Too much perfume in the Perfumed Court!

[The Last Chimney]

I'm just getting into the cologne scene and am pretty excited about it! After a sampler of Truefitt, Trumper's and with some C&S on the way, I'm about to put in a large order from TPC for a good range of samples, and deciding on the lineup is difficult.

I'd like feedback on a couple things; if any of the scents I've picked out are similar to each other (I want a good variety), or if there's a type of scent that I've completely missed. Here's what I've got so far:

Caldey Island Lavender
Diptyque Tam Dao
L'Occitane Vetyver
Dior Eau Savauge
Soivohle Underworld
AdP Colonia
Grey Flannel
L'Artisan The Pour un Ete
Serge Lutens A La Nuit
Montale White Aoud
Creed GIT
Knize Ten
Tom Ford Amber Absolute

Any thoughts?

 

[StylinLA]

From the look of your samples ordered, you're very discerning.

I wouldn't worry about similarities. Try them each and see what you think.

 

[rtb178]

Have you tried Encre Noire? Just something I've sampled, and was impressed with.

More generally, I just got some samples from two folks at Crystal Flacon (Mudassir and Archmemory) at a much better price than that of TPC. Maybe check them out?

 

[vertigo12314]

Caldey Island Lavender
Diptyque Tam Dao
L'Occitane Vetyver
Dior Eau Savauge
Soivohle Underworld
AdP Colonia
Grey Flannel
L'Artisan The Pour un Ete
Serge Lutens A La Nuit
Montale White Aoud
Creed GIT
Knize Ten
Tom Ford Amber Absolute

Any thoughts?

I have the bolded ones and they are all fantastic and very different. I would also look at similar scents because even if the fragrance notes are similar the mix is so different that you can't really call them the same.

Caldey Island Lavender is more grassy green and deep blue lavender than any other lavender I've enjoyed. Gris Clair is a smoky lavender, and Caron Pour Homme has a strong vanilla note to it but are great in their own way. Grey Flannel has got some nice violet but with the oakmoss it's very different from Green Irish Tweed which has nice violet mixed with sandalwood in the drydown that's classic. Grey Flannel is more green and some feel there's some pepper in it even if it's not in the notes. Eau Sauvage is straight citrus with some noticable basil and a small amount of vetiver. Creed's Royal Water is a little more fruity but also has some basil yet I find them quite different in the end. For price Eau Sauvage is a better deal than Creed, but Royal Water is no slouch. L'Occitane Vetyver is more rooty and woody than Guerlain vetiver (more grassy) and both smell quite different despite both including vetiver. AdP Colonia is basically a nice lemon with a strong rose middle note and strong powder note that some like and some don't. It'll be good for you to compare AdP and Dior to see which kind of citrus you like better (more herbal or floral). Your list is a good start. As usual there's always more great stuff to try.

 

[The Last Chimney]

Have you tried Encre Noire? Just something I've sampled, and was impressed with.

More generally, I just got some samples from two folks at Crystal Flacon (Mudassir and Archmemory) at a much better price than that of TPC. Maybe check them out?

Interesting. They're definitely cheaper than TPC, though it looks like most of the vendors do a 2mL minimum, which works out to about the same price for a sample, and I don't really need more than 1mL to decide. I'm having trouble finding a few of these scents. I think I'll stick with TPC for now, but thanks for the referral! I just sort of latched on to TPC as a site with good selection after seeing it mentioned in a couple B&B posts, and I'm sure I'm missing out on good sites elsewhere.

Caldey Island Lavender is more grassy green and deep blue lavender than any other lavender I've enjoyed. Gris Clair is a smoky lavender, and Caron Pour Homme has a strong vanilla note to it but are great in their own way. Grey Flannel has got some nice violet but with the oakmoss it's very different from Green Irish Tweed which has nice violet mixed with sandalwood in the drydown that's classic. Grey Flannel is more green and some feel there's some pepper in it even if it's not in the notes. Eau Sauvage is straight citrus with some noticable basil and a small amount of vetiver. Creed's Royal Water is a little more fruity but also has some basil yet I find them quite different in the end. For price Eau Sauvage is a better deal than Creed, but Royal Water is no slouch. L'Occitane Vetyver is more rooty and woody than Guerlain vetiver (more grassy) and both smell quite different despite both including vetiver. AdP Colonia is basically a nice lemon with a strong rose middle note and strong powder note that some like and some don't. It'll be good for you to compare AdP and Dior to see which kind of citrus you like better (more herbal or floral). Your list is a good start. As usual there's always more great stuff to try.

Thanks for all the descriptions! It'll help me identify my favorite notes; usually I have practically no idea what I'm smelling. I checked out Gris Clair and it looks excellent. I might end up adding that to the list. Serge Lutens has interesting looking stuff; I can't wait to try their A La Nuit.

I was going to wait until my budget could take the blow more easily, but this is making me impatient...

 

[rickboone1]

I haven't been impressed with any Creeds nor Grey Flannel. The other, however, nice picks. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. FWIW, I too find TPC a bit pricey. Shop around.

 

[Munxcub]

I just had a smell of L'Occitane Vetyver on the weekend and was quite impressed. One pump to the wrist lasted at least 8 hours or so... was shocked.

 

[Chuck Norris]

Dior Eau Savauge and Grey Flannel can be found at Sephora or some dept stores for a few free sprays/a free sample.

 

[tehtimmeh]

I haven't been impressed with any Creeds nor Grey Flannel. The other, however, nice picks. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. FWIW, I too find TPC a bit pricey. Shop around.

TPC is pricey compared to some of the other places where you can get decants, however, in my experience, they generally have been very generous with the size of the samples. I have ordered 2.5 ml samples and they have actually instead sent me sample sizes of 4 or 5 ml on several occasions at no extra charge.

I recently ordered a 2.5 of the vintage tabarome to see what all the fuss was about (still not quite sure what the fuss is about, but that's another topic) and they actually sent me 5ml. Considering the price of that particular frag, I felt it was quite generous of them.

 

[goby]

I just had a smell of L'Occitane Vetyver on the weekend and was quite impressed. One pump to the wrist lasted at least 8 hours or so... was shocked.

I might actually blind buy this. The reviews are amazing.

 

[Munxcub]

I blind bought Guerlain Vetyver based on its and L'Occitane's reviews. Am happy with it and will most likely buy L'Occitane soon.

 

[gswearengin]

I might actually blind buy this. The reviews are amazing.

Is there not a L'Occitane near you? I also checked it out on its strong reviews...I loved the descriptions. The cologne is lovely, but it is not for me. Personally, once it hit my skin I got almost no vetiver. It felt as though I had sprayed Penhaligon's Opus 1870 (or something else with a lot of cedar and spice in it) on one wrist, Calvin Klein Obsession on the other, and then rubbed them together. I am not a fan of Obsession, so it didn't work for me. If you like both of these scents, you will probably find the L'Occitane Vetyver to be incredible.

It is nothing like Guerlein Vetiver, though. Not that there is anything wrong with that, isn't that kinda the point? Just out of curiosity, has anyone else had the same experience of no vetiver in the L'Occitane Vetyver once it hits your skin?

GS

 

[szili07]

After you've sampled a few it's good to find out what type of fragrances do you like the most. Heavy, spicy, oriental, fresh, citrusy, etc. give me an indication of your choices and I will recommend you some classics or very good quality ones. I have been working in the high-end perfume business for a long time and I'm new to DE shaving which is why I'm here. By the way rtb178 mentioned Encre Noire which is from a perfume house called Lalique and it has tons of character and also one of the best fresh vetiver fragrances on the market!!! Let your olfactory system on a journey and you will find some true greats!!

 

[The Knize]

After you've sampled a few it's good to find out what type of fragrances do you like the most. Heavy, spicy, oriental, fresh, citrusy, etc. give me an indication of your choices and I will recommend you some classics or very good quality ones. I have been working in the high-end perfume business for a long time and I'm new to DE shaving which is why I'm here. By the way rtb178 mentioned Encre Noire which is from a perfume house called Lalique and it has tons of character and also one of the best fresh vetiver fragrances on the market!!! Let your olfactory system on a journey and you will find some true greats!!

<I have been working in the high-end perfume business for a long time >

Welcome, welcome, welcome, szili07!!!

I would be saying that even if you had worked in the high-end perfume business, but I have to admit that I am truly looking forward to reading your posts--I encourage you to post a bunch!--and having fantasies as to how valuable it will be to have you on this board!

Anyway, welcome!