Vanille Exquise

It's Fabulous! I'm so surprised at all of the negative reviews, on multiple sites. This is a beautiful almond/heliotrope/vanilla with slight woods and powder. Initial spray is very vanilla, like vanilla extract or slicing open a vanilla pod. It's quickly followed by heliotrope and I get that wonderful playdoh smell that I love. I realize this is a dealbreaker for many, but if you love playdoh, it's here! For once my bizarre chemistry is working in my favor, as I'm not smelling the medicinal or bitter elements that so many others experience. There are no sharp edges on me. It's very smooth, soft and comforting. Slightly fluffy in the beginning, it stays sweet on me all day. The woods start showing up about 15 minutes in. Sillage is very close and wear time has varied on me, but it's below average. This is definitely gourmand on my skin. There are similarities with Farmacia SS Cara and Etro Heliotrope, at least to my nose. I'm really in love with this, but suggest you find a sample as this seems to be a very polarizing scent. Almond lovers, I think you will really like this! Edit: I'm wearing Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille tonight and it very much reminds me of Vanille Exquise. UBV is sharper due to the licorice note, but smells a lot like VE with some wax thrown in. I much prefer VE, UBV is ruined for me by the licorice.

I’m going to be honest, I used to review and post on Fragrantica quite a bit. But awhile back the ads and pop ups make it difficult (especially on my iPad) so I have cut way back. It’s simply annoying. So now when I post it’s because I feel I really want to say something, and that’s how I feel about Vanille Exquise. It’s the perfume that in the past month I’ve reached for more than anything else in my collection. And it’s rare for me to wear a scent more than two days in a row. Anyway, this is an easy reach. For me it’s the definition of French perfume: A true, gentle and soft beauty. With a slow, languid development into a vanilla musk perfume from a louder opening. A tiny bit of green, herbal Angelica makes it very interesting, as it peeks in and out from behind a vanilla-almond curtain. And because it’s an EDT, it behaves that way: softly projecting, in the most non obtrusive way imagined. The opening is more of a powdery and sweet almond scent, maybe a tinge too synthetic for me—but this slightly strange opening passes in less than 10 minutes. First released in 2004, VE is the kind of scent that is the opposite of the vanilla bakery gourmand bombs that are popular today. I have a lot of vanilla centric perfumes, and nothing comes close to this Goutal masterpiece. Now, if only this website wasn’t so annoying.....

Finally getting around to doing this review! Have had so many other samples that have been testing out this past week! First of all, I bought this blind, as stated on my first review. I rushed into it, when I could have bought the sample first, but being impulsive, went ahead and bought it. First of all, when I first sprayed it on, I thought, OH No!! vanilla essence! I was terrified it was going to stay like that, just plain old vanilla (cheapee type essence). But after a few minutes it changed. (great sigh of relief:))). A lovely unusual dry vanilla is how I would explain it. The almonds are faint, but come through slightly. very pleasant dry down, bit of a musky powder affect. I am very very happy with this one! It is a completly different experience compared to L Lolita., as L is sweeter, and has the spicey orange in it.As I have said in my other reviews, these fragrances should be tested first in my opinion. Some of the others from this house are not to my liking at all. I see that it is available again, and, in some places online, the price has even gone up. But all in all, a lovely unusual vanilla fragrance, and I know I will enjoy wearing this very much!

I got mostly almonds... Vanilla is that fragrance that was made or blended for easy loving, especially in the dry down. For me vanilla blends well with almost everything and made them a good substitute where it let them shine first and settle for the base notes. This 'vanille exquise' maybe too exquisite to even shine for me. But I bought it. Mostly because if you put your nose close enough to the place you spray it, it is heavenly and addictive. But take your nose away for the real cloud of fragrance to introduce itself, all i got was almond... a faint nutty smell, where if you were to walk in a bakery that roasting almonds, the same smell will stuck on you for a brief period. tadaa, vanille exquise. Sorry but i got no woody smell from this, up close, down far, heart and base, just almond.. a few types of them... I compare this to Diptyque eau duelle edp which i have and the vanilla is what it should be. But yes, i did fall in love with the first introduction of this fragrance and the name of course. Tried a few times to love it but to no avail. My advise it to try and wait for the dry down, if the 'vanille' lived up to your expectation

With Vanille Exquise I got exactly what I expected, a cloudy, naturally sweet vanilla. I mostly catch hints of angelica - not so cloying here as I usually think it is - and a bit of powdered almond, which work extremely well with the vanilla bean vanilla and the woody notes to keep this scent from straying into cupcake territory.It's soft and cosy, but persistent and this is what surprised me most. In all my experience, Annick Goutal scents have extremely poor lasting power, maxing out after about three hours or less. Vanille Exquise is however an all day affair, which is fantastic. This scent is simple on one hand, and very clever on the other. The only other real cuddly vanilla scent I like as much as this one is Lalique Le Parfum, however that one is more more aromatic and fresh in the opening, putting it somewhere between the crisp brightness of Vanilla & Anise and the gentle comfort of Vanille Exquise. If you want a natural vanilla, that is work-safe and grown-up, while still holding on to the childish delight of baking with vanilla extract then Vanille Exquise is well worth a try.

I find this vanilla to be quite different to many vanilla perfumes, which is why I like it. It is not fluffy or cakey or super sweet, it's woody, powdery, smokey, a little earthy and a bit bitter, likely due to the angelica and guaiac wood notes along with the musk. The almond note is quite noticeable too, and it's more of a bitter almond than a marzipan which is nice. It definitely gets much softer after about the first hour and wears very close to the skin, and it rounds out a lot and becomes a nice soft non-foody vanilla that is still cozy and office safe, since it becomes a rather personal scent. I get good longevity even though it's fairly soft, about 7-8 hours. It's nice for spring and fall days, and doesn't get too big and cloying in warm weather. I think because it's a rather different vanilla perfume, it seems to be a love it or hate it type scent. Many vanilla lovers may not like it as much because it's not a very typical vanilla, but I find it to be well done and unique.

Lovely vanilla, like a freshly cut open vanilla bean. Add a slightly resiny note (I guess from the woods)and a fresh clean musky drydown - a recipe that instantly appealed to my nose. After testing it during my lunch break (one spritz on each wrist), I read up on it, saw that a lot of people seem to regret that it has not much of a staying power. For me however, it was still noticeable when I went home in the evening, all through the evening and even lingered after I took my evening shower without having reapplied! In the morning it was gone, but that's okay. Another thing was that people seem to say it has weak sillage, but my man and my office mate both say they smell it on me without having to get too close... It has the potential of becoming my first signature, although I have to say that Lann-Ael (Lostmarc'h) is a contender too.

Soft and sensual, powdery vanilla scent. Sexy yet cosy at the same time. I really enjoy it and vanilla is one of my most favourite notes in the fragrances. Vanille Exquise is quite linear, just it becomes more powdery after about half an hour of wearing it. I rarely like 'powderiness' in perfumes but powdery vanilla was something unusual and surprisingly pleasant to my nose. At first I thought it was a bit similar to Kenzo 5.40 in Madagascar (which is a vanilla too) but after wearing VE for a couple of days I realised it is different, richer, more sensual. It last long (about 8 hours on my skin) but it is not overpowering or cloying. Actually it is not as sweet as usually vanilla is, which is probably because of the woodsy notes that go with it. This makes it a 'grown-up' vanilla. I love the vintage bottle and decor, so beautiful <3

Vanille Exquise is creamy-soft and peppery at the same time. It's also deliciously delicate...it has a unique wispy, airy quality that I don't often observe in vanilla scents. This is one of few vanilla perfumes I would describe as being on the “cooler” side, despite the fact that it still has a quiet warmth about it. There’s nothing overly sweet or syrupy here; this is a serene, elegant, woody vanilla. The combination of peppery woods, delicate musk, creamy almond, and raw vanilla is gorgeous and addictive. It's worth noting there is also benzoin in this composition, despite it not being listed above. This is an example of a delicate vanilla scent done well...although it is understated, it has a wonderful presence. The only downside is the lasting power, which could be a little better.

Favourite vanilla so far. Elegant and ethereal. This is a powdery vanilla, sweet but naturally sweet, as you would expect a natural sweet vanilla to smell. Not heavy, gooey, nor dense. This is the polar opposite to these new huge synthetic sweet woody harsh vanillas a la Lune Feline or Lyra....this is ethereal, elegant, a tad classic. This soft sweet vanilla is accompanied by almonds and there is a tiny green note cutting through the sweetness, but perfectly balanced..just enough to give an extra dimension. It is sad to see how underrated this house is just because it is easier to find and cheaper than others.... It has incredibly beautiful and well composed creations

If you're going to name a fragrance "exquise" something, you'd better make sure it's kind of special. And the perfumers definitely got this one right! I can't recall another vanilla-dominated fragrance that is so light and dainty and yet so rich and satisfying at the same time. One of my new favorites! A charming and elegant vanilla base with perfectly measured amounts of almond, angelica and wood, etc. This is what the art of perfumery is all about. A magical little number that is yummy and light as air. I'm gliding through my day on it's loveliness. If it came in EDP concentration, I would surely want that, but I'm happy with the EDT.

I would describe this as a very true vanilla scent with no other distinguishable notes. I've heard others describe it as a "boozy vanilla" and I could agree with that as well. It's similar to how vanilla extract smells, although not as pungent. If you're looking for a true vanilla with no frills, then this may be the fragrance for you. My only complaint is that it was completely gone within 2 hours. I had difficulty getting enough out of the vial to get a good sense of the fragrance on me without overdoing it. I wish Luckyscent provided spray vials instead of dab on vials. Maybe that would have helped the longevity.

Annick Goutal perfumers apparently wanted to create the feel of a tropical island getaway with this one and I do think they've succeeded! VE is indeed exquisite as a Tahitian island breeze perfumed by a whiff of floral Tahitian vanilla orchids laden with pods. It begins rather sharp with a mix of alcohol & angelica but quickly fades to that gorgeous floral-vanilla breeze accompanied by a strong woody note. It is quite linear but nonetheless enjoyable. Its cuddly enough that I will be using it frequently this winter, but being an island inspired fragrance I do look forward to testing it when spring arrives.

Well...I've done it now!! On my quest to find the most wonderful, creamy, non citrus) vanilla, I have gone ahead and ordered this blind! Mainly from reading these glowing reviews! First of all, you can't find it anywhere! Went on most of the online shops, but they had most of the other fragrances, but not this one, but just managed to get it on the Amazon U.K., and it was the last bottle!! God, I hope it lives up to my expectations!! It is expensive, but sounds so lovely and vanilla perfect:)). I will write my review when I receive it, but for now, keeping fingers and everything else crossed:))

I LOVE the first 2 minutes of this, it smells exactly like vanilla beans, not the gourmand sugary creamy smell, but the sensual and earthy if you like, sweetness. But then, after the 2 minutes it turns really musky and just bitter. No sweetness whatsoever. Not that i'm complaining, i still like it, for the 40 minutes it lasts before it's completely gone.. but i'd really wished the initial notes would linger a bit with the almond and musk, now that might stop my Perfect vanilla scent quest.. oh, well.

I like this one... Maybe it'll grow on me and become a love; I can't tell at this point. I have a 1.75 ml sample so there's enough for a few more wears. I smell mainly vanilla. I smell someting else too, but I can't tell exactly what. It's a sweet, but 'full' vanilla. Vanille Exquise has depth -- I guess the name says it all. I've always loved vanilla. In my POV vanilla in bakery is a must. :) I almost have the urge to lick my skin where I dabbed VE on, however, I fight the urge until further notice.

The most elegant vanilla perfume that I have ever smelled, likely due to the excellent vanilla/wood note balance, which gives it a slightly smoky accent. Although it is an eau de toilette, to me it has all the richness that one typically expects in an eau de parfum, and can be worn on its own at any time of the day. Good longevity and medium sillage - perfect if you want a perfume just before going for dinner: it will be present, but unobtrusive, and will have the right gourmand touch.

I really am unsure how to feel about this. On the one hand, it’s very light, delicate and pleasant. But on the other, it literally smells EXACTLY like Johnson’s baby oil. Like you could’ve told me that’s what had actually been in the sample spray instead and I wouldn’t be surprised. Now, Johnson’s baby oil doesn’t smell bad by any means, but I don’t exactly want to smell like baby products. I might come back to this when it’s warmer out and see how it performs then.

I've had my Vanille Exquise for almost two years now and I don't know why I do not use it more often but every time I do I am reminded of why I love it. It is a very exquisite vanilla concoction. The beginning is a vibrant woody vanilla with something that reminds me of sassafras. The gorgeous dry down is rich, velvety smooth vanilla with delectable almond. This is quite elegant, from the bottle to the juice inside. This will surely get more attention from me now.

i am rapidly falling in love with Annick Goutal... vanille exquise presents as natural, airy, nutty, and musky. When I tested at home, it was a gauzy, cozy, vanilla-almond just short of gourmand. Today, I wore it to the office, and after 3 hours, the vanilla was hand-in-hand with a green, musky, almost mentholated tinge - maybe the angelica? could also be described as anise or absinthe. i would not describe it as either dry or sweet. unisex. all seasons. lovely.

I first smelled it last week in Paris and I fell in love right away! I am a big fan of vanilla based fragrances, not too sweet or overwhelming vanilla, but elegant, ambery vanilla. AG Vanille Exquise is "the" elegant vanilla, in my opinion. The strong sandalwood base notes create a perfect balance with creamy almond notes, leaving a musky soft finishing scent. Definitely my next purchase, since I have to finish some other good bottles here before they go bad!

Adoro questa Vaniglia! è fresca e muschiata, peccato la persistenza! non dura nemmeno un'oretta sulla mia pelle e non rimane nemmeno sui vestiti. 80 euro per un 50 m,l sicuramente avrei gradito una persistenza maggiore ma il profumo è buonissimo! Può piacere anche a chi non ama i profumi dolci! Della stessa casa ma con una persistenza ( e anche un prezzo) decisamente più alta c'è la vanille charnelle. Profumazione molto simile ma persistenza ottima! ;)

I only had a 2ml tester vial years ago, but I still remember this scent vividly and longingly... Soft, creamy, nutty, stays close to you. The green note (angelica) is like a mystery and a surprise and keeps it from being predictable and straightforward. This is a great non-gourmand vanilla, it sits on the skin like minimalistic designer jewelry - unquestionably expensive and tasteful.

On me, there is no alcohol blast. The first spritz is the woody and musk note, then lovely vanilla and powder, nutty notes at the dry down. It is a lovely vanilla that isn't a sugar bomb, just what I wanted. Silage is good, sits closer to skin but noticeable to others. Longevity is decent, I still smell it after 4 hours. Beautiful.

What a gorgeous ethereal vanilla. This is not sweet or dense or operatic in any way. On opening there's a strong vanilla and almond with a some earthiness pinching it back a bit. Longer wear I get a powdery nutty vanilla atop musk and wood, only slightly sweet and very comforting. SOOO wearable and beautiful. Full bottle for me...

I find this very comforting, though short lived. I’m probably a bit anosmic to some of the musks in here. Still, I really like the aniseed quality with soft woods- mostly get the guaic- on top of the vanilla. Very pretty and soft. A good one for work, I think.

has Vanille Exquise been discontinued by AG officially? or are the official retailers just out of stock? i'v been looking for this for the past couple of months with no luck! (i looked in London, HK & dubai)

Very smoky vanilla - it seems that I'm near a bonfire! Delicious! Reminds me of winter, but I also wear it in summertime, since is not overpowering. A different vanilla, very grown up, mature and sexy.

The reviewer below me, Manya3, is spot on. My only wish is that there was a little bit more angelica. Just a touch, so it lasted longer in the beginning, otherwise, just perfect.

Sweet & airy vanilla cloud! Smells really good but very light too. Disappeared on my skin within 10min. Still considering a bottle because I love the smell. sad!

What is that I'm smelling? Smokey vanilla? Vanilla is definitely present, but it is masterfully blended with the perfect musks and almond.

Love Julheart’s description. I find most vanilla too cloying and this one is just right fit me! Soft vanilla, nutty, milky. Love it!!

It is one of my favourite Vanilla perfumes .. soo classy .. so elegant.. so warm

dry, nonsweet, nongourmand, cooking vanilla; absolutely perfect

This review is for the eau de toilette in the original bottle as shown above. A few years ago I picked up a 3.4 oz bottle from a reputable seller on eBay. The starting bid was low and to my surprise I was the only bidder. I could not believe my luck! With a name like Vanille Exquise I was expecting a vanilla bomb. Boy was I wrong. This is a gentle, demure, angelic, powdery vanilla. Slightly sweet vanilla is tempered by sandalwood, almond and powdery notes. This should have been called 'Vanille Poudre'. It is delicate, soft and soothing. Be warned, this is NOT an intoxicating, overly sweet, gourmand vanilla. There’s no cotton candy here. Nor is it a dark, spicy or boozy vanilla. This vanilla is smooth, soft and powdery. It makes me think of fluffy clouds. If there is a heaven, I imagine it would smell like this. Light, calming and comforting. This is so gentle it can be used year round. It has become my summer evening vanilla. When the weather is hot and you’re craving vanilla but your other vanilla scents are too rich or too sweet, reach for this. Sillage is intimate to moderate Longevity is moderate This gets a strong 'like' from me. I'm very happy with my purchase!

Vanille Exquise is what the name promises, a lovely vanilla scent, especially after it's had some time. I don't mind the guaiac wood after a while, when it blends in with the gourmand notes to add some extra spice, but at first it's a bit harsh, even a little unpleasant. After a quarter of an hour or so, however, this becomes such a lovely, soft scent, almonds and vanilla forming an almost fluffy haze. It's surprisingly light for a vanilla fragrance, which has its advantages (not too sweet, elegant, mature, very wearable) but also its disadvantages (sillage isn't great and I find myself reapplying this way more often than most of my winter scents). So I would have liked this to be a little stronger, I concur with other reviewers who've wished for an EdP version. But all in all I'm enjoying my little decant very much, it's perfect for those days when I want something sweet and comforting but subtle and not too immature.

Initially, I was a bit disappointed as it wasn't much of a vanilla. However, it really grew on me! I also initially thought that it had no longevity but it's one of those sneaky ones that keep poking its head here and there despite you thinking it's gone. The addition of angelica gives it an interesting sort of crystalline, herbal aspect with a slight hint of playdough. I really like this addition and the guaiac wood is smoky and incense-like. The almond here is a bit bitter but creamy, like marzipan without sugar. The vanilla is there to give a rounded sweetness to everything else and it goes back and forth being in the foreground then hiding in the background. All in all, this is elegant. I usually hate vanilla perfumes but this is gorgeous and understated, but addictive! I keep spraying it.

I have not tried too many vanilla fragrances up to date but this is definitely the nicest one so far. In the soft opening of vanilla, benzoin which I smell as honey, I was very comfortable and soothed. Then the guaiacum wood kicked in - this has always agreed with my body chemistry- brings out my agrarian and nomadic ancestors in me :) I did also sense the soft almond on the drydown - a very creamy one. Overall, a wonderful daytime fragrance for ANY season. Not overly complicated but definitely comforting and classically feminine. My only reservation about Vanille Esquise is that it evaporated to an almost imperceptible smell in less than an hour which means that you would need to keep reapplying it over and over again to continue the enjoyment. 8/10

This is a pretty woodsy and kind of sunny sort of vanilla. Vanilla, for me, is not the main note. It's more of a soft mixture of vanilla with powder and sandalwood, I get some florals as well. It's well composited so they all sort of swirl together in a fluffy cloud. It's pretty warm and cozy but a tiny bit screechy at the same time. Wears very close to the skin and has a moderate longevity on me, around 4 hours or so. I do like the powder dry down though. While nice, the entire scent just doesn't excite me, it falls a little flat on my skin.

Vanilla Exquise is a beautifully calm but effective scent. The vanilla isn’t too sweet, and the hints of woody and musky smells can be appreciated by everyone, including those who find vanilla fragrances too sweet and intense. This fragrance is very sophisticated, and creates a subtle vanilla and romantic scent all around me. I feel light, warm, and calm, when wearing this and it has a lasting woody-vanilla almond smell. It’s an elegant fragrance for vanilla, and Annick Goutal perfume lovers.

After sampling a number of Annick Goutal scents, I've come to expect them to be on the light and fleeting side. Vanille Exquise is light, but one of the longer-lasting Goutals, actually sticking around for a few hours. It's a light and transparent sugary vanilla with some light musk and a strange bitter green note that reminds me of the dried leaves of some plant that I've smelled in the past, but can't recall what it was. It's a nice subtle scent, but not my favorite vanilla.

A beautiful vanilla, but on me it's absolutely fleeting. I can't smell it more than half an hour. what a pity! I only get the smell of a delicate vanilla - it's a very clean smell - I'd love to smell this way after a shower for instance. on me it's soft and a bit sweet, and really the only note I can detect is vanilla. it's a lovely skin vanilla though, not like a candle like some vanilla perfumes are.

Excellent, fine, wonderful, beautiful , elegant, magic, erotic, very feminine - such determination come for my head , when I think about VE. It not edible wanilia and not simple. In this parfum is discreet note of precious guajac woood and bit noble musc. VE is soft, shining , easy like a silk. Now I'am wearing VE and issues me, that I bath in savoring, sweet milk - like Cleopatra ;)

What if it's such a straightforward and linear vanilla, I find it really delicious and if I'll receive it as a gift, I would be the happiest in the world. Why do I say that? Because I have other vanilla's on the list in which I would invest first ... so A.G Vanille Exquise's turn is not coming soon enough, at least for now.

Vanilla for people who don't really like vanillas. While this is a sweet fragrance, the resinous, musky base and delicate cosmetic powder heart keep it from feeling like a gourmand. To note - I almost always get Play Doh from anything with an almond note. Not so with this gem.

Smelling it from far away, I get a pure vanilla, but the closer my nose gets to my wrist, the sharper it gets - almost oud-like (!), and I do have to get quite close to smell it at all. The search for the perfect vanilla goes on.

Smells like an herbal vanilla concoction. Like something the evil sorceress from a Disney movie would give you to enchant your beloved. It's definitely interesting, but I don't know where I would wear it.

On my wrist I am getting a lot of 'furry' musks, something like cashmeran. 1 meter around me - a creamy vanilla. Trying this on paper may reveal a lot of rosy guaiac but on skin it's nothing like it.

This is definitely one of the best vanilla scents I've experienced...not too sweet, not too strong, with just the right amount of almond. Lasted five or six hours on my skin.

On my skin this is very similar to Keiko Mecheri's Loukhoum Eau Poudree, like supersweet baby powder. Very nice but I prefer Eau Poudree since it's more intense.