Ani X by Nishane

Since I tried it as a decant, I’m hooked. It’s incredibly versatile, perfect for any day. It feels lighter than the original, ideal for hot weather. For me, this X version is a triumph over the Ani.

Based on the notes and comments, I thought I’d love it, but it’s a resounding no for me. It could be my grandmother’s perfume. I find it dense and heavy. Its citrus notes don’t appear on my skin; what I smell is cardamom, pepper, ginger, and rose. I wanted to like it! But I don’t 🙁 It’s for evening wear and winter or autumn. Extremely unisex. How about the trail and projection? A million. But unfortunately, I don’t like it and find it overwhelming.

What a wonderful scent, absolutely marvellous and intoxicating. The longevity, projection, and evolution… I don’t know what to say. I just know that in the first two hours, there’s nothing richer than this, although I’m not sure if it’s for me.

Brutal quality perfume. You can tell in every detail. The scent evolves from the start with a spectacular lemon note into a more tempered and different smell after a couple of hours. It’s a particular vanilla. Long-lasting and excellent fragrance, something pricey but…

I liked Ani, but Ani X made me fall in love. It opens very citrusy with lemon, ginger, and that melon that lingers forever, mixed with lots of cardamom and water. The opening is delicious, but the real magic is in the dry down: one of the best vanillas I’ve tried. Although the vanilla is there from the start, it’s in the dry down that it becomes warm, spiced, and creamy without being cloying, thanks to those fresh and aquatic touches earlier. After a few hours, a soft vanilla clings to the skin, lasting until the shower and still giving off bursts. Longevity: the first two hours project massively, then it drops a bit but remains perfectly noticeable, leaving a rich trail. After those two hours, it stays noticeable until the seventh or eighth hour before fading to skin scent. Similar? It smells quite like Ingenious Ginger to me, but the G&B version is fresher, with more ginger and a softer, less rich vanilla. If you like this DNA, use Ingenious Ginger in spring/summer and Ani X all year round (except extremely hot mornings), perfect for cool nights. That’s what I love about Ani X: usable in any season without being heavy. Scent: 10/10. Longevity: +8h. Projection: 8/10. Versatility: 8.5/10.

I like it, but I feel I’m missing something to like it more. Good mix. It’s a tasty citrus, creamy, with fresh ginger and a sweet touch I don’t associate with melon. I detect spices and something floral from the start. The quality and balanced composition are evident. As it dries, a subtle sandalwood and a tonal vanilla appear, and yes, the ambergris feels good. It’s like a western scent made oriental. I like it, but not enough to buy it. I’m not as attracted to the idea of smelling like an experimental lemon tart. It suits all year round and almost every occasion. The price doesn’t appeal to me, but it performs hugely. It seduces me, but there’s something that leaves me indifferent.

No doubts whatsoever with Vitodito: the aquatic melon note from Ani X is a fresh nod that breaks the routine. Paired with a lovely vanilla, renewed lavender, and an improved wood combo, it results in a unisex version that leaves behind Ani’s vanilla monotony. If I had to choose between the two (January 2024), without hesitation, I’d go for Ani X; it evolves brilliantly and, above all, performs like a champion on skin, something Ani no longer does in its new formulas. I always say: test niche perfumes on the skin, especially from houses like Nishane that play hard with spices; an oriental perfume doesn’t always understand spice usage the same way a Western one does.

I agree with Vitodito: the melon aquatic note of the Ani X gives a great innovative point. Along with a beautiful vanilla, a new lavender, and a better combination of woody notes, it produces a unisex version that far surpasses the monotonous vanilla of the Ani. If I had to choose one without having both (January 2024), I’d choose the X for its evolution and skin performance. The X’s performance hasn’t dropped in the new formulations, which can’t be said for the Ani. I always recommend testing niche perfumes on the skin, especially from houses like Nishane that work a lot with spices. An oriental perfume may not understand the use of spices in the same sense or intensity as a western perfume.

A fun remix with more interplay between the phases, though for me it’s not quite as rich as the original. It starts with a citrus burst that knocked my socks off for a while. Then that juicy bergamot fades, giving way to notes reminiscent of Ingenius Ginger—a sweet candied ginger—before the Ani DNA takes over with force. In the end, the Ani scent dominates, with a slightly aquatic melon touch. I think many will love it; I prefer the original, but if Ani is your signature, this version offers distinct nuances so you don’t get bored of the same aroma. MiaoX