Thanks for the tip. I’ve ordered a couple of things from them online, but have heard it’s worth a visit.
I need to get back out in the real world. Need a trip to London to get some records and have a sniff. Les Senteurs and Jovoy are always worth a look too.
I went to jovoy once, didn’t really like it too much tbh, a bit too influenced by the street it’s on I think. but glad I went. bloom feels much more interesting irl and as long as there’s space they will really spend time with you chatting and trying perfumes.
i’ll try and go past les senteurs some time. thanks for the tip.
This thread has introduced me to Lalique Encre Noire a l’extrême and Black Panther, thank you. Now I’m after something not too pricey that would work for all genders going into spring / summer. Any recommendations, I bow to the wealth of knowledge on display here 
First off, I’m far removed from being a fashionable cologne guy. I believe the only cologne I’ve ever used was 25 years previous. That was Slazenger Sport Aftershave which I got imported to the US based on a tip from Luke Unabomber in Jockey Slut Magazine. I remember it always making me feel good.
That said, a few months ago I posted about the end of my 30 year marriage in the “Dancing With Mental Health (Over 40)” thread. It was recommended by deepconcentration that I buy myself something nice to commemorate the moment and move on. Not long after, there was a post on Ban Ban Ton Ton about Jose Padilla that mentioned Paloma Picasso’s Minotaure. For some reason I, did a bit of googling and found out it was also David Bowie’s favorite scent. Uncharacteristically, I decided the time was right to treat myself. I’m glad I did and I’m happy to report that my fantastic new girlfriend loves it. Thanks Test Pressing and deepconcentration.
That’s brilliant. Love Minotaure.
Have you tried this?
https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Parle-Moi-de-Parfum/Wake-Up-World-72812.html
Michel Almairac runs ‘Parle Moi De Parfum’, and is the in-house perfumer. He also happens to be the original perfumer for Minotaure.
They are remarkably similar.
What’s your budget Joe?
Cheers @moodynann Let’s say up to around £50
I’m on it.
It was bad enough when you were all just costing me a fortune on music. Grabbed a Mojave Ghost sample and will now need to invest. At least my OH doesn’t complain about me smelling nice …
interesting USccentric quick read on indie purfumers State of Fragrance 2025: The Rise of Independent Perfumers
haha maybe my prediction will come true. the fragrance market will become craft beer/natural wine-o-fied:sweat_smile:
"behold: singed cedar splinters and white pepper suspended in goose tallow*
I know it’s probably a little bit overdone now, but Aldi have just brought out some pretty impressive dupes of a few Tom Ford fragrances, I picked up a bottle of the ‘Neroli Portofino’ rip off for £6 at the weekend and was pleasantly surprised:
A friend of mine swears by the Black Orchid dupe too. I’ll have to check them out. Neroli is one of my favourite scents. How does it compare to the Tom Ford?
Loewe do a really nice Neroli based fragrance called Solo Atlas. It’s like Portofino with some incense. It’s pretty masculine and smells amazing.
@joeblackcircles might be worth a punt. Definitely one for the Spring / Summer transition. Notino have a 50ml for £65 atm. I’ll keep looking for others in the meantime though.
I had Neroli a few years ago, and couldn’t tell any discernible difference in the actual fragrance aside from its longevity - more like a spritz than a Eau De Parfum (obvs) but happy to spritz away at that price! Have since migrated over to Byredo (Sunday Cologne) or Lousi Vuitton (Imagination) for my current favs but will definitely check out the Loewe one - we’ve just got a concession in Newcastle and have been coveting their candles recently.
Can’t go wrong with Imagination. Price is ridic though.
Usually get a smaller decanted bottle (5ml) from here:
https://www.perfumista.co.uk/?v=7885444af42e
Perfumista’s site is currently down for maintenance but regularly pick up from these two as a way of trying more expensive ones before committing fully.
Best way. I do the same now. Too many unsuccessful blind buys based on hype, left me out of pocket.
Nice, I’ll let you know how I get on
In your continuing search could you look out for a unisex fragrance? I’m after something that the wife and I could both wear.
Sure thing. Give me a day or two.
My wife and I have a few crossover classics we both wear -
–Encre Noire (Lalique) grassy vetiver, leans masculine but smells great on her as well (the “extreme” version lauded on this forum - great tip! - is much more masculine)
–Black (Bulgari) vanilla, hint of rubber
–Declaration (Cartier)- floral, spicy, citrus, leans masculine
–Incense rose (Tauer) - like it says on the box, a fascinating melange of the two, leans feminine
–IMHO Classic eaux de cologne like Tom Ford, Chanel, Institut Tres Bien all work well unisex.
