NEW FRAGRANCE REVIEW: Juliette Has A Gun Vengeance Extreme + Luckyscent Draw

 

When faced with reviewing a flanker of a fragrance I tend to brace myself. When the bottle reads “extreme” I generally know something is going to be more pronounced. Sometimes that process throws off the balance and creates something that barely resembles the original. Sometimes that process allows other notes to come to the fore and allow me to appreciate the original in a different way. Those are the extremes and most flankers fall closer on that continuum to the first point than the second, more desired point. This is why flankers are usually not my cup of tea.

The new release from Juliette Has A Gun, Vengeance Extreme, falls right about in the middle. Based on the Francis Kurkdjian created Lady Vengeance; Vengeance Extreme uses the same three notes: rose, patchouli, and vanilla. Romano Ricci who is the owner of Juliette Has A Gun is the perfumer this time around. Lady Vengeance is really about the rose. Vengeance Extreme is about the patchouli as M Ricci turns up the volume on that note. It is a risky move because I think there are more people who like rose and will tolerate some patchouli with it than vice versa. Patchouli is a divisive note both loved and despised by many which makes it a bold move.

M Ricci puts that patchouli right out in front and it is joined by the rose fairly quickly. This is patchouli in all of its pungent glory. I am one who likes patchouli and I really like the patchouli on display here. Over the next 45 minutes the rose fades away and Vengeance Extreme becomes a study in patchouli. The patchouli has a bit of a dirty raw feel once the rose dissipates and I enjoyed that transformation. For those who associate patchouli with a “head shop” vibe this is where Vengeance Extreme is going to make it or break it for you. One of the days I wore it I got an unsolicited comment centered around whether I had come from a Phish concert. So if you like that vibe this is good and if you don’t I would say this isn’t for you. The vanilla here is very subtle and much less pronounced than in Lady Vengeance and is really so slight you have to be looking for it.

Vengeance Extreme has outstanding longevity and above average sillage.

The enhanced patchouli of Vengeance Extreme didn’t give me a new insight into the rose or vanilla in Lady Vengeance but it also didn’t overbalance things and make it forgettable; or worse unwearable. The patchouli is going to be the deciding factor as to whether one likes Vengeance Extreme or not. I’m just going to remember to pack it in my duffel bag on my way to the Phish concert.

Disclosure: This review was based on a sample purchased from Luckyscent.

We have a draw for one sample courtesy of Luckyscent. To be eligible: What is your favorite Juliette Has A Gun Fragrance? Click on luckyscent's banner on our site and tell us what's on  their home page. Please do both to qualify Draw ends Saturday November 19, 2011

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilt perfume

Mark Behnke, Managing Editor

Editor's Note: I was one of the first bloggers to have interviewed Romano (several times). One of his favorite songs is Joe Cocker's "You Can Leave Your Hat On"  from the movie  9 1/2 Weeks. Romano also won a Fragrance Foundation  France special  award in 2011

My favorite quote

MC: I noticed the last time we met you were drinking Veuve Clicqot champagne with ice… What’s with the ice?

Romano Ricci: I like breaking rules

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16 comments

  • I’ve only tried Lady Vengeance and Citizen Queen so far. Although I like Citizen Queen, LV is my favorite. I love the way the rose and patchouli mingle. I’m very curious about this Extreme flanker. I think the patchouli is very pronounced in the original, so this is quite interesting.

    Tsk, tsk, now I see more scents that i need to test @ luckyscent. The Type series looks really cool, and the “fall fragrance’ selections; Royal Oud and Indochine sound downright dangerous to sample, as I cannot afford a fb ever!

    Thanks for the fun draw 😉

  • The only one I’ve tried is Lady Vengeance and I love it. This one is very appealing. “Phish concert”…lol Yeah, that’s about right.

  • I like Juliet has a Gun and, of course, it would be interesting to try the new scent from this house. Thanks for this opportunity!

  • Lady Vengeance is a great perfume for me and I am looking forward to Vengeance Extreme also. As far as Luckyscent is concerned theih ome page has Fall frangrance, Henrik Vibskov type perfumes and Caron.
    Good luck to all!!

  • Ok, on the LS website: Fall fragrance the excitement continues. (follwod by a big creed, PG and OB bottles on display). At the end of the page the new Carons are announced. In the midddle a new niche house that I wont venture spelling.
    My favorite JHAG fragrance?
    Honeslty I’ve only tested one, and I don’t remember which. I am excited by their new romantina, though – I will make sure to test that one as soon as it pops in stores.
    I love JHAG packaging.

  • The front page of the lucky scent site: Their Fall fragrance lineup, Fall Fragrance The excitement continues. They list Creed Royal Oud, Parfumerie Generale Indochine, and Bruce Oldfield EDP. Their fall feature is followed by a new niche line called Henrik Vibskov, each fragrance in his line is name after the first letter of a city in which fragrance also reflects. Following Henrik Vibskov is the Caron Paris line. My favorite of all the Juliet Has a Gun is the original Lady Vengeance. I’m a sucker for rose and patchouli. I’m a sucker for Rose and patchouli, and JAHG Lady Vengeance is a nice balance.

  • Lady Vengeance is my favorite, but I’ve been in a patchouli mood lately. Maybe it’s the arrival of fall (finally!) in upstate SC. So, I’d love to try this one.

    And on the LS home page: Creed Royal Oud, Parfumerie Generale Indochine, Bruce Oldfield EDP, Henrik Vibskov, and Caron!

  • I’ve tried Midnight Oud, so I guess technically that would have to be my favourite, but I would love to try Lady Vengeance !

  • I’m deeply into Citizen Queen! I’ve tried every JHAG fragrance except for Romantina and Lady V. and only Citizen Queen moved me in a realy special way!
    Thanks for the Luckyscent draw – they have three choices for the fall – Creed Royal Oud Millesime, Parfumerie Generale 25 Indochine and Bruce Oldfield edp, as well as the three types of Henrik Vibskov (B, C and D) and the new Caron Paris!

  • I have not tried any of the JHAG scents as yet but I can tell you that I am hearing tons of positive buzz about it lately! I have been to a few Phish shows and I can still sing alot of their songs. Good stuff almost made it to the new years eve show in 1998 missed it by a hair:( I think VC is awesome champagne and I have never had it with ice in it? I will get on that ASAP:)
    Lucky scent has Creed RO, Indochine 25, Bruce Oldfield and under the fall scents they have Henrik Vibskov Type B, C, D and Caron Paris in gold chains. YAY.
    Thanks caflelurebon and luckyscent.

  • “Calamity Jane” is hands down my top JHAG. … And it seems that “Vengeance Extreme” might very well become a second fave, as I never associate patchouli with “hippies” or the like. (And in fact tend to think people who avoid it because they do just plain ridiculous quite frankly.)
    “Patchouli” is one of the most beautiful essences available from nature, and a marvel for perfumers to work with. How can any true ‘fume luver not appreciate this treasure ?

  • Oh and P.S. …
    On the LuckyScent page there’s : PG 25 Indochine ; Bruce Oldfield EDP ; Henrik Vibskov C , B & D ; Caron Paris & Creed Millesime Royal Oud.

  • In the Luckyscent homepage I can see Fall Fragrance (The excitement continues): Creed, Parfumerie Generale, Bruce Oldfield…
    There are Henrk Vibskov scents too, and Caron Paris.
    And Free fragrance samples with fragrance purchase!
    In the right side there is a timeline with all the recent additions. Interesting.

    My favorite Juliette has a gun is Calamity J.

    Thanks!

  • Citizen Queen is my fave Juliette Has A Gun. Luckyscent has “Fall Fragrance~ The excitement continues” and Creed, Parfumerie Generale, Bruce Oldfield as well as Henrik Vibskov and Caron. On the sidebar, there are new arrivals, and the bottom of the page has different popular links. Free Fragrance Samples with Fragrance Purchase*! Thanks for the draw!