Gaultier² by Jean Paul Gaultier

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

I used to wear this perfume for a boy I knew and found it addictive; whenever I got close to him I couldn’t stop smelling it, it had a very sexy edge. It was discontinued shortly afterwards and I haven’t smelled it since. When I heard it was returning, I rushed to buy a bottle and… what memories! To be honest, I’m not sure if it is very different from the original, but it seemed exactly the same to me. Since then I have worn it for going out at night and special occasions. On my skin (I don’t know if due to my pH or because I am a woman) I notice it as vanilla-scented, although that note is not listed. I see it as totally unisex, for night-time and cooler weather. It has excellent trail and projection. If you spray it on a coat or scarf you can smell it for days. The fact that it can only be bought online now gives it a certain exclusivity; you won’t be smelling it massively on the street. Very happy with its return 😍.

The Gaultier 2 reissue is a tribute to a perfume that has made history and, in my case, reminds me of precious fragments of a life lived, a life always savoured to the full, even in the less easy moments. It is not simply a trip down memory lane, but an equilibrium (achieved?) that, in an age of maturity, is positive because it makes you understand that those who truly love rarely regret their choices. When I heard Gaultier 2 was returning, I was moved in silence, somewhat worried because many creations that return from a glittering past often turn out to be a bitter disappointment. But that is not the case here. The new Gaultier 2 bears a clear resemblance to its illustrious predecessor despite being lighter and airier (the blatant potency, one of the main sources of its popularity, is no longer there as such) and with the inclusion of a noticeable floral note that makes it even more unisex. The result is frankly good, although those happily owning the original version will notice it is less daring and scandalous, but slightly rounder and adapted to the days of today. The musk and vanilla have been considerably reduced in intensity and almost replaced olfactorily by sandalwood and jasmine, making it more mature and versatile. Unfortunately, it cannot return the emotions experienced, but a great scent has returned that is a modern interpretation of this immortal classic. Even if it falls slightly short in comparison, I can recommend everyone to try this fragrance if they have the opportunity. Good work 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 remains the same, wonderful, and pleasant, totally unisex. The only thing I hope is they don’t take it off the market again, because it would be a shame for many, including me.

I completely agree with Mithrandir’s review. Since Gaultier 2 was launched until it was discontinued, I used it many times. I still have a bottle of the magnetised version stuck to the fridge 🙂. This new version is, indeed, very, very similar, but on the opening I remember the original as more ‘vibrant’, more intense, and both the projection and longevity were greater. Now I notice it is more muted and the vanilla part is almost not noticeable when dried. Nevertheless I must say yes, it is very similar to the 2005 version and I love how it smells. I bought a bottle when it was relaunched and it was not yet sold in Spain and another more recently. Although they smell the same, as a curiosity I will say that on the back of the box the first one I bought described the ingredients as jasmine, sandalwood and ambergris. On the second one it changes and lists the original 2005 ingredients: musk, vanilla and amber… Well, things of marketing…

To all those interested: it can now be bought in Spain from the JPG website for 100€.

I liked the dry-down, it is very cosy; not so much the opening as it is too floral for my taste. I have not tried the original version to compare, but it reminded me quite a bit of Joop! Homme, with a scent of higher quality, as if it were a ‘deluxe’ version of the same.

There’s plenty of controversy here, naturally, because the listed notes aren’t everything, tastes vary, and the components 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 down to maceration time. I enjoy well-preserved ‘oxidised’ fragrances that become intense and dense vanillas. I hope to try the relaunch soon, though I have few hopes. I tried the original once or twice and liked it. Please be serious and stop the hate; not everyone appreciates it equally, but many come here seeking opinions to buy.

No grudges, friend, we’re just debating.

@olfactorymemories, of course, here reading the notes (often misspelled) you already deduce the scent because you are prestigious perfumers. I emphasise the same: you’re reckless and without even hearing it, you rant about longevity; it’s laughable. 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 120 ml 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 has already smelled it more than those commenting here with random hypotheses and no foundation.

And in the end… has anyone actually tried it?

It won’t be sold in Spain right away. This October it can be found for €100 in France, Germany, the UK and Benelux via the Jean Paul Gaultier website. If the bottle has changed, the perfume isn’t the same; that’s evident. Fortunately, I have the authentic one with its magnet bottle, just for opening, which I bought in 2016, but well, when it arrives it will be tested. By the way, I’ve never paid €100 for the original. Will it be a niche version?

Marketing geniuses: they bring back a discontinued perfume, change all the notes so it doesn’t smell like the vintage version, and for that they could have just launched a ‘Gaultier 3’ and been done with it.

J.P. Gaultier Marketing Department: – People are asking for Gaultier² to return. What do you think if we launch something with the same name, hype it up as if it were the same cherished composition, create expectations, and then release something different? Perfumer: – Hold my cubata! ❤️ Dior loves this.