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From Rocabar to Derby to.....

post #1 of 26
1/26/09 at 9:59am
Thread Starter 
I really enjoy Hermes Rocabar, and I absolutely love Derby, but with the high price of Derby, I may have to wait a while before I take the steep plunge.

So what would be an alternative to suggest? It would not have to necessarily be from the house of Guerlain, and even though Guerlain's fragrances have floral notes as a constant I'm liking the leather and spice qualities of these two scents that seem to stay prominent as a base.

So any thoughts?
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post #2 of 26
1/26/09 at 10:02am
Bel Ami by Hermes and/or Devin by Aramis
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post #3 of 26
1/26/09 at 10:04am
Rocabar is by Hermès (http://www.basenotes.net/ID26121372.html). Also, I second Bel Ami; great choice.
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post #4 of 26
1/26/09 at 10:18am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheAttorney View Post

Rocabar is by Hermès (http://www.basenotes.net/ID26121372.html). Also, I second Bel Ami; great choice.

Opps, my bad!! In my haste I typed Guerlain instead of Hermes

So two votes for Bel Ami, a scent I have on my try list.
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post #5 of 26
1/26/09 at 10:42am
Or if you wanted to go for a lower priced Guerlain, consider Heritage or maybe L'Instant pour homme.
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post #6 of 26
1/26/09 at 11:10am
I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I tried Heritage for the first time this past weekend. I found it to be a lot like Rocabar (but a little better). However, Rocabar is much cheaper - I've seen bottles from online retailers for $25/30ml and maybe even less on eBay. Bel Ami and Equipage are quite different from Rocabar, but both are very classy, very high quality.
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post #7 of 26
1/26/09 at 11:26am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bbBD View Post

I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I tried Heritage for the first time this past weekend. I found it to be a lot like Rocabar (but a little better). However, Rocabar is much cheaper - I've seen bottles from online retailers for $25/30ml and maybe even less on eBay. Bel Ami and Equipage are quite different from Rocabar, but both are very classy, very high quality.

I have a small decant of Heritage and really liked it, but for the same reason (price) I opted for Rocabar. I have no regrets. I find Rocabar less floral than Heritage, maybe that's what I tend to lean towards, a less floral more leathery, spicy scent.
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post #8 of 26
1/26/09 at 11:28am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by scentsitivity View Post

Or if you wanted to go for a lower priced Guerlain, consider Heritage or maybe L'Instant pour homme.

L'Instant pour homme is one frag I have not tested, I will definitely give it a try.
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post #9 of 26
1/26/09 at 11:29am
I found Eloge du Traitre by Etat Libre to be similar to Derby. I think The Guide states that Je Suis Un Homme (same co.) resembles it. EdT is much stronger, and with a nod to Azzaro PH.
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post #10 of 26
1/26/09 at 11:47am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeperez23 View Post

Bel Ami by Hermes and/or Devin by Aramis

Exactly, the same two I was going to recommend!

To my nose, Devin is extremely similar to Derby.
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post #11 of 26
1/26/09 at 11:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sofresh

I think The Guide states that Je Suis Un Homme (same co.) resembles it. EdT is much stronger, and with a nod to Azzaro PH.

I may be totally cookoo, but I don't find Je Suis Un Homme to be anything like it's described in the guide - to me it's really a masculine patchouli/sandalwood/leather. I'm interested in others' opinions.

I read the first post wrong... if you're looking for something like Derby, Bel Ami - especially the reformulated version (PM me if you want one, hint hint) has the same leathery chypre qualities, though it's not quite as pungent as Derby. They were released around the same time in the 80s.
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post #12 of 26
1/26/09 at 11:54am
New York by Parfums di Nicolai is often compared to Derby. I find it has more in common with the new (reformulated) Derby than with the old Derby, which is spicier/more jagged (which I like).

Similar, though, to both.
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post #13 of 26
1/26/09 at 12:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bbBD View Post

I may be totally cookoo, but I don't find Je Suis Un Homme to be anything like it's described in the guide - to me it's really a masculine patchouli/sandalwood/leather. I'm interested in others' opinions.

I read the first post wrong... if you're looking for something like Derby, Bel Ami - especially the reformulated version (PM me if you want one, hint hint) has the same leathery chypre qualities, though it's not quite as pungent as Derby. They were released around the same time in the 80s.

I didn't find Je Suis Un Homme to be much like the guide describes either as I recall (I wouldn't have given it 4 stars either).

Agreed that Bel Ami and Derby share similarities.
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post #14 of 26
1/26/09 at 12:20pm
Thread Starter 
Well now I'm curious about Devin and Je Suis Un Homme, although it appears Devin is more readily available than Je Suis Un Homme.
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post #15 of 26
1/26/09 at 12:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by bbBD View Post

I may be totally cookoo, but I don't find Je Suis Un Homme to be anything like it's described in the guide - to me it's really a masculine patchouli/sandalwood/leather. I'm interested in others' opinions.

I read the first post wrong... if you're looking for something like Derby, Bel Ami - especially the reformulated version (PM me if you want one, hint hint) has the same leathery chypre qualities, though it's not quite as pungent as Derby. They were released around the same time in the 80s.

I found the Nordstrom near me carries Bel Ami so I can test it from them, but thanks for the offer.
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post #16 of 26
1/26/09 at 12:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RubenC View Post

Well now I'm curious about Devin and Je Suis Un Homme, although it appears Devin is more readily available than Je Suis Un Homme.

...and Je Suis Un Homme isn't necessarily "cheap", but not too difficult to find.
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post #17 of 26
1/26/09 at 12:37pm
L`Instant de Guerlain is one of the most elegant fragrances ever! Rocabar is nice, but i`m doubtful about the berry-notes in it.. Equipage is for me like a wheat-field. Go for Chanel Pour Monseiur instead!
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post #18 of 26
1/26/09 at 2:13pm
Thread Starter 
Well, my list to test looks like this for a Derby alternative:

Bel Ami
Devin
Je Suis Un Homme
L`Instant de Guerlain
Chanel Pour Monseiur
New York by Parfums di Nicolai

Thanks everyone for these suggestions, it's much appreciated.
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post #19 of 26
1/26/09 at 2:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RubenC View Post

Well, my list to test looks like this for a Derby alternative:

Bel Ami
Devin
Je Suis Un Homme
L`Instant de Guerlain
Chanel Pour Monseiur
New York by Parfums di Nicolai

Thanks everyone for these suggestions, it's much appreciated.

Chanel Pour Monsieur (1955) and New York are excellent fragrances and I strongly encourage you to sample them in depth. Both of them are in my top five.

They are not, however, leather chypres like Derby, Devin and Bel Ami.
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post #20 of 26
1/26/09 at 2:52pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TwoRoads View Post

Chanel Pour Monsieur (1955) and New York are excellent fragrances and I strongly encourage you to sample them in depth. Both of them are in my top five.

They are not, however, leather chypres like Derby, Devin and Bel Ami.

That's good to know, I did read that Chanel Pour Monsieur has some citrus and musk and or vetiver, which leads me to wonder if that is a scent more suited for spring and summer wear.
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post #21 of 26
1/26/09 at 3:06pm
I think Devin is an EDC? I looked it up on a few online vendors and it is called a "Cologne Spray"-Does this equate to EDC? If Devin is an EDC, then how is its longevity?
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post #22 of 26
1/26/09 at 3:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TwoRoads View Post

Chanel Pour Monsieur (1955) and New York are excellent fragrances and I strongly encourage you to sample them in depth. Both of them are in my top five.

They are not, however, leather chypres like Derby, Devin and Bel Ami.

Agreed. I love both CPM (and CMPC) and New York. They are both very different from Derby and Rocobar. Derby is one of my favorite scents. I would also recommend Bel Ami - I just picked up a vintage version on ebay for $40 (incl. shipping.) It took a while to get here but it's a great fragrance.
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post #23 of 26
1/26/09 at 3:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RubenC View Post

That's good to know, I did read that Chanel Pour Monsieur has some citrus and musk and or vetiver, which leads me to wonder if that is a scent more suited for spring and summer wear.

I have also seen pyramids showing Pour Monsieur with musk and vetiver notes. If those notes are there, they play a minor supporting role as I have never detected them.

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheAttorney View Post

I think Devin is an EDC? I looked it up on a few online vendors and it is called a "Cologne Spray"-Does this equate to EDC? If Devin is an EDC, then how is its longevity?

I am not at home to check my bottle but, in a side-by-side comparison last year, Devin lasted every bit as long as Derby on my skin.

Quote:
Originally Posted by dmarino67 View Post

Agreed. I love both CPM (and CMPC) and New York. They are both very different from Derby and Rocobar. Derby is one of my favorite scents. I would also recommend Bel Ami - I just picked up a vintage version on ebay for $40 (incl. shipping.) It took a while to get here but it's a great fragrance.

I picked up a vintage bottle from the same seller and agree that it is a great fragrance (much better than the new Bel Ami and I love that one too!)
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post #24 of 26
1/26/09 at 5:39pm
Quorum and Aramis are both inexpensive and well made leather chypres.
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post #25 of 26
1/26/09 at 5:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Strollyourlobster View Post

Quorum and Aramis are both inexpensive and well made leather chypres.

Qourum was one of my all-time favorites way back when, but Aramis was never in my wardrobe, not sure why.
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post #26 of 26
1/26/09 at 8:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheAttorney View Post

I think Devin is an EDC? I looked it up on a few online vendors and it is called a "Cologne Spray"-Does this equate to EDC? If Devin is an EDC, then how is its longevity?

Don't let that deter you TheAttorney. The longevity and strength of Devin are just as even as all of the other Aramis scents. Not sure why they used this designation for just Devin (maybe that wanted to butch it up?), but it lasts like an EdT.
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