Question:
Trying to expand my wardrobe a touch. From my recent free-time frenzy of testing and sniffing everything available in a good ten-mile radius, I've discovered a couple of things...
I'm notoriously picky, for one. Probably drove the counter ladies mad with, "Naaaah" after "Naaaah".
My hands-down favorite at the moment is the rather polarizing Quorum -- Maybe it's a chemistry thing, but it wears great on me. From the test runs, I've only really liked Vera Wang for Men though the test run longevity was pretty lousy. Faded out to a faint nothing rapidly. D&G I found interesting, but I'm not sure I'd jump at it... it's also a bit too 'popular' for my tastes.
From what little I've learned, I seem to be hanging out in the tobacco/leather/dry/woody/smoky/manly-men sort of range. Florals and sweet notes put me off rather rapidly.
That said, what would be a good blind pick-up online? Some ideas I'm kicking around: Gucci pour Homme, Azzaro PH, Trussardi Uomo, Yatagan...

Answer:
Not meaning to sound blunt, but I'm running out the door. It seems especially unwise to buy blind if you are "notoriously picky."
I think CDG Jaisalmer would be a safe blind buy for someone with your affinities, most likely, but I have noticed that someone on another site lists it as his/her "unholy grail" or some such thing.

Answer:
FWIW(nothing, I know!), Yatagan made me want to hurl...... Now for some reason, Coze 02 reminds me of Y but it's wonderful and it is "woody", "dry", and kind of "dark".
Dan

Answer:
I'd reccomend you give the following frags a go'at'er:
M7 (smokey, sweet smouldering fragrance, dark, masculine and vulnerable)
Aramis JHL (still the classiest fragrace I'm likely to ever smell)
Chanel Antaeus (lovely dark blend of earth/honey)
Trussardi Uomo (which you mentioned, a mellow safe leather)
HL's Cuiron (smooth buttery leather, slight smoke hint)
Jean Pascale PH (80's power vibe, spicy, smooth)
Hermes Bel Ami (if you want a really masculine take on leather)
Nina Ricci's Memoire D'Hommes (authentic smoke, slight citrus, oddball frag
Artisan's L'eau di Navigateur (dark coffee note, smokey, hint of floral - niiice)
Balenciaga PH (old-school frag, nice blend of incense and honey notes)
Comme Des Garcons 2/Monatle Greyland (similar to Gucci PH)
Dior Jules (robust, classic, dark... oozing through earthy terrains like red wine)
Creed's Bois Du Portugal (peppery, woodsy... regal and excellent)
Gucci Nobile (Green and classy, hint of sweet to keep the crispness at bay)
Terre D'Hermes (citrus/woodsy blend with an earth-like mineral note, versatile
Hope these give you some ideas.
a.

Answer:
Far as notorious pickiness goes, I was being partially glib -- I think it's more a product of location coupled with current trends. Smalltown, USA and there isn't a great deal of variety (Everywhere I went, the selection was pretty homogenized). Probably a good argument for ordering samples, though this is proving a good source for 'Where to Start'.
BdP intrigues me, so I'm probably going to start scouting around for a sample. That reminds me -- What scents are similar? I read a lot of reviews for Heritage mentioning BdP?

Answer:
I tend to stick to the try before you buy rule, even just sampling in a store can do the trick and safe you a lot of cash; on the down/positive side; the more you try the more you like and buy!!

Answer:
And the winner is:
Trussardi Uomo. Pretty arbitrary decision -- Primarily came about via it being on the list and my stumbling across a 100mL EDT for 20 bucks.
Now, the Waiting Game. (Only down side to ordering anything online... No instant gratification )

Answer:
Travtex, how do you like the TRUSSARDI?
I am thinking about this one - though I have a reponsibility to some suggestions for myself that I posted in a different thread first....