I'm so happy to see this review! I just ordered samples of Material, Guidance, 46, and Existence! Can't wait to smell those when they come in later this week. I'm just now getting into Amouage! :)
Amouage Existence and PDM 's Valaya do not smell the same at all. However they layer very well together. Layer Valaya or even the softer Valaya Exclusif with Existence and the product is uniquely bespoke and alluring. Try it.
Existence smells like acetone to me, nothing else (my son called it out too which confirmed my displeasure). I love guidance, lilac love (sadly this one has low projection) and overture. I'm testing out love tuberose which smells like hypnotic poison.
I have never smelled any Amouage perfume. They aren't sold in the country I'm currently living/working in. I have to do all my fragrance-sniffing when I travel, either at my destination or in the airport duty-free. I never see Amouage in the airport duty-free though!