Help me pick my next niche purchase!!

Micallef Gaiac
Micallef Shanaan

I think many niche houses are wrth exploring. I tried to judge your tastes from your drobe but than black oud threw me for a loop. So i can't tailor my response to what you like (and you haven't said if you are looking for a particular genre). my tastes are all over the place. Mpg jardin du nil, tom ford purple patchouli and black violet, amouage lyric man, penhaligons opus 1870, l artisan dzing...i would suggest those but...i can't gaurantee you will like them.

Dude samples are cheap and you don't have to leave the house. Just luckyscent it or get your perfumedcourt on

Get a sample of Aventus. Then buy a bottle of Aventus. Then be all like "Penhali....what??" and "Musc Rava---who??" and "Bond No. Why??"

House: MFK

Lumiere Noir pour Homme
Absolue pour le Soir

House: Amouage

Dia Man
Jubilation XXV

Also +1s on both of these lesser known gems. They are both excellent, IMO.

We seem to like similar frags. I would go for

L'Artisan Tea for Two
L'Artisan Havana Vanille / Vanille Absolument

Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille
Serge Lutens Fille en Aiguilles

Too many to mention, as usual.

A little favorite of mine is Etat Libre d'Orange (Henri Bendel on 5th ave, but likely elsewhere too in NYC).
You could start smelling the quirky jasmin et cigarette (as per name), which would also add another floral to the collection (I love florals and apart from a touch of iris in Dior homme, you're missing them). Then traditional resiny masculines such as Je suis un homme, or, if you're into leathers, the superbitter Rien. If you prefer something smooth and summery, the lemony-saffrony Tom of Finland.

As already suggested, you will also have to explore Serge Lutens at some point. The exclusives being unavailable even in NYC, I'd recommend also Tubereuse criminelle (flowers, again).

cacio

Try to explore the Parfums d'Empire - relatively cheap their 1.7 Oz starting at $75, also Parfumerie Generale they have very interesting offerings starting at $95 for 1.7 Oz. You can find them both on Luckyscent. I know you don't like shopping online but I ordered from them a few times (I live in tiny town in New Mexico 100 miles from closest interstate, so I don't have a choice, lol) and they are very nice. You can purchase samples from them first before committing to full bottle. Also judging from your collection you seem to have tastes similar to my husband: he absolutely loves Serge Lutens Fumerie Turque, and Montale Aoud Cuir D'Arabie. I would also give a vote for Serge Lutens Fille en Aiguilles

Sycomore
Invasion Barbare
Leather Oud
Timbuktu
Knize Ten
Philosykos
1740
L'Homme de Coeur

Serge Lutens Chergui

House - L'Artisan Parfumeur

Fleur de Liane - One is initially treated to a invigorating gust of seashore air as well as a faint, watermelon rind. A lush and verdant, vegetal accord, almost fern-like, commingles with the magical calone, providing a fresh sensation. Transitioning to the waiting middle, an enchanting, white floral melange, composed of waxy and lemony magnolia, tuberose with its creamy sweetness and marigold with its tangy bitterness, wonderfully enhances the bracing opening. This misty blend partners with a grassy vetiver, with earth still clinging to its roots, and flows to the awaiting base. Green and foresty oakmoss as well as spicy and earthy patchouli gently rear their heads, and are joined by the woodiness of camphoraceous cedar and sweet guaiacwood. A refreshing drydown ensues. This appealing composition can easily be worn in spring, summer or fall; and has good projection and longevity.

Fou d'Absinthe - One is initially treated to a bittersweet blast from the stimulating melange of greenness spurred by ansinthe, with its dusty, dry, medicinal dimensions; angelica, with its heavy, sweet, musky attributes; star anise, with its smoky, rich, licorice character and black currant, with its strong, fruity bouquet tinged with a cat urine slant. Percolating with a faint backdrop of a coniferous forest, this somewhat brisk blend meanders to the inviting heart. Here, woody clove, spicy-sweet ginger, cinnamon-like nutmeg and a hint of lively pepper shower the green opening, and impart their warmth, while resourceful patchouli adds a warm earthiness with its slight nutty and musky overtures. The foresty background is still here, and carries this flavorful concoction to the awaiting base. Robust conifers take center stage with the fresh and slightly camphorous woodiness of pine needles and the balsamic, christmas tree aroma of firs. Cistus bestows its terpenic and pine-like facets and vague illusions of amber and leather. A faintly rugged and quintessentially outdoorsy drydown ensues. This all-season, masculine composition has good projection, a 12-inch, scent cloud, and very good longevity, 10 hours; and should be experienced, especially on cool evenings.

+1 to cacio's suggestion of Etat Libre d'Orange. Jasmin et Cigarette is definitely worth a try. Another leather, which might be a bit more user-friendly than the very bitter Rien is Delicious Closet Queen. (leather and raspberry) And Noel au Balcon is a wonderful gingerbready gourmand. Charogne is also worth a try.

Hermes- Hermessence Vetiver Tonka
Hermes- Hermessence Ambre Narguile

Serge Lutens - Arabie
Frederic Malle - Angelique Sous la Pluie
Guerlain - Heritage
Chanel Exclusifs - Sycomore
MPG - Racine

Secretions Magnifique.

Hermes - Ambre Narguile
Guerlain - SDV
Creed - MI, Aventus
Musc Ravageur
Bond no 9 - Brooklyn, Riverside Drive, Coney Island
a bunch of Tom Fords

are all easy to recommend, depending on what kind of scent you want

Check out anything By Kilian....interesting stuff

Your that close to MiN, lucky guy you.

You've had a number of fine suggestions but I would like to add a couple. If you're in NYC how about Odin (esp 4). A couple of others:

SMN
Parfums d'Empire(esp Russe)
Serge Lutens-Amber Sultan, Noire

Comme des Garçons- Avignon;
By Killian- Incense Oud.

If you have ever tried and liked Tonka Imperiale and Tobacco Vanille but price was a problem then Les Zazous by Keiko Mecheri might be a good pick up. 75 ML a bit over $100.

Not niche but 'exclusif':
Chanel Sycomore, the smoky golden god of masculines