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Vanille Absolu by Montale

Women 2008

Brand
Montale
Perfumer
Pierre Montale

Description

Vanille Absolu by Montale is an oriental vanilla fragrance for women. Launched in 2008, this composition was created by perfumer Pierre Montale.

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Quick summary

When to wear it (votes)

  • Winter 42%
  • Spring 14%
  • Summer 8.7%
  • Autumn 36%
  • Day 57%
  • Night 43%

Key notes

Community

2,766 votes

  • Positive 76%
  • Negative 13%
  • Neutral 10%
positive reviews 2.8 k community votes
LongevityLong-lasting SillageModerate Best momentWinter CharacterFeminine

Notes

The community speaks

Compare the results and tap an answer to add your vote.

In the collection

Leading answer I want it

9,638 votes

Season

Choose several

Leading answer Winter

2,380 votes

Time of day

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Leading answer Day

1,338 votes

Each question has its own vote count. You can choose several seasons.

Fragrance profile

About Vanille Absolu

Main accord vanilla Year 2008 Gender Women Perfumer Pierre Montale

Vanille Absolu by Montale is an oriental vanilla fragrance for women. Launched in 2008, this composition was created by perfumer Pierre Montale.

Spices Woods and mosses

How it wears

Compare the results and tap an answer to add your vote.

Longevity

Leading answer Long-lasting

1,269 votes

Sillage

Leading answer Moderate

1,394 votes

Character

Leading answer Traditionally feminine

953 votes

Value perception

Leading answer Fair price

813 votes

Most talked about

Notes and topics that come up most in 20 reviews.

Have you worn Vanille Absolu?

Tell us how it opens, how it settles on your skin, how long it lasts and when you wear it.

  1. Montale has issues with vanilla. Every one I’ve tried (except this one, Sweet Vanilla, and Vanilla Extasy) has been disappointing. The opening is artificial, though it improves over time. The dry-down is far more pleasant. Unlike the other two, this lasts less and has a softer sillage. I tested it in cold weather, so I don’t know how it evolves in heat, but on paper it doesn’t smell bad. Scent: 7/10, Longevity: 7.5/10, Sillage: 7.5/10. I wouldn’t buy it again.

    • Vanilla
    • Longevity
    • Sweet
    • Sillage

  2. To me, it’s average; perhaps it’s my skin or my sense of smell. It’s a pity that no perfume captures the almost tantric sensation of smelling a real vanilla bean. That liquorice and spicy scent here ends up tasting like powder or custard. Nowadays, people think they know how pears smell because of gummy candies or yoghurts, and my theory is that things are only getting worse. Real vanilla smells very different to this, what a shame.

    • Vanilla

  3. BizarreKitsune

    I’ve worn this for two years and it’s my favourite fragrance. I have a dupe, Vanille de Outremer, which is almost identical, but it adds cotton candy notes that this one lacks. The opening smells like nail polish, which is odd but not unpleasant. ✨THE DRY-DOWN✨ is a treasure: when I first apply it, people say I smell like chocolate, and yes, it’s that sweet chocolatey vanilla. I love it and want it always in my collection.

    • Vanilla
    • Sweet

  4. It smells average to me; perhaps it’s my skin or my sense of smell. It’s a pity that no perfume captures the almost tantric sensation of smelling a real vanilla bean. That liquorice and spicy scent here ends up tasting like powder or custard. In a world where people think they know how pears smell because of gummy candies, things are only getting worse. Real vanilla smells very different to this, what a shame.

    • Vanilla

  5. Judging by what I’ve tried, Montale always fails with vanilla; almost all (except this one, Sweet Vanilla, and Vanilla Extasy) come out artificial and only improve with time. This one lasts less and has a softer sillage than the others. I tested it in cold weather, so I don’t know how it evolves in heat, but on paper it doesn’t smell bad. Scent: 7/10 Longevity: 7.5/10 Sillage: 7.5/10 Would buy again: No

    • Vanilla
    • Longevity
    • Sweet
    • Sillage

  6. Kelly.1115

    To me, it’s delicious: soft vanilla with cinnamon. I feel it has cotton candy notes, just like VANILLE OUTREMER, which features that note as a main element. Longevity and sillage are moderate to high; I wear it all the time, especially if applied to hair and clothes, and it lasts longer without being overpowering. The opening takes about ten minutes to settle, but it’s rich, truly rich.

    • Vanilla
    • Longevity
    • Sillage
    • Cinnamon

  7. BizarreKitsune

    I’ve worn it for two years and it’s my favourite fragrance. I own its dupe, Vanille de Outremer, which is almost identical, but this one adds cotton candy that the other lacks. The opening smells like nail polish, odd but not unpleasant. The dry-down is gorgeous: it smells like sweet chocolate. I adore it and want it in my collection.

    • Sweet

  8. aleejaa_sanzz

    I was disappointed by the very artificial opening; it’s hard to tell it’s vanilla because of the stinging alcohol. Over time, the vanilla becomes noticeable, but it’s very subtle and fades within an hour. It’s not useless because it works for layering, but honestly, there are sweeter options on the market.

    • Vanilla
    • Longevity

  9. Kelly.1115

    To me it’s delicious: soft vanilla with cinnamon that tastes like cotton candy, just like Vanille Outremer. Longevity and sillage are moderate to high; it lasts all day if applied to hair or clothes, without being overpowering. The opening takes about ten minutes to settle, but the scent is truly rich.

    • Vanilla
    • Longevity
    • Sillage
    • Cinnamon

  10. aleejaa_sanzz

    At first, it smells very artificial due to the alcohol, making the vanilla hard to distinguish. Over time, the alcohol fades but the vanilla remains very subtle and disappears within an hour. It’s good for blending, but honestly, there are sweeter options on the market.

    • Vanilla
    • Longevity

  11. camilaeloisa

    Agreed with the previous reviewer: the dry-down is much better than the initial blast. For the price, I expected more. In Chile, it’s around $105, but you can get the same scent in Monoi de Vanille. It feels more like a little cake than a true ‘absolu de vanille’.

    • Price

  12. hysteria88

    How’s your reading comprehension going? My review is for those seeking equivalents on Fragrantica and who get influenced by YouTubers. This is a public space to share opinions. Spend your time on more productive things than policing comments.

  13. Woman in Love

    I adore this Montale. Its vanilla is dry, not sweet, blended with wood. An aristocratic scent, far from biscuit or caramel, more like the soft smoke of a lit fireplace. Incredible and long-lasting, with a discreet trail.

    • Vanilla
    • Longevity
    • Sweet

  14. I love it. It’s very sweet, similar to Vanille Outremer, but Montale spices it with cinnamon and clove, making it more elegant than the other.

    • Sweet
    • Cinnamon

  15. hysteria88

    A note for anyone thinking Divain is a good equivalent: save your money. Neither the scent, longevity nor sillage is similar.

    • Longevity
    • Sillage

  16. The scent is rich and very gourmand, but on my skin it doesn’t last at all. I have to reapply it constantly.

    • Longevity

  17. Gethsemany

    On me, the cloves are too prominent and the vanilla smells synthetic, squashed, like in a dentist’s office.

    • Vanilla
    • Office
    • Cloves

  18. Gethsemany

    The clove overwhelms me too much, and the vanilla smells synthetic, squashed, like in the dentist’s office.

    • Vanilla
    • Office

  19. Roseaw22

    The scent is rich and very gourmand, but on my skin it lasts nothing. I have to reapply it constantly.

    • Longevity