This stunned me! Amazing gourmand, so insanely sweet but I for one could never get sick of that smell. It's reigned in perfectly being a little dark, this is what vanilla should be about eg: A naughty, tasty gourmand experience. Nothing weird or spicy or like sniffing vanilla essence or anything of that sort. I can't tell what the contributing factors are in this scent apparently cloves and cinnamon? Well I don't know if I get that maybe a hint which changes the character and makes it smell exactly like vanilla wafers. This fragrance is so delicious, so delightful I want it... right away! I think it's the woodiness of it too... it's dense and incredibly long lasting on my skin but very soft at the same time. This is one to wear in bed with your lover and guaranteed they will adore this level of edibility! THIS SMELLS DIVINE!!! Sweet tooth well and truly satisfied! Update: I've been struggling to decide between This, Chocolate Greedy and Intense Cafe. I had a sample of this left over and after being thoroughly convinced of it's charms myself I had my girlfriend wear it the other day. Wow!!! We went shopping and I was floating around in her sillage trail on cloud nine and so were others in transpired. My girlfriend walked past a young couple with a baby and I stayed as I was looking at something on a shelf near them. The young lady with the baby then exclaimed to her husband..."MMMMMMMMM Can you smell that? ...I just got a really strong smell of vanilla cookies! Can you smell that? where's it coming from....it's amazing!" My girlfriend couldn't hear as she'd walked off but her trail still lingered and was causing a real stir for this woman. As she said it I looked up...and she smiled I think she thought it was me because I'd heard her and had a knowing grin on my face. This is just another occasion where one of these gourmand Montale's has had this exact effect. Brilliant!!!! I'll probably buy this for my girl and I'll have Chocolate greedy.
@S2312, It's not at all like Vanilla 28. Vanilla 28 is more like vanilla extract, not nearly as sweet, and is rather harsh. It doesn't project much either. It's a straightforward vanilla, much better for layering than wearing alone. Montales Vanille Absolu is powdery soft but absolutely projects, it leaves a beautiful scent trail. It's somewhat lactonic, like chocolate milk. I would say it smells nearly identical to hot chocolate powder. There are no chocolate notes, but this is definitely chocolatey and delicious. This is a true gourmand vanilla. It's nearly identical to Al Rehabs choco musk if you have smelt that.
@S2312 You would have to really enjoy Gourmands to enjoy this. Vanilla 28 is much more mature compared to Vanille Absolu. If I were looking for a sweet vanilla perfume, I would not go for Vanilla 28 whereas I would happily reach for Vanille Absolu. I truly think your best bet would be to sniff a bottle of sweet drinking chocolate, specifically, the types you'd be marketing to children rather than the healthy kind - like the yellow Nestle chocolate. This perfume is super sugary and sweet, if you like those types of scents you'd love this, I don't pick up any cloves or spices. Like the majority of the reviews are saying - it'll remind you of baked cookies or cake, really foodie and dense. To summarise; they both have very different vibes. They aren't dupes or substitutes for each other Vanilla 28 = Vanilla extract, somewhat mature or reserved Vanille Absolu = Chocolatey and bakery-scented, youthful, and playful If you like super sweet edible gourmands - I would think it's safe to blind buy.