Spiritueuse Double Vanille Guerlain for women

i waited 2 months for my decant and i am in love!it smells like a freshly opened vanilla bean then on to a cotton candy and bubblegum sweetness sprinkled with licorice followed by a lightly toasted marshmallow dipped in cognac.it is like a more refined pink sugar.i am in love with this grown up gourmand. <3

I finally got my sample of this, and wow, it was worth the month plus wait! I love the sharp opening of lime and pepper, which 15 minutes later is replaced with a "whosh" of vanilla, cognac, and bourbon. This phase reminds me scent wafting from a snifter of Navan. Just like a cognac that opens up from the warmth of one's hands cradling the balloon, so does this fragrance on your skin. It moves into a deeper crushed vanilla of the richest most expensive pods, their dark pearls glistening after being released. This strong, luscious scent is playfully counterbalanced by spices of cinnamon, clove, allspice and an another counterbalance of cedar, benzoin and amber.

I get very little of the florals, but perhaps they are there in the background to add a complexity that you just can't put your finger on.

This is the kind of scent, that I picture wearing on a cold day, wrapped in cashmere and leggings, with a snifter of brandy and a medium-bodied cigar.

This is a fragrance that starts just like vanilla extract that you use in the kitchen. Then in about 15 minutes there is a touch of rum soaked raisins riding on maple creme. It dries down to a cloud of soft vanilla, very soothing, just wonderful. You think it's subtle, but then hours later someone will complement you on how nice you smell. What's that saying, "Royalty need not shout it's presence." Definitely applies here. I love it!

Now that I've actually bought this for myself, an update was in order.

The first 5-10 minutes is, indeed, a rich, bourbon, boozy vanilla. Gourmand, tasty, a drink-me-in type of fragrance. Then, wait for it...

It becomes a very settled and richer vanilla with hints of incense, rose, and amber. This goes from wonderful to a masterpiece in about 20 minutes as it transforms. What transfixed me from the bottle was the sheer booziness of it at first, and that's truly the draw. Once you've experienced that, the surprise is that the show is simply beginning and you're just along to enjoy the ride. The play of benzoin adds that extra resinous feel to it to simply augment the incense notes and create a simply beautiful experience. This is NOT a linear experience at all!

I've read the comparisons of this to Tobacco Vanille, and if I may, it's not accurate. TV is simply a very dirty, synthetic vanilla that ends up smelling like a supermarket extract or waffles. TV to me just smells like a dirty, linear, cheap vanilla, where SDV is the genuine article. The Madagascar Vanilla in SDV is quite different, rather luxurious, and isn't even a fair comparison.

This needs a full day of wearing to let it open up, transform, and to savor its entirety and experience how masterful and lovely it is.

When I tested SDV a year ago I found it to be too watery in terms of vanilla und too boozy for me to like.
Now I gave it a second try and must say I really like it ! It is a gorgeous edible not too sweet vanilla and in the background there is tobacco. The kind that reminds me of my grandpa. I feel cozy, comforted and relaxed when wearing SDV.
I bought the bottle and ignored the price. What counts is that this scent makes me happy, can be worn basically all year round (here in the middle of Europe) and does not offend as the sillage remains close to the skin. Tenacity is ok, too.
As a vanilla and gourmand lover (and as I love Guerlain scents) this was a must-try and later on a must-have.
Very unisxe, by the way. I would love to smell this on a man, too.

Today is the 3rd time I'm wearing this scent. Somehow it doesn't work for me -> big disappointment. It smelled sooooo good at the Guerlain counter but somehow it doesn't develop on my skin and stays very linear. Not that I wouldn't like the boozy vanilla with hints of tobacco that reminds me of a nice and sweetly scented Swiss cigarillo (Dannemann's Moods) and I will enjoy it on a cold and rainy or foggy day.

Straight out of the vial, while still wet on my skin, Guerlain SPIRITUEUSE DOUBLE VANILLE smells exactly like vanilla extract. High-quality bourbon vanilla extract, but vanilla extract all the same. A few seconds later, a dark and dirty demeanor shows its face—so dark that I thought ever-so briefly that it might be leather, but it appears to have been frankincense. The next somewhat surprising development is the emergence of something sour and unpleasant. I do not know what accounts for it, but it definitely disrupts my positive experience of this perfume for a couple of minutes. After that, all of the excitement dies down, and I find myself wondering whether this was really launched by Guerlain—until I remember that Guerlain is not Guerlain anymore.

I'm not really sure how or why anyone would find this composition similar to TF TOBACCO VANILLE, which opens with far more richness and depth to my nose, and eventually dries down to a primarily raw pipe tobacco perfume. SPIRITUEUSE DOUBLE VANILLE focuses much more, in contrast and as advertised, on vanilla. The drydown is nice enough (the sourness of the midstage has largely subsided), leaving me with the overall, lasting impression that this is a fairly respectable niche vanilla, albeit nothing to get too excited about. Consequently, I'll not be competing for the no doubt limited number of bottles of this perfume in existence. Enjoy!

I've had 4 bottles of this perfume and the strangest experience! Bottles # 1 and #3 contained my favorite fragrance of all time-dark, mysterious vanilla, surrounded by rum and tobacco. However, bottles #2 and #4 did not smell like the same fragrance AT ALL! They contained an almost dirty tobacco scent that overpowered the lush vanilla that I adored! They were purchased at two different places within the past year: Saks in NYC and a Guerlain boutique at a luxury hotel in NYC. The explanation from the "experts" behind the counter, including one manager from Paris is that the fragrances are made in very small batches and can sometimes vary.

Has anyone else had this experience?? I don't even want to finish my bottle of tobacco smelling stuff! Yet when I went to Saks yesterday, the tester contained the lovely and haunting vanilla! I was afraid to buy again because the tester doesn't always indicate which scent you will actually be getting!

So, in short: There seem to be two different Double Vanille fragrances. Quite puzzling!

I just got a sample of heaven, this juice is 2 die 4 grown up delicious. I simply must have. For gourmand lovers.. I have the limited eddition 'a star is born' angel extrait up for swap :)

With much respect,I tip my humble hat to the creator of this artful perfume masterpiece. I am not able to afford such a decadent perfume as this. I have an imitation oil of this scent.

I never have laid my nose upon the original,but my imitation has made my heart sing!

It is very unique,smoky floating,dancing clouds of soft incense with dry, crisp,and wise vanilla very magical to me. Sweet in a resin way,not like candy. Benzoin I love so much,and this resin always holds everything together so tenderly. Sometimes,I even get hints of anise,lovely spice,and this perfume is very unusual and mysterious.

I love that it is called Spiritueuse. Like the very name is telling me I will be visited by vanilla spirits,and maybe not once but double times!

to me it's not vanilla just a bunch of sugar i have vanilla absolute oil n it smells not similar its okay but makes me queasy

Vanilla. Nothing more, nothing less. On me it's pretty much the same as what I would expect a nice, quality vanilla extract to smell like. I get no booziness, no spice, nothing. I used up my whole sample trying to figure out what the hype was all about, and never found out. Disappointing.

This is far and away the best vanilla perfume I have ever come across. In my opinion there is a slight darkness to the vanilla which stops it being cloyingly sweet and also gives it such a luxurious weight and depth. It is so indulgent, so beautiful...

I have found some vanilla perfumes too linear and too sugary (E Coudray's Ambre et Vanille and Vanille et Coco, Serge Lutens' Bois de Vanille spring to mind) but not so with Spiritueuse Double Vanille.

Based on the notes, reviews, house and price, I assumed I would love my sample of this one and want a bottle. Unfortunately (or fortunately, due to the price) this one is not for me. At first I thought they must've made a mistake and decanted the wrong product, because I detected zero vanilla, but then I noticed lots of other reviewers who, like me, don't smell vanilla AT ALL (strange, given the name, right?) But I do smell something herbal, maybe it's the pink pepper and bergamot combo? And I just realized that it reminds me strongly of Lalique le Parfum, which I already have. In fact they seem to me almost exactly the same. Almost. I'm kind of relieved, though. Last thing I need on my Want list is a $200 perfume, right? :-)

Edit: If you love this one but not it's price tag, I suggest testing a sample of Lalique le Parfum, to me they are so much alike in the drydown.

It smells like burnt vanilla and something strange. I thought I liked it at first or I wanted to like it but no I don't.

Where is that wonderful smell of vanilla...I can't smell it...

Kchild, you are so right, I can't find any Guerlainade, too. Thanks heaven for that, as I hate all Guerlains with it. And you are right with your whole review, thank you for it! : )
Nothing to add, but maybe:

Spiritueuse Double Vanille is - hands down - the BEST VANILLA you can find.

That's interesting, as Guerlain was the house, that gave vanilla that sickly sweet touch (Shalimar), now they are saving this note with SDV (the same with gourmand, Thierry Mugler, Angel and Womanity imho).

Seriously, sign me up for the lifetime supply. I've actually had this for a coupla years and last year it just wasn't my thing. This year~I can't get enough.

It's fall right now and this is just delicious! I don't smell any Guerlainade in here which helps it work for me. It still has a weightiness to it, just not the actual heaviness of it. I find it somewhat dry when compared to so many vanille's and this really through me off as a budding perfumista. I couldn't figure out what all the fuss was about. Now? A totally different story.

This is rich and boozy like so many have said. It resonates and rumbles in a place of rum, vanille, and a bit of smokiness. The vanille isn't that of cupcakes but of grown ups and nightclubs.This is not one that I would choose to wear to church or a school function. It's not that I wouldn't want to, it's just that it's fermented enough to raise some eyebrows.

This is a specatularly sexy vanille. It's not sheer and it lasts all day or night for me.This is the fragrance of a person who knows their perfume. It's something that will not be mistaken for a fun cheapy buy. It's expensive, no question.

My review here will probably be a martyr, but here goes. This is a rich, rum-like, boozy vanilla. Think of a bottle of Captain Morgan's Rum amped up past 11 with the vanilla notes, and you have some idea of how SDV plays out. It's warm, it's intoxicating, it's delicious. That's the best description I can provide of what it is.

Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille it is not, and thank God for that! TV is perhaps a much dirtier vanilla and smells very synthetic to me. It's not a gourmand vanilla, nor do I get much tobacco out of the Tom Ford creation. Simply put, TV smells like a confection or baked goods. SDV smells more like the vanilla fragrance of Shalimar fame, but with more focus on the that as base note, and a much heavier influence on the more boozy elements. SDV is, in my estimation, far more the gourmand vanilla to which TV aspires.

I have a very strong love/hate relationship with this perfume. While it remains the best vanilla I've smelled on the market, I feel that the boozy smokey note in this was not quite what I expected. It's a sharp note that's most apparent when first applied and initially all I could think was that this was an old man's cologne. Eventually the vanilla whispered out from behind the smokey veil and I was caught, addicted, to that gorgeous vanilla. But it was like a bad relationship, I wanted to walk away but I kept overlooking the negative in the hopes that the positives would triumph. That smokey booze note was just too sharp when I was hoping that it would gentle and warm and fade to a background with the vanilla at the foreground.

Not a scent I will ever be wearing out of the house, but one I will revisit when the need for that vanilla grows too strong.

Spiritueuse Double Vanille is definitely the most unique vanilla-based scent I've ever smelled.

The first 30 minutes is all about vanilla, liquor, vanilla, liquor liquor liquor, vanilla, liquor, vanilla, liquor, vanilla. The liquor contributes to a weird note that I can only describe as "vinegar", and while it's not unpleasant, it doesn't exactly compliment the vanilla. Fortunately, the "vinegar" note dies down after half an hour.

After half an hour or so, the vanilla comes to the fore, and combines with incense and benzoin to create a B E A U T I F U L oriental. It's resinous and warm, and kind of reminds me of candle smoke in a way. At this point, Spiritueuse really establishes itself and goes on for hours of delight.

I'll have to give this one a few more wearings, but so far I really like it. It takes a lot for me to like a sweet scent, but I may very well end up liking this one a lot.

New to the fragrance world. at first spray I noticed a sharp scent. After about 20 mins I found a very pleasing vanilla powder sent. very lovely. This is a fragrance which says "Here I am" and I love it!

(update) I revisited my sample last night. I fell asleep last night with this on my wrists. I woke up this morning an inhaled the yummy smoky vanilla sent. I WILL be looking buying this with my next paycheck!

Despite the complex name, the scent starts with a chord of sweet vanilla, but with a very particular herbal touch. And so it remains for about 1 hour...

After this time the vanilla actually takes its place in the perfume, living up to its name and remains so until the end. But it is not a vanilla screaming in your face. It is a very soft and tasty one.

It is a very nice scent, but not worth the price they charge, in my opinion. I agree with a guy who said" perfect for those who found Tobacco Vanille too strong."

Oh, and longevity is excellent, even though it is a soft fragrance.

Ekove, I absolutly agree with you on "Tobacco Vanille light" ! Tested SDV yesterday and found it very very VERY light - too light for me to be a perfume I would love to wear.
Furthermore, the vanilla was delicious, yes, but simply too similar to my beloved Tobacco Vanille which I would NEVER swap for SDV.

I was looking forward to the "spiritueuse" face of the scent but it was just not there. No rum, no vodka, only the kind of alcohol you have in every perfume and this does not count in my opinion.

Guerlain offers some very adorable scents but I can calmly pass on this one.

My rating on a scale from 1(poor) to 10(perfume heaven) : 4
Sillage : light
Longevity : on me it stayed only about 2 hours

SDV was overall a big disappointment. The "double" only hints the price but not the quality.

Really? The most hyped up Guerlain exclusive, and perhaps the most hyped up Guerlain after shalimar is...Tobacco Vanille light?

SDV Has a fantastic, rich, boozy vanilla/tobacco opening. It is certainly intoxicating. But an hour after that, all I get is Tobacco Vanille's Dry down, just much lighter, and it's light in a "watery" manner if I may add.

Its simply a nice Perfume, that's absolutely not worth the price; It's watery, it's not that unique, it smells very good but not fantastic. I'd recommend it to you if you thought Tobacco Vanille was too strong or had too much "rasins", or you just wanted to get down to the dry down sooner. Than that, Tobacco Vanille is much better and more affordable. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to own a bottle of SDV, if it was offered to me at a quarter of the price.

Guerlain has many stunning exclusives, many of which revolve around the vanilla note. But SDV strikes me as "Good, will purchase if I have a few thousands dollars to spare". Don't be fooled by the opening, do me a favor and compare side to side with tobacco vanille.

And you know, just because something is by Guerlain, has "Double Vanille" in it's name, it does not mean it's the best vanilla out there.
---//

Presentation: 8/10
Uniqueness: 7/10
Value: 4/10
Longevity: 5/10
Projection: 4/10
Smell: 7/10

Overall: 6/10 (I don't mind owning this if it was a quarter of the price, merely for the opening, still overall pleasant)

My love of rich vanilla,tobacco,booze and incense called me to SDV.

It all started with a small sample and then moved on to a 10ml decant now... I must have a full bottle of this 'wish I could bath in it' juice! I dont really pick up any rose in this composition but it isn't greatly missed. What I do get is a hot spicy drink spiked with a little vanilla extract and rum enjoyed in front of a roaring fireplace (with a significant other if you like) on a winters night.

I had every intention of purchasing a bottle of this when i walked in to neiman marcus. Everywhere i look this is mentioned as one of the best vanillas of all time (also tihota and tobacco vanille are brought up often). To me this was way too light, nonexistent on both my mother and self. I was bummed, i wanted another vanilla to adore like i do tihota, but this was not it. Try before you buy. M. Micallef's Note Vanillee is what I wanted this to be and fits the description of SDV much better than the actual fragrance. Much less expensive, prettier vial, I suggest Note Vanillee Art Collection to any SDV fan as well.

My first impressions were vanilla, spice, and rum. Delicious. Within minutes it comes together as sweet pipe tobacco. Or maybe pipe tobacco being smoked in a kitchen where boozy sweets are being baked. (I began this autumn with a keen desire to find a pipe tobacco fragrance, but I couldn't seem to find one that pleased me. I found this quite by accident while exploring modern Guerlains.) There is cedar in here but it's fleeting. Spiritueuse is sweet,sophisticated and unisex. If you love vanilla but don't want another cupcake, try this. I must have a bottle.
Update: I wonder if the cedar may be contributing to the tobacco aroma? So, while I said that cedar is a fleeting note, I think it's just blended very well and doesn't overwhelm. Forgive me if that's a big 'duh', but I'm just beginning to learn about perfumes.

Ordered a sample of this and now I must have a bottle! When I first spritzed it on and let it sit for a few minutes I was rather disappointed. I'd been looking for a more mature vanilla, but the boozy start seemed a little too mature. Less sexy-mature, more something-I've-smelled-on-an-elderly-lady-at-the-store-mature. Not to be deterred, I let it sit for a while, hoping and praying that it would give way to something I'd been hearing raves about. A little while later something happened; the old-lady fume gave way to something smokey, warm, and oh so delicious. On top of it all was this amazing sweet scent that just wafted about for hours from my wrist. It was so yummy I had to fight not to lick at it. I wont say that this is a true vanilla in the sense that it smells like it came out of your cooking vanilla, but its the best darn formulation for a true vanilla out there. Its edibly sweet, without the extreme sugary or burnt caramel smell that companies try to pass of as vanilla. Definitely one of the very best vanillas out there. And with a touch of sexy too!

Opens very much like L'Instant-
and warms into a gelato with a shot of fine spiced rum. Not too much to this scent, but it somehow manages to smell amazingly vanillic and have foody notes-being almost gourmand--in "spirit"- without being gourmand.Boozy but refined, soft and voluptuous. Kind of heavy and definitely perfumey-but certainly sexy if your nose likes vanilla. Definitely Oriental, benzoin smoulders, and amber very much contributes to the heavy sweetness. As sweet as it is there is no sugar note, making the scent superior to equally sweet but sugary vanilla fragrances. I am not sure this is the best vanilla fragrance (could be too rich and heavy)-but it is chic and drunkening.

So first let me start off by saying, I will certainly be purshasing another decant to tie me over until I can buy the real thing. :)
What a lovely vanilla for those who don't what the angel food / cupcake type of vanilla scent.
Guerlain's SDV starts off with a burst of dark vanilla extract and bourbon! This mellows out over the next hour into a warm non-sweet vanilla, little bit of dark rhum undertones and that same rich scent you get from dried tobacco aroma in a humidor. And it's definitely a feminine scent!
I am saving up for this beauty - just perfect for fall and winter. As for the packaging.... blah.... for such a warm and rich smelling frag, the font and bottle just don't seem to match.

A tribute from Jean-Paul Guerlain to "vanille"
So intense, and complex, Jean-Paul did it again. It could be part of 'L'art et la Matière", in honour to the "matières de base".
It's a very special creation,and in my opinion: you love it or hate it.

In the end it came down to the boozy note, a lovely warm vanilla spoiled for me. In some places it is recommended as an alternative to Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille, If you are looking for a tobacco note it doesn't play much of a part, but if you like booze with your vanilla and can justify the price, it might go well.

Well what the heck is wrong with ME? I couldn't wait to receive my sample vial of this fragrance - but it has never gotten past the "old lady perfume" stage - I don't smell vanilla AT ALL! Truly - it is awful on me. Even my dogs don't want to come near me:)

I only smell this at Guerlain's boutique in Paris. I almost fell head over heels for it. I agree it's mainly vanilla, but a very good one, enticing, deep and joyful without that extreme foody edge I so loathe in vanilla scents. Side notes are lively, subtly floral and a little boozy. I would have purchased it straight away if I could.
I spent rest of the day smelling my wrist.

This perfume smells like a sugar-coat on me, with some powdery notes. I expect more from a scent of The Guerlain House.

A rather simple and mediocre vanilla from the brand that created the most complex and rewarding vanilla smells in the world. I simply don't agree with the rest of you, although the pink pepper top note tickles nicely the nose. After that we have an open flirt with cedar and vanilla that reminds me several non-occuring holywood romantic comedies that makes you take a good nap on the sofa.

Deep fruity vanilla with strong Cedar onset. Nearly ice cream, but still a skin scent rather than food. Lovely, but too expensive and hard to find.

This is one of the most wondeful vanilla I ever smelled! So delicate and sophisticated with edible and powdery rose nuances, with nice retro warmness.
When I applied it for the first time, it seemed to be discreet, but after a while I smell it around me, in waves.