better than" is only relevant to your nose.
You'll see many of us go on and on about different scents, but in the end, it's all very subjective.

 

[The Knize]

< the frangipani in 88>

I agree that this is a very well done part of 88.

I think I understand your question, which is really something like,"88 and O&C seem great. I can feel myself being pulling down the road a lot of folks who get into scents travel, which is wanting to try all sorts of things that smell really good to me and are interesting. Given that I like 88 and O&C, where do I get started?"

Speaking to 88, which somehow seems easier off the top of my head, my suggestions for a number of scents you might find fun to try would be Montale "Black Aoud," and probably a number of other Montales; Domencio Caraceni 1913, for sure, although I am not all that fond of it, I recognize I am in a minority; Tauer "Incense Rose" and probably "Incense Extreme," Profumum" Olibanum"; Pen's "Hammam Bouquet," you may not like it, but it is one to be familiar with and explore; C&S "Dark Rose," although Montale Black Aoud pretty much blows it away. Heeley "Cardinal," maybe. Any number of the Amouages. Maybe MPG Santal Noble. Creed "Windsor." SCS "Bulgarian Rose." La Via del Profumo "Mecca Balsam," wonderful! I do not like Floris 89 that much either, but it is one to know about.