Completely agree. I’ve always had a fondness for fragrances that lean towards the clean and classic elegance of traditional citrus colognes. They feel totally unisex.
That said, I’m just as drawn to more multifaceted niche compositions, but they tend to be on the pricey side.
There are some nice niche houses out there that are reasonably priced. Loewe, Essential Parfums, and Parfums De Nicolai to name a few.
I need to try some other PdN! New York is amazing but to my nose a bit dated and dressy, I only can wear it with a suit. I had bought Odalisque on Luca Turin’s recommendation as a feminine for men but I couldn’t pull it off and my wife finished the bottle. Loewe I haven’t been impressed with. We have the first two Paula’s Ibiza collabs with which they sent a battery of samples, but nothing has grabbed me. I think I might spring for something from Profumum Roma which, if I recall you were recommending earlier in the thread…
Yeah love the Profumum Romas.
A few I’ve tried and loved: Victrix (Spicy & Green), Arso (Smoky Pine), Acqua Viva (Lemons, LeMonS, LEMONS!), Ichnusa (Fresh Figgy Grass), and Ambra Aurea (Loud Amber).
They’re pretty strong and long lasting. High concentration of perfume oils.
I’ve got the extreme which I’m wearing now and my Mrs just told me how good I smell , so the normal version might be a goer
Victrix is spicy green heat, Arso is straight-up campfire, and Acqua Viva? Lemon insanity. Ichnusa gives fresh figgy grass, while Ambra Aurea is amber cranked to the max.
The Sport and Encre Indigo aren’t bad either, although out of all them, the Extreme is still my fave.
I’m wearing Tom Ford’s Beau De Jour—smooth lavender and spices, a true gentleman’s scent. For a lasting home scent, I recommend Scenta Flora, a scent store in Abu Dhabi that offers premium diffusers and oils.
Beau De Jour is classic perfumery made modern. Really enjoy it.
Rogue Perfumery is another brand that does classic with a modern twist extremely well. They produce in small batches and seem to avoid any IFRA restrictions that way. Worth checking if you don’t know them already.
Ordered a 50ml of Oud Rose from Horace on spec. So glad I did, absolutely stunning and a nice price at £62
Not tried it Chris. I’ve added it to my list. Love an Oud / Rose combo.
I had a travel size bottle of their first fragrance &Horace which I really liked as a daily driver. Will give Oud Rose a look, sounds great.
How would you describe your samples? Now I have this I want to try them all!
Just pulled the trigger on the Extreme, $30 with discount from Fragrancenet. Here’s hoping it doesn’t come off like a downmarket Sycomore… 
Ah great. I love it. Bought a bottle on Notino a few years back. It’s still going strong.
Really easy to wear. Nice spicy opening and woody dry down. Lasted ages too. Worth a punt!