Maharanih Intense Parfums de Nicolaï for women

The basic sketch of this perfume (orange, lavender, and amber) could be steered in a number of directions. Those elements would suggest harmony to me. But then again I'm not Patricia de Nicolai. Maharanih is all about angles and contrasts. It's loud and actually rather rough. The contrasts are not so much intriguing as unresolved. The notes struggle against one another and never enhance each other.

The ongoing conflict means there's not a lot of development over the course of Maharanih. Loud and constant. Unfortunately, this gives Maharanih more the feel of a parfum d'ambiance than something you'd want to wear.

I find there's something similar both in tone and in composition between Maharanih and de Nocolai's Patchouli Homme. Their effect is that they sit on you, not that you wear them. I've never quite been able to wear them comfortably, though I've worn each a good number of times.

I tried Number One and Maharanih Intense. I loved both, but Maharanih is my favourite! It's a glorious ladylike, Indian-like, exotic yet elegant fragrance that stays true to its end, only fading very gradually. It needs a little time to set on my skin, but after a few minutes it blooms with strong flowers mixed with spices. The orange effect is very strong but doesn't last too long. The patchouli and soft animalic effect are there and stick to skin.
As soon as I smelled this one I thought "India!"
Maybe patchouli is the trigger for it, but I expected to find more notes in the list, because it is a very complex scent or at least it smells so.
I imagine this on an exotic elegant lady, not too shy anyway, because Maharanih screams power! I think that the name means "great queen" and is suitable!
The lasting power is very long and fading gradually as it usually happens with high quality intense perfumes in the line of old Guerlains, but no Guerlinade here and sometimes it comes as a relief.

Sadly, on me this fragrance was a disappointment. I got a huge blast of 'fizzy' orange that refused to go away for ages - eventually some woody vanilla emerged but then it all faded away. I was hoping for deep,rich orange,cinnamon and incense as others had found but mostly I got orangina! But it is January so I shall try it again when I go back to buy a bottle of Sacrebleu!

Parfums de Nicolaï is one of my favourite niche line. I still haven't found a scent in their catalogue that i least didn't like. This one is definitelly one of their big hits, but do sample it in summer because it doesn't work well in wintertime.It starts with a luminous orange note that becomes woody and spicy and with a very beautiful carnation essence.The main body is very alive and active.A particualary breezy thing that fills the air and soars effortesly. A smooth and earthy patchouli ends the show. But i'm pointing it out again.I't somehow loses it's oomph! on chilly winter.