Question:
Originally Posted by GAIVS IVLIVS CAESAR Actually Arabie wasn't too much to deal with, it's just that it's completely dry - I love spices, but Arabie is all spice with no foundation. There needs to be some moisture in there, some sweat, some honey, some "balls". Something to give it warmth, you know?

I suspect Arabie fills up in great humidity, I'll try it again in the summer when it's a convenction oven in this city.

Is Santal Mysore dry, or does it have a thicker more humid base? Its smoother than Arabie and less loaded with spices - as Ruggles brought to my notice, there is an accord in there which reminds me of a coconut-flavored dessert (although its not a coconut note and doesnt smell like coconuts). Its not a powerhouse sandalwood scent, but as an Arabie substitute its pretty good.

Answer:
Arabie is beautiful, but it has a strong accord of generic potpourri in it to my nose. My favorite Serge Lutens are Douce Amere and Gris Clair.

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When I tested Arabie for the 1st time (here in HUMID Miami) it did not just smell like spice, it smelled like a pot on the stove of some kind of middle eastern dish (chicken curry, maybe) was simmerng all over me...it made me giggle how much I smelled like an Indian restaurant...to me, this is what happens when Arabie 'moistens' up.

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I agree that Ambre Sultan is a must-try for you. I find it has a lot in common with Fumerie Turque, especially as it dries down. I'm surprised you found Arabie too dry - on me it's sickly sweet! Smell is such a subjective sense.
Nobody's mentioned Miel de Bois yet. It's potent, bizarre, and very controversial, but worth trying if only for the novel experience.

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my favorites:
Borneo1834
Iris silver mist
Myrrh
Chergui

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Originally Posted by Vibert Nobody's mentioned Miel de Bois yet. It's potent, bizarre, and very controversial, but worth trying if only for the novel experience. One of my favorites. The opening is pure comb honey, and after a while it dries down to pure heaven: mild sweetness and musky, woodiness.

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I adore Fumerie Turque, it's tied with Ambre Sultan for MOST favorite ... Chergui, Cuir Mauresque and Santal de Mysore are so very close behind that it's almost too close to call ... I'm also very enamored with Chene, Un Bois Vanille, and Douce Amere.

Answer:
Oh god... I adore A La Nuit and I think my knees would go weak if a man was wearing it.
Lutens scents that I think you would enjoy:

• Chergui
• Ambre Sultan
• Un Bois vanille (I must buy a bottle of this soon)

I love Muscs Koublai Khan, but it's a very, very dirty/animalic musk and not everybody likes it. I also looooove Borneo 1834 but it's a very dry scent. The cacao and dry patchouli just blows me away every time. It's so good. I am also a huge fan of Miel du Bois but not everyone likes the honey scent.

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I'm glad you feel that way about La Nuit Linnea - as I plan to acquire a bottle at some point in the future, and if I can have that effect on people it's worth the money! It is really amazing isn't it - it's completely 3D. Wow you sure love your Lutens with 5 out of your 16 fragrance wardrobe!

So I guess from what I'm reading from all of you (thanks to all by the way), first on my list to try is Ambre Sultan, Cuir Mauresque, Santal Mysore and Chergui... which is about as much as I can sample in one try. I smelled the sleeve of my jacket which had the Arabie on it, and it is really nice. We'll see in the summer - I probably won't have any money at all until then anyways!