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dantez – :
Well, how can you say that an Alberto Morilla’s composition is not balanced? You can. This is a beautiful idea, but the final result is not that beautiful. The thing is: Too much bergamote and orange. The rest is almost perfect: Vanilla, aldehydes and a smokey incense.
UlcediceM – :
It’s very nice… smells quite like Eau Duelle by Diptyque and Caftan by YSL. Far too soft for the price. I don’t think it projects or lasts well. Given the price tag, this should perform better than Santal 33 no?
bardin-vadim – :
Intimate skin scent. Clean austere incense vanilla, so very unisex. I worship this scent. Makes a perfect signature, beautiful in all concentrations. I add amulet refill drops to a bath, always carry liquid balm in my purse, body oil is one of my guilty pleasures. So many compliments, including ‘this smells like you’.
Проня – :
This is a very nice incense woody vanilla, which tend to be the way I generally prefer my vanillas. I also like the addition of aldehydes and it’s very comforting; however, It’s not worth the City Exclusive price tag to me. I’d pay regular Le Labo price for this, but not more. Too bad.
maestro1991 – :
This is a beautiful incense vanilla. It smells quite similar to Caftan YSL, which I love. I think Caftan lasts longer than this, and projects better. The ingredient quality seems comparable. The price of Vanille 44 is just unreasonable!
doktur – :
I’ve been sampling different vanillas and tried this one today. It was fine – a nice scent, but in no way unique or mind-blowing. And if it’s as expensive as others have said, nothing I would ever consider purchasing. As far as the scent goes, the vanilla is kind of subtle and I get as much incense as vanilla. I also thought, as I would smell it during the day, that it had a decidedly kind of ‘crayon’ quality – a waxiness, that wasn’t off-putting, just unexpected. It was like I had a candle sitting close to me all day.
gfif06 – :
I got a sample of this, (vanilla addict here) but there is no part of me that would ever pay 250 + for this fragrance. I couldn’t even smell it on myself in store, so I took the sample home and doused myself in it – still way too light. Personal preference, I know, but not only can I barely detect it, it smells too synthetic on my skin. I really wanted to like this, but this will definitely be a pass.
svena – :
Trying Vanille 44 along with others in the City Exclusives Discovery Set. One of the better ones in the bunch for our testing. Reminds me of cream soda – light, sweet, fresh. I get a sharp but pleasant cut wood scent at the top, too – fresh cut from a work bench. Vanilla kicks in and has staying power. Pleasant overall, but won’t invest in a bottle. Would easily work in any season or context – seems an especially good scent for the office or snuggle time.
Aerohopleneriecb – :
This warm woody vanilla incense is so very meditative, but there’s no way I think it’s worth over $400. I would buy a decant though. People say it’s unoriginal but I have yet to smell a good dupe. Kilian’s amber oud does not smell the same but has a similar vibe.
edit: wearing again and no, not even worth buying a decant imho. I’m getting basically zero projection and all cedar this time. If I want a smoky woody vanilla-ish scent I’ll go with the aforementioned Kilian.
Jordg – :
Subtle and sherbet-y with a nice vanilla vibe.
It’s never going to set the world on fire but it’s a fine fragrance that smells spicy, fresh and sweet. Good.
oleg270577 – :
This is gorgeous, and ephemeral. Literally – if I sniff my wrist directly, I get nothing. I have to actually sniff the air 2-3 cm off of my wrist to get the vanilla/incense combination. This is a great vanilla, too – it’s not cloying, and blends well with the incense to make a soft overall scent that feels very grown-up. Zero sillage, too, so it can be enjoyed by me and those I allow into my personal space.
Only downside is the price – I’d have to triple my income to not feel guilty about buying a full bottle of this.
jamal-07 – :
Scent – vanillin wood, bergamot, aldehydes & incense.
Season/Time of Day – I prefer to use this one in the colder months, day or night.
Projection – I didn’t get noticed, I didn’t get a compliment.
Longevity – I get 8hrs consistently.
interboi7 – :
Slightly floral, slightly boozy, and sweet but not too sweet, Vanille 44 by Le Labo is a welcome entry in their City Exclusive line and their total catalog, as the house doesn’t seem to offer an abundance of sweet fragrances, otherwise. It’s agreeable and not likely to offend, since it does not push the extremes of concentration, sweetness, or floralness. Rather, it sits in a comfortable unisex medium that makes it a greater year-round option for fans of vanilla. I certainly wouldn’t go the route of emphasizing that this is so much more than vanilla, as the signature note is certainly the star of the show, but there are other elements that give it some depth. For some reason, the incense and guaiac (per the note listings) are giving me a musky vibe in the base, I suspect, and I don’t get the orange or any citrus at all, really. I can imagine Vanille 44 being a fragrance where subservient notes resonate differently for wearers.
While it carries the same burden of price as the other City Exclusives, it’s one of the better offerings of the line, but surely not one that I would buy. In the vanilla scheme, it’s still inferior to Tauerville Vanilla Flash and Dame Perfumery Black Flower Mexican Vanilla, that I can attest are significantly more affordable, as well.
8 out of 10
rokpor – :
This is a very warm and smokey vanilla. I get a whole lot of incense in this and despite what everyone says about the vanilla being more of an afterthought, I find it to be very prominent. When I smell this, in fact all I can really perceive is vanilla and incense. That said it is very lovely – a little sweet even. For anyone who has ever smelled it, this fragrance smells IDENTICAL to the Dyptique Vanille candle…identical! I cannot decide if I love this enough to splurge on a small bottle –when I put it to the test (a.k.a solicited feedback from others) I was told it is “nice but not sexy,” and “too smoky.”
The_gangster – :
BACKGROUND: I just got the 2015 sample set of the exclusives from LuckyScent and will wear one a day with a review for each – from a male perspective.
Today I’m wearing Vanille 44 to the office.
SCENT: I do find it a little lazy to simply compare one fragrance to another in a review.But halfway through my City Exclusives trial fortnight, I’m genuinely finding comparisons hard to avoid. So far, most have smelt close to, if not EXACTLY like something else – at least to my nose – and that’s unusual for me. In Vanille 44’s case, it’s the creamy cute lipstick touch of Dior Homme Intense that’s resurfacing under a new, slightly edgier guise here.
OFFICE READY? Safe as a picket fence in Vermont. Sillage is pleasantly moderate for the close quarters of a meeting room and the scent itself is without peaks or troughs – just a smooth run of dopey, cosmetic loveliness that won’t offend (but has garnered me no compliments either today).
NIGHT OUT READY? Sure, why not? Perhaps someone with no idea will offer you a vacant ‘you smell nice’. Truth is, that’s about as much interest and passion this one is capable of in the competitive olfactory space of a public bar.
BETTER THAN THE REGULARS? To me it doesn’t seem anything more ‘special’ than what’s freely on offer from Le Labo – but this one is a safe crowd pleaser so it may find its following as a daily wear. Don’t expect genuine wow-factor.
WORTH THE $440 (AU $600)? No and its not worth me labouring the point about the Exclusives pricing. Yet another one that doesn’t achieve its asking price.
WORTH $240? I understand from other reviewers that Dior Homme Intense once had an earlier formulation that was ‘sexy’ as opposed to the current ‘cute’ formulation. I would say Vanille 44 is, if anything, a little sexier than the current DHI possibly due to the smouldering Guaiac and intoxicating aldehydes, so I would encourage fans of the old DHI to give this a try – if it was ever rolled out at Le Labo’s usual price point that is.
HIGHLIGHTS: I wish it was cheaper, because it’s such an easy everyday wear that illicits such simplicity and warmth. It’s a good fragrance – it’s just nothing to swoon over.
magera – :
An unusual take on vanilla, this one reminds me quite a bit of Tokyo Milk’s Dead Sexy (a vanilla scent that’s a 10th of the price of the Le Labo). It has a similar rubbery, synthetic edge to it only this version is spun a tad more boozy and there’s a patchouli note here for added depth. Vanille 44 is basically a desaturated, woody, rubbery, dry take on vanilla that doesn’t smell that much like vanilla. It’s not awful, but there’s just not enough going on with it to warranted the insane price tag.
Greetwarm – :
Smoldering vanilla pod.
7404040 – :
i’m am NOT a fan of vanilla based scents — too animalic and linear for mine — but this is a pleasant surprise. not as dark, heavy and base as other vanillas, but with that said, i still don’t like vanilla. i wouldn’t mind smelling this on other people, just not me. nice enough…
misterdavid – :
Vanilla is great,, but oranges/mandarin at top, again, is well, not great.
Lemon would have been much more transparent allowing the other great orinetal elements to pop more, but orange lends that fruity ‘cloud’ accord that gives the whole thing that inescapable ‘generic designer’ vibe albeit much better Quality. Very expensive too, as with most from this house – I can’t help feeling they think a little too much of themselves charging these non-competent prices?
Not for me.
Scent: 5/10.
Quality: 9/10.
111dimon4ik111 – :
I am a confirmed member of the vanilla fan club, but I hadn’t tried this because the reviews are so mixed. I am glad I did! I have been searching for YEARS for this kind of scent!!
This is an unsweetened warm boozy rum vanilla with a dry copal incense scent over a deep woody base. They really should have named it for Mexico City where the Aztec dancers perform in the Zocalo near the Templo Mayor pyramid. This smells exactly like the copal that is used in the blessing of the 4 directions before a ceremony. I LOVE THIS and it’s definitely full bottle worthy.
MopozoFF – :
This is very odd to say, but on my skin this smelled of white pepper – beautiful, aromatic white pepper. …I’m guessing it might be the smokey-incense smell…?
gefil – :
I tried this perfume at Barney’s and was contemplating buying it. After the 3rd try though I was not impressed.
It opened with the aldehydes and bergamot being strong, with a bit of woods in the background. After an hour there was a bit of incense, but not enough to satisfy my inner hippie. The drydown was just vanilla, nothing sweet or special, just vanilla.
It is a lovely perfume, just not worth the money it is going for.
Rereirf83 – :
Breathtakingly good!!! I do not prefer to wear vanilla fragrances and this is the ONLY fragrance I will wear. Spirituese Double Vanille is a little too sweet for me but this one here is so comforting and a little more masculine. Non foody, soft, with a trail of incense and gaiac wood, Vanille 44 pairs perfectly with my bottle of Le Labo Gaiac 10. The two were made to be worn together I believe. I agree, the price is unreasonable, but it is what it is and once you own it, you own it for life and you will always be able to get refills whenever you’d like at a 20% discount (if you own the 50ml, 100ml, or 500ml bottles.) Without a doubt, Full Bottle Worthy!!!
hkg181elipseskism – :
I agree with other reviewers in that the name is probably misleading. For those looking for a vanilla dominating fragrance or something that immediately calls it to mind this probably isnt it.
For me this actually kinda reminded me of baby powder a bit, but a darker version of it. The guaiac wood and incense being a very noticeable after taste. It reminds me of another fragrance but off hand I cant remember it. But going along the lines of a darker baby powder I feel personally if you like Chergui this might be one to check out since although they dont smell the same, they both kinda reminded me of the same thing at times…
As it dries down the mix comes into play and its more smooth and sweet, but at the end of the day I honestly didnt care for it to much.
FUREFROGUEMAT – :
A Masterpiece. One of the best frangrance ever. A vanilla frag’ couldn’t be better. Alberto Morillas is definitively one of the best Nose on this planet.
folde999 – :
I’ve never worn this and not gotten at least one compliment (it’s usually a cacophony of compliments!) One of my top 3 favorites. Daytime I like to wear this one in my hair, and at the nape of my neck so when I’m out in the sun it wafts up and creates a cloud around me. Subtly nuanced, not overwhelming at all; soft. I’d call this a comfort scent but it’s got a bit of adventure in to it too. This is work-out safe, work safe, but at the same time totally sexy enough for a night out or a date. I find that so many of the vanillas out there are too sweet, too foody, or turn into something unlike vanilla in their dry down. This one only gets warmer and more intricate as time goes on. It was totally worth it to me to look past the price, as it’s becoming my signature scent.
player5 – :
The drydown is very simple. A cozy vanilla and gaiac wood mix. Very nice but I prefer Kiehl’s Cedarwood and Vanilla. It’s way less expensive and projects more. Don’t get me wrong, this is nice, but not worth the hefty price tag.
Yurok801996 – :
I purchased this hoping I (a guy) could pull off this unisex scent. While the scent is potent and pleasant, it has a synthetic note that smells of women’s make-up. The kind of scent one might find in a woman’s purse. While I like/love the scent, I’m going to have trouble wearing it comfortably. Whereas, I can wear Hypnotic Poison without the same concern–both vanilla based.
bololos – :
The best vanilla in the world! So sexy and warm, dangerous vanilla. I personally found some similarities with Lab on Fire What We Do In Paris is Secret. Shame that both of fragrances have to be shipped from Paris in one case and The
States , in the other.
s1ngecu – :
*Le Labo – Vanille 44
Since the opening, i can feel sslightly the incense and some aldehydes, making some light green noise… But this initial part fades away so quickly…
Then, the vanilla appears smoothly, soft, not being sweet at all, lasting for some time since on the skin.
That is not a strong scent, not even intense. I think it is light and so easy to wear.
After that, the perfume shows a little powdery side till it reaches the dry, where we found it woody and musky.
Good one, but i was expecting more…
Маргоша23 – :
When I first tried this lovely gem about three months ago I found it too green and the aldehydes put me off. So I put the sample away and forgot about it until today when I was digging in my sample box again and voila! There was a half sample of Vanille 44. I put the entire remainder of the vial on my hands my arms and went for it.
That was one of my smarter moves because I discovered that I loved this fragrance when I really gave it a serious try. After those aldehydes moved on a bit the smokiness of the wood and incense come in, brightened by the bergamot and mandarin. The result is a glorious soft pure Bourbon vanilla fragrance. Thankfully, the citrus notes do not dominate but blend perfectly. The only fault I can find with this beauty is that it doesn’t last very long. Two hours into my trial all I had left was skin scent but it did last on my skin a while longer, it just lost its sillage pretty quickly. I had been looking for the perfect vanilla. I think this is it!
abracsus – :
I was so scared to test this knowing that falling in love would require a $1,000 plane ticket to Paris (not to mention the outrageous cost of the perfume itself)! I shelled out my $6 for a measly 1/2ml and tried it out tonight.
It’s good. Really quite lovely. But thank goodness it has no sillage or projection whatsoever! Even after two applications! Up close, I could barely detect this delicious bergamot vanilla with its hint of woodsy smoke.
Thank goodness Diptyque made Eau Duelle cheaper, stronger and more readily available!
ericc – :
Vanille 44 is GREAT : ). I LOVE boubon vanilla as it conveys a boozy quality and I love the “boozy” feel in certain notes (ambers, vanillas, roses). Vanilla is one of my fav. notes but don’t like when it’s really sweet or fake like in a lot lotions and sprays.
This is amazing. It feels (like others have mentioned) like a “cloud” of vanilla and incense following you around. Amazing. I definetely get the incense and gaiac wood. It really is a great BOURBON vanilla.
Maksxxx84 – :
I own 50ml.label from Paris ,Yes Vanille44 is One of the best vanilla scent in the world
So wonderful fantastic seduction juice
The big problem is PRICE!
Are you kidding me?
DlePostMaster – :
the BEST Vanilla in the world! no doubt, this is my Holly grail, Deserted island scent. I’m not a Vanilla fan, this fragrance changes that. The Vanilla smells deep, natural, multifaceted, never syrupy or sweet. the presence is there throughout the scent, but it weaves throughI Incense, Gaiac, musks, the mandarin keeps the scent from becoming muted or dull. I love Paris. perfect 10
andrei.sevstar – :
Vanille 44, like other Le Labo creations, has a misleading name. The name would have you believe that vanilla dominates in the fragrance, but it doesn’t. The vanilla is *technically* there, but it’s playing peek-a-boo and hiding most of the time.
Vanille 44 opens with bitter and cool aldehydic citrus on top of soft amber and woody incense. The citrus softens a bit as the fragrance progresses, but no drastic development from there. The aldehydes give the scent a fizzy cola carbonation feel the entire duration of the scent, so I completely understand the comments about root beer and cream soda. Sillage is above average and lasting power is phenomenal.
Vanille 44 is a nice, safe scent, but I can see many vanilla fans being disappointed. If you’re not expecting vanilla when you sniff this, then you may enjoy it more at first sniff. I am a vanilla fan and was disappointed at first, but now I love it. It’s a great vanilla to wear in the heat.
roma1961 – :
This is wonderful, but ridiculously priced and the (non-) distribution is a joke.
But then again. I may have to auction off an organ so I’ll be able to get a bottle…
greenhorn – :
The guaiac wood and vanilla make this smell almost like a gourmet root beer float on my skin, but it still smells expensive. I would suggest a sample of vanilla anise for those of you who cannot afford this, as they are similar on my skin. Vanilla anise gives the same vibe but is much less rich than Vanille 44. This was very pricy and I still prefer tihota by miles, but of course, thats discontinued. Over all I am happy with my purchase, but not my HG.
Al-Faraby – :
This is a vanilla fragrance that is smokey and sexy without being sweet or foody at all. It swirls around you like the finest incense with the vanilla coming into play in the heart and even then it never overwhelms the entire fragrance. The vanilla provides a softness, a supporting role as opposed to the main star and it works well. All the notes seamlessly meld into one another without any of the little transitional hiccups that can occur with some scents. This fragrance just seems to smoulder on my skin, very soft and sultry never ever making me think of food. It is not at all powdery on me, but dry and smooth. This is one I could see wearing in the summer as well as the winter. Formal attire or jeans. So sad it can only be purchased in Paris.
Dianka334 – :
Ah, such a lovely, dry, refreshing vanilla! On me it’s basically a pure vanilla + incense-blend. The vanilla is a true vanilla, exclusive, natural, not sweet but beautiful. And right next to it the incense. They both vary in strength throughout the day, they take over the lead in turns, but they are both always there.
Sillage is good, but it decreases in strength a bit too soon. I would still get a BIG bottle of it if it was a bit less expensive.
If anyone wants to get rid of a bottle, please let me know, I’ll swap half my collection for it 😉
ReahOnene – :
Well,starting my comment on this ,i need to thank dear Ktehark for the sample:)
This is a musky sweet vanilla with woody elements.I get woody sweet note of “mastic”, yes, the extrait of mastic tree growing in Greece.
It is very prominent indeed.May be this be the guaiac wood note?
Any way,this vanille is not overall fruity but very musky.It’s not either bakery/foody -gourmadish- the right term but fresh and sweet at the same time.
I don’t get a very intense incense note at all.It’s a bit of everything, that’s called balance.Good lasting power.
Nice elegant perfume .I ‘d like more of it for sure.
CreelpGrilm – :
When it comes to vanilla my subconscious is on a mission, and I suspect I’ll be adding to my collection soon. Tihota was my first ever experience with a high end variety, and ever since I’ve been on the lookout for something similarly pure. Le Labo seemed promising, so I ordered a sample.
I’m sorry to say this isn’t a hit. The quality is stellar, in the past two hours its only amplified in sillage and strength (and I only used one spritz!)
The problem, I’m guessing, is mandarin. It gives this a fruity vibe, and what I want is the incense. Honestly I would classify this as a gourmand and not an oriental vanilla. I’m not even sure I’m getting vanilla, just fruit and guaic. I’ll circle back to this in a few weeks and see if anything’s changed, but so far I’m glad my expense was kept to a sample.
cfyxtc1982 – :
Vanille 44 initially takes you by surprise because it’s not the vanilla you may expect. It’s feminine and delicious just like vanilla scents always are, but not so girly and sweet.
I would describe Vanille 44 as being a dusty, smokey and milky vanilla, very subtle and natural smelling on the skin. It’s the perfect vanilla for those that don’t want to end up smelling like a cupcake or something that belongs in an ice cream cone.
I was drawn to this fragrance due to its incense note, and while this fragrance is smokey to a certain extent, it’s not particularly exotic or mysterious. The vanilla is the main note here, however like I mentioned before, the sweetness is absent. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Vanille 44 settled on the skin very much like a natural, musky skin scent. It’s rather pretty and oddly sensual.
The subtlety was a shock at first seeming that Le Labo is known for their heavy hitting scents. I also think the lack of lasting power leaves much to be desired, however I am impressed with this little number. The exclusivity and the expensive price tag is a little irritating, however if it had been more available it may have lost much of its mystery.
I’m not willing to buy a full bottle of this, especially at nearly $500 a bottle, however I much prefer this fragrance over other non-sweet vanillas like Annick Goutal’s Vanille Exquise. It’s certainly worth a try if sweet vanillas give you a headache or generally make you retch.
Cisemimbemaek – :
Thanks to a very generous member, I am now the owner of a BIG decant of this wonderful juice! This is what vanilla should be. A mysterious smokey vanilla with not a bakery in sight! Most vanillas are way too sweet, too cloying. Not this beauty. Vanilla perfection!!
vipleARORSRip – :
Oh. My. God. I love this vanilla, after trying so many and especially after finding that I hated SL Un Bois Vanille which so many others loved, I have found this, the most beautifully sweet but not foody vanilla, with a bit of incense and a bit of wood and a bit of amber. Everything blended to perfection so that none of the notes are dominant but its a luminous composition, but its got a definite dark edge to it. Its comfoting but sexy too in equal parts. Oh lord help me. I currently have a large decant from TPC, I just hope there is no way for me to get a FB from Paris, because if I can I’ll happily spend the big bucks for this one.