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Alternatives to Pi

post #1 of 18
10/8/09 at 6:58am
Thread Starter 
I've searched for a previous thread I read some time ago but can't for the life of me find it again.

Anyone have suggestions for GOOD alternatives to Pi please ?
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post #2 of 18
10/8/09 at 7:00am
Whenever I think of Pi (well, how it used to be) I think of Rochas Man.
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post #3 of 18
10/8/09 at 7:16am
Second the Rochas and might add

Le male (vanilla with lavender)
Jaipur (vanilla)
body kouros, chocolaty, nutty gourman
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post #4 of 18
10/8/09 at 7:39am
Apart from seconding Rochas and Jaipur

I might also suggest even M7 and Xeryus/Xeryus Rouge plus their flankers
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post #5 of 18
10/8/09 at 7:42am
Jaipur most of all
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post #6 of 18
10/8/09 at 7:53am
Xeryus Rouge is in the same genre (soft, powdery, and sweet) but doesn't deliver the same experience...If you want something with a similar presentation note-wise, I would look at Bvlgari Black. Its a vanilla scent with some interesting additions. Plus, you can test it out at Sephora or your neighborhood department store.
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post #7 of 18
10/8/09 at 8:06am
Make sure to go for Jaipur EdP - it's richer and more vanillic then the EdT.
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post #8 of 18
10/8/09 at 8:24am
  • Zgb
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212 sexy man
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post #9 of 18
10/8/09 at 8:40am
Thread Starter 
Thanks to everyone . . . . especially the headsup on the Jaipur edp.
The edt is a mess on my skin so the edp will be tested.


Zgb - tested 212 Sexy for the 1st time yesterday .... not bad.
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post #10 of 18
10/8/09 at 9:30am
I don't think of Pi when I wear Rochas Man.

The prominent benzoin note in Pi (which is what people interpret as Vanilla) is very much present in the Zegna's Colonia (which I just tried this week). Zegna's take is fruitier, but it does remind me of Pi. I was a bit surprised by this, as it was not my expectation when I tried it. But looking at the notes subsequently, benzoin is listed (and is certainly dominant to my nose).
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post #11 of 18
10/8/09 at 10:56am
What is it that you like or dislike about Pi? Why is it that you are seeking a replacement?

Rochas Man is a great frag all around and can be had for low low wal-mart prices. Definitely worth checking out.
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post #12 of 18
10/8/09 at 4:01pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by monsieur_sparkle View Post

What is it that you like or dislike about Pi? Why is it that you are seeking a replacement?

Rochas Man is a great frag all around and can be had for low low wal-mart prices. Definitely worth checking out.

Pi dries down a little too synthetically on my skin. Was hoping for a more 'lush' alternative.
I have Rochas Man and like it quite a bit but don't get as much vanilla / benzoin out of it as the Givenchy.
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post #13 of 18
10/8/09 at 4:50pm
Jaipur Homme might be an alternative but it's a lot spicier than pi (although very well blended), and the vanilla is still pretty synthetic. You could try some of the more expensive niche offerings like Spiriteuse Double Vanille, which is famous among vanilla fans but insanely hard to source.

Personally, I think Serge Lutens's Chergui, which is very smooth and soft amber with various sweet oriental notes, might be to your taste, and it's not too hard to sample either. There are also a ton of good niche ambers that are worth investigating, like Ambre Precieux, Ambre Soie, or L'Air du Desert Marocain. Hope this helps.
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post #14 of 18
10/8/09 at 5:08pm
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post #15 of 18
10/8/09 at 5:10pm
I would try Creed's Virgin Island Water for the sweet notes of vanilla, tonkin, sugar, and coconut.

Spirituesse Double Vanille is fabulous, but it also has a "tobacco-type" note that doesnt agree with my skin.

Creed's "Vanille Sublime" is coming out before Christmas too.
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post #16 of 18
10/8/09 at 5:11pm
pi neo
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post #17 of 18
10/8/09 at 5:33pm
how about Fords TV?
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post #18 of 18
10/8/09 at 5:45pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by monsieur_sparkle View Post

Jaipur Homme might be an alternative but it's a lot spicier than pi (although very well blended), and the vanilla is still pretty synthetic. You could try some of the more expensive niche offerings like Spiriteuse Double Vanille, which is famous among vanilla fans but insanely hard to source.

Personally, I think Serge Lutens's Chergui, which is very smooth and soft amber with various sweet oriental notes, might be to your taste, and it's not too hard to sample either. There are also a ton of good niche ambers that are worth investigating, like Ambre Precieux, Ambre Soie, or L'Air du Desert Marocain. Hope this helps.

Thanks - it does help monsieur.
I've either sampled or own all your suggestions plus I have several ambers.
I have a brand new bottle of SDV which has been sprayed twice which is going up for sale
and has been replaced by VC&A Orchidee Vanille.

Maybe I'm looking for some sort of holy grail which doesn't exist.

I DO appreciate your input.
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