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Best 'openings' of all time?

post #1 of 88
10/2/12 at 7:40pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, so I know it's really the drydown that makes or breaks a frag for most of us, but I know there are still some frags that I enjoy simply for their beautiful opening. Some develop wonderfully and have great drydowns, and some go south really fast. Some are cheap, some expensive...but, regardless of how great the total frag is, or any other factors (price, longevity, etc.), what frags do you consider to have the best openings of all time?

Now, I have very limited overall experience in comparison to many of you, but I absolutely love the openings of:

Creed Green Irish Tweed (one of the best ever IMO)
Creed Aventus (ahh, that beautiful rich pineapple)
Chanel Platinum Egoiste (I adore it's opening...wish it would last forever. If I could find a frag that dried down the way this opens, it would probably be my holy grail)
Ralph Lauren Big Pony #1 (ok, so it goes nowhere from there & has basically no sillage, projection or longevity, but man I think the opening is nice)

What are yours?
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post #2 of 88
10/2/12 at 7:58pm
Call me crazy, but I'm one of the few people that enjoy the opening of A*Men.
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post #3 of 88
10/2/12 at 7:59pm
Formidable Homme
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post #4 of 88
10/2/12 at 8:01pm
Thread Starter 
haha...I don't think you're crazy at all. I can't agree with you, but I don't think it's crazy.
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post #5 of 88
10/2/12 at 8:05pm
  • del
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A*Men Pure Havane by Thierry Mugler. The combination of tobacco and cherry-like sweetness is unique and simply irresistible. Very nice.
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post #6 of 88
10/2/12 at 8:08pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hednic View Post

Formidable Homme

BN doesn't really have any info on this. Do you know the notes pyramid?
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post #7 of 88
10/2/12 at 8:10pm
Hm this is a tough one. Most of the openings on my fragrances tend to be harsh versions of the dry down. Possibly The One Gentleman, if I had to choose
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post #8 of 88
10/2/12 at 8:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by fit&frag'd View Post

BN doesn't really have any info on this. Do you know the notes pyramid?

This is the description: Notes of Vanilla and Musk to a rich and refined woody complex (Cedar, Sandal, Vetyver)
The nutmeg and a new original coffee accord reinforce the character of this oriental fragrance, enlightened by the fresh and sparkling accents of Citrus notes (Bergamot, Mandarine, Verbena, Grapefruit), and discreet floral notes ( Jasmine, Lily of the valley).
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post #9 of 88
10/2/12 at 8:14pm
I've gotta say-- L'Air du Desert Marocain has the most beautiful opening I've ever smelled.
I've written that too many times on BN, but I can't help myself.
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post #10 of 88
10/2/12 at 9:02pm
Most Frapins! Pure Malt!

I just wish Frapin 1270 opening would be all lasting.
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post #11 of 88
10/2/12 at 9:05pm
I absolutely love the opening of Pure Malt and Frapin 1270!
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post #12 of 88
10/2/12 at 9:10pm
I don't know about all-time but I just smelled Frederic Malle's Carnal Flower yesterday for the first time and it is quite beautiful.
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post #13 of 88
10/2/12 at 9:11pm
Creed Silver Mountain Water

Love it's opening

#1 on L'Air du Desert Morocain. The first time I smelled it, it painted a picture in my mind. Blue sky, rocks, sand and heat
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post #14 of 88
10/2/12 at 9:16pm
Too hard to choose.
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post #15 of 88
10/2/12 at 9:25pm
I've never bought a bottle just for the opening, but I came very close with Lux by Mona di Orio. It smells almost just like key lime pie to me, literally made my mouth water.

Of the bottles I do own, I don't think anything quite matches the first whiff of Tam Dao.
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post #16 of 88
10/2/12 at 9:25pm
+1 Silver Mountain Water. Smells heavenly, especially if you get batches with more green tea and less black currant.

I know that it's an incredibly recent release, but I love the opening of A*Men Pure Leather. Gone is the tar note and in is something smooth and wonderful.

I also have to say: JPG Le Male's opening is great as well.
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post #17 of 88
10/2/12 at 9:28pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hednic View Post

This is the description: Notes of Vanilla and Musk to a rich and refined woody complex (Cedar, Sandal, Vetyver)
The nutmeg and a new original coffee accord reinforce the character of this oriental fragrance, enlightened by the fresh and sparkling accents of Citrus notes (Bergamot, Mandarine, Verbena, Grapefruit), and discreet floral notes ( Jasmine, Lily of the valley).

Damn...that sounds nice! Must try...

Ok...& now I've been hearing so many good things about L'air du Desert Marocain, I have to add it to my "to sample" list as well (which keeps growing & growing & growing...).
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post #18 of 88
10/2/12 at 9:33pm
Dolce & Gabbana's The One

The warm sweet citrus grapefruit combination with a very subtle edge from the ginger makes it my favorite
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post #19 of 88
10/2/12 at 9:33pm
Acqua di Parma Colonia
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post #20 of 88
10/2/12 at 9:39pm
  • kvn
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I love Tom Ford Extreme, but if they could somehow prolong its opening it would be perfect. It's gone so fast.
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post #21 of 88
10/2/12 at 10:09pm
Millesime Imperial has one of the most sparkling openings ever, IMO.
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post #22 of 88
10/2/12 at 10:13pm
Creed Aventus & MI. Also Bleu de Chanel which gets a lot of hate on BN.
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post #23 of 88
10/2/12 at 10:15pm
Ramone Monegal's

AGAR MUSK
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post #24 of 88
10/2/12 at 10:19pm
Habit Rouge vintage Eau de Cologne has a pretty spectacular opening.
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post #25 of 88
10/2/12 at 11:00pm
GIT
Aventus
MI
SMW
Windsor
Pure Malt
Musc Ravageur
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post #26 of 88
10/2/12 at 11:49pm
  • daz
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HDP 1725 Casanova
Gucci Pour Homme II
Chez Bond
Aventus
Noir de Noir
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post #27 of 88
10/2/12 at 11:55pm
HdP 1969
Or Black
Mitsouko
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post #28 of 88
10/2/12 at 11:56pm
En Avion, sprayed.
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post #29 of 88
10/2/12 at 11:57pm
Pure Malt and 1270.

Two incredible openings haunted by mediocre drydowns.
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post #30 of 88
10/3/12 at 12:03am
Tubereuse Criminelle
Lonestar Memories
Fermes Tes Yeux
Oud Luban

Are the first that come to mind.
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post #31 of 88
10/3/12 at 12:07am
original dh
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post #32 of 88
10/3/12 at 12:08am
Creed Jardin d Amalfi
Millesime Imperial
Green Irish Tweed
Amouage Homage
+1 Acqua Di Parma Colonia
Lumiere Noire Pour Homme
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post #33 of 88
10/3/12 at 12:26am
Carnal Flower is pretty explosive.

Hard not to like L'Air du Desert Marocain.

As a dirt lover, I like CB Black March as well. That opening like the smell you get when pulling mushrooms out of the forest's mulchy damp floor. Wonderful.
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post #34 of 88
10/3/12 at 12:28am
Hermessence Iris Ukiyoé.
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post #35 of 88
10/3/12 at 1:12am
Gucci PH II
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post #36 of 88
10/3/12 at 1:37am
One has to be that of Une Fleur de Cassie by Frederic Malle.

Upon application, one is treated to a rapturous array of florals; the inspiration of which is mind-blowing. Cassie, with its somewhat green, sweetish and ever so slightly powdery facets, mimosa, with its woody, toothsome, flowery character, carnation, with its intense spiciness, and an indolic jasmine, with its heightened decay, all march through the stepped phases of the birth and death of poignant floracy. The delicate innocence, the arousing nubility, the fetid rot, all present.
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post #37 of 88
10/3/12 at 1:56am
Bois des Iles has the best opening I've ever smelled. It's heavenly.
Same goes for the drydown...
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post #38 of 88
10/3/12 at 2:02am
CPE & BdC
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post #39 of 88
10/3/12 at 3:38am
Green Irish Tweed
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post #40 of 88
10/3/12 at 5:05am
Great thread! I'd probably add some citrus-heavy scents and EdCs - I mean, some of them are so short-lived they're really all about the opening. I'd mention especially Chanel Eau de Cologne, Guerlain Eau de Cologne Impériale and Hermès Eau d'Orange Verte. All incredibly beautiful openings.

Others with amazing openings (in the sense that the opening is probably the best part of them) could be, off the top of my head, Lutens Bornéo 1834, Malle Vétiver Extraordinaire, Hermès Brin de Réglisse, Byredo Sunday Cologne/Fantastic Man, Le Labo Rose 31...
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post #41 of 88
10/3/12 at 5:17am
+1 for Dior Homme Vintage.

Bond no.9 Hamptons has one of the greatest openings imo!
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post #42 of 88
10/3/12 at 5:55am
Pasha di Cartier
Champion by Davidoff
Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin
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post #43 of 88
10/3/12 at 6:01am
Geir,a fragrance with this opening (drydown for this fragance) would be the perfect office fragance.

PD: experts this fragance exists?
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post #44 of 88
10/3/12 at 6:10am
I'm generally not crazy about the opening of ANYTHING, but one I really enjoy is Oscar for Men.
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post #45 of 88
10/3/12 at 7:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nazz View Post

Hermessence Iris Ukiyoé.

+1 for this one.
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post #46 of 88
10/3/12 at 8:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by treeman5823 View Post

L'Air du Desert Marocain

Quote:
Originally Posted by CreedKing View Post

Windsor

Quote:
Originally Posted by daz View Post

Noir de Noir

Quote:
Originally Posted by alfarom View Post

HdP 1969

^^ All fantastic openings indeed ^^

Some others that have stopped me in my tracks:

Virgin Island Water
Spiritueuse Double Vanille
Tobacco Vanille
Kobe
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post #47 of 88
10/3/12 at 8:38am
I will second S. Double Vanille.
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post #48 of 88
10/3/12 at 8:42am
Aventus & Green Irish Tweed.

Surprised to see the org. A*Men mentioned. One of my favorites, but certainly not for its opening.
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post #49 of 88
10/3/12 at 8:47am
ELDO Praise of a Traitor. Unfortunately is gone in 10 minutes and turns way too herbal.
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post #50 of 88
10/3/12 at 8:51am
Creed Spice & Wood
Creed Aventus
Creed Windsor
Creed Jardin d'Amalfi
D&G The One
GSDV
Luben Idole EDP
Frederic Malle Vetiver Extraordinaire
Annick Goutal Eau d'Hadrien
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post #51 of 88
10/3/12 at 8:57am
Citrus scents basically for me...they sparkle in the opening

1861 sticks out to me

Another would be Menthe Fraiche, which is superb in the opening then fades to nothing.

And finally Aventus, which is all about the opening then gets considerably worse as it continues.
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post #52 of 88
10/3/12 at 9:18am
Don't laugh...YSL L'Homme Libre...It is citrus and sweet...Yummmm
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post #53 of 88
10/3/12 at 11:34am
S. Double Vanille.
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post #54 of 88
10/3/12 at 12:17pm
Lately, without being 100% certain whether they actually are the best openings, I have gotten fond of the openings of the most citrus scents by Hermes, including Voyage d'Hermes, Voyage d'Hermes EDP and Eau de Pamplemousse Rose.
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post #55 of 88
10/3/12 at 12:50pm
PURE MALT
and
AVENTUS
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post #56 of 88
10/3/12 at 1:03pm
I agree with forfreddie on Tubereuse Criminelle and add SMN Nostalgia.
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post #57 of 88
10/3/12 at 1:22pm
Another vote for L' air du desert Marocain and I'll add L' Artisan's Voleur de Roses.
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post #58 of 88
10/3/12 at 1:23pm
Totally off topic, but I LOVE to look at people's Avitars...Some like Alfarom's I have no idea what it is...some like forfreddie and Jack Hunter are their actual faces which I've seen on their personal web pages...
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post #59 of 88
10/3/12 at 1:31pm
I'll also add Comme Des Garcons EDP 2011, which sounds very overdramatic but, I really think it's one of the best.
Ambra Nera and Intrigant Patchouli are well up there too
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post #60 of 88
10/3/12 at 1:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Possum-Pie View Post

Don't laugh...YSL L'Homme Libre...It is citrus and sweet...Yummmm

Actually, I'd have to agree. I really like how it opens as well...unfortunately after that, it just doesn't develop into much of anything on me. Not bad, just not interesting at all.
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