Bitter Citrus Comparisons

In the spirit of Wicozani's Vetiver thread, followed by Paul's Sandalwood thread a month or so ago, I thought I'd start a bitter citrus comparison thread (this also follows closely on the heel's of the "longing for spring" thread, in case you can't tell that I'm tired of the cold weather). Let's look at some citrus favorites that are less sweet than they are sharp, crisp, and/or bitter. I'll start with a few, moving up in price:

1. Monsieur Balmain: Starts with a huge blast of cool lemon and then dries down a little spicier; also quite reasonable (less than $20).
2. YSL Pour Homme: the drydown reminds me a lot of the Balmain, but in the beginning less lemon and more spice.
3. Geo F. Trumper Eau de Portugal: Received this from a fellow Bnoter, a GREAT bitter lemon. Along the same lines as the Balmain, but a little sharper, crisper, and has an edge of class lacking in the Balmain.
4. MPG Racine: Citrus, vetiver, and some woods. Like most MPG, not particularly pleasant or easy wearing, but still unique and worth the effort.
5. Creed Bois de Cedrat: Along the same lines of YSL Pour Homme and Balmain, only a little woodier and with that Creed hint of class.
6. Malle Bigarade Concentree: Stinky oranges. I love it.
7. Bond Little Italy: Bitter oranges; sort of an orangier version of the Trumper. Honestly, for the price, this one is NOT one of my favorites, but in the middle of a sweltering hot summer, I think it's quite nice.
8. Guerlain Pamplelune: Grapefruit all the time! Added patchouli and some funky kick in the base makes this one a neat alternative to the Malle.
Putting them in order of personal preference, I'd say that my top choice would be the Malle (assuming money were no object), followed by the Creed, Trumper, Balmain, YSL, MPG, and finishing up with the Bond. The best in terms of all-around value would definitely be the Balmain.

So, what are some others? Feel free to amend/alter/ or change the ones I've written above.

Barry,

I've not tried that one... could you describe it or compare it to something else? What kind is it... spicy, bitter, sharp, etc?

My list was just to get us started... by no means are there just seven! Yes, please add/change as you see fit. As for "bitter citrus," I guess maybe we're just defining it differently. I was just trying to differentiate it from sweet citrus (like MPG Centaur, Mat; Male, Cologne Sologne, etc). Perhaps we can start another thread soon with "sweet" citrus comparisons.

As we all know, though, everybody's nose is different. I've had BdC before, but most recently I got my bottle from you... so it's neat how we get different things from it.

Wearing Racine this morning. It doesn't work at all in 15 degree weather, I know, but it does make me think of warmer temps...

Just thought I'd bump this one up again, since it is very nice here in the Southeast today (about 60 and sunny!)

Since originally posting, I've also picked up CdG Citrico. Of the one's I posted before, I think this one is a really neat, fair priced alternative. It isn't as nice as the Malle, but it is less sweet than Cologne de Sologne, lasts longer than Eau d'orange Verte, and has that slight odd CdG twist about it that makes it more fun than Neroli Sauvage. So, I look forward to trying this one out more this summer.

Wore Bond Little Italy yesterday (almost the same weather as today). It's less bitter than it is sour. I really don't get the appeal of this one when there are so many other good ones out there for less $$$.

...or could you at least tell your coworker Claire to start answering her emails?!! (j/k)