Looking for 5-8 decants to try

Hi, I'm looking for a handful to try from a re-bottle company (I used microperfumes but open to another if someone has a rec). I do not typically like classic mens cologne (1 million, Sauvage, Spice Bomb), they remind me of high school and college in the 90s and 2000s. In learning about the vocabulary, I think I do not like the fresh, clean, synthetic.  

I'm 44yo, into dressing up and city stuff, and also a classic camping outdoorsman. I like palo santo, amber and sandalwood, leather and smoke, and my girlfriend likes vanilla, as long as its not too much. I don't want to smell like a cup cake but I can appreciate that a ladies like gourmand a lot. I love most Le Labo scents like matcha, tonka, noir, and vetiver. But my ultimate fav is their Patchouli 24 which on my skin it is more gourmand and chocolate. This tells me I like intense burning, chemical, phenolic, smoky scents. I love mescal and scotch and I typically like smoke in food and drink, and intense flavors in general i.e. funky cheese, anchovies, etc. So maybe I like animalic? But I also love Dior Homme Intense and Santal 33, which tells me I like plush iris suede wrapped in dusty vanilla and cocoa. It also tells me I like florals. 

I am realizing I may have dismissed department store cologne and am interested if maybe I missed some things. I've heard Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille and Oud might work. I've heard Maison Francis Kerkdjian and Diptyque and Byredo might be similar houses of cologne I might find what I've found in Le Labo. I'm open to expensive special occasion bottles if they are remarkable, but also want some affordable for daily drivers. And since I'm gonna buy a big handful of 0.75 or 1.5 or 5ml samples, I am into a wide net to start with. I've been rotating six samples from Le Labo for years now. Maybe people w experience can help me narrow down based on what I've said?

Some options (feel free to mention more):

Memoir Man

By the Fireplace

Tobacco Vanille

Grand Soir

LADDM

Black Aoud

CDG Black

Lonestar Memories

Oud Wood

Tam Dao EDT

Philosykos EDT

Gypsy Water + Bal d’Afrique

Amyris Homme

BR540

Ok thanks everyone!!

NVM

I think you have a good list to try, for the spicy-amber category I would add Ambre Nuit Eau de Parfum , for the iris try Bois d'Argent Eau de Parfum and the fresh-spicy Bois Impérial Eau de Parfum

Now, I don't have a good suggestions for the "smoky mezcal" but I remember smelling Sans Fleurs. The notes say rum and oud, but to my nose it is pure whiskey, dry as heck. No sweetness at all.

From the alternatives given I personally like Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum most, however when I read your description, I think By the Fireplace would be the best one for you. ☺️

Grand Soir Eau de Parfum and Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum will probably be too sweet for you if you only like a bit of vanilla. Bal d'Afrique Eau de Parfum, Gypsy Water Eau de Parfum, and Philosykos Eau de Toilette lean a bit fem imo. Keeping it within the brands you mentioned, I’d suggest Overture Man, Eau Rihla Eau de Parfum, and Ébène Fumé Eau de Parfum

As I read you description I think you should see if any of Rogue Perfumery's fragrances strike you. The Original wwould seem to meet the description of what you like. It has sandalwood and vanilla in its base and you won't smell like a cupcake.

Le Patchouli Élixir Eau de Parfum is a chocolatey patch.

And I think you also should try Mitsouko Eau de Parfum marketed towards women but many men love to wear it.