Absolute Aphrodisiac by Initio Parfums Prives

Initio, take all my money and go. I don’t believe there’s anyone on earth who wouldn’t like this fragrance. You might like it more, or perhaps a little less, but saying no to it is improper. Its scent is linear, it doesn’t evolve over time: what you smell at the beginning is what remains. What does it smell like? To an ambered, sugared vanilla served atop a bed of musk. Although they declare some floral notes, I don’t perceive them. It’s addictively irresistible; its name lives up to it. I can’t stop wanting to smell it over and over again; it’s almost an unsettling addiction. I don’t know what molecules they’ve put in here to make the brain unable to stop trying to catch them. If you’re wondering whether it’s a blind buy… absolutely, buy it and be done with it. If I’m wrong, I’ll buy you the bottle, because it has created an olfactory dependence in me.

The sexiest vanilla in my collection. On my skin, it smells of very animalic vanilla (castoreum) but without being dirty, just the right amount of sweet, slightly smoky, and super creamy. Yes, the vanilla dominates, but the amber and leather are there too. It’s quite linear and doesn’t seem complex, but the quality is noticeable from a mile away and it’s well-balanced (I’d never seen a vanilla like this in designer perfumes). Very good longevity: projects strongly for the first two or three hours, then drops to something more intimate, lasting around 8 to 10 hours. It smells unisex and is versatile, although I use it more for going out than for work. When my Yuniqu decant runs out, I’ll buy the big bottle because I enjoy it immensely. Despite the price, it’s justified here. I’ve found my favourite vanilla!

The sexiest vanilla in my collection. On my skin, it smells very animal due to the castoreum, but it’s not dirty; it’s sweet, slightly smoky, and very creamy. Amber and leather are also present. It’s linear and simple, but the quality is noticeable from a mile away and it’s perfectly balanced; I haven’t seen vanilla like this in designer perfumes. Good performance, not ‘beast mode’: it projects for the first two or three hours and then stays intimate, lasting about 8 to 10 hours. Totally unisex. Versatile, although I use it more for going out than for work. When I finish my Yuniqu decant, I’ll buy the big bottle because I enjoy it so much. Despite the price, it’s justified here. I’ve found my favourite vanilla!

This oriental scent wraps me in creamy vanilla with castoreum and hidden spices (cinnamon and clove) that lend an animated personality, like a cosy den for beasts. Use it sparingly to avoid being overwhelming; if you prefer it softer, mix it with pure vanilla oil. It’s incredibly addictive and feminine, though it can get tiring over time. Princess Mononoke would be its perfect ambassador: a strong, wild girl raised by the wolf goddess. I don’t detect the white flowers, just a hint of leather. The trail and longevity are excellent with just four sprays, ideal for winter, although at other times it feels a bit heavy. As the house’s first fragrance, you can tell the care put into its creation.

I love this vanilla, although I understand the criticism regarding the price. It’s not complex or innovative; it’s a luxury unisex vanilla for lovers of the note. It has a special touch thanks to the amber and the animal character. It’s sweet, creamy, slightly smoky, mature, and very long-lasting. It’s linear. The projection isn’t beast-like, except at the start; it’s moderate-soft, but it lasts about 10 hours. Versatile, easy for autumn and winter. A warm, hugging perfume for cold days. Aroma 7/10, Longevity 10/10, Sillage 7/10, Value for money 5/10, Versatility 8/10, Packaging 8/10. Would I buy it again? Perhaps.

Mmmm… One of the best vanillas I’ve ever smelled. A vanilla perfume with two faces: on one hand, the typical floral vanilla with white flowers that give freshness and tame the sweetness a bit; and on the other, a subtle animal vanilla with musk, leather, and castoreum. It’s quite simple and linear but addictive. Good performance, good longevity, and discreet projection. Unisex, although more nocturnal or for winter, it can be worn during the day in cold weather or summer/spring thanks to its delicacy. Aroma: 10, Longevity: 9, Projection: 7, Value for money: 5, Versatility: 7, Originality: 7, Overall: 9.5.

Absolute Aphrodisiac is absolutely dispensable. It’s a cheap, super-sweet vanilla with Hedione and musk that make it flat, boring, and without character. At those prices, one expects something special, but that’s not the case. Where are the leather and castoreum touches? Where is the warmth? An aphrodisiac perfume can’t be so bland. It’s a vision of the aphrodisiac as something sweet, cheap, and outrageously priced. How does it compare to Shalimar, Xanath by Ponsá, or Hypnotic Poison by Dior? No colour. Although I don’t like talking about prices, again, no colour. Absolutely forgettable. Saludos!

I think this perfume has immense power. Initio with Absolute Aphrodisiac leaves a mark. The idea is clear: simple but impactful blends. Thanks to the castoreum, musk, and sublime vanilla, it aims to be aphrodisiac. Soft at first, like a purring cat, then it becomes wild and passionate. In the first hour, it smells of leather and a bit of patchouli. Don’t fear the castoreum; it’s light but key for the hot mix with leather, making the vanilla incredible thanks to the amber. Everything harmonises perfectly. The musk closes the cake and accompanies me for about 7 hours of pleasure.

Sweet, dark, and creamy vanilla. It comes with divine amber and white musk. In the background, castoreum and leather. Normally I don’t like them, but here I enjoy them. The leather is subtle and the castoreum soft, well-blended, adding depth. It’s aphrodisiac, warm, simple, addictive, and sensual. Totally unisex, ideal for autumn/winter. High longevity, moderate sillage. It’s one of the best vanillas I’ve tried. I’d love the bottle, but it’s expensive; I’ll get a decant when I finish the sample.

It opens with sweet, creamy vanilla, which soon blends with amber, leather, and castoreum, reminding me of burnt rubber. On the skin, it becomes a dry, dense but attractive sweetness. It’s not aphrodisiac until the end; it’s heavy and linear, but with roses, it turns into magic. It’s an incredible base, totally unisex. If you wear too much, it invades. Initio’s Black Series is strong, punchy, and raw.

One of the Initio scents I like most is this Absolute Aphrodisiac. But almost every time I check their website, I see they’ve raised the prices; I’m glad they can sell so much and at such high prices, even if it won’t be for me. Nevertheless, this house produces good creations. So, if you can afford it and want to, enjoy this masterpiece.

On first spritz, it smells intensely of incense; I even thought I’d received the wrong decant. After thirty minutes, the magic happens, revealing a warm, ambered vanilla. It is the finest vanilla I have ever smelled. The listed notes mention white flowers, but I detect none.

For me, it’s nothing special. Yes, it’s a somewhat interesting vanilla, but not worthy of that price.

It’s a marvel.