It's only our second Monday Mail post for 2017, so again, I hope there are still some readers around who remember the drill! Grimar wants our help finding his perfect indie / niche summer fragrance (he recently bought Amouage Jubilation XXV, and that will cover his winter needs). He can pay up to $300 US. Here is what we know about Grimar:
Grimar is in his mid-20s, and is originally from Central America but currently living in Taiwan.
He says he is generally a very calm person, but he's very outgoing when around close friends or relatives.
He exercises at least 3 times a week, and enjoys doing sports such as football.
Grimar wore Davidoff when he was in his teens, and is currently wearing Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue. He'd like to switch to something less widely worn.
The requirements for his new fragrance: unisex or masculine, with no incense (he doesn't want to duplicate the Amouage Jubilation). It has to work for office wear so should not be too powerful or overwhelming, but he also doesn't want something too casual. His ideal scent would be elegant and sexy, but also assertive, maybe even a little cocky. Good longevity would also be a bonus.
Here is what Grimar has tried so far:
Creed Silver Mountain Water & Green Irish Tweed: he thought they were good but a bit too soapy.
Comme des Garçons Blue Cedrat, Black Pepper & Floriental: not what he wanted.
Comme des Garçons Amazing Green: he liked it, but couldn't make up his mind, and he wasn't sure if the longevity was good enough.
What say you?
Note: top image is Bologna - no bill posting [cropped] by on1stsite. at flickr; some rights reserved.
I would like to recommend,
MFK Pluriel, similar vein to JPG Le Male, but different enough to be distinguished apart. Quite office friendly I think.
Also, Ormande Jayne Man, for those special nights out, and Ifsarkand for a citrus hit that is not run of the mill. I love that fact that you can get both of these in a travel set, so not too expensive.
Another citrus hit that is great for the office and summer is Atelier Colognes’ Cedrat Envirant.
I have been really enjoying Dasein Summer! Bright grapefruit opening that mellows into kind of a green summer floral.
Just a few recs for not winter fragrances….
Frederic Malle Geranium pour Monsieur
Piguet Cravache
Tauer Vetiver Dance
Annick Goutal Eau de Sud (the older one – still available) – has just a touch of cumin to give it an extra something something.
Good luck!
Also Miller Harris Fleurs de Sel a rare gem!
Seconding Eau du Sud!
FM Geranium pour Monsieur is great but you may need to wear a few days to get it, it grows on you
Geranium Pour Monseuir is a perfect masculine!
I would add Annick Goutal Vetiver.
Love Geranium pour Monsieur
I think he might like to try Bottega Veneta Knot. Definitely elegant; assertive but not too much so for the office.
You know that makes me think also of BV Eau Legere – totally unisex and light enough for summer wear.
Atelier Cologne Cedrat Enivrant, as suggested above
Arquiste L’Etrog
Histoires de Parfums 1725
Parfum d’Empire Corsica Furiosa
A classic cologne-style scent might be nice…maybe the Chanel (is it still any good?!) or Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin. Or perhaps The Different Company’s Sel de Vetiver?
The brand new Tauer L’Eau would be perfect! And it’s in the $130. Range, and gorgeous!
You took the words right out of my typing fingers! Exactly what I was going to recommend.
This is a great choice! Long lasting but not a silage monster, fresh for summer and somehow classic yet modern at the same time.
Chanel pour Homme Edition Blanche.
Chanel ALLURE. pour Homme Edition Blanche.
That’s a good one Bear, but I think it has been reformaulated as the newer edition doesn’t seem as floral as before. Still good, but
not quite as good as the original.
Co-sign on this one!
Why not try some of the Parfum d’Empire scents. They make a statement but are mostly not too overpowering. I was thinking of Eau de Gloire, Fougère Bengale, Iskander, Azemour les Orangers and maybe even Cuir Ottoman.
Their site doesn’t seem to be working, but they used to have a very good sample program.
I’d like to second Atelier Cologne! Many of those scents are summer-perfect. Guerlain is hardly indie/niche, but their Vétiver is a gorgeous, sheer summer unisex. The Hermessences could also be good choices (Vétiver Tonka, Santal Massoia, and Paprika Brasil would be good to start with).
I see we are thinking in the same direction. :^)
Iris Ukiyoe! I can’t believe I forgot about that one!
Chanel “Pour Monsieur” – classic
Paul Emilien “Une Belle Journée” – beautiful
Guerlain “Vetiver” – elegant
Annick Goutal “Ninfeo Mio” – cool and calm
Hermès “Iris Ukiyoé” – above the fray
I will “third” the Ateliers (the original ones- Orange Sanguine, Neroli, Oolang Infini, Bois Blondes……also I really like Vanille Insensee on a man and Cedrat Enivrant has also been mentioned and is a good one for the summer….many of these can be found online at discounters for a fraction of the retail price)
Dame Perfumery Citrus Man, Musk Man or Leather Man are all great for summer…New Musk is good too but a bit subdued….and if you are adventurous- Chocolate Man……
Some of the Jo Malone’s may work (Lime, Basil & Mandarin was mentioned above and also Basil & Neroli and Wood Sage & Sea Salt)
My goodness, how could I forget the Berdoues Grand Cru Cologne Collection? Assam of India is great for the summer but so is Scorza di Sicilia as well as Selvo di Brazil…I also like Vanira Moorea but you might find that too sweet …the neroli note is lovely in that one. And if you like a light woody one then Arz el Rab which is ginger, iris and cedarwood. They are all well done and light enough for summer wear but last relatively long on my skin.
Le Galion Eau Noble?
Cartier L’Envol
I second the L’Envol.
The MFK “Acqua”s (Vitae, Universalis). I’m always a fan of Chanel Egoïste.
Jo Malone Oud and Bergamot.
And of the Tom Ford Verts, Vert de Bois.
What about Chanel Pour Monseuir? Not exactly going to break the bank and probably isn’t widely worn.
Sorry to say that I’m off my niche game, but I am always happy to recommend Hermès Voyage d’Hermes for summer. It opens like a gin & tonic, followed by citrus, freshness, and a tolerable spice. It’s quite refreshing. While you’re at the Hermes counter, check out Pamplemousse Rose. (And the orange vert, and the rhubarb, and the neroli,…Actually, just try all of them in that same bottle design. They’re all pretty great for summer.)
And I’ll second (or third. Or fourth!) the Atelier line, the Guerlain Vetiver, and the green Jo Malones. They’re lovely in the heat.
Good luck Grimar!
Adding my vote to Eau du Sud and Guerlain Vetiver.
Have you tried Penhaligons? Not really sexy or cocky (to me at least), but I think they possess elegance and radiate a quiet confidence. You may like Blenheim Bouquet and Opus 1870. Opus 1870 has incense, but I cannot detect it there.
There is also Comptoir Sud Pacifique L’Eau du Gouverneur, but I believe it’s discontinued (not sure), so sampling it may be a problem.
And another thing. Maybe you should explore vetiver fragrances in general, because vetiver is often perceived as both elegant and sexy (and quite professional at the same time). Considering this, I’d also recommend trying Escentric Molecules Escentric 03.
Also, Robin made a series of posts on vetiver fragrances (vetiver fragrances for summer etc.) – lots of recommendations there.
I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest a fragrance that is soon to be launched by the Malaysian indie perfume company Auphorie. I recently ordered their award-winning Miyako, and it was accompanied by an advance sample of Les Tresors de Sriwijaya. It is SO good, and I think that someone who likes Amouage Jubilation XXV would also like Les Tresors.
As soon as samples are available for order, you might want to try Les Tresors along with Miyako and perhaps others.
Also, the notes on per Auphorie on Facebook include:
Mandarin Orange, Peach, Passion Fruit, Orchid, Gardenia, Frangipani, Ylang Ylang, Light Spice Mix, Sandalwood, Oud (Agarwood), Styrax (Storax), Patchouli, Oakmoss, Tobacco, Vetiver, Orris Root, Resins, Cacao Bean, Vanilla Bean, Smoke, Civet, Ambergris, Musk
That may sound like a lot, but it’s not a heavy fragrance. Compared with Amouage fragrances, Auphorie has a slight tropical touch.
Sounds interesting – I’ll put Auphorie on my ‘to test’ list. should get to them some time in 2018. :^)
Le Labo Bergamot 22– a very sunny, juicy citrus with a pale, woody backdrop.
Byredo Palermo – lemon with a Mediterranean vibe.
F Kurkdijan Aqua celestia – summery ocean scent. It’s mineral and isoniazid but without the sun tan note. Very interesting with a prominent note of mint.
Thank you all for the help and responses. I have already started taking a look at all the recommendations.
Thank you very much.
Grim
Hermessence Epice Marine
A discontinued one: Givenchy Greenergy
A cheap thrill: 4711 Cologne
A niche with nice longevity (as much as he´ll get from a “fresh” fragrance at least: Serge Lutens Fleurs de citronnier.
Hope you like them!