Gothic II

Gothic II is an absolutely drop-dead gorgeous perfume that smells exactly like nag champa, honey, and bourbon vanilla. It is so fantastic that I went through my entire sample within 3 days, and that was only because I used it sparingly, or it would have been gone in 24 hours. I literally want to bathe in the stuff, and I splashed liberally. I have hundreds of perfume samples, and I am honestly not sure that I have finished one in the past 3 years, as I change perfume almost daily. But Gothic II is pretty much all I want to wear. This is signature scent-worthy juice for me. When you wear it, you will smell like you spent much too much time in a head shop, and a thick aura of smoke is still clinging to your clothes. This should have been called "Haight-Ashbury" because it is a San Francisco dream, every bit as hippy as pure patchouli oil, but less offensive to others in your vicinity (Newsflash: Not everybody likes patchouli). Jefferson Airplane painted their colonial-style house black. I bet the inside smelled like Gothic II. If you want to smell San Franciscan, and if you want an aura that says, "I was up all night at my friend's house doing coke, burning nag champa, and listening to the Ramones, then this morning I walked over to the coffee shop for a doppio before I start my shift at the record shop"? You've found your dream perfume in Gothic II. Or maybe, like me, you just like nag champa.

I own the 7 ml roll-on oil. Wow, this is so special, and reminds me of that great patch/sandlewood incense I smelled in every head shop I frequented in the 70's. When I got back to my house after shopping, everyone always knew where I had been, as it permeated my clothes, hair, everything, but in a very cool way. This scent behaves similarly, especially if it gets on your clothing. Totally nostalgic for me. Just a small dab on each wrist is good for easily 6-8 hours. Very deep and rich, with soft vanilla and patch/clove/sand incense envelope, fairly linear, which was great since I loved the space it took me to and I wanted to stay there. As retro as this is, I got my first (of many) compliments on LRII 3 hours after a two-dab application from a 20-something male bank teller from across the counter, so sillage is clearly high...and it must also be appealing to younger folks. It is definitely a sex scent for those who are into that aura. Going to the bank or the market with this is okay, but not to work, unless you work at a club, head shop or somewhere where it's cool to smell cool. Key vibes: Weekends, hot clubs, sex, clove cigs, black lights, lava lamps, strobes, loud music (or none), tie-dyed t-shirts, hippie oils, hanging out with very cool friends, and of course, smoking w**d. Oh, and did I mention sex?

Snagged a sample of Gothic II after Lucky Scent’s IG included it in a spooky-season scent roundup (they got me). I’m not convinced there’s a frangipane note here, folks. Rodkin’s site describes it simply as a “rich, deep, earthy blend of aged musky patchouli incense,” and I mostly agree. Rich and deep, yes - but this is a resinous, sweet, almost powdery patchouli, not one I’d characterize as earthy. The incense is Nag Champa-adjacent if I really look for it, but it wasn’t the first thing that came to mind. What *did* immediately come to mind was a Trappist monastery I visited with my family in Huntsville, Utah as a child, and the creamed honey with black walnuts they made there. And a favorite bookstore specializing in esoterica and the occult that I frequented as a teen. But it captures something timeless, too: sunlight and dust motes beaming across dark hardwoods. Rustling robes in quiet cloisters. The pleasant kind of decay. It feels very warm and meditative and meets squarely at the intersection of celibate clergyman and goth girl. I wouldn't say no to a full bottle. Smells like: incense in an apiary Looks like: hot Rider-Waite hermit Sounds like: the 90's Gregorian chant craze

A boozy, vanilla scent. A little sad that I can't really smell the nag champa here, at least in the sample I got, but it's probably close to what I imagined the perfect vanilla fragrance to be when I was a kid. Not particularly gourmand, but very grown up, romantic and a little mysterious. I also initially thought the longevity was trash because I couldn't really smell it on my wrists after just a couple of hours, but after having tried it during work I have come to realise that I can still smell this on me for the duration of the work day. Where the smell is coming from though, I've got no clue. But that's okay because it means the longevity is there. Not sure if I want to commit to a proper bottle due to budget. I've also got other herbal vanilla fragrances at the moment that don't exactly smell like Gothic ii, but I feel have a similar "personality" to it. So for now I will enthusiastically use up the sample I have. I find that I do not need too much to have the effect I want from this anyway, so the sample might last some time. Smells a bit like nail polish remover for the first 2 seconds though! Which is fine... just found it a little odd.

There are 2 duets enhancing a main character here: In the center stage, the famously quirky Patchouli, reigning supreme, rugged and dry as ever; It's enhanced by a spicy clove/incense combo, giving it a dusty impression, and mysterious aspect. Then the vanilla/frangipani brings softness and depth into something that could be too harsh and aloof...a certain roundness that makes the whole picture compelling. Last and final touch with sandalwood that gives the fragrance some class and allure. I can smell each component and yet everything works so well together, each element complimenting the next one. The whole picture is painted in deep green velvet, with hints of gold. This is so excellent and deeply, darkly glamourous, for both men and women (whereas Gothic I tends to be more feminine to my nose, probably because of mister Vanilla being too prominent). In the end, this fragrance totally lives up to its name, as "Gothic" as it can be: deep, dark, contemplative, mysterious, eerie and sensual...And to make it even better, the longevity is great and the sillage is on point. Simple and outstanding scent. I'm keeping my eye on it!

Before you read my review(or any review below for that matter), take a gander at the dislike meter....Yeah...Gothic II is sort of a big deal. Don't be a follower be a leader but if you're gonna follow, then follow the right leader. This here folks...is the right leader. Orientals across the galaxy are being beheaded as I type. To comfortably wear this, you have to condition your mind to field the harassment of compliments. My immediate description are sweet sandy vanilla, with fruity candied patchouli and clove with smoke which adds an almost burnt cinnamon vibe. The heart is very reminiscent to Fusion Sacree but the overload of patchouli displayed by Gothic 2 shows the dichotomy. One wouldn't be wrong to assume that Gothic 2's myopic moments are pure unadulterated Nag Champa. It's good to see that fragrantica finally let Loree Rodkin in the door now I hope it revolves.

I instantly fell in head over heels with Gothic II. It’s a wonderful, rich vanilla gourmand, with hints of chocolate and tropical flowers, combined with a nag champa incense. I received several compliments on my first wearing. But more importantly, I love and adore Gothic II. I did sample Gothic I first, but was much less excited as it really reminded me of my friend who wore Angel in the 1990s. I will review this scent at a later date, but Gothic II is my jam. Absolutely beautiful blend and I can’t get enough of it. So intoxicating! A must have and as my collection has grown, I have become pickier with purchases.

This is a love of mine. It's so beautiful and unique, it's haunting. Nag champa, patchouli and vanilla done perfectly. It's dark and romantic, gothic indeed. A little bohemian head-shop as well. What else can I say that hasn't already been said by the other reviewers, not much. I can't believe I waited a year to buy a bottle. I kinda forgot about my sample and retried it recently and fell in love all over again. Has a dark brooding, artistic feeling about it that truly is addictive. Would be equally at home in a Tim Burton film as it would be at Coachella.I really do love this perfume!

Personally I am not a huge patchouli fan but I must admit that this is a love at first sniff. It has a certain edge that most patch scents fail to create. The smokiness, the spiciness, the sweetness is so complex that hardly anything can compare to it. The longevity and sillage is beastly also. I think lovers of Molinard Patchouli Intense will love this one as well. Perfectly suited for both sexes!

I love this!! It's just stunning. I love the smell of incense and I personally feel like it always smells so fake when it's in perfume but this time.....it's perfect. Everything I've been looking for, vanilla, patchouli, incense, it's dark and mysterious. I wish it were cheaper though....

WOW! That frangipani note is phenomenal. I never would have expected the tropical, creamy floral and patchouli combo to be so good. It's like you put patchouli oil on top of the most beautiful sunscreen ever. Want want want! (Although I certainly don't need anouther patchouli fragrance)

A haunting sweet boozey vanilla incense beauty with traces of spring florals and dark earthy patchouli in winter, a screechy sour vanilla in summer. Beautiful and long lasting winter scent, but beware in summer. I absolutely love it, so elegant, dark, strange, mysterious.

Patchouli incense burnt from the day before (no acrid burn smell). I really like this. Creamier than I expected. No sharp edges on this one. Was afraid it would smell like an old hippie head shop but thankfully no. Much nicer. Doesn't project alot but hangs in there.

Hmmm, this is a really really lovely patchouli scent! Opens warm, mysterious, a certain dampness. Dry down reminds me of the smell of a "head shop" in the best way possible! Patchouli+Nag !

I couldn't quite make my mind up about this fragrance after wearing it for a few days. I like it, I really do but I don't love it. Before writing this review, I tried my utmost to identify what exactly it is I favor, or not about this fragrance, Gothic II. After giving this a lot of thought, I still feel I have difficulty clarifying & articulating my experience.. The notes as stated are positively present. On me, this perfume opens as smooth, velvety, warm, elegant & calming vanilla patchouli. I detect more vanilla and mild patchouli more than any other notes. Extremely linear, this perfume did not change or develop on my skin. Notes of vanilla interplaying with mild & pleasant notes of patchouli, back 'n forth, back 'n forth...that's it. At times, this fragrance smelled powdery. IMHO, Gothic II is a very linear and extremely subtle fragrance. This fragrance plays very close to the body, very much what one might expect with a fragrance oil. Silage is negligible, staying power is poor. As my time wearing this fragrance passed, I kept waiting for something spectacular to happen, which for me never occurred. As I tested/wore this, I noted "nothing is happening, nothing is breaking through." For the brief time this perfume remained with me, I smelled what I would consider extremely restrained vanilla and patchouli. While nice enough, this perfume never seemed to develop enough for me. From start-to-finish, Gothic II seemed to fall flat. I imagine if you are a nag champa, patchouli & vanilla fan, if you enjoy the experience of a fragrance oil and if you like an extremely subtle fragrance that plays very close to the body, you will like Gothic II a lot. I guess I prefer fragrances that have more presence, a bit more of a boom. So, while nice enough, I do not see myself buying this and wearing it as a signature scent. It just doesn't cut it for me.

Today I was organizing storage under my bathroom sink. I put a perfume into a pouch from luckyscent and discovered a sample of Gothic II. So here is my review! First off, the name. I was a goth in my younger days, and I still have that aesthetic in a more adult way now. Goth has many subsets: Victorian goth, rave goth, s&m goth, mod goth, etc. Gothic II is a Stevie Nicks style goth. I agree with a reviewer below saying this is San Franciscan in nature. I’ve only been to San Francisco once, but I saw people there that looked like they arrived in the 60’s and never left, physically or mentally. I applied a dab to each wrist and decided to guess the prominent notes without looking at the pyramid. I got patchouli, benzoin, and incense supported by something kind of fruity smelling that I couldn’t identify. The Madagascar bourbon vanilla, which lends the the amber quality that I misidentified as benzoin, is a rich vanilla without being syrupy. I see some reviews that indicate there’s nag champa, but I beg to differ. Nag champa incense is typically frangipani & sandalwood so I can easily see they would smell the same. -But- I am an avowed hater of nag champa and the reason is because it has an almond tone to its profile. I don’t perceive almond in Gothic II, so fragipani & sandalwood are better descriptors. I’m not much of a patchouli fan. The overall blend of this frag was malty and boozy incense smoke with an unrefined patchouli. The balance was enough that I thought I might be into it. I took a shower though, and the only thing left on my wrists was patchouli. Deal breaker, I think.

I have enjoyed sampling Gothic II very much. And I can't say I'd expect anything like this from a scent named "Gothic". I would have expected something harsh maybe, or at least very dark, challenging, super dramatic... This is none of those things. In fact, the words that spring to mind first are "cozy", "inviting," easy-going even! I expect this would be a crowd-pleaser if I were to buy it and continue to wear it, but the kicker is I'd have to stick my wrist in people's noses. This is close to the skin and I'd say that although I love the first hour, or maybe 90 minutes if lucky... then the thing turns a bit on the sour side. I would have to respray this many times a day for it to be the scent that I want. And as it happens I have a lot of scents I like that cover the ground of vanilla, sandalwood and/or spices. This is good but not great--although I would understand it working for many other people. For a GREAT warm and cozy scent I would reference: Black Opium Zadig and Voltaire This is Him Several scents from La Maison de la Vanille Galleria Dream Woods Bohemian Soul

I was so excited to have found this and thought, at first spray, that it might be my new ~perfect patchouli~. Alas, just like all other patchouli + vanilla/amber fragrances (Profumum, Gothic I, Psychedelique, etc.), this one turns sticky-sweet on my skin in the dry down and loses most of the earthy, headshop-y patchouli from the opening. For most people, I'm assuming that's a good thing, but not this bitch. Give me your dirty basement patch and keep the cupcakes, please. Still, those opening few minutes are intoxicating and Loree is Mother so it's a solid like.

This one is similar to the original Coromandel but not as sweet. Woody patchouli and incense are the strongest notes to me. On clothes its a not as dirty and smells more like polished wood. This one isn't as big a patchouli bomb as number gothic 1. Pretty impressed with this house if you love patchouli give them a sample.

Smells exactly like walking into a metaphysical store and smelling every incense they sell combined