Maharadjah Nicolaï 2006

I'm not particularly fond of lavender in fragrances. In food, yes: lamb steak with lavender, absolutely. But in fragrances, my enthusiasm is very limited: with three exceptions, the very beautiful "Helmut Lang," the somewhat tiring "Gris claire," and - this damn bastard here. I've never been able to warm up to "Jicky" enough to want to own it.
Maharadjah is, as could be expected, a warm scent. However, I find the female declaration decidedly outdated - and to my knowledge, there isn't a Maharadhjne in the realms that women don't typically prefer.
For me, this fragrance primarily features two ingredients: lavender and cinnamon. Like two seemingly mismatched partners, they manage not only to tolerate each other but to complement and merge in a sort of cultural exchange. Even in India, lavender plantations can now be seen - just like olives are being cultivated now - it's no harm! The freshness and strength of the lavender blend so wonderfully with the energetic cinnamon that it truly excites me. The lavender may be the stronger component, but it gains a very positive "alienation" through its embrace with the cinnamon and later a hint of patchouli.
One pauses briefly - just as I did with unusual recipes from the Orient or India at first - and the excitement grows when something wonderful emerges. The fragrance naturally leans towards oriental warmth, without being a classic oriental; it is not sweet, and the lavender's fresh kick remains consistently present. And nothing "chemically" oppressive - if you know what I mean: of course, the scent is "chemical"! But it is artfully crafted so that it doesn't smell like a chemical cloud.
Patricia de Nicolai has succeeded in creating an expressive fragrance with a high recognition value. A global bastard - and what a one! The bottle, even though it is a standard bottle from de Nicolai, fits here: an oriental allusion, but without unnecessary embellishments - modern and traditional at the same time.