What's a good frag for me?

[stryker4526]

So far of the samplers I've tried (GFT, T&H) I have found that I vastly prefer T&H's scents, and my two favorites, in order, are 1805 and Freshman. So I'm guessing I'm a fan of the more oceanic and marine fragrances. Are there any other nice scents in this category that I might like (and are potentially a little cheaper than the T&H juice)? Or heck, are there any good sources for T&H juice that are cheaper than getting it from T&H itself with the coupon code?
Finally taking my first foray into frags. Hopefully it doesn't start another AD because that would be an expensive one.

 

[mistercitizen]

Cool Water if you like T&H Freshman.

Ben

 

[jpipes3]

Chanel Allure Homme Sport. Might not be cheaper at full retail, but it's a lot more accessible so you may be able to find a decant or a used bottle or something.

 

[stryker4526]

Chanel Allure Homme Sport. Might not be cheaper at full retail, but it's a lot more accessible so you may be able to find a decant or a used bottle or something.

Is there any difference in scent between the edt and the cologne? From what I understand edts are usually stronger and longer-lasting. Am I correct?

 

[jpipes3]

I haven't tried the Cologne version, but I'm guessing it would be a little lighter and more citrusy. I'd personally recommend the EDT.

 

[rearviewmirror]

Aspen!

 

[tehtimmeh]

The T&H frags are really just copies of less expensive mainstream designer scents that they threw their label on.

T&H Freshman = Cool Water
T&H 1805 = L'eau d'Issey

The originals are considerably cheaper than the nearly identical juice with the T&H label on it.

 

[stryker4526]

The T&H frags are really just copies of less expensive mainstream designer scents that they threw their label on.

T&H Freshman = Cool Water
T&H 1805 = L'eau d'Issey

The originals are considerably cheaper than the nearly identical juice with the T&H label on it.

Oh really? Well... looking on fragrancex, L'eau d'Issey (plain, not Intense or Sport or Fleur de Bois, as that is what I assume you were talking about) is not any cheaper than 1805 with the discount... Cool Water is definitely cheaper than T&H juice though.

 

[michiganlover]

Aspen!

+1

Aspen is a great cologne, that smells quite a bit like Creed's Green Irish Tweed.

You also can't go wrong with the similar Cool Water. It's been a top seller for a long time for good reason.

 

[stryker4526]

I did just find out that Cool Water is actually a copy of Freshman, which has been around since 1815... but a lot of people seem to think it's a copy that is better than the original, and it's nearly identical for half the price. I think I know which I'll be purchasing.

 

[tehtimmeh]

I did just find out that Cool Water is actually a copy of Freshman, which has been around since 1815... but a lot of people seem to think it's a copy that is better than the original, and it's nearly identical for half the price. I think I know which I'll be purchasing.

Afraid T&H have most assuredly reforumlated all of their scents numerous times since 1815 including a major overhaul sometime around 2004 when all of their scents suddenly became identical to previous successful designer offerings.

Who knows what the original Freshman from 1815 smelled like. Certainly absolutely nothing like it does today.

 

[stryker4526]

Afraid T&H have most assuredly reforumlated all of their scents numerous times since 1815 including a major overhaul sometime around 2004 when all of their scents suddenly became identical to previous successful designer offerings.

Who knows what the original Freshman from 1815 smelled like. Certainly absolutely nothing like it does today.

Interesting about the overhaul in 2004. Makes me wonder what "vintage" T&H might have smelled like.

 

[Nosebud]

I did just find out that Cool Water is actually a copy of Freshman, which has been around since 1815... but a lot of people seem to think it's a copy that is better than the original, and it's nearly identical for half the price. I think I know which I'll be purchasing.

Cool water is actually a copy of GIT. GIT=1985, CW=1988. Take Green Irish Tweed, replace the quality ingredients in GIT with synthetics, add a soap accord to cover up any blemishes and, BAM, Cool Water.

But to answer the OPs question... if you are looking for aquatics, why not try the King of Aquatics, Acqua di Gio.
If you want it a little cheaper look up AdG Essenza on fragrancenet. ~$100 for 180mls. Essenza just has a little more wood and earth with a little less fruit than the original.

 

[Nosebud]

+1 on the reformulation comment. TH definitely did clone CW due to its success.

 

[musicman1951]

I am also fairly new to frags. I now have about 40 samples and 11 bottles and am fairly certain of one thing: you have to try them for yourself.

I found my sample pack from GFT ran from ho-hum to retched (but that's me and I did not get their two most popular). I have done fairly well reading a lot of reviews first - but not always. Some very popular frags do not agree with my nose.

Both guys here provide excellent service and good prices on samples - I recommend them highly. Certainly ask for suggestions - there are some generous guys here with great expertise - and then get samples. Get lots of samples - kick start that AD.

 

[goby]

Finally taking my first foray into frags. Hopefully it doesn't start another AD because that would be an expensive one.

I don't know if anyone has said it, but GFT and T&H aren't exactly great cologne houses. I would spend the money that you would have spent on some samples. There is a whole world out there, and it gets much much much better than GFT or T&H. And there are things you have probably never smelled and maybe never even heard of that will thrill your nose more than anything GFT or T&H has to offer. For me, it's vetiver followed by gourmand.


I was a newbie about a year ago. I'm still a newbie, but I've done some exploring. It's a wonderful world out there.

 

[stryker4526]

I don't know if anyone has said it, but GFT and T&H aren't exactly great cologne houses. I would spend the money that you would have spent on some samples. There is a whole world out there, and it gets much much much better than GFT or T&H. And there are things you have probably never smelled and maybe never even heard of that will thrill your nose more than anything GFT or T&H has to offer. For me, it's vetiver followed by gourmand.


I was a newbie about a year ago. I'm still a newbie, but I've done some exploring. It's a wonderful world out there.

I did end up going with Issey and CW instead of anything T&H or GFT. The GFT scents were kinda meh to me. The problem is I'm not in a position yet where I'm willing to drop hundreds of dollars on a couple ounces of liquid (don't know if I'll ever be), so I'm tending to stick with the "safe" designer frags because they're cheaper, but still smell good.

 

[goby]

Issey is a great scent. Super popular, and for good reason. I'm never smelled CW, but I love Creed GIT. Not really sure how different they are (everyone seems to have a different opinion) but it's been popular for a long time.

 

[stryker4526]

Issey is a great scent. Super popular, and for good reason. I'm never smelled CW, but I love Creed GIT. Not really sure how different they are (everyone seems to have a different opinion) but it's been popular for a long time.

Yeah, I've seen opinions ranging from "it smells exactly the same" to "it's similar, but GIT is so much better it's worth the difference" to "they smell nothing alike to me." I went with CW because I really like the Freshman sample from T&H I got and have read that CW smells exactly the same.

 

[michiganlover]

I don't know if anyone has said it, but GFT and T&H aren't exactly great cologne houses.

I found my sample pack from GFT ran from ho-hum to retched

My limited experience would tell me you guys are 100% spot on. I had samples of GFT Exact of Limes Cologne, and GFT Sandalwood Cologne. Both were absolutely nothing special.

The Extract of Limes smelled of limes, but had about 5 minutes of longevity. Seriously $65 for a cologne that won't last leaving your house? NO THANKS!!

The Sandalwood did smell of Sandalwood, but with no complexity. Just a rather bland smell, that didn't appear to have top notes, middle notes, or base notes. Seemed to be a single note throughout. Not worth more than $20 in my opinion.