Santa Maria Novella

[DukeGrad]

My dear friends, base notes is excited by their patchouley. I am a fan of their shaving cream. I am looking for a great patch or vetiver EDC. I have been wanting to delve into this all my life. Have favored all the British stuff, my best vetiver was done by Floris. So looking for those scents. Getting primed for my daughters graduation this week. She finishes graduate school. So have to smell the best. I will look the best. It seems as I age, vetiver and patch seem to hit the mark. I want a nice cologne, no chemicals! Thank you all so much BTW. Nice day, Jimmy

 

[Lamb Root]

SMS fragrances are very nice. In my opinion, considering their price vs. scent ratio, SMNs are a kind of low hanging fruit in every frag head's wardrobe. I liked most of their scents I have had the chance to try, therefore I would encourage you to buy at least one. Vetiver was unfortunately not one of the scents I liked and I don't know what the patch is. On the other hand, Eva, and don't be misled by the scent's name, is a beautiful vetiver; clean, simple bright and spicy, and its longevity is fair. Try that one. And by all means try Marescialla and Peau d'Espagne while you are at it.

 

[DukeGrad]

Thank you very much Ivan. I got different views at base notes. My research had me going for the Lorenzo Villoressi for their Vetiver. I will look at EVA have heard the same as well. Thank you very much. Jimmy

 

[john parker]

I was fortunate enough to have been pif'ed a sample of Floris Vetiver, which I thought was totally wonderful!! And unfortunate in that it had been discontinued when I discovered it!

 

[DukeGrad]

I was fortunate enough to have been pif'ed a sample of Floris Vetiver, which I thought was totally wonderful!! And unfortunate in that it had been discontinued when I discovered it!

John that was what I was using, a very nice scent. Warm, not over bearing. And last a while. I really like that one. Nice day,

 

[Lamb Root]

LV Vetiver is another pair of shoes. Many people I know, find his vetiver the best, except my wife who hates it.

 

[tehtimmeh]

The SMN vetiver offering isn't a strong one IMO. I won't opine on the patchouli as I've not tried it and typically don't like patchouli centered frags.

LV's vetiver is one of the strongest, raw, pungent, earthy vetivers out there, so proceed with caution. It does dry down to a nice sandalwood base similar to the Floris offering, however.

 

[DukeGrad]

Tim, thank you very much. I know his colognes. And agree with you. That's why I like them. You go through many routes, till you get there. He is very interesting in that sense. I may go with his my friend. Thank you. Jimmy

 

[sarimento1]

My dear friends, base notes is excited by their patchouley. I am a fan of their shaving cream. I am looking for a great patch or vetiver EDC. I have been wanting to delve into this all my life. Have favored all the British stuff, my best vetiver was done by Floris. So looking for those scents. Getting primed for my daughters graduation this week. She finishes graduate school. So have to smell the best. I will look the best. It seems as I age, vetiver and patch seem to hit the mark. I want a nice cologne, no chemicals! Thank you all so much BTW. Nice day, Jimmy

Jimmy, I can understand your dilemma!
Unfortunately, I've not found anyone who has a 'reasonable' assortment of SMN samples for purchase.
I think your best bet will be to go out on a limb and purchase three or four of the SMN colognes, keeping whichever you like.
Then use BST or Ebay to sell the ones you don't care for.
This will limit your total expense and give you the most options.
Let us know whatever you ultimately find!!
And congratulations on your daughter's graduation!!

 

[professorchaos]

SMN frags are something you should definitely try before buying. Many of the older ones have a old world weirdness about them. The tabasco note in Peau d'Espagne, a strong current of rosewood in the Vetiver, and the medicinal blast of wild oregano in Sandalo.

I like everything I've smelled from them, especially Potpourri. I don't want to smell like potpourri all day, no matter how good it is.

 

[laph]

I have Potpourri and it's a very interesting herbal and spicy scent. It's loud when sprayed but I've found I can apply a good amount splashed with excellent (not loud) results.
If you like old school masculines (Pino for example) then the line is def worth sampling. Try and get enough to test each fragrance when both sprayed and splashed.

 

[DukeGrad]

Gentlemen, thank you all very much. I got some insight here. Thanks for the congrats for my daughter. After reading I am old school scents so I have a few can use .After reading have a good idea what to look at. BTW SMN can be bought at Aedes in NYC and online. And Lafco for LV, but in the smaller size. I appreciate, the scents I was looking at, well. I changed my mind! Thanks to you all have a good idea. Have a nice day my friends, Jimmy

 

[Cuttingboard]

LV's vetiver is one of the strongest, raw, pungent, earthy vetivers out there, so proceed with caution. It does dry down to a nice sandalwood base similar to the Floris offering, however.

What does LV stand for?

 

[professorchaos]

lorenzo villoresi

 

[jwilock]

You might give Guerlain Vetiver a try. It's klnd of a classic in the vetiver scent arena. Vetiver, like leather, comes in many different forms. Some you might find too mild and fleeting. Some might overpower you, or smell a bit too earthy for your taste. No way to tell what you will prefer. But Guerlain should be easily available for you to spritz a bit on you and see how it develops over time on your skin.

 

[Ron991]

SMN was pushing the envelope long before Jean Laporte did when he founded Maitre Parfumer et Gantier. I will try to explain their Vetiver as to the best of my ability. Image if you can a big bunch of Vetiver root's dried in the sun. Light them on fire. Now take a bunch of wet Vetiver roots beat out the fire. Now take this whole mess, and distill it, add a touch of light woods, bottle it, and call it a day. There you have Vetiver by SMN. This is a bone dry, scorched earth Vetiver, blended with a touch of light woods, and that's it period. People either love this fragrance, or hate it....Me, I love it....!

 

[keithmax]

You might give Guerlain Vetiver a try. It's klnd of a classic in the vetiver scent arena. Vetiver, like leather, comes in many different forms. Some you might find too mild and fleeting. Some might overpower you, or smell a bit too earthy for your taste. No way to tell what you will prefer. But Guerlain should be easily available for you to spritz a bit on you and see how it develops over time on your skin.

Agreed this is a classic and very nice Vetiver. To sample SMN try Surrender to Chance so you can sample before buying an expensive bottle.

 

[Austin]

SMN frags are something you should definitely try before buying. Many of the older ones have a old world weirdness about them. The tabasco note in Peau d'Espagne, a strong current of rosewood in the Vetiver, and the medicinal blast of wild oregano in Sandalo.

I like everything I've smelled from them, especially Potpourri. I don't want to smell like potpourri all day, no matter how good it is.

I agree with the professor. I am a fan of SMN.

 

[sarimento1]

Thanks for the info on Surrender to Chance, I had not found a SMN decanter otherwise and I've already ordered a few from them.
However, Surrender to Chance is a good term...I could not find SMN's vetiver or Russa scents in the list.
Will continue to be on look out for those.

 

[DukeGrad]

My friends I am in DC there is a Santa Maria Novella on Wisconsin ave 2 minutes from my hotel. Gonna have a first you all have nice holiday I plan to smell nice or stink up the family on the holiday. Thank you all very much . Jimmy