The Majestic Vanilla

I very much disliked this scent when I first wore it. It’s really not so much about vanilla as it is about resins and spices, and yes even tobacco though not listed. I’ve never been a fan of peach in scents, and here it is coming across extremely unnatural, but it’s also extremely intriguing. On my second wearing I started to fall for this majestic oddball of a vanilla. Soft, a little powdery and smoky, with almost zero projection except for a few minutes during the brief opening. Even writing these words makes me wonder why I like this so much but I’ve fallen head over heels. The only other Alexandre J I own is Zafeer Oud Vanille, and that one is a sweet bomb of a vanilla, with no real detectable oud. Here the brand has done a 180 degree turn and turned out a lovely, unpredictable scent. The dry down is my favorite part. No one may compliment you, but when I pulled my husband in tight, even he could not deny there’s something beautiful....and odd going on with this scent. I don’t think I would have ever put these particular notes together, but from one vanilla fan to another, I’m so glad the perfumers did just that. The only word I can think of is different. And I like this different. Good performance means that I’m looking for a deal on a bottle for sale or swap.

Gorgeous, warm, resinous. I bought this as a replacement/upgrade form the sadly discontinued Nirvana Bourbon which although this is quite different they share the trait of being a strong warm vanilla. Starts out with a bit more citrus but overall it does feel true to description--ie something a flapper would want. I think it's perfectly unisex, and really appreciate the addition of labdanum for added depth--sadly no tobacco I think that poster may have just been haunted by some flapper grandmother summoned by the familiar smell. I wish I could get into the package design more because it feels a bit cheesy but the product inside is actually pretty elegant. I believe it will make a good unique date night perfume.

I love this! In the opening I can smell the citrus, especially the mandarin orange, accompanied by the cinnamon. I agree with MrEleven1181 that there seems to be tobacco in this too. Not sure which notes cause this effect, but I generally enjoy tobacco fragrances and this is no exception. In the drydown the vanilla and amber become more prominent, but the mandarin and cinnamon are also still there. This is perfectly unisex in my opinion. I am really enjoying this, but I wish the sillage was a bit stronger. It is quite a soft scent. I need a full bottle so I can bathe in this!

I agree with the other users that mention tobacco. In fact there's something magnetic about this scent to me that keeps me coming back for more. I think about it and crave it when I'm not wearing it. I really only experience that with Mugler perfumes. It's very warm and comforting to me with a little spicy extra something I just can't put my finger on. I'm on my third sample so I think I'm going to have to go ahead and buy this! Edit: Nov. 25th 2021~I bought it :)

I liked this scent so much - I want to buy the whole line now! This reminds me milder version of Kenzo "Jungle". But spices are less prominent and very well balanced with mandarin. Bought it for Christmas time but because the scent is so well made I see myself wearing it on the hot summer day as well. Like an Indian summer vibes - kind of Darjeeling Unlimited movie vibes.

This is a great gourmand fragrance. It reminds me of apple pie with vanilla and cinnamon made by a gourmet chef pattisier. The other notes like citrus, musk and patchouli remind me that this is a perfume. A very well made fragrance and I definitely smell a wonderful creamy tobacco in the drydown. Absolutely gorgeous.

Delicios unique looking scent. Not trivial blend of vanilla and oud followed by herbal patchouli and Tonka beans. Never tasted anything like this before so I can not compare it to the others. Projection is about 3-4 hours with beautiful musk tail note. Most likely to wear it at cold autumn night

I got this one in the mail a few months ago. The reviews sounded right up my alley so I bought it blind, of course. The packaging is stunningly beautiful. Not really the bottle itself but the packaging as a whole. Very fancy looking. When it came, I opened it right up and sprayed it on paper. Ugh. I disliked it a lot. I thought the reviews had failed me. It smelled like super synthetic cheap fruity hard candy. So, I put it away to let it rest. I wasn't ready to give up the attractive presentation. Fast forward to today, decision day. Do I pass it on to my husband to sell in his eBay store or do i keep it? I held my breath, sprayed it on my wrist and the difference is night and day. It has transformed into a keeper and I am so pleased. It sort of reminds me of a Penhaligon's along the lines of Halfeti. Nicely spiced, lightly sweet and musky. So, if you get it in and are displeased at first, let it rest for a couple months! 7/10 for me. This will be a staple next fall and winter, no doubt! Unisex pipe tobacco scent for sure. I guess the combined notes present themselves as aromatic and fruity delicious moist tobacco and I am so into it. Edit - day 2 of wearing. I can really smell the peach! It is a ripe juicy peach and I am so happy about this. The longevity on this one is excellent. So, instead of a spiced apple pastry, on my skin, this is a spiced, aromatic peach cobbler or pie. Spring is sneaking in so I am curious how this does in warm weather. Hopefully, very well.

With the first spray i was sure i'm going to sell it or hand it to a man in my family as all i felt was tobaco. Twenty minutes later it developed to a sweet gourmand, ripe peach, vanilla and musk. So, i love it and it surely stays with me.

Was part of my vanilla discovery sample set. I starts aromatic green after a couple of minutes the mandarine notes are noticeable for a short time. Hereafter it turns into an enjoyable, warm, cozy, balanced, slightly spiced scent.

Tres moyen , parfum synthétique , je le trouve mal équilibré. Pour un parfum qui porte le nom de vanille elle n'est que tres peu perceptible dans la fragrance. En revanche je sens bien toutes les autres notes , mais le mélange est farfelue... Il y a des vanilles bien plus interessante et plus belle ailleurs Tenue sillage et projection faible

Didnt like this one i was getting tobacco even though its not listed and no amber or cinnamon, just tobacco, vanilla and a bit fruity not for me. Performance was around 8 hours but its that soft its hardly noticeable with zero sillage

Galbanum OVERDOSE! It's so overpowering throughout the olfactory journey my nose has a hard time sniffing past it. Sharp and herbal bomb, the cinnamon and galbanum combine to give an almost pink pepper spicy effect. I get no tonka, no vanilla, this fragrance was a disappointment. I own several Alexandre J fragrances and this is one I would not recommend. Get a sample, not blind buy safe at all.

This is one of the worst synthetic chemical messes I’ve ever smelled in my life. It’s absolutely disgusting. I don’t even know what it’s called Majestic Vanilla for. This is a green scratchy nasty blend of chemicals.

Neither majestic or vanilla...this is a literal chemical mess that feels old and dusty. Quite possibly the worst blind buy I've ever had. I tried to make this work on 3 separate occasions and it's just SO bad.

People calling gourmand this scent...are you ok? this is a galbanum , labdanum and amberwood bomb. Nothing gourmand here, and I do not understand why this is called "The Majestic Vanilla" it should be called The Majestic Galbanum! this is a greenish scent with woody aromatic tones and a large dose of galbanum and other green notes like patchouli and maybe vetiver. It is not a vanilla scent. The drydown is a nice aromatic scent almost a chypre. But do not blind buy this scent, thinking you will get a Vanilla dream...nope! this is not it...

On paper: stonefruity, dew-green vanilla with a hint of earthiness. On skin: Super sweet floral and berry-tart vanilla syrup. Doesn’t work on my skin.