I concur - a niche pepper scent...wonderful stuff. And, so well-priced! +1 more!
I also concur with my friend, Francolino, Vintage YSL is amazing. As well, I would include some Vintage Guerlain and Vintage Givenchy bottles.
Caron is in a category all to itself. Perhaps one of the most original, avant-garde and stylistic houses of scent that has ever existed. They create wonderful bottles - so many that are better than niche (or inspired numerous niche scents).
And, Hermes - Terre d'Hermes has a wonderful quality (which helped pave the way for "Iso E Super-highway" of modern perfumery that includes Encre Noire). But, going back farther - try Bel Ami (Vintage) and come to the quick realization what true quality is all about.
Final mention - Gucci Pour Homme (2003) under Tom Ford. An inspiration for so many as well. A modern masterpiece.
People get hung up on 'niche' too much. While I respect a lot of small producers who make quality scents, 'niche' fragrance is now rather mainstream. Just because you paid $200+ for a bottle doesn't mean it smells better than a Vintage beauty with ingredients that your niche bottle cannot contain. Indeed, the realm of niche needs to be fragmented a bit & re-categorized more specifically. Some "niche" producers could be considered simply as houses of scent due to their sheer output, yet they keep the prices high. Micro-producers of scent (with very limited production), while notable for those who can obtain a bottle are interesting to discuss - but when is production going to meet demand? And finally, the large number of "niche" producers who like to use ingredients/notes to label their bottles and have a massive financial backing, yet keep their bottle prices in the stratosphere...that is not truly "niche" as it should be defined.
I like this basic article on "niche" -
http://www.perfume.org/all-about-per...the-difference - and concur with the list of houses at the end of the article.
Have you ever smelled the warm salty air off the Mediterranean on a sun-soaked, early summer afternoon in Cannes while sipping a glass of Dom Perignon while wearing an Italian linen suit in a full wearing of Acqua di Parma Colonia (1916) on the terrace at the Hotel Carlton off the Croisette? That is..."niche".
Cheers,
ericrico
Quote:
Originally Posted by
fperdices 
I agree. Marc Jacobs Bang is excellent.