Vanilla Oud

Not exactly what one would expect, not even with some or high familiarity with Maksim. Austere, regal, exotic, serious, and muscular like nearly all other Maksim perfumes? Not quite. Gourmand, with the vanilla and oud achieving the vanilla-sandalwood structure we’ve had ad nauseum for decades? No, not that either. Though you would expect something like that since Maksim and Bortnikov love to take classic and popular structures and push them to extremes. There is something veering on the extreme here.... First, this perfume goes off like a bomb when it first hits skin. It filled my room with Bortnikov’s beloved oily, rindy, and pithy bergamot, waxy and fruity earthy peppercorns, caramely vanilla, and a significant amount of aromatic smoke from the birch tar. The first thought I had was that one of my neighbors was sharing their cooking expedition via the powerful aroma of a glazed ham being smoked - but then I realized it was me! The peppercorns abound, giving significant lift to the heavy fruit, vanilla, meaty, and smoky notes. The apricot is beautiful, ripe, fleshy, juicy, naturalistically sweet without being syrupy. The vanilla is earthy, oily, warm, resinous, caramelly, and spiced from benzoin and labdanum. Some facets are sunlit and bright, other facets are deep and dark. It too is superbly naturalistic; well rounded, supple, velvety, and dense. This isn’t a vanilla we - or at least I - are used to. It is exotic and extraterrestrial, full of incredible detail that almost triggers the brain of the trained perfumista to think that tricks are being played, and that Bortnikov might have abandoned his principle of natural materials in favor of something inorganic and unfamiliar. The stellar balance achieved with the different vanilla materials allows their unique characteristics to shine. Though the opening was a blast, the dry down is significantly calmer, plush, and comforting. The vanilla gets a touch sweeter and more “normal” while the vocal timbre of the oud is very minimal, seeming to get lost in the shuffle of the fruit materials and earthy, woody, resinous vanillics. The oud used is gentle and subtle by nature, so it seems to lose its distinctiveness in the loud crowd. Though maybe a bit of a letdown as I was interested in seeing how Bortnikov would steer a very powerful vanilla accord and a very powerful oud accord in concert, I cannot say that what is actually in the bottle is anything less than very pretty. This is an unusual perfume for Maksim. Unusually intimate, comfortable and comforting, pretty and striking at the same time, the typical characteristics of seriousness and muscularity giving way to vulnerability and relaxation. It is simply due to my own personal tastes that I don’t feel a need to chase after a full bottle, but if I am asked for a unique modern vanilla, here is what I would say: Vanille Havane Cuir des Abysses, Madagascar Le Baume Vanille, Un Bois Vanille, and this. That I put it in this echelon of modern vanillas is very high praise from me.

Fragrance Review: Maksim Perfume's Vanilla Oud Maksim Perfume's Vanilla Oud is a standout in their collection, known for its impressive projection and longevity. Like other offerings from Maksim, this fragrance boasts excellent performance, lasting well over 12 hours on the skin. However, unlike some of their other scents, Vanilla Oud sits a bit closer to the skin, creating an intimate yet enduring presence. The fragrance opens with a bold and prominent Oud note, which gradually mellows into a rich blend of balsam and benzoin. As it dries down, the vanilla becomes more pronounced, adding a creamy sweetness that perfectly complements the initial intensity of the Oud. This transition creates a beautifully balanced scent journey from start to finish. Vanilla Oud evokes a sense of luxury and sophistication, reminiscent of the powerful and opulent fragrances of the 1980s. It's a scent that feels regal, as if it were crafted for royalty. The subtle hints of flowers and fruits in the background add a delicate complexity, enhancing the overall experience. In summary, Maksim Perfume's Vanilla Oud is a truly exceptional fragrance. Its luxurious and long-lasting nature, combined with its intricate blend of notes, makes it a perfect choice for those seeking a scent that is both timeless and elegant. This fragrance is a definite 10 out of 10.

Oooowee! This one’s a beaut. I’m not normally the biggest fan of fruity, floral vanillas, but the apricot, ylang and jasmine here are absolutely divine... A scent of profound comfort, also given plenty of sophistication by the luxurious base of oud, labdanum, benzoin, balsam and birch tar... I’d highly recommend for oud, vanilla and fruity fans alike. Solid projection and longevity. 9mL bottles leave just a little to be desired. Price is just a tad bit high. Conjured daydream: laying in jasmine vanilla clouds, ylang and apricots hanging above, and warm, ancient, slightly smoky woods reaching up from below... Bravo!

Saving the best for last in the new collection from Maksim, Vanilla Oud opens with a burst of black pepper, quickly joined by sweet slightly fruity notes and the familiar resinous/floral signature of this brand. The mid is dominated by ylang-ylang, vanilla, and benzoin. And finally the base, which is a very nice smoky burning oud - the birch tar does not overwhelm but really shores up the phenolic aspects of the oud, and the sweet vanilla present prevents the dry acridity of the base from taking over. Just all around well-balanced and high quality.

To my nose, I immediately smell Bergamot, it then quickly changes to Apricot. Apricot is very prominent to me. After a while, the vanilla starts to come up. I feel like the Vanilla is a bit powdery. Then I get the Oud. I don't get the Barnyard Oud like the Oud Indochine. This one is sweeter and easier to appreciate. Very wearable. My skin is pretty dry. Most of the perfumes don't really last long on me. This one too. For me, I would love the Oud and Vanilla to be a bit stronger.