I Love NY for All may have opened me to gourmands... now what?

[onethinline]

Today I'm finally wearing a sample of Bond No. 9 I Love NY for All, and I'm a bit surprised at how much I'm enjoying it so far. I always figured I wasn't into sweet scents, and the IDEA of gourmands didn't appeal to me, but this is really nice. Still, I don't know much about this category at all, apart from sniffing A*Men on test strips a few times (and not necessarily hating it). So, the question is, would the Bond No. 9 be one to go for, or are there others I should explore first? Is A*Men really that challenging and divisive to wear? How would it compare to I Love NY for All?

(My blind-buy bottle of L'Instant de Guerlain pour Homme Extreme is on its way, so there's that too.)

[Davem81]

Is A*Men really that challenging and divisive to wear?

I believe it is, yes! I'm not an A*men fan at all. I do however like NY for all very much.

[hednic]

Is A*Men really that challenging and divisive to wear?

IMO I don't feel it is. It might just take a little getting used to.

[Nersh]

Those are two of my favorite gourmands, NY for all and LIDGE (finally came yesterday). Me, I am not so much an A*MEN fan so i wouldnt be able to give it a fair comparison and have not reached the point where I would wear it. Maybe you could look into Pure Havane and Pure Malt as an alternative to A*MEN if you find it to be a challenge to wear.

[Ken_Russell]

A*Men may be a hate-or-love scent, but after certain testings, it is definitely not that hard to wear one gets used to it and decides that A*Men is likable enough to be worn

[blacklibran1]

This scent was horrible on my skin...smelled like cheese ...gross...I like the original I love new york

[Akahina]

L'Instant is wonderful, don't apply too much though! At first you will be tempted to but it changes and you should learn how to wear it starting with just a spray or two.

I wore New Haarlem yesterday for the first real wearing. I thought I would just like it based on a card sampling but it really works for me. You may want to try that one too.

[Jack Hunter]

You have the best on it's way to you in L'Instant Extreme, a fantastic vanille/cocoa semi gourmand fragrance. It smells great and lasts twelve hours plus. Good purchase.

[MJM_77]

Tonka Imperiale is definitely my current favorite gourmand!

[Redneck Perfumisto]

If you like that one, then I also think that Bond no. 9 So New York, Bond no. 9 New Haarlem, and Rochas Man may be worth trying.

[drseid]

Les Nombres d'Or Vanille by Mona di Orio is my favorite gourmand. Frapin 1270 is also one I like and recommend.

[Yiyi4real]

ambre narguile is my favorite.

[Vince23heat]

AMEN will be potent if you are used to lighter scents

[onethinline]

AMEN will be potent if you are used to lighter scents

I actually prefer a scent to have some projection, letting me then control the number of sprays from there. Though from all I've read A*Men is a beast as far as strength. I haven't worn it yet -- only smelled it on strips -- but already it seems more complex and interesting than I Love NY for All. Though maybe it's not as much of a "high quality" experience? I have to admit, one of my hesitations about trying A*Men is that it's associated with guys much younger than me (I'm 34). Still, if its effect is similar to the lovely smell I got from the Bond No. 9 this morning, I may have to give it a go. It's certainly more affordable than something like New Haarlem. :-)

[Vince23heat]

I actually prefer a scent to have some projection, letting me then control the number of sprays from there. Though from all I've read A*Men is a beast as far as strength. I haven't worn it yet -- only smelled it on strips -- but already it seems more complex and interesting than I Love NY for All. Though maybe it's not as much of a "high quality" experience? I have to admit, one of my hesitations about trying A*Men is that it's associated with guys much younger than me (I'm 34). Still, if its effect is similar to the lovely smell I got from the Bond No. 9 this morning, I may have to give it a go. It's certainly more affordable than something like New Haarlem. :-)

sample sample sample. go to sephora or macys because Amen is not a good blind buy. Many dislike the burnt openning smell. new haarlem tho is a smoother scent but i would just get rochas instead because they are similar

[Oproust]

Rochas Man is a great inexpensive gourmand. I also enjoy New Haarlem, Pure Havane (a lot), Pure Malt and A*Men.

[PradaG]

I second Rochas man. Its underrated

[jamwires]

A*Men is very high quality, so you've got nothing to worry about there. In fact, it's a benchmark fragrance. Try it with a single spray to the chest, and go from there. I personally like the opening, but the drydown is absolutely brilliant.

New Haarlem is pure gold in a bottle, check that one out too.

[Duke Hunt]

I really enjoy New Haarlem, Pure Havane, Musc Ravaguer, Back to Black and Tobacco Vanille.