Question:
I splurged for Tauer Orris today. I've been on the fence about it for a while. In fact, I offered zztopp my sample today because I just KNEW that I would never spend that ridiculous amount of money ($95/30ml ) on it.

But then I sampled it again... I felt the hook set in my jaw, and the sense of being reeled, no, dragged in... I waited all day for the drydown, just looking for an excuse to write it off... Finding none, I scrambled for my wallet to pick up one of the last four remaining bottles on Luckyscent...

So now that I have committed to the purchase, are there other similar (cheaper!) alternatives that are comparable? I got a good six hours out of the tiny drop from my sample. I can only imagine what 3 good blasts from a full bottle might do!

This is my first full bottle Iris OR floral scent, and I wouldn't exactly call it feminine, but it is most assuredly floral - dark and sensual floral in the vein of VdR. Do any of you own and wear Iris based scents, and how do they compare? I ordered a sample of Different Company's Bois D'Iris along with the Tauer.

I have no buyer's remorse, but perhaps a twinge of buyer's guilt for not doing my homework before such an extravagant purchase. So, please tell me that it's the best thing since sliced bread, and worth every cent I paid!

Paul

Answer:
Paul, it is a wonderful fragrance. I was one of the very lucky and got a sample of it from Andy last year for free. I even did a review of it for Marina's blog which you can find here:
http://perfumesmellinthings.blogspot...s-by-andy.html
Andy was very helpful with the list of ingredients. It isn't my favorite Tauer but it is fantastic. If you are looking for a wonderful iris scent then look no further that Hiris by Hermes, which was created by Olivia Jacobetti.
Notes include:
Iris, neroli, carrots, coriander, hay, rose, ambrette seeds, almond wood, cedar, honey, and vanilla

Answer:
Honestly, I can't think of any iris-based scents that smell the same. Tauer's was decidedly more floral and darker than the others I have tested. Maybe it's the agarwood, maybe it's his use of birch tar, but something about the iris in Orris seemed more like violets than iris. When I think of iris, I think of a cold, steeley, dusty, almost otherworldly scent; or the classy, velvety effect it adds to older Carons and Guerlains, when it is blended in more deeply. In Tauer's scent, it's warm and sensual. Look at it this way, you could have spent more on Amouage, Profumum, or Clive Christian...

Answer:
No one has mentioned the superb Dior Homme? Come on! :-)

Answer:
Dior Homme smells radically different from Orris, where the iris is held in check by elements which soften and sweeten it - cocoa for example. Hiris is a good example of a classic iris fragrance, but the masterpiece is probably Iris Silver Mist - chilly, ethereal, root-like. The closest example (in feel at least) to Orris is probably Parfumerie Generale's Iris Taizo, but they are by no means smellalikes: Orris is more floral and rounder (almost fruity in its richness), IT much drier and earthy. My favourite iris is Divine's l'Homme de Coeur - an exceptionally subtle and sophisticated use of the note.

Answer:
Originally Posted by ifconfig No one has mentioned the superb Dior Homme? Come on! :-) Well, it has absolutely nothing to do with Andy Tauer's Orris, apart from sharing a basenote. I've never tried anything like it.

Answer:
Iris Nobile
by Acqua di Parma
Innocently beautiful, more the flower than its root, a little sweeter than Orris, and my favorite Iris. It must have been because Acqua di Parma, Colonia Assoluta was on display everywhere why Iris Nobile entered the scene almost unnoticed. I find it far superior to Colonia/ Assoluta. Maybe Orris lasts longer. It may also be easier to pull for a man.


Answer:
I've not had the chance to try any Tauer juice but I'm a great iris fan. My everytime's fav is still Hermes Hiris, close to perfection. Other good choices are for sure No. 19, L'homme de Coeur, Iris Silver Mist, Dior Homme and SMN Città di Kyoto.
I personally find Bois d'Iris to be nice, but I'd have preferred it to have less vetiver and more iris: too much wood for my taste. Also AdP Iris Nobile is nicely crafted but, mixing also violets etc. tends too much on the feminine floral bunch effect rathern than a pure iris, like iris poudre but more conservative ladylike, less aldehydic and androginous.

Answer:
Iris Nobile is very beautiful iris scent indeed, kind of similar with another italian, Santa Maria Novella's Iris. I find these to be too feminine for me to wear, I'm afraid. When it comes to - in my opinion - masculine Iris scents, L'Homme de Coeur is my absolute favourite, it might even be my favourite fragrance, period!
Dior Homme is not an iris scent in my books, the initial blast of iris is gone after few minutes, atleast on me. Hiris is very nice, but leaves me cold for some reason. Bois d'Iris has too sweet drydown for my tastes; it vaguely reminds me of Bois Farine, it's not even close as cloying, but has similar vibe to it (don't quote me on this). I can't put my finger on it.
Citta di Kyoto impressed me very much! I've only tried it two times, so I'm looking for a sample or decant, not yet ready to go for it, even though I'd love to; the bottle is that gorgeous!

Answer:
Originally Posted by robyogi Tauer's was decidedly more floral and darker than the others I have tested....

In Tauer's scent, it's warm and sensual. Look at it this way, you could have spent more on Amouage, Profumum, or Clive Christian... Those were my thoughts exactly - warm, dark, and sensual... So would you call it an anti-iris fragrance? That is, it uses the note, even highlights and worships it, but takes it in an opposite direction than what one would normally expect.

That sounds like Andy for sure! (That, and I have always wondered if Tauer was German for "TAR" )

The Profumum line can be had for about 35% less than Tauer Orris (on a per ml basis) since Orris is only sold in a tiny 30ml bottle. The exclusivity and rarity of a limited release like Orris appeals to me though. I won't be smelling this one on anyone else, and I do love it, so the cost is a moot point (within reason, of course).

P