Perfume Review: Maharanih by Parfums de Nicolai
February 22nd, 2007
Maharanih is the newest fragrance in the Parfums de Nicolai line. Patricia Nicolai is the grand-daughter of Pierre Guerlain and has received extensive training in perfumery, even from Jean-Paul Guerlain himself. I highly admire her creations, my favorite being Balkis (velvety, peppery raspberry), Maharadjah (spicy lavender), Vanille Tonka (candied incense). The scents are marked by not only unique combinations of notes but also by certain exoticism, the search for the undiscovered. Maharanih seems to follow that tradition – it carries a distinct Nicolai mark exploring aromatic and spicy notes.
Maharanih is a radiant scent. Bitter orange soaked in geranium is what you get upon first sniff – aromatic and pungent. The heart is permeated with lavender and a touch of cinnamon, very much echoing Maharadjah. The drydown is softened by smooth amber and barely there sandalwood. I very much enjoy the fragrance but it’s another case of conceptual appeal. I cannot help but think Maharanih would make an excellent home scent. On skin, it lacks a certain something, that quality which makes perfume wearable. Perhaps, it’s also the fact I find it too similar to Maharadjah which I prefer much more.
Maharanih is available at Luckyscent.
Image source: luckyscent.com
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20 Comments
1. Tamara | February 23rd, 2007 at 12:20 am
What an interesting combination. I too have many scents in my collection that smell better as a room spray than on my skin. When perfumers get too creative it can make for a very unwearable scent, for sure! Thanks for your thoughts on this one.
2. Patty | February 23rd, 2007 at 12:55 am
I wonder if they would take it as an insult if we asked for the room spray or a candle? I love scenting my home, and some things just do better wafting through the air than on. I do need to try more of the Nicolai scents,though.
3. newproducts | February 23rd, 2007 at 7:02 am
Hmmm, I suppose to a certain extent, it has failed as a perfume if it would be better as a room scent. I do want to try Maharadja now, though. Thank you for another informative review!
4. Elle | February 23rd, 2007 at 8:11 am
This really does sound more like a room scent. I love lavender in room scents and bath products – just not in perfumes. I find I can’t even wear Majaradjah, but I love the candle. Oh, Patty – they do make candles. Decent throw.
5. Marina | February 23rd, 2007 at 8:16 am
PdN has a big range of home products, which I don’t see available here, at least not all or many of them. I found a Canadian site, they seem to have a lot of PdN stuff, of course the shipping is a bugger.
Florenceparfumerie.com. Oh, I am not affiliated
6. violetnoir | February 23rd, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Oh, I love this one, Ina! It smells lush and rich and very French on me. I am not familiar with Maharadjah, so maybe I need to test it to compare it to Maharanih.
Hugs!
7. SniffQ | February 23rd, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Just got my samples, and am in love with this fragrance. It has a mercurial changing aspect, which I love in perfumes. It wafts between smooth grasses and bitter greens on my skin. Never overly sweet, and I get almost no orange at all. Now if only they made a body lotion. . .
8. chayaruchama | February 23rd, 2007 at 4:21 pm
I love this, but it’s a strange one.
Can’t compare to the other, as I’ve never sniffed it !
Not a shy frag…
9. Ina | February 23rd, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Tamara, exactly! Most of Serge Lutens scents, for instance, aren’t that wearable for me.
10. Ina | February 23rd, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Patty, there’re candles in the line already. I haven’t tried them yet but I’ve heard they’re good. This would make an excellent candle!
11. Ina | February 23rd, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Minsun, Maharadjah is amazing! Do try it.
12. Ina | February 23rd, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Elle, I can only wear Maharadjah in late fall. Want the candle now.
13. Ina | February 23rd, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Marina, how cool! I had no idea. Will check out the site.
14. Ina | February 23rd, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Robin, I’m so glad you do! I like it quite a bit as well, just don’t think I could wear it.
15. Ina | February 23rd, 2007 at 9:56 pm
SniffQ, “smooth grasses and bitter greens” – perfect description! Glad you love it!
16. Ina | February 23rd, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Chaya, not a shy frag at all but no sillage, sadly.
17. winterwheat | February 24th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
You know what Maharanih reminds me of? Lush Karma, sans all that patchouli. It’s that baby-aspirin orange. I find it really appealing, though not quite full-bottle worthy.
18. Ina | February 24th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
Kris, I’ve only smelled Lush Karma once and since then have sworn to never ever come anywhere near it. It is so vile to me. I can’t say I see the resemblance but I take your word for it.
19. synergie | March 4th, 2007 at 9:42 am
So off-topic, but it must be said. Why do people butcher the spelling of Indian names? A “D” in Maharajah? The strange “h” at the end of Maharani? To me the horrible spelling is as jarring and some strange foul note that erupts unexpectedly from an otherwise nice fragrance and then befouls the rest of the olfactory experience. Haven’t smelled them, but now I just don’t want to, no matter what the heritage.
20. Ina | March 5th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Synergie, I had no idea the spelling was wrong. Yikes!