This is what I was thinking for a colleciton.

[tarheel1]

So far these are what I am thinking of having for a collection. Let me know what you think or if I should add others.
Penhaligon's Emdymion
Penhaligon's opus 1870
Penhaligons Racquets
Floris Santal
Floris JF
Floris no 89
Floris Elite
Floris 127 maybe.

I have not tried any of the Floris except the santal but I am sure it is quality stuff. I am waiting on some floris samples so that might change and I might like some more of the penhaligons or C&S. I do like some of the t&h but the samples did not last long on me ad have not tried the trumpers. There are some creed scents I like but they are pricey and french so I think I will stick to English for now.

 

[SRock]

Wow, you going to rob a bank? Thats going to run you some coin. There are some good scents there though.

 

[scoof]

I think that's a lot of fragrance to buy blind. Stick to the samples until you've used them, then you'll know what you like. Because this is really about what you (and perhaps your SO) like, not what we like.

 

[tarheel1]

I think that's a lot of fragrance to buy blind. Stick to the samples until you've used them, then you'll know what you like. Because this is really about what you (and perhaps your SO) like, not what we like.

The floris are the only ones I have not tried yet, but should have the samples on monday. Just trying t build a wish list so I can purchase when I get the chance. I love the pen fragrences I have listed and there are some more I want to try.

 

[SRock]

i think that's a lot of fragrance to buy blind. Stick to the samples until you've used them, then you'll know what you like. Because this is really about what you (and perhaps your so) like, not what we like.

+1

 

[The Nid Hog]

Those are certainly some nice fragrances. If it were me, I'd run through the samples then--if I still liked them--limit myself to a buy of one from each house. See how they wear. You can continue to add to your cache over time. However, there are just so many different things out there that I think that you'd be feeling limited by your own purchases if you bought heavily into Floris and Penhaligon's right off the bat. If you discover some boutique fragrance that you like better that resembles one of the Floris ranges, then you'll either have a very expensive dustgatherer in the Shave den or you'll be selling it on the B/S/T at a loss. Take it easy. At least that's how I do it on my budget. On the other hand, if you got the ducats, why not?

 

[Wingnut]

Those are certainly some nice fragrances. If it were me, I'd run through the samples then--if I still liked them--limit myself to a buy of one from each house. See how they wear. You can continue to add to your cache over time. However, there are just so many different things out there that I think that you'd be feeling limited by your own purchases if you bought heavily into Floris and Penhaligon's right off the bat. If you discover some boutique fragrance that you like better that resembles one of the Floris ranges, then you'll either have a very expensive dustgatherer in the Shave den or you'll be selling it on the B/S/T at a loss. Take it easy. At least that's how I do it on my budget. On the other hand, if you got the ducats, why not?

+1 to the above. Well said!

 

[Storm]

This is what I wrote yesterday to someone else who wants a "collection" (never saw a post like that before, and now two in two days) --


"Collection" implies you want to put together an awesome impression of value and rarity. A Star Wars Collection is one that is worth something and retains value and can impress friends when you show them. Is this what you're asking?

OTOH, if you're looking to experience "one of each" as you dive into this fun, gratifying and (let's face it) expensive hobby, I'd strongly suggest you shop on Amazon for samples and The Perfumed Court for decants. Find a scent you like and inquire what might be similar. WHY do you like that scent? Find others that have the similar notes.

Just getting "one of each" decants of (for example) Creed scents from TPC in the small $3 decants can cost you over $150. And that excludes the many MANY other quality scents out there from places like Penhaligon, Guerlain, C&S, etc.

Research, sample, smell, spend.

 

[bishop]

As an allergy sufferer, let me remind you that no cologne or aftershave is worth dropping scads of money for until you've tested it for a reaction. No matter how much you may like a scent or brand, you'd better be sure you can handle wearing it all day long without a stopped-up nose or watery eyes.

 

[thirdeye]

Penhaligon's Emdymion
Penhaligon's opus 1870
Penhaligons Racquets
Floris Santal
Floris JF
Floris no 89
Floris Elite
Floris 127 maybe.

....Now that's an impressive line-up!

 

[Biffo]

Try them first, make sure you can live for a day with them on, not just the initial application/smell from the bottle. I tried all of the Floris before finally settling on just one that I and HI thought smelt good on me and lasted. And finally its not just the expensive colognes worth a punt, some of the mid priced or "gasp" cheapie's can be well worth the effort

 

[tarheel1]

Well so far the only Floris I care for is Santal and JF. I will try the others more but think the Penhaligons is a better option. I can deal with only having 2 Floris scents.

 

[ClubmanRob]

Well so far the only Floris I care for is Santal and JF. I will try the others more but think the Penhaligons is a better option. I can deal with only having 2 Floris scents.

This helps give credence to my theory that you're either more of a Floris man or more of a Pen's guy, neither of them equally. There's two or three Pen's frags that I enjoy, but I like almost everything that Floris makes.

 

[tarheel1]

This helps give credence to my theory that you're either more of a Floris man or more of a Pen's guy, neither of them equally. There's two or three Pen's frags that I enjoy, but I like almost everything that Floris makes.

Well I guess I am more of a Pens guy. I like all of theirs but maybe 2 thus far.

 

[Austin]

You will find that Pen's Endymion and Floris Santal are very similar. You should try Floris Vetiver. It's one of the best Vetiver scents you can buy.

 

[RoyalKooparillo]

Those are certainly some nice fragrances. If it were me, I'd run through the samples then--if I still liked them--limit myself to a buy of one from each house. See how they wear. You can continue to add to your cache over time. However, there are just so many different things out there that I think that you'd be feeling limited by your own purchases if you bought heavily into Floris and Penhaligon's right off the bat. If you discover some boutique fragrance that you like better that resembles one of the Floris ranges, then you'll either have a very expensive dustgatherer in the Shave den or you'll be selling it on the B/S/T at a loss. Take it easy. At least that's how I do it on my budget. On the other hand, if you got the ducats, why not?

You will find that Pen's Endymion and Floris Santal are very similar. You should try Floris Vetiver. It's one of the best Vetiver scents you can buy.

+1 to both of these gentlemen.

In the Floris/Pen's battle I tend to favor the scents from Pen's. But each house has their stars. I'm really enjoying Santa Maria Novella these days.

 

[jonnyt]

Are you sticking to Pens and Floris because of their links to shaving and the fact that they're old English houses? If so, you should definitely sample some Trumpers. I own colognes from all three houses (and many more besides) and Trumpers can stand beside the best despite being much more reasonably priced.
If you just want to get a good range of colognes, I'd advise you to broaden your horizons a little, it'd be a shame to spend as much as you're planning and stick to two houses when you could afford to have one each of, say, L'Artisan, Creed, Guerlain, Hermes, Frederic Malle or any of the hundreds of boutique parfumers.

Also, the selection you have is a little samey (but oddly missing Blenheim Bouquet, which is the nicest of the style you seem to like), have you considered trying Elixir or Hammam Bouquet so you have something in your collection in a totally different style to the others?

Finally, don't blind buy. If you can't get to a shop to sample there are plenty of places online that will send samples. There are dozens of scents I love on others that don't work on me, or that I love on my skin after 5 minutes but hate after an hour. The chances of you ending up with 10 blind buys that suit your skin and you love is pretty small, so unless you don't mind selling on unwanted bottles at a loss, try them out first.

 

[copperhead]

Those are certainly some nice fragrances. If it were me, I'd run through the samples then--if I still liked them--limit myself to a buy of one from each house. See how they wear. You can continue to add to your cache over time. However, there are just so many different things out there that I think that you'd be feeling limited by your own purchases if you bought heavily into Floris and Penhaligon's right off the bat. If you discover some boutique fragrance that you like better that resembles one of the Floris ranges, then you'll either have a very expensive dustgatherer in the Shave den or you'll be selling it on the B/S/T at a loss. Take it easy. At least that's how I do it on my budget. On the other hand, if you got the ducats, why not?

This is what I wrote yesterday to someone else who wants a "collection" (never saw a post like that before, and now two in two days) --


"Collection" implies you want to put together an awesome impression of value and rarity. A Star Wars Collection is one that is worth something and retains value and can impress friends when you show them. Is this what you're asking?

OTOH, if you're looking to experience "one of each" as you dive into this fun, gratifying and (let's face it) expensive hobby, I'd strongly suggest you shop on Amazon for samples and The Perfumed Court for decants. Find a scent you like and inquire what might be similar. WHY do you like that scent? Find others that have the similar notes.

Just getting "one of each" decants of (for example) Creed scents from TPC in the small $3 decants can cost you over $150. And that excludes the many MANY other quality scents out there from places like Penhaligon, Guerlain, C&S, etc.

Research, sample, smell, spend.

+1 on the views expressed by these gentleman.

 

[masonjarjar]

I'm still going through my Floris samples and I've got my set almost 2 years ago.. My favorite is Elite but that's just me. It actually doesn't have a huge fan club here..

 

[jakespoppy]

I'm almost finished working through samples from Floris, Pens, Trumpers, and C&S, and have only found one or two in each that I like well enough to buy. I'm not going to mention which ones here, because my point is, I didn't have an overwhelming preference for only one "house", I just liked one or two from each, and they're not necessarily the same ones that seem to be the most popular here. I've also found some that I really like from other houses. For me, there are two activities to be enjoyed here, the first is trying different frags to discover those that you do like, and this is a very enjoyable process. I get almost as much enjoyment out of finding those I don't like, and trying to figure out why. The second activity is obviously wearing those that you do really like and matching them to the right occasions and seasons.

Enjoy both activities.