Maharanih Intense

I tried Number One and Maharanih Intense. I loved both, but Maharanih is my favourite! It's a glorious ladylike, Indian-like, exotic yet elegant fragrance that stays true to its end, only fading very gradually. It needs a little time to set on my skin, but after a few minutes it blooms with strong flowers mixed with spices. The orange effect is very strong but doesn't last too long. The patchouli and soft animalic effect are there and stick to skin. As soon as I smelled this one I thought "India!" Maybe patchouli is the trigger for it, but I expected to find more notes in the list, because it is a very complex scent or at least it smells so. I imagine this on an exotic elegant lady, not too shy anyway, because Maharanih screams power! I think that the name means "great queen" and is suitable! The lasting power is very long and fading gradually as it usually happens with high quality intense perfumes in the line of old Guerlains, but no Guerlinade here and sometimes it comes as a relief.

Very animal to me. The sweetness of orange and galbanum perfectly complements the richness of the civet scent. Patchouli and carnation (eugenol) make it firm and rich, and the base notes of cinnamon, rose, ylang ylang, amber, vanilla and woods lay its foundation. Depth and colorfulness. The same stable structure (canvas), with vibrant saturated colors. Sleeker and more direct. Gorgeous, enthusiastic, full of energy and momentum, Maharanih presents a wild temperament. To me, it's very beautiful, not so legendary, but every part is strong and clear, and it's a great oriental perfume.

Parfums de Nicolaï is one of my favourite niche line. I still haven't found a scent in their catalogue that i least didn't like. This one is definitelly one of their big hits, but do sample it in summer because it doesn't work well in wintertime.It starts with a luminous orange note that becomes woody and spicy and with a very beautiful carnation essence.The main body is very alive and active.A particualary breezy thing that fills the air and soars effortesly. A smooth and earthy patchouli ends the show. But i'm pointing it out again.I't somehow loses it's oomph! on chilly winter.

Very original and classy... although at the beginning a little bit agressive... One must-have for me !

I’ve had a full bottle of original Maharanih and now also a boutique sample of this Intense version. The difference between the two seems similar to the one between original and reformulated versions of Opium: the original is a tad sweeter, more full bodied and animalistic. The Intense version seems dryer, airier and more synthetic. And both have a very-very Guerlain DNA. I’m not saying it’s the case with all Patricia de Nicolai’s fragrances, but with this one - for sure. Think Jicky, Shalimar and Habit Rouge. Plz don’t get me wrong Maharanih is not LIKE those fragrances but in case you are considering a blind buy and wonder into which territory of amber spicy it goes - I have been comparing all of those side by side and they definitely belong in the same family (pun intended)). So while not a safe blind buy if you admire these Guerlain fragrances I think Maharanih might be your type of fragrance as well. For me it interestingly happened the other way round: it was not until I’ve tried and admired Maharanih that I finally came to understand and admire these Guerlain masterpieces. Anyway I’m blabbing. To sum up, I think like with many fragrances with strong character and backbone this one is very much love or hate but certainly worth trying. Husband’s (knows-nothing-about-perfume intellectual introvert, favours Terre & Vetiver Tonka by Hermes) verdict: too sweet and intense to my taste but certainly has character and makes a statement.