Today we’re helping Adrian, who is looking for a new fragrance. He doesn’t care if it’s niche or not, but he’d rather not be wearing the same thing as everyone else, and he likes “the idea of something strange”. Adrian happens to work for a company that makes perfumes, but he is in marketing and says he is not an expert on fragrance (although he does work with some perfumistas). He’d like to find a long-lasting but not overwhelming scent that would work for day or night, and he can spend around $100. Here are some other details about Adrian:
He’s in his late 20s.
He has lived in different places; right now he is in Barcelona.
He likes fashion, clothes, going out, travel, and the internet.
Adrian likes woody notes like cedar, vetiver and patchouli. He’s not a huge fan of sandalwood, though. He also likes iris, leather, oceanic accords or watery accords, moss and violet leaves.
Adrian doesn’t like really sweet or foody notes: vanilla, cinnamon, chocolate, pineapple, coconut, aniseed, licorice or coffee.
For the past few years, Adrian has been wearing Bvlgari Aqva, but he’s getting bored with it. Here are some other fragrances he has tried and/or worn regularly:
Annick Goutal Les Nuits d’Hadrien: not enough staying power.
Bvlgari pour Homme Soir, Guerlain Homme: ditto.
Hermès Terre d’Hermès: too smokey, maybe.
Hermès Un Jardin sur le Nil: too citrusy.
DSquared2 He Wood: he really likes it, but a close friend wears it.
Tom Ford Tuscan Leather: he likes it but it’s too expensive.
Diesel Fuel for Life: too sweet, too much anise.
Prada Infusion d’Iris: he likes the opening but not the dry down.
Prada Infusion d’Homme: too soapy.
Etat Libre d’Orange Tom of Finland: something fatty/oily develops, he doesn’t like it.
Narciso Rodriguez for Him: too much like Coke.
Etro Musk: too soft.
Chanel Bleu de Chanel: he doesn’t like the opening.
What say you?
Note: image is Richmond Green by Mike_fleming at flickr; some rights reserved.
46 Comments
Read more about commenting at Now Smell This.
CdG Wonderwood, YSL M7, Dior Homme Sport, Tauer Lonestar Memories (might be too smoky), or L’Artisan Timbuktu are all worth a shot for longlasting woody scents.
Seconding Timbuktu. I was going to suggest Patchouli 24 for a great unusual leather, but it’s almost certainly too smoky.
Another vote for L’Artisan’s Timbuktu. Check out Dzongkha while you’re there since you like Iris too.
More importantly…where do I send my resume?
Dzongkha from L’Artisan as well?
Its not so interesting like it sounds , but I admit I have good time smelling some things…
I mean my company, not your recommendation
No worries…I also spend an astonishing amount of time sampling. It’s a shame I only have two arms for testing.
Yes, Dzongkha is also from L’Artisan. I think everything they make is worth sniffing. I don’t always want a full bottle in every scent, but I have yet to find any that aren’t respectable.
the first thing that popped into my head is YSL M7 —usually easy to find and inexpensive to boot! Another possibility: Satellite Padparadscha. How do you feel about Sandalwood and tea? Vintage CSP Thé is really nice and within your price range. If you were willing to seek a decant maybe some Roja Dove Unspoken.
Have you tried the new L’Artisan Traversée du Bosphore? That might meet your leather needs and it’s kind of unusual.
I have tried M7 and I think its a bit overwhelming.
I think I have to try L’Artisan Traversée du Bosphore, sounds really interesting.
Thanks a lot, btw
I didn’t know Traversée du Bosphore was out yet. Do you know which stores have it?
Adrian seems to be crying out to be a CDG man. I’d suggest the Artek Standard. I’d also suggest Lubin’s Itasca, which is woody, lavender and vetiver.
Serge Lutens Chêne is a fantastic woody fragrance, and the 50ml LE is just within his price range.
I second Dusan on this, and he can get it in El Corte Ingles (where he can also try the Dior Colognes… I think the Noir should work for Adrian too)
Also check out the perfume shop at Bulevard Rosa, they carry the Different Company among others…
Adrian-definitely check into CdG Patchouli.
an offbeat rec: Rosissimo (les parfums de rosine), a green rose (with vetiver as one of the notes listed) that turns to leathery in the dry down, interesting..
Kyoto by Commes des Garcon: airy and dry incense, woods and amber. Maybe not as long lasting as you want, but you can always refresh!
A more aggressive choice: Iris Bleu Gris by Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier. Very in-your-face opening with bitter greens and rooty iris. It smells old fashioned in just the right kind of way. A must try for anyone who likes iris.
I worried that Kyoto would have too much coffee.
I like aggresive choices..
I will try that one.
thank you
Hi Adrian. Barcelona is such a fantastic city! I’d live there if I could.
Funny, I was going to recomment DSquared HeWood, but see that your friend wears it. I haven’t tried any of the flankers (Rocky Mountain Wood?). Maybe try one of those?
Or how about:
- Marc Jacobs Bang
- The Different Company Sel de Vetiver (a bit expensive, but terrific)
- Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel
- CSP L’Eau du Gouverneur or Bois de Filao
Hello there!
I was thinking maybe Bang is going to be a best-seller (so I’d prefer not to pick this one)
I think one day I tried Sel de Vetiver and was really good, but I almost freaked out with the price.. maybe I have to think in buying some…
Adrian, I totally envy you for your job : ) wish you would tell us more about it
check Ormonde Jayne Man and Zizan, they are so special, woody and wonderful
Hello Ami..
nothing special about my job, most of the time I manage data sales of perfumes… Other times trends in perfumery.. which perfumes are going to be sold better.. naming some perfumes..
thanks for your recommedation…
i do some similar sales data stuff with a cad software. perfume sounds more challanging, but maybe i’m wrong : )
hope you will find your beloved one, in perfume and everything : )
Heeley: Cuir Pleine Fleur – wear it anywhere.
PG’s Bois Blond! Wonderful grassy hay note with cedar. It’s fabulous!
As a guy who has worn more than a few of the same ones you’ve worn, here are my additional suggestions.
Wood:
Comme des Garcons Sequoia
10 Corso Como
Eau de Italie Bois D’Ombrie
Vetiver:
Lubin Le Vetiver
Etat Libre d’Orange Fat Electrician
Tom Ford Grey Vetiver
Guerlain Vetiver
Patchouli:
Ulrich Lang Nightscape
Les Nereides Patchouli Antique
Oceanic:
Kenzo Homme
Some others on my radar:
Montale Red Vetyver
Miller et Bertaux Spiritus
Thanks for that impressive list.
The only one I have tried before is TF Grey Vetiver, so I have some work to do..
Embruns d’Ambre – an oceanic ambre skillfully done by Stephanie de St. Aignan
Parfumerie Generale Iris Oriental and Patchouli Intriguant
Sonoma Scent Studio – Wood Violet (very inexpensive)
The Different Company Bois d’Iris
Van Cleef and Arpels Bois d’Iris
Il Profumo Noir Patchouli
Happy sniffing!
How about Bel Ami by Hermes? It’s got moss, cedar, sandalwood, leather, herbs, cardamom, leather and patchouli. Just tried it a few weeks ago and it was a show-stopper. Could not stop sniffing my wrist. One can find it online for under $100.
How about Parfumerie Generale Psychotrope? Lovely leather and violets, strange plasticky top note. Plus, the name…awesome:)
Guerlain Vetiver for spring time….Habit Rouge when you are in love with yourself…. Aura of Patchouli by Caswell-Massey to bring an air of mystery….,,Mitsouko to drive people crazy around you…do not tell them that you are wearing it…keep the mystery .
Thanks…that was so funny..
Are they still selling Mitsouko? Where I can find it?
Hummm…..Forgot about thios one…..to let people follow you…Profumi de Pantelera…….Maestrale……so delicious….
How about Paestum Rose or Sienne L’Hiver by Eau d’Italie? I also agree on CdG Wonderwood or perhaps Avignon? You might also try Chanel Sycomore, Yatagan, or Terre d’Iris.
PG Bois Blond!
Chanel Coromandel or Sycomore.
Amaranthine.
Etro Sandalo.
Mono Di Oro Nuit Noire…might be interesting.
Bond 9 silver factory…
Let us know if you have tried any of these….
Thanks.
I havent tried any of these ; I didn’t even know they exist!
Hi Adrian,
I’d like to recommend Sens et Bois by The Different Company, a cedary fragrance that’s round rather than sharp. It’s only slightly over budget at $125 for 50 ml (and, of course, decants can be had for much less). Notes according to Luckyscent are: Chinese cedarwood, white violet, black pepper, elemi, ginger, patchouli, vervain, bergamot and incense.
I see that decants of The Different Company’s Bois D’Iris, which someone recommended above, are being sold at special price right now at The Perfumed Court – $9.99 for 5ml and $15.99 for 8ml.
Good luck with your search!
Thanks! Sens et Bois sounds like really matching my tastes.
Big thumbs up for Heeley Cuir Pleine Fleur and Chanel Sycomore.
Hello, Im Adrian.
Sorry for the delay and thanks all of you for your fantastic recommendations!
Seems to me that I have a lot of work to do.
Hmm… not sure I have as many thoughts as others, but noticed you like DSquared Wood. My SO wears this too and on him its a fairly gourmand wood. It’s the only one on the list that got a REALLY like, so I’m wondering if your taste runs more gourmand than you’re aware? Other scents that have the same vibe to me (though not the same notes)–Hanae Mori HM and Burberry Touch for Men.
For a fairly pure but complex Vetiver, I’m loving Encre Noire (men’s version) these days.
ps. All these are super budget friendly too!
Adrian i thought of d-squared before i read ur friend uses it…..Christian Lacroix tumulte homme…will be perfect : cedarwood and incense and a little citrus…MARVELLOUS and unexpensive online….good luck and mostly enjoy
Hmmmm, there are some cracking male fragrances out there! I love everyone’s suggestions!
From Parfumerie Generale:
Cedre Sandaraque
Bois Blond
L’Eau Guerriere (this one is very unusual!)
Cuir D’Iris
Coze
The best vetiver I can think of is Vetiver Extraordinnaire from F.Malle.
A great patchouli is Nombril Immense from Etat Libre D’Orange.
Good luck!
Ah, also try Etat Libre’s vetiver too…er, it’s called Fat Electrician, but don’t be put off by that!