Gaultier² by Jean Paul Gaultier

First time trying this Gaultier 2, a marvel of an aroma. I have the 2005 version, and it smells just like the first: musk, vanilla, and amber. What a delicious scent. Once dry on the skin, it has good longevity and has become my favorite. The musk smells wonderful.

I used to know a guy who wore this perfume; it was addictive, and whenever I got close, I couldn’t stop smelling it; it had a very sexy touch. They discontinued it shortly after, and I never smelled it again. When I heard it was coming back, I rushed to buy a bottle… what memories! Honestly, I don’t know if it’s very different, but it seemed exactly the same to me. Since then, I’ve worn it for going out at night and special occasions. On my skin, I notice it’s vanilla-based, even though that note isn’t declared. I see it as totally unisex, nocturnal, and perfect for cold weather. It has great sillage and projection. If you spray it on a coat or scarf, you can smell it for days. The fact that today you can only buy it online gives it a certain exclusivity; you won’t smell it massively on the street. Very happy about its return 😍.

The Gaultier 2 reissue is a tribute to a perfume that made history, and for me, it brings back precious fragments of a life lived to the fullest, even in the toughest moments. It’s not just a trip down memory lane, but a balance (achieved?) that, at this stage of maturity, is positive because it helps you realize that those who truly love rarely regret their choices. When I heard Gaultier 2 was returning, I was quietly excited, though worried that many creations revived from a glittering past often turn out to be bitter disappointments. But that’s not the case here. The new Gaultier 2 bears a clear resemblance to its illustrious predecessor, though it’s lighter and airier (the raw power, one of the main sources of its popularity, is no longer there as such) and features a noticeable floral note that makes it even more unisex. The result is frankly good, though original owners might notice it’s less bold and scandalous, yet rounder and better suited to today’s world. The musk and vanilla have been toned down in intensity and almost replaced olfactively by sandalwood and jasmine, making it more mature and versatile. Unfortunately, it can’t bring back the emotions I lived through, but a great scent has returned—a modern interpretation of this immortal classic. Even if it falls slightly short in comparison, I recommend everyone give it a try if they have the chance. Good job JPG, despite being impossible to find in physical stores. Courtesy of Mithrandir.

I never thought the return of a discontinued perfume would bring me so much happiness. It’s still the same, wonderful, and pleasant, totally unisex. The only thing I hope is that they don’t discontinue it again, because it would be a shame for many, including me.

Just arrived, and after spraying it… it’s 100% identical to the discontinued 2005 version, I have it fresh in my mind and can confirm. Don’t waste your money on a vintage bottle. Cheers.

To everyone interested: it’s now available in Spain from the JPG website for €100.

I liked the dry down; it’s very cozy. Not so much the opening, as it’s too floral for my taste. I haven’t tried the original version to compare, but it reminded me quite a bit of Joop! Homme, with a higher-quality scent, like a “deluxe” version of the same thing.

There’s bound to be controversy here because the listed notes aren’t everything there is, and tastes vary; plus, the ingredients aren’t 100% identical even if it smells similar, which is why it was discontinued. Francis Kurkdjian has the mastery to achieve 90% of the original. I’ve tested Guerlain reformulations that are good, and sometimes the difference is just the maceration time. I enjoy well-preserved ‘oxidized’ fragrances that become intense and dense vanillas. I hope to try the relaunch soon, though I’m not holding out much hope. I tested the original once or twice and liked it. Please be serious and stop the hate; not everyone appreciates things the same way, but many come here seeking opinions to make a purchase.

And in the end… has anyone actually tried it?

@olfactorymemories, what’s up, friend? I’m not a master of anything, but here on Fragrantica there are many apprentices of everything and masters of nothing. You’re stuck on the notes; I emphasize that houses rarely give all the olfactory pyramids and those notes are commercial. Most likely Jean Paul Gaultier owns the original formula from Francis Kurkdjian, so they just have to replicate it. Who am I to tell you what a flanker is? But I’ll give you an example: Le Male and Le Male Essence de Parfum (this one is a flanker). In Gaultier 2, it’s not a flanker, it’s a reissue of a discontinued perfume. A flanker is a variant of the same fragrance like Dior Homme, where concentration and notes change starting from the original base. If it were called Gaultier 2 Oud Edition, it would be a flanker. It’s a bit annoying, but check German forums where users already have the bottle and say it smells exactly the same, except it’s a tiny bit softer. It’s logical that a perfume from 2005 after almost 20 years will smell denser due to extreme maceration and the volatility of the top notes. I think there’s not much more to add.

@olfactorymemories, of course, here reading the notes (often written incorrectly) you already deduce the scent because you’re prestigious perfumers. I emphasize the same thing: you’re reckless and without hearing it, you rant even about longevity, it’s ridiculous. They don’t even know the real notes of the old Gaultier 2 because it doesn’t just have three; it has a very pronounced and noticeable floral part that isn’t declared. I know this because I have a 120ml bottle of the old version. To go further, it’s already out in Germany and discussed in forums that the scent is completely identical to the old one. I trust a German who already smelled it more than those commenting here with random hypotheses and no basis.

So many negative reviews without even having heard it really impact me. It was my go-to perfume back in 2007, so I’m the first interested party in it smelling like its previous formula. I seem to have read that the original did have orange blossom (jasmine), which is why not all notes were on Fragrantica. It was expected and normal that the bottle wouldn’t be the same; every day bottles lean towards more geometric and sober lines. I won’t say if it’s the same or not until I try it. On the other hand, €100 for 100ml is the recommended price (which JPG will have on their official website), that doesn’t mean it will sell at that price in perfumeries, and especially in Spain.

I saw the name and thought this singular fragrance was back. I knew the 2016 vintage version and underestimated it until I got the 120ml bottle two years later, and what a great purchase. I see the new launch keeps the name but changes the notes. What’s the marketing logic? Wouldn’t it make more sense to launch a flanker of the original instead of using the same name to ‘recapture’ loyal customers who will be duped?

What baffles me most is that people act as if they’ve already smelled the perfume, even though I don’t know if it even launched on October 3rd. It’s fascinating what’s happening on this website, worthy of a sci-fi movie where daredevils write reviews based on what they imagine. Mind-blowing.