Fragrances
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I picked up a dozen or so samples recently, mostly those discussed in this thread. Some of my favorites:
CDG Black Pepper. Very wearable. Pepper is strong and then everything sweetens after the dry down. Picked up a full bottle for daily wear.
CDG Conrcete. Similar to black pepper, but more "milky" if that makes sense. Still in sample mode. Pairs great with black pepper.
CDG Copper. I call this the fuck you fragrance. Super in your face copper scent but dries down to something totally unique. Projection is big time. I went through 2 samples and bought a decant because F you.
19-29 Chronic. This one smells great after the dry down. Might get a bottle eventually. I think its musky. Someone more knowledgeable could describe it better.
19-29 Purple Haze. My dad wore something like this all my childhood. I don't recall the dominant scent, but it goes really well with the chronic when you combine them
CDG Celluloid Garabanum. Soapy smell. I really like it. Might get a decant. Ive paired it with copper and it works well together. An F U fragrance.
CDG Odeur 71. Reminds me of copper, the base notes are similar. dust on a lightbulb is a good way to describe the scent. -
@jdwaid some great recommendations and appreciate your take on all of these. I got the CDG sampler a while ago and after spending time with all the scents the one I keep coming back to now is Black Pepper. As you said, it’s very wearable. Need to try some of the others you mentioned
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@SKT appreciate the feedback
Luckyscent was where I went to find the samples. They are $4 each and a very low risk way to explore the full range. Fragrantica offers some 10-30ml decants of a few of these, which is great if you find something you want to explore further but not ready to commit to a full bottle. -
As @Chap says, Roja Elysium is so so good. You have to pay for the privilege though
at the other end of the price spectrum the Lalique Encre Noir range is brilliant - dark, earthy, dry and woody. Very masculine and niche quality fragrance for next to nothing price wise. Roundabout £30 for 100ml here in the UK.
For the obsessive compulsives among us (I’m thinking that may be a few) the Parfumo app is great, keep track of decants you’ve tried, leave yourself notes on each, create a wish list etc. I understand that this is next level geekery but yeah whatever. Enjoy
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Encre Noir is really great. I couldn't believe how cheap it was when I came across it — no idea what's going on there but I'm not complaining haha...
WTB
IHSH-IHG-BLK XXL
Sugar Cane Coke Stripe SS L charcoal -
@popvulture I know me either.. I usually prefer more fresh/citrus stuff to be honest and read all the hype for Encre on Fragrantica so ordered some decants. A bit out of my comfort zone at first but ordered a full bottle of the original and the extreme version on the third day. Insane quality for the price. Zadig & Voltaire this is him is in the same vein but a little more expensive and may be perhaps even better for me. Same perfumer too
(thanks fragrantica) -
One super old school citrus one I've always liked is Guerlain Imperiale. It doesn't have much staying power but it's really fresh and nice. And pretty damn cheap.
WTB
IHSH-IHG-BLK XXL
Sugar Cane Coke Stripe SS L charcoal -
@popvulture @DeeDee85 I had Encre Noire a few years and love wearing it in the rain, currently pulling out my winter scents, tonight Tom Ford a tobacco
Oud and have also been wearing Serge Lutens Chergui, which is a beautiful Tobacco and Hay scent. During the day I’m wearing Frederic Malle, Monsieur, nice autumn Patchouli. Manuel Cross Rogue Perfumery based in New York does some amazing vintage inspired stuff, no synthetics and he does not follow IFRA guidelines so uses real oak moss, beautiful stuff
After denim perfume is a huge passion of mine and have around 120 bottles now 
I see it as food for the nose and love the search of new smells -
@popvulture
Encre Noir smells like fresh railroad ties , but in the best way. -
@popvulture guerlain is a fantastic house! Very affordable too
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@DeeDee85 try Bergamask by Orto Parissi, its a strong enough dark citrus scent that you can wear through winter
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@popvulture @jiminstitches thank you very much for the recs, will make a note of these for when I next order some samples.
