Chandigarh Express

Absolutely gorgeous fragrance. Lots of incense, cardamom, leather, woods. Although the top notes include Mandarin Orange and Bergamot, I really can't smell any citrus at all. It goes straight to the cardamom and leather and woods/incense. Just feels/smells thick and expense and high quality. The scent profile is so gorgeous, it takes my breath away (pun intended). It reminds me of Amouage Outlands, but longer lasting and perhaps even higher quality. Definitely a winter fragrance -- can be worn on dates, nice dinners, events. Definitely a "special occasion" fragrance, especially given the price point. If you like middle eastern, incense-y fragrances, this can be a blind buy, but given the price point, probably best to test it first. Great longevity (and I'm someone who is always complaining that perfumes don't last) as well. Just outstanding. For me, this is an absolutely outstanding fragrance -- expensive, but absolutely worth it..

Blind bought a 100ml tester of this like a psycho cause the price was right and I'd been curious about it. Not mad about it at all, in fact I really like it. For me this is a leather bomb, totally understand why people think it smells like OL - it's the same sort of leather used in that. Also understand why the discerning consumer would rebuff that claim, it's got more going on.. there's patchouli and some fruits. Drydown is lovely and a bit aromatic, very vaguely fougere like but would not class this as such especially for the first hour. I go nose blind to it but I think it's still pushing cause I am definitely getting noticed and people like this one. It is very sexy - my friend remarked that if I wore it on a date I'd be likely to end up home with them. Truly and eye wateringly expensive at retail so use your discretion there. It's close enough to OL, especially the "eau" variant that you probably don't need both.

I totally agree with the previous comment. CE is at once addictive, unusual and versatile. The first time I wore it I got compliments. I was thinking about this purchase enough time (few months) because I have enough leather/ smoky fragrances in my collection, but every time I saw a tester of CE on the shelf I approached and tried it, again and again. It's quite unique! I even feel the vibe of the real train, the railway station with its smell of tar lingering in the air. I imagine myself taking a place in Chandigarh Express taking me to this exotic destination in India... One day I will be there, wearing this lovely scent.

This is very nice, I'm not getting any resemblance to Ombre Leather, or anything akin to that, in fact there is nothing that it reminds me of apart from triggering some feeling of nostalgia. It's a lovely woody scent, with a slightly citrusy opening, then dries to a delightful woody base. The fragrance is of extremely high quality, the same as other offerings from this house. I do have to agree that at this price point performance is a bit dire, but if you can find it discounted anywhere then grab it. I find this very versatile, I personally can wear it in any weather, and I'd say is masculine leaning

Love this perfume from the first spray until the dry down. It's strong, a bit masculine-leaning, very aromatic due to the herbal and woody notes. I love the slight sourness and spiciness of this perfume which gets more addicting as time goes. Moreover, the performance is pretty good since this usually stays on my skin for 7-8 hours. I consider this is versatile and can be used almost every time of the year, except for summer where you shouldn't spray too much. Not really a safe blind buy so it's advisable that you try for yourself first. Conclusion: 9/10

Not a Review This is the first time in a long time that a fragrance has transported me somewhere. I had the same experience smelling ADG Profumo when I was younger. It made me visualise what a pilot or lawyer dressed in a navy blue suit and crisp white shirt would wear. With Chandigarh Express, I don't get time to analyse the scent, I just automatically imagine my trips to India for some reason, or my granny's prayer room. I need more time to actually get into the notes, but this stuff is such an interesting and truly "niche" creation.

New to fragrances but after trying tons of different scents ranging all the way from Aventus to Oud Wood this fragrance was the first that truly stood out to me, and is my first full bottle niche purchase. The opening is decent but once it dries down it’s just delightful to catch a whiff of throughout the day. Definitely performs, it fills up a room and will be noticed. I’m not sure it’s such a universally made appealing scent though, it just happens to smell intoxicating to me. I LOVE THIS SCENT!

Smoky leather and citruses (mandarin), 9.5/10 imo... very good fragrance one of my favorites from ex nihilo, people saying smells like ombre leather have no clie about what they talk about, this is more in the realm of indompte by ysl (discontinued) smells good start to dry down definitely try checking it, safe blind buy too if you like citrusy smoky leathers or leathers in general that aren’t so harsh

This is beautiful. The leather, vetiver, and tonka combo is intoxicating to me. Citrusy floral opening. The dry down is smoky sweet. Like sweet tea, imagine a sweet tea concentrate that’s very sweet. That and the citrusy floral melts harmoniously in the mid. The smoky sweer lingers in the dry down. I don’t get the patchouli here. Intoxicating.

Got like 20 samples of almost all ex nihilo perfumes when in paris last time, this one is in my opinion the best with blue talisman it has the same mandarin orange as ambre levant. The quality on this is remarkably good its a pity that ex nihilo is hard to find where I live but if I have the chance I might end up getting it

Smelled it at libertine (Melbourne ,aus) They just have this only for a few days. So it’s new to me. However, first sniff I got bitterness from Chinese tea that’s when I know I needed one bottle. Dry down is super smooth leather in the back and a bit herbal to my nose ? I bought a bottle so that’s how much I like it

Got a 2ml sample loved it bought a 7.5m sample to test performance and this was in really cold weather and it performs like a champ beautiful scent with performance bought a 100ml bottle and it's nothing but compliments the few times I've worn it gentlemanly scent 9/10 for me

If a man showed up on this to a first date there will definitely be a second date (and perhaps also a baby)... wow! Only objection is that it dries down rather leathery and a little woody however I like that in masculine scents but just be aware.

I've fallen in love with this house. This is absolutely gorgeous but very reminiscent of 27-87 Mosaique in the opening but strays in it's own direction later in the dry-down. Definitely sample before you buy because this stuff isn't cheap!

True hidden gem from the house, way better then most popular and over rated blue talisman, one of my fav along with hedonist extrait 5/5 star,its easily can be my every day wear its spicy,its fresh got bit of nice leather touche wow wow 👌

Oh my goodness this is love at first sniff ,it definitely stays under the radar in the world of blue talisman, a much better in many ways then blue talisman although bt is also good but this one is true masterpiece 10/10

Love at first sniff. Amazing leather, jasmine and vetiver scent. Takes you into an urban jungle. Definitely getting this in my collection. 10/10

Amazing scent. This was love at first sniff for me. I just had a sample. The first Ex Nihilo I truly like.This is FBW for me, but expensive.

Named after a City & I belong to the same City.. definitely will add to my collection.

Same as the Ombré Leather by Tom Ford. But just more expensive.

I tried this in store today and it was absolutely fantastic

An understated woody leather with a floral-fresh twist. Chandigarh Express opens up fresh, bright and almost medicinal. The way the leather accord mixes with the freshness of cardamom and some of the floral components feels very cold and generic. Once the opening subsides, the fragrance starts to shine and to reveal layers of perfectly balanced leather, woods, florals and resins. There are no rough edges, all of the notes flow into each other seamlessly. The handwriting of Gaël Montero is clearly visible here, his blending always seems very nuanced, paying attention to the most miniscule details. The drydown is where Chandigarh Express is truly beautiful, walking the line of deeper woody-leathery nuances and brighter floral components effortlessly. Throughout the whole wearing it stays elegantly transparent, yet present. Apart from the quite generic opening, my biggest criticism would be the astronomical price tag of this fragrance. Seems to be a reoccurring theme with Ex Nihilo. I personally think that for example Mosaïque by 27 87 offers the same quality blending by Gaël Montero and a very interesting take on a leather fragrance at a fraction of the price.

A delicious all-rounder. It has spiciness mixed with freshness and creaminess without ever coming across as a typical fougére. The opening is distinctly animalic and spicy for me and smells a bit overwhelming at first, and funnily enough I don't really get the bergamot and orange until the drydown. That's when the creaminess also kicks in. The drydown is very, very addictive, the kind of fragrance that you want to sniff deeply and pretend like you're getting high off of it. The patchouli and other herbs round it off with an oriental warm spiciness.

This one’s interesting. Very smooth and refined, yet there’s something distinctly blue collar about it that I can’t quite explain. It reminds me of the interior of a brand new oilman’s work truck. leather upholstery mixed with the faint scent of clean mechanical grease and warm machinery. It’s a strange comparison I know but somehow it works. I enjoy it... I just don’t know when I’d ever reach for it.

Chandigarh Express by Ex Nihilo opens with a captivating blend of woody notes, intertwined with a subtle hint of leather that adds a sophisticated edge. However, as it settles, the leather becomes more prominent, which might not be to everyone's taste. While the leather is pleasant, it dominates the dry down, potentially overshadowing the other notes and leaving a lingering scent that might not resonate with some. This is a great addition to their Babylon collection. Overall, it's a fragrance that excels in its opening but might disappoint those seeking a more balanced composition throughout its evolution. I give this 6/10.

If you get headaches from synthetics, skip. If you don’t and you like bright aromatics and fruity florals with a bit of generic mens shower gel then this is for you. I can appreciate it but it’s not to MY particular taste. Each to their own ofc. Don’t be swayed by “ombre leather” comments because it’s irrelevant. A terrible comparison indeed.

heavy hitter for sure. patchouli is challenging.

This review is quite easy... a very interesting citrusy/aromatic/woodsy opening that lasts for about 10 minutes, and then it becomes Ombré Leather for the rest of the journey... and a very small journey that is, since it’s intimate from the start, with no projection, and a duration of about 2 hours. Ex Nihilo has one of the worst performances in the whole niche perfume community. This juice is better suited for cold or mild weather, it leans quite manly, and it will requiere constant reapplying. Don’t believe the performance rating on this page, try it on yourselves and find out. And just as an additional note, not even overspraying will help with people noticing what you’re wearing, unless they come extremely close and they do it within the first few minutes to an hour. This perfume is truly unnecessary.

Very woody leathery scent. Probably more leathery than woody. I find this masculine leaning and would probably be nice on a man, it not my cup of tea.

Really nice from ex nihilo again just too similar to OL for me. I have a 97-98% full 100ml tester bottle if anyone wants to trade.

I had to physically remove the sample of this from my house, I hate it so much. It reminds me of a spicier and slightly weaker version of Mugler Angel. I might just be traumatised by Angel - anything that reminds me even slightly of it makes me feel physically unwell. I wouldn't even gift this sample to a friend because I really wouldn't want anyone around me to smell like this.

I bought a couple samples and thought it was a little too unisex-fem at first. My nose was only picking up on the fruity florals in the opening. My wife reassured me it was masculine smelling and leathery, and after a couple wears my nose started to agree. For some reason it was tuning out the leather at first. Ended up getting a bottle and I love it, even during the summer at work. It's a low-key sillage beast. My wife can smell it from several feet away after a full day at work. I love the combination of airy/fruity-floral/fresh-spicy/woody/leather. My bottle smells considerably fresher than the samples. Overall I would recommend for a price under $250.

First impression: fairly pedestrian fragrance. Citrus, spices, balsamic, patch and finally some vetiver and leather, while retaining the spices. Didn't remind me of Ombre but I only wore Chandigarh once, and was busy so I didn't pay a ton of attention to the development. It wasn't bad per se, just not exciting and memorable. Lots of synthetics. I'll give it another chance at some point.

Okay so on first sniff this reminds me of floral ouds. It’s definitely in the same categorie as oud bouqet, shagaf oud and mosaique. It’s a smooth oud and I think I get some tobacco too. It’s dry but juicy. I like the scent it’s gorgeous but it’s nowhere near unique as other oud fragrances.

The scent is great to my nose. Some synthetics yes but I could live with that. Nothing to do with ombre leather. It's heavy on the spices and it's a dark scent for sure. It's really good quality BUT the price tag is also offensive. Ex Nihilo's prices can be absurd.

This is beautiful. The opening reminds me of LV Symphony, but softer and more muted. As it transitions into the drydown, the leather and davana become more prominent. A stunner.

Pleasantly surprised by this new release. The opening isn’t memorable but the dry-down is beautiful. Would recommend giving it a try if you’re near a boutique.

The dry down is very much similar to memo madurai .. same airy sensuality

Dare I say, This might be better than Ombre leather...