Looking for my first Niche fragrance (men/unisex): fresh, versatile, great performance

[drixenol]

Hi, I'm looking to buy my first Niche fragrance and leaning towards something fresh and good to wear all year round in casual settings (or at least spring, summer, and fall).

I'm hoping the community here might be able to give me some good recommendations. I would be buying this blind since there are no Niche stores in my area where I could try them out. I would want the fragrance to be long lasting and have good sillage, so basically an upgrade from the fresh designer fragrances that I usually enjoy but don't last or project.

I tend to go for blue, fresh, citrus and/or aquatic fragrances which usually suck in performance, but I'm up for whatever as long as I can also wear it in the summer (so not too sweet or wintery scents). A few of my favourite designer fragrances that I've had over the years and loved are Chanel Allure Homme (and all its flankers especially Homme Sport and Edition Blanche), Aqua di Gio (original, Profumo, Profondo, whatever), Bvlgari Aqva Marine, Bleu de Chanel, Versace Pour Homme, Missoni Wave.

I also have and enjoy wearing, but find less versatile: YSL La Nuit de L'Homme (original and Bleu Electrique), Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb (original and Extreme), Azzaro Most Wanted Parfum, Paco Rabanne Ultrared.

And these I have but I don't like: Lalique Encre Noir (way too weird, damp-forest-earth-mushroom-y), Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Le Parfum (way too sweet and coconuty). I dislike and try to stay away from strong smells like leather and tobacco, although I don't mind them if they're very mild in the background. Another no-no is incense because it just reminds me of being inside a church.

I watched a few reviews and the Xerjoff Uden sounds very appealing since it's always compared to Chanel Allure Homme Edition Blanche with its lemon pie smell, but does it dry down too sweet to also be wearable in the summer?

 

[ErroneousFact]

You would probably like Parfums de Marly Percival. My favorite PDM is Sedley but it's more summer focused imo.

Many brands offer sample sets online, and you can get them from decanters.

 

[Pippin06]

New York Intense by Nicolai. I love this one, and find the performance excellent. Some might say it's not the best for summer, while others will. I wear it year around. In the summer, I just wear less.

 

[hednic]

Monsieur by Frederic Malle

 

[cacio]

Pure citrus will be short lasting also in niche. But there are many blue/marine perfumes in niche that last very well. One would be Community by The Zoo. Fresh citrus top, then moving towards marine. I'm always hesitant to recommend blind buys, but this falls pretty well in the genre, so it's probably not going to be a surprise.

Another long lasting fresh material is vetiver. But you say you don't like Encre noire, and there's vetiver there. So I think it's best if you smell other vetiver perfumes first to check if it's vetiver that you don't like.

cacio

 

[drixenol]

Another long lasting fresh material is vetiver. But you say you don't like Encre noire, and there's vetiver there. So I think it's best if you smell other vetiver perfumes first to check if it's vetiver that you don't like.

I do have a Montblanc Explorer which I think smells nice, if that's a good example of Vetiver then I'm fine with it.

I also tried Tom Ford's Grey Vetiver and the tester from Sephora smelled really dark and musty, very similar to Encre Noire, and I was expecting it to be fresh like I've read in most reviews. So I quickly went to a Douglas store which was nearby and sprayed their Grey Vetiver tester on my other arm and it smelled much more fresh and crisp with a nice soapy dry down. I'm not sure what was going on with the Sephora tester, but I enjoy the fresher and crisper vetiver scents. However if it's such a lottery with them, I don't think I'd blind buy a vetiver heavy scent.

 

[Nom de Guerre]

Given what you already like, I'd recommend trying out:

Kobe by Xerjoff
Nio by Xerjoff
Uden by Xerjoff
Acqua Viva by Profumum Roma
Imagination by Louis Vuitton
Elysium by Roja Dove
Oceania by Roja Dove

 

[hednic]

Given what you already like, I'd recommend trying out:
Imagination by Louis Vuitton

This is a good recommendation!

 

[StylinLA]

I don't know what decanters may be available in your part of Europe, but someone here might.

If this is going to be a first really pricey purchase, I really strongly recommend getting some small samples. You're going to see a ton of suggestion here but the truth is none of us know what you will like.

Look at suggestions- read some reviews and invest a few Euros in a few small decants so you can wear it first. If you're going to invest a couple of hundred Euros in something, you want to make really sure you love it. I've got at least a dozen bottles sitting here that make me go "what was I thinking" every time I see the bottle. If I would have worn them a couple of times, I wouldn't have bought them.

I am very lucky I could afford some "mistakes" and I live in a city with a lot of brick and mortar options so I could in store test most everything before I bought it (and even that doesn't always work out).

Sorry, it does take some patience. But it will be worth it. I'm waiting for two decants right now.

 

[dogtoe]

Roja Elysium Parfum Cologne is one I wear frequently spring summer and fall. It’s a citrusy leathery concoction that’s not too strong and not too lite.

Frederic Malle’s French Lover came to mind as a possible choice as I read your request.

You might also try Nushane Wulong Tea.

Since you’re blind buying, read as many reviews of whatever you’re interested in that you can. Years into this hobby and I still can’t really tell what I’m going to like until I sample it. One key is to check reviewer’s wardrobes to see how many fragrances they have that you also like.

 

[Rock72]

You mentioned you have Montblanc Explorer. If you are going niche, and looking for a fresher all-rounder, I would suggest looking at Aventus Cologne.

 

[Redneck Perfumisto]

You mentioned you have Montblanc Explorer. If you are going niche, and looking for a fresher all-rounder, I would suggest looking at Aventus Cologne.

Creed Himalaya and Virgin Island Water are also nice, different, “fresh” scents. Himalaya especially is a lot like the fresher Chanel masculines.

 

[JyyskNotes]

I was about to recommend Uden before reading the original post. Funny that you mentioned it. It would definitely fit the bill. Great versatility and longevity. Not sweet at all IMO. Very fresh and citrusy without being a aquatic freshie. The coffee note is amazing in the base.

 

[drixenol]

I don't know what decanters may be available in your part of Europe, but someone here might.

If this is going to be a first really pricey purchase, I really strongly recommend getting some small samples. You're going to see a ton of suggestion here but the truth is none of us know what you will like.

That's a great idea with decanters, I had no idea that was a thing. I found a few locally but I'm pretty sure they sell fakes, so I'm going to check the forums for reputable ones in Europe.

I'm just adding every recommendation from here to my list, checking to see reviews and notes, and trying to cut the list down to a few options that I could then maybe order some decants for. I'm also checking for reviews that mention if a niche fragrance has any similarity to a designer fragrance, that way I can go into a Sephora and get an idea of how it smells (like for Parfums de Marley Percival where I've read some reviews say it's really really close to the Montblanc Legend which kind of makes me want to skip it if it's really that close).

 

[PrinceRF]

New York Intense by Nicolai. I love this one, and find the performance excellent. Some might say it's not the best for summer, while others will. I wear it year around. In the summer, I just wear less.

Good suggestion.

 

[N.CAL Fragrance Reviewer]

Xerjoff Renaissance 1861 is one to look at.

 

[Danny Mitchell]

First niche? It's often recommended that you try a Creed if it's your first step into niche. I can't say that I agree or disagree with this, as it is true but also there are several other houses that you could easily start off with. I would recommend trying out Green Irish Tweed.

 

[FullCollapse]

+1 for the Xerjoff and Creeds suggested so far.
You might also enjoy Bois Imperial by Essential Parfums, or if you are feeling more adventurous Ganymede by Marc Antoine Barrois. Both by the same perfumer, Quintin Bisch. I think Bois Imperial has been one of the lowest risk/most rewarding blind buys I have made in the 15yrs I have been collecting fragrances.

Best of luck on your quest and don't forget to enjoy the ride!

PS If you strike out you can always sell or swap with an EU member here on the marketplace.

 

[drixenol]

Thank you for all the recommendations, everyone was really helpful!

Can you get an idea of a fragrance from just a 2ml decant? I was thinking of getting as many as I can but I’m not sure how much 2ml really is, or if I should just get 2-3 decants at 5ml. I find it difficult to cut the list down to just 2-3 heheh.

 

[FullCollapse]

Thank you for all the recommendations, everyone was really helpful!

Can you get an idea of a fragrance from just a 2ml decant? I was thinking of getting as many as I can but I’m not sure how much 2ml really is, or if I should just get 2-3 decants at 5ml. I find it difficult to cut the list down to just 2-3 heheh.

1-2 ml is all I ever really need to make a decision. Other's mileage may vary.

 

[ErroneousFact]

Thank you for all the recommendations, everyone was really helpful!

Can you get an idea of a fragrance from just a 2ml decant? I was thinking of getting as many as I can but I’m not sure how much 2ml really is, or if I should just get 2-3 decants at 5ml. I find it difficult to cut the list down to just 2-3 heheh.

2ml is the perfect size for me to sample, since price is usually a factor. It's enough to test on an arm plus wear it at least twice, or just test it 20+ times.

 

[WarmJewel]

Can you get an idea of a fragrance from just a 2ml decant?

Absolutely. A 1ml decant would give you enough for at least one or two days wear. 2ml three to four. My biggest issue with larger decant/samples is, if you don't like it, that's money wasted on the larger size.

Over the last six months or so I've probably tried samples of 100-120 different fragrances in mostly 1ml sample sizes. I can tell you, hand on heart that I only really liked and would consider wearing on a daily basis about a handful of those I tried. That is an awful lot of fragrances I didn't like!

 

[Pheusinger]

 

[Rock72]

+1 for the Xerjoff and Creeds suggested so far.
You might also enjoy Bois Imperial by Essential Parfums, or if you are feeling more adventurous Ganymede by Marc Antoine Barrois. Both by the same perfumer, Quintin Bisch. I think Bois Imperial has been one of the lowest risk/most rewarding blind buys I have made in the 15yrs I have been collecting fragrances.

Best of luck on your quest and don't forget to enjoy the ride!

PS If you strike out you can always sell or swap with an EU member here on the marketplace.

Bois Imperial is another good niche suggestion. Bought it blind and no regrets. Price is good too

 

[fumfragrances]

Hi, I'm looking to buy my first Niche fragrance and leaning towards something fresh and good to wear all year round in casual settings (or at least spring, summer, and fall).

I'm hoping the community here might be able to give me some good recommendations. I would be buying this blind since there are no Niche stores in my area where I could try them out. I would want the fragrance to be long lasting and have good sillage, so basically an upgrade from the fresh designer fragrances that I usually enjoy but don't last or project.

I tend to go for blue, fresh, citrus and/or aquatic fragrances which usually suck in performance, but I'm up for whatever as long as I can also wear it in the summer (so not too sweet or wintery scents). A few of my favourite designer fragrances that I've had over the years and loved are Chanel Allure Homme (and all its flankers especially Homme Sport and Edition Blanche), Aqua di Gio (original, Profumo, Profondo, whatever), Bvlgari Aqva Marine, Bleu de Chanel, Versace Pour Homme, Missoni Wave.

I also have and enjoy wearing, but find less versatile: YSL La Nuit de L'Homme (original and Bleu Electrique), Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb (original and Extreme), Azzaro Most Wanted Parfum, Paco Rabanne Ultrared.

And these I have but I don't like: Lalique Encre Noir (way too weird, damp-forest-earth-mushroom-y), Jean Paul Gaultier Le Beau Le Parfum (way too sweet and coconuty). I dislike and try to stay away from strong smells like leather and tobacco, although I don't mind them if they're very mild in the background. Another no-no is incense because it just reminds me of being inside a church.

I watched a few reviews and the Xerjoff Uden sounds very appealing since it's always compared to Chanel Allure Homme Edition Blanche with its lemon pie smell, but does it dry down too sweet to also be wearable in the summer?

Hi Drixenol,

I'm late to the game here for suggestions. There's a good chance you already shopped a new bottle. I was going to recommend sampling from Luckyscent.com. They have two locations in the US and samples can be ordered online. Buying blind is always hit or miss and you should *love* your first niche scent. With that being said, I would recommend:

D.S. & Durga's Coriander
Fueguia 1833's Chamber
Aesop's Karst
The Different Company's De Bachmakov & Sel De Vetiver
Xinu's Aguamadera

I hope I'm not too late. I'm new here but not new to perfume.

Fragrant Regards,
Miss Layla

 

[hednic]

Can you get an idea of a fragrance from just a 2ml decant?

Sure.

 

[Shiny Beast]

MDCI Invasion Barbare

 

[sjg3839]

First niche? It's often recommended that you try a Creed if it's your first step into niche. I can't say that I agree or disagree with this, as it is true but also there are several other houses that you could easily start off with. I would recommend trying out Green Irish Tweed.

I agree.

 

[drixenol]

I ended up buying Renaissance by Xerjoff after ordering a few samples from them. I really liked a few others (like Uden, Naxos, Mefisto) but this one was amazingly citrusy in a mandarin, orange, clementine, sort of way (at least to my nose). I also disliked almost everything that had Jasmin in it because it has a very fecal smell to me.

I also ordered a sample set from Essential Parfums and the Bois Imperial is really nice, might be my next buy. And I hope to be able to sample Creed, Parfums de Marly, and a few other stuff since I found a Facebook group in my country where people do decants. Down the rabbit hole I go!

Thanks everyone for the recommendations! I really hope to be able to sample most of it in the near future.

 

[FullCollapse]

Congrats! Glad you found some winners and also learned what you don't like.

 

[Scentaholics]

I ended up buying Renaissance by Xerjoff after ordering a few samples from them. I really liked a few others (like Uden, Naxos, Mefisto) but this one was amazingly citrusy in a mandarin, orange, clementine, sort of way (at least to my nose). I also disliked almost everything that had Jasmin in it because it has a very fecal smell to me.

I also ordered a sample set from Essential Parfums and the Bois Imperial is really nice, might be my next buy. And I hope to be able to sample Creed, Parfums de Marly, and a few other stuff since I found a Facebook group in my country where people do decants. Down the rabbit hole I go!

Thanks everyone for the recommendations! I really hope to be able to sample most of it in the near future.

Parfums de Marly Percival

 

[hednic]

I also ordered a sample set from Essential Parfums and the Bois Imperial is really nice, might be my next buy.

I think you are going to find that the fragrances included in the sample set are all fine quality scents. Enjoy them and please share your thoughts.