Thread: Cologne recommendation/advice?

I am looking for a new cologne. My budget is 100 or less. I am 25.

I will list what I am looking for first, then outline my experiences for reference, but as they are several, I am sure not everyone will make it through them

Base notes: definitely Sandalwood. Maybe musk?
Mid: ??? Light citrus, and...something earthy? Woodsy? Spicy?
top: citrus and spicy

Minimum of 5 hrs staying power, mild to moderate sillage.

I want a little sweetness, but I find sweet scents easily overpower other, more subtle notes, and can be overwhelming. I only want enough sweetness to create a fresh and clean sensation, not to smell like dessert.

I tried some samples of Creed, and these were my opinions. I loved GIT, but thought it was slightly too sweet. But just slightly. I wished it were slightly muskier or more bitter, but adored its depth and complexity, as well as its evolution. I thought Neroli Sauvage came close to the bar GIT set. It was also too sweet, though, and it leaves a little metallic taste in my mouth.
I tried Himalaya, so sweet off the bat that I washed it off immediately. I couldnt even get past the top notes. Orange spice wasnt deep enough, it smelled nice, but like spiced oranges. How Id want my kitchen to smell, not myself.
BdP did nothing for me.
I tried Aqua Di Gio in high school, as well as D&G (cant remember which, but it was golden colored and came in a blue box). AdG was better than DG, but too sweet, and I hated the DG. I tried a Paul Smith In a store. I loved it at first, but after about 2 hours it left a disgusting chemical smell on me that was hard to wash off


I have tried the T&H aftershaves, and my takes on their fragrances (which I assume are similar to their edt/edps) were as follows
Loved the sandalwood and 1805, but the sandalwood was one dimensional. The 1805 was also a little plain: pure aquatic. A common scent.
Neutral to grafton, hated WI limes (lysol) and trafalgar.
I have tried SCS sandalwood, AS balm and splash, didnt like them. Idk why, but this sandalwood hit me very differently from other Sandalwoods, which I typically adore, and hence purchased this without trying it on the many recommendations I saw here.
I like AoS sandalwood shave cream's smell. It's what I started out with, and Im very happy with it, but I expect more from an edp or edt.

Guerlain Vetiver sounds right up your alley.

try burberry brit for men.

If you like sandalwood, try GFT sandalwood. I got some for my BDay. I water that stuff down in my hand and only use a squirt and i can smell it on my pillow the next morning. I liken it to a fine single Malt. a little bit of water opens up the scent, sweetens it and separates the fragrances a little