Les Indes Galantes

Personal: 10/10 – It’s a winter masterpiece unlike any other. It’s absolutely to die for. Mass appeal: 9/10 – Everybody will enjoy you wearing this fragrance. It’s safe, easy to wear, and smells like old money. Just don’t go too heavy on the sprays. Performance: 7.5/10 – It sticks around as long as you need it to, but not more. For the dark, sweet, resinous kind of fragrance it is, I’m a bit surprised it doesn’t last longer. Value: 5/10 – It’s hideously expensive, which should earn it a 2 or 3, but it’s so good that, to me, it wouldn’t be the worst use of a few hundred dollars. I can name a dozen PDM fragrances that are similarly priced that I like infinitely less. Uniqueness: 8.5/10 – Takes familiar DNAs (Spicebomb, Layton, Tobacco Vanille) and makes them richer, deeper, and more polished. SCORE: 80/100 Full bottle buy? YES, absolutely. Even if you own all the above mentioned fragrances, it’s still a great, though similar, addition. Blind buy? YES, it’s as safe as Spicebomb, buuuut make sure that you like the fragrances I’ve mentioned and know what DNA you’re getting into. For its price, it’s an expensive mistake. Recommend? YES, 100 times yes. Even if you don’t buy a bottle, a 2ml decant of this would be well worthwhile. Date night? YES, absolutely—warm, resinous, and luxurious. Office safe? NO, too rich and resinous for a professional environment. Pros: Wintertime perfection, one of the best winter fragrances out there. Amazingly wearable, and it carries itself so well. It’s beautiful. Cons: Particularly expensive, but you get what you pay for at least. Wish it was slightly better performing. For my fifth review, let’s talk about one of my absolute favorite fragrances. This takes everything I love about Spicebomb, marries it with some Layton vibes, and makes it 3x better. It’s sweet, it’s spicy, it’s super resinous and it’s GLORIOUS. It’s got some frutiness that pairs beautifully with the vanilla, woods, and sweetness, but doesn’t give off the same dried fruit smell that Tobacco Vanille does. To me, this might just be THE winter fragrance. It’s loud, it’s proud, and it smells amazing. I cannot rave highly enough about this. If you love Angel’s Share, Tobacco Vanille, Spicebomb, Layton, and other similar fragrances, you’ll like this one at the very least, if not fall hopelessly in love with it, as I have. One of the most beautiful fragrances I’ve ever smelled. *Review #5 in my fragrance journey – this fragrance I own as a decant*

Based on the previous reviews, this one seems to be polarizing. I will start by saying that I understand the negative responses; it is entirely true that this starts out smelling alarmingly like a Christmas candle. The sour fruit, sweet notes, and spices initially combine to create this odd impression, BUT once the sour fruity top notes wear off, Indes Galantes turns into a comforting spiced vanilla that smells a lot less like walking by Bath & Body Works in December and a lot more like a proper oriental fragrance. In fact, once it dries down, it is quite addictive; the powdery and resinous facets become a perfect counterpoint to the sweet spiciness, making Indes Galantes feel so ever so cuddly...and quite a bit more perfume-y than it initially appears. I definitely see myself snuggling up with a cozy blanket and good book in front of a fireplace in a sweet soft cloud of this powdery loveliness. That said, while I will happily finish my sample, I don't see the need for a full bottle. It does perform reasonably well, lasting a full day of wear (and a shower!) with soft to moderate projection, but I have plenty of less costly cuddle fumes...but this one is hard to beat in terms of projecting QUALITY

A very evocative perfume that recalls Christmas and gives emotion. A combination of spices and sweetness of orange, almonds and many sweet things in the air... sure creates an atmosphere of celebration and serenity around you. This scent warms the soul, the drydown is truly unforgettable,romantic... I have nothing else to say, hard to describe. I love it! Sillage: 7.5/10 Longevity: 8./10 Scent: 9./10 Overall: 9./10

I am a man who normally is not into gourmands, yet I am obsessed with this gourmand leaning perfume that is marketed as 'feminine'. Yes, it starts out very cinnamon croissant like, but later the cloves and benzoin take over and I can't think of anything else anymore than putting on a warm sweater, playing old vinyls and drink chai tea.

Thanks to a generous perfume fairy, I now have a decant of this and it is perfect . Just a beautiful, perfect spice perfume. To those whom it didn't work for, feel free to send it my way, haaaa!