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What was your favourite personal fragrance 'find' of 2009?

post #1 of 97
1/8/10 at 1:41am
Thread Starter 
I realise it may be a little late for this, but I thought it might be a fun discussion.

What was the best 'new to you' fragrance you discovered in 2009? Perhaps it was something that really was brand new on the market or something that's been around since the beginning of the 20th century. But if it was new to YOU and you absolutely fell in love with it, perhaps you'd like to share it here.

To get the ball rolling, I'll say my favourite was Guerlain's Nahema. I sprayed it on a strip at a local branch of John Lewis and - as Luca Turin puts it in his guide - was immediately sucked into a perfume vortex that left me quite breathless. Sheer magic!
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post #2 of 97
1/8/10 at 2:26am
My personal fragrance 'find' of 2009 where the fragrances created by the great Bernard Chant, especially Aramis´JHL. Kudos to Aramis/Estee Lauder for re-releasing this wonderful scent! But Devin, Aramis 900, Aramis (original), Azurée and Lauder for men are great scents too. Sadly underrated, they definitely deserve more attention and a better reputation, IMO!
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post #3 of 97
1/8/10 at 2:41am
Mine was Guerlain's Vol de Nuit vintage Extrait. It was an epiphany for me.
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post #4 of 97
1/8/10 at 2:44am
It might sound commercial, but it was TF Black Orchid... Wow...
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post #5 of 97
1/8/10 at 2:45am
Mine was Creed's Windsor. I've never been interested in wearing a rose scent before, but that one really changed my mind.
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post #6 of 97
1/8/10 at 3:09am
Creed's Baie de Genièvre tops the list.
It's been around since 1982 but it took me until 2009 to find it.
Amazing that such a great scent could be made simply from Juniper Berry, Cinnamon leaves, and Vettiver. The reviews are spot on.

There are Holy Grails to be discovered, are they not?

Cheers,

Mario
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post #7 of 97
1/8/10 at 3:20am
For me it was Mauboussin Homme EDP. A very elegant and warm fragrance.
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post #8 of 97
1/8/10 at 3:25am
Given that my entire awakening to perfume is encompassed by 2009 I should probably credit every scent, I shall restrict myself to three, vintage Vent Vert, vintage Cabochard and Fumerie Turque. Many thanks to all Basenoters, I couldn't wear Obsession for men forever.
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post #9 of 97
1/8/10 at 3:32am
Parfumerie Generale Aomassai
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post #10 of 97
1/8/10 at 3:44am
Divine l'homme sage was my best find for the year.
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post #11 of 97
1/8/10 at 4:00am
To me, it was- although a bit commercial too- Burberry London for Men (2006). Even if I don't own it yet, it was in 2009 I finally decided that I got to have it asap.
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post #12 of 97
1/8/10 at 5:09am
Solo Loewe would be my pick. The sillage and longevity may not be that good but to me Solo smells perfect.
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post #13 of 97
1/8/10 at 5:12am
Eaux des Baux
I smelled it before, but not until 2009 and after severals tries I "found" it to be a true gem.

Another find was my discovery that every Shiseido counter would have a counter for Serge Lutens perfumes. :P (SL is the only 'niche' sold in country).
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post #14 of 97
1/8/10 at 5:46am
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I fell and I mean fell in love with the house of Lutens and that is definitely my find of the year 2009. I never thought my homie(), Creed would've have been so easily displaced, er yeah I've been wrong before.
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post #15 of 97
1/8/10 at 5:50am
How do I choose just one? I found my top three fragrances of all time in 2009.

It started early when I finally got around to sampling MPG's newest Bois de Turquie. I was instantly smitten.

Then, a bit later in the year I discovered Amouage. Say hello to a (much!) lighter wallet. I instantly fell for Reflection Man and Lyric Man and picked up a bottle of each within a few months (these were basically my only purchases this year).
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post #16 of 97
1/8/10 at 6:17am
Mouchoir de Monsieur. I had smelled it before, but last year it clicked. I've been away from basenotes for a long time now, maybe two months, and have worn MdM alot. Now I'm making a comeback, though .
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post #17 of 97
1/8/10 at 6:17am
Amouage Gold (ladies), hands down.
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post #18 of 97
1/8/10 at 6:41am
Reading my posts you'd think i was a veteran user of both Tom Ford Private Collection and Amouage frags. I actually came across both houses and their frags in 2009, thanks to BaseNotes! But what an experience it has been!
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post #19 of 97
1/8/10 at 6:59am
I'm pretty new to all this. There was a lot I tried and really liked last year. Some, based on reputation, I hoped I would like, and then did. But for me, totally out of left field, just because I never thought I would like it, and ended up loving it: L'Artisan's Tea for Two.
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post #20 of 97
1/8/10 at 7:08am
I discovered tabac blond in 09. There are so many that I haven't tried yet.... what will 2010 bring I wonder?
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post #21 of 97
1/8/10 at 7:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 30 Roses View Post

Amouage Gold (ladies), hands down.

Oh, I just tried that on new Years Day and I've been lily crazed lately, I appreciate it too! It's so lovely. I am on the look out for a bottle. Glad to know someone else loves it too.
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post #22 of 97
1/8/10 at 7:26am
2009 was the year I got into fragrance (as a hobby). Two of my favorite finds were AdP Colonia Assoluta and GIT. Followed by Chergui, Musc Ravageur, and Bois du Portugal.
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post #23 of 97
1/8/10 at 7:30am
Fantastic Man from Byredo
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post #24 of 97
1/8/10 at 7:36am
I just got into frags in '09 so it's all still very new. But with the limited experience I've had the stand-outs have been..
  • Creed - Green Irish Tweed
  • Czech & Speake - No.88
  • Czech & Speake - Cuba
  • Domenico Caraceni - Domenico Caraceni 1913
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post #25 of 97
1/8/10 at 7:39am
Probably my favorite purchase in 2009 was Spiritueuse double Vanille by Guerlain
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post #26 of 97
1/8/10 at 7:42am
Monsieur Carven
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post #27 of 97
1/8/10 at 7:49am
Domenico Caraceni 1913

First one I researched thoroughly and found through Basenotes.
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post #28 of 97
1/8/10 at 7:50am
Xerjoff Mefisto
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post #29 of 97
1/8/10 at 8:29am
Two houses that I got acquainted with in 2009: Sonoma Scent Studio and Smell Bent. Both have a great range of scents that I'm still exploring and enjoying more and more.
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post #30 of 97
1/8/10 at 8:36am
My favorite is New West ....I know I can still get it at Macys however they dont make the nectar anymore ..I use to spray on the the spray and put a dab of the nectar on with it and it created a gr8 smell ...I wish the nectar was still inproduction ...Im sure alot of women think that ...everyone that I know says the same thing...I did call Este' Lauter and they told me that its discontinued ...
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post #31 of 97
1/8/10 at 9:03am
To me it was MASAKI MATSUSHIMA-Aqua Mat .
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post #32 of 97
1/8/10 at 10:25am
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Givenchy Insense
Laura Tonatto - Albi
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post #33 of 97
1/8/10 at 10:39am
Creed MI.

I see how it is very different yet very similar to Unforgivable.
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post #34 of 97
1/8/10 at 10:42am
Parfums de Nicolaï's Patchouli Homme/Intense.
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post #35 of 97
1/8/10 at 10:48am
Guerlain L'Heure Bleue.

I don't know why I had stayed away fromthe house of Guerlain for so long
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post #36 of 97
1/8/10 at 12:03pm
Vintage Dukes of Pall Mall Cotswold
Dukes of Pall Mall Belgravia
Dominique Dubrana's amazing natural perfumes, particularly Tabac and Grezzo.
Etro's Shaal Nur, a perfect go-to-oriental
Loewe pour homme
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post #37 of 97
1/8/10 at 12:11pm
In terms of "finds," Victoria's Secret Vertical was a completely unhyped release that just about no one here has tried that works very very well on me. It's almost like a dry, chocolaty gourmand with a pronounced vetiver note.
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post #38 of 97
1/8/10 at 12:33pm
My favourite discovery of 2009 has been Vero Profumo, and Onda in particular. Vero Kern proves that you can make fragrances with modern materials that smell as wonderful and are as rich as vintage Guerlains or Carons. Big thumbs up!
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post #39 of 97
1/8/10 at 12:49pm
These two did it for me:

Philtre d'Amour by Guerlain. I fell in love with sample(s). Lusted after a bee bottle. Procrastinated. Bid (unsucessfully) on two bottles of Ebay. And then, in a lucky auction, managed to snag a vintage bottle of it, online. Now...of course, it's been officially discontinued. Nonetheless, 2009 was the year I finally came full circle to owning this elusive and wonderful juice.

Fille en Aiguilles by Serge Lutens. I didn't buy a bottle, but a generous Basenoter gifted me a large decant and this totally rocked my 2009 holidays. It soothed me, made me feel like I was walking around wearing pajamas on Christmas morning. I also wore it to the funeral of my grandmother, and it calmed me wonderfully. I can't wait til next holiday season, when I will most likely get a full bottle.
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post #40 of 97
1/8/10 at 12:55pm
Most likely my number 1 Dior Homme Cologne. Followed closely by a late entry, Josef Statkus.
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post #41 of 97
1/8/10 at 12:57pm
The Signature Scent from Bond No.9
Gary
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post #42 of 97
1/8/10 at 1:33pm
Thread Starter 
Wow, so many fascinating responses. I didn't think anyone was posting any replies: I'd set the forum to automatically send me an email as soon as someone posted something, but no email ever came. I just logged on to Basenotes and was shocked to discover forty posts!

Thanks very much indeed for taking the time to write. I confess I haven't heard of most of the fragrances people have mentioned here. There's still so much more to discover! I also think it's especially exciting if one is unfamiliar with an entire perfume range, like, in my case, all of Creed's output: it means there are so many potential treats in store.
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post #43 of 97
1/8/10 at 1:42pm
I think my "finds" were a discovery of my favourite leather notes in Cuir de Lancome and Parfum d'Empire's Cuir Ottoman.

I like heavier scents and these have stayed with me for months.
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post #44 of 97
1/8/10 at 1:51pm
Becoming re-aquainted with original Aramis. Delicious fragrance still.
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post #45 of 97
1/8/10 at 1:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aacrazygirl View Post

My favorite is New West ....I know I can still get it at Macys however they dont make the nectar anymore ..I use to spray on the the spray and put a dab of the nectar on with it and it created a gr8 smell ...I wish the nectar was still inproduction ...Im sure alot of women think that ...everyone that I know says the same thing...I did call Este' Lauter and they told me that its discontinued ...

New West is wonderful ...........

For me , rediscovery of Shalimar,Mitsouko and also En Avion and Tabac Blond.
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post #46 of 97
1/8/10 at 2:13pm
Everything. Before 2009 I occasionally wore Adidas and Banana Republic colognes. Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin (found at a yard sale) started my interest and BN, perfumed court, and sampling/buying ensued. Eternally grateful to have found Antaeus, Mitsouko, Sublime, Third Man, Zino, M7, Encre Noire, No. 5, Shalimar, Arpege, Baghari, Opium, etc. and added them to my wardrobe. Also happy to have tried out many others, both niche and vintage, especially Tauers, Lutens, Guerlains, and Chanels. It's a pricey, but rewarding obsession.
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post #47 of 97
1/8/10 at 2:18pm
hmm.. It`s difficult to pick out one, but there was one fragrance that gave me that "wow" experience and opened my eyes to Italian niche-perfumery. So unique, so original. A high quality attention-grabber. -Sienne I`Hiver by Eau d`Italie.
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post #48 of 97
1/8/10 at 2:28pm
Amouage gold, homage, gold ladies, xxv.
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post #49 of 97
1/8/10 at 2:33pm
Honore des Pres Sexy Angelic (if this lasted longer there's a good chance it would be tied for my overall #1 frag ever) - as close as I have come to my HG unsweet, soft gourmand.

Satellite Ipanema

Serge Lutens La Myrrhe
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post #50 of 97
1/8/10 at 2:50pm
Ambre Narguile...
followed by Body Kouros...


... on the same day

That was a great day!

Andy
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post #51 of 97
1/8/10 at 3:17pm
Profumum Olibanum, only I didn't like it at first, later, enormous 'wow'.
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post #52 of 97
1/8/10 at 3:48pm
If I have to pick just one, it would be Eau Illuminée (Parfums DelRae) - I was instantly seduced by the haunting beauty of this scent and the impeccable quality of the perfumer's work. It restored my faith in contemporary perfumery!

Another favourite, and a surprising find was Dior's Eau Sauvage Fraîcheur Cuir, for the simple reason that I didn't expect to it to be better than the original...but my nose respectfully disagreed.
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post #53 of 97
1/8/10 at 6:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tedster View Post

2009 was the year I got into fragrance (as a hobby).

Quote:
Originally Posted by dacha View Post

Given that my entire awakening to perfume is encompassed by 2009 I should probably credit every scent...

Quote:
Originally Posted by markb View Post

I just got into frags in '09 so it's all still very new.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Antaeusintheair View Post

Everything. Before 2009 I occasionally wore Adidas and Banana Republic colognes.


Like Tedster, dacha, markb, and Antaeusintheair 2009 was the year fragrances turned from an occasional spritz of my 1-2 frags into a hobby, and began becoming an all out obsession. So nearly everything in my wardrobe was discovered in 2009 (except Polo and Cool Water).

If I had to pick my favorite though, it is no doubt Bvlgari Aqva. Love at first sniff. It is immediately followed by Gendarme (thanks adonis), Versace Pour Homme, and a late entry L'eau par Kenzo (thanks awayalonealong).

Finding Basenotes certainly enriched my life and lightened my wallet in 2009.
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post #54 of 97
1/8/10 at 6:50pm
Dior Homme Cologne was a very pleasant surprise for me. I bought it blind (which I never do) based on Indie Guy's posts about it (thanks Indie Guy!). I always found the original to be a unwearable masterpiece, so it was a no-brainer to buy a version of it that's fresher and more wearable.
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post #55 of 97
1/9/10 at 6:58am
2009 has been a bountiful year in terms of 'love at first whiff experience'...some of my notable favorite finds of 2009:-

Caron Tabac Blond (vintage)
Esencia Loewe
1969 Revolte
Serge Noire
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post #56 of 97
1/9/10 at 7:06am
I think my best "wear it often" additions for 2009 were:

Parfums de Nicolai New York
Tam Dao
Tiffany for Men and
JHL
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post #57 of 97
1/9/10 at 7:33am
For me, it would definitely have to be Carven Homme (lots of positive feedback) and F pour Homme Black by Ferragamo. This latter of the two is sold exclusively through Nordstroms and Ferragamo boutiques right now, but it is well worth the sniff.
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post #58 of 97
1/9/10 at 7:49am
I've worn fragrance since I was a teen and have always been interested, but this year I quit smoking and decided to focus on fragrance as part of my strategy.

My biggest "finds" are all the classic Guerlains and Chanels. I've been aware of them, but have unfortunately been ignoring them for most of my life (except for Habit Rouge, which I've worn on and off since the 80's).
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post #59 of 97
1/9/10 at 8:31am
Miller Harris Terre d'Bois. Just a real good match for my personal skin chemistry. It's weird...it's how I imagine I'd like my skin to smell if there was no such thing as cologne and we had to have a permanent "signature scent". It's a light smell, but delicious and natural. A bottle of Bois du Portual from years ago was the same way for me.
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post #60 of 97
1/9/10 at 8:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by WhosYerBob View Post

Mine was Creed's Windsor. I've never been interested in wearing a rose scent before, but that one really changed my mind.

Exactly the same here. It changed my thoughts on Rose. It also proved I don't universally dislike Cedar-prominent drydowns. So it hurt my pockets more than it's own cost, but in opening me up to other rose or cedar scents.

Finding out Maitre and L'Artisan room sprays were better than than other niche houses best scents' was a nice "find" also.
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