Vanilla Extasy by Montale

Not much vanilla, go overboard on apricot: starts with a tart note, then the ylang-ylang kicks in, very clear and super present. The vanilla is there, yes, but it’s not the star, even though the name suggests it. Smells great and lasts a long time. If you’re looking for pure vanilla at Montale, go for Vanille Absolu or Sweet Vanilla instead.

I hope I’m not being unfair to this feminine fragrance, but in the world of vanillas, it seems one of the weakest. If the scent were denser and had better longevity, it would be a masterpiece, but it’s not. It only works if you use the layering method (soap, lotion, perfume, roll-on…). A lovely smell, certainly, but very light.

Glad I didn’t read the reviews before buying blind, because if I’d seen the comparisons to Flowerbomb and LVEB, I never would have chosen it. On my nose, this perfume has nothing to do with those; they leave patchouli very marked (and I hate it). With Vanilla Extasy, I only see the ‘rich’ parts: it’s vanilla, sweet but not cloying, with a woody note that reminds me of tea. The sandalwood gives it an exquisite touch, though I don’t feel it marked or stealing the spotlight. I’m not a fan of jasmine or ylang-ylang and I don’t perceive them, maybe they’re blended really well. It always fills me with compliments with just 3 sprays; it’s the one people ask about most, its name and where to buy it. It lasts all day with no olfactory fatigue and projects well without needing to get close. I bought it along with Sweet Vanilla, which is more linear, sweet, and powerful; next to it, this smells much more complex. Great blind buy <3. It doesn't remind me of Flowerbomb or LVEB, I didn't even think to compare them until reading this. Sometimes Montale perfumes overwhelm me (I love Intense Cafe or Arabians Tonka, but in heat I can't stand them and they tire me out), but this smells much less synthetic, more like Mancera.

Is it me, or does it smell like Flowerbomb? At first, it resembles LVEB a bit, then it evolves into a Flowerbomb with more presence and longevity. I’d summarize it as the older brother of Flowerbomb. I expected something different; I don’t dislike it, but as a niche fragrance, I hoped it wouldn’t resemble such a famous one so closely. 7/10 for lack of originality, 10/10 for sillage and longevity. For those who love Flowerbomb but find it doesn’t last, this is a fantastic alternative at a similar price. P.S.: I tried it with Flowerbomb Bloom, and it’s delicious; it makes it more interesting and less dense.

Vanilla Extasy is a gorgeous oriental perfect for summer (in my opinion, though it works year-round). It opens with a fresh, fruity apricot note—sweet but light. In the heart, it shifts to vanilla and dark woods with sandalwood. It lasts long on the skin and projects decently. It smells like vanilla desserts with fresh tree fruit, not candied. I love the benzoin; it gives it a resinous finish that makes it less innocent. It starts airy but becomes denser as it settles. If you’re craving hypnotic vanillas this summer, this is a stunning option with great potency. Pairing it with apricot or vanilla cream can boost either note, since it has both.