Vanille

I sampled this perfume by dabbing it on, and initially, it presented itself as boozy and very smoky, with warm and spicy undertones. After about 3 or 4 hours, the vanilla notes emerged, replacing the smoke. While still retaining its boozy and spicy characteristics, I found myself appreciating this scent, but only to a certain extent, making me think that it would be better suited as a sample or decant rather than a full-bottle purchase. In my opinion, it's a winter fragrance that demands a specific occasion, not daily wear. Its intellectual take on vanilla makes it an acquired taste, rather than a gourmand.

MdO's VANILLE is absolutely captivating; it's full of surprises. Unlike traditional vanilla scents, this one kicks off with a bold combination of bitter orange, clove, and amber. The initial booziness gradually gives way to rich, sweet, and concentrated vanilla notes. As the fragrance evolves, the sweetness transitions into a smoky, earthy, and woody dry down, complemented by ylang-ylang, vetiver, and sandalwood. On my skin, the dry down is particularly lush and remarkably well-balanced, with an exceptionally smooth quality. What I find striking about VANILLE is its potency, richness, and heaviness – it's a true gourmand and oriental fusion. Notably, it boasts impressive longevity and sillage. Overall, I'd rate this fragrance 8.25 out of 10.

⚫️⚫️⚫️⚪️ A soft vanilla scent is beautifully enhanced by an abundance of sandalwood and rich musks. The petitgrain adds a subtle balsamic, waxy, and herbal nuance to the fragrance, while clove is present without its typical astringent quality. Overall, this perfume has a sensual, confident feel that sets it apart from other vanilla-based perfumes often associated with teenagers. While I thoroughly enjoy Vanille, I do struggle to discern the individual notes beneath the dominant musk and sandalwood. However, my opinion may vary depending on the day - sometimes I'm completely won over by its charm, and at others, I'm left wanting more. 😊

In my opinion, this MdO perfume stands out as the best. It begins with an explosion of spicy and woody notes accompanied by "burning" bitter oranges that prominently feature petitgrain to me. Initially, there's no whiff of vanilla at all. As time passes, a genuine vanilla-pod note becomes discernible, which is distinct from the typical sweet, creamy vanilla often found in fragrances. Instead, it has a dusty, boozy quality. This scent is ideal for crisp summer evenings and early autumn nights. Its masterful balance, complexity, and high-quality ingredients make it truly exceptional.

Scent-wise, vanilla, cloves, musk, and rum come together harmoniously. I tend to reach for this fragrance during the warmer months when the sun is out. The sillage, in my experience, remains subtle, with no one approaching me or offering praise. As for longevity, I've found it lasts an impressive 24 hours without fail.