New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Tonka Imperiale

post #1 of 38
Thread Starter 
I just recently purchased a sample of Tonka Imperiale and all I can say is wow! I absolutely love this fragrance. I was wondering since there isn't many reviews for this on basenotes what you guys think? I still want to sample a few more times before it becomes FBW. I was wondering whether there was a scent with a similar overall feel that was a little less linear? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
post #2 of 38
Oh yes. Tonka Impériale instantly entered my Top 3 when I first sniffed it.
I felt like it was made just for me. Sweet and cozy, and very well blended.
Launched as a unisex fragrance, it's, to me, leaning towards the feminine
side of the spectra, but, who cares?!
I went through my 10ml decant within a month, so, now I've bought a full
bottle.
It's my party scent, and ppl seem to be attracted by it like flies to a doggie
turd. Both men and women that is.

You might wanna check out Bois d'Arménie from the same collection. It's
close to TI, but, very different at the same time. If you find TI linear, then
you might think the same of Bd'A. It's still worth a sniff, though.
You might fancy Coromandel from Les Exclusifs de Chanel, too.
post #3 of 38
I've been dying to try TI for some time now (I tried everything else from their line). If anyone would be so kind, I have a ton of samples that I can trade in exchange for it.
post #4 of 38
I wish it were offered in a larger size.
post #5 of 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by hednic View Post

I wish it were offered in a larger size.

Yes! Me, too!

200ml tanks a la Les Exclusifs
would be much appreciated,
but, also totally unpayable.
post #6 of 38
As with the Grand Duc, Tonka Imperiale entered my top 5 immediately. In fact, it's probably my favorite casual winter fragrance.
post #7 of 38
Tonka Imperiale vs. Vetiver Tonka
woah
post #8 of 38
but I haven't tried either yet
post #9 of 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by Le Grand Duc View Post

Yes! Me, too!

200ml tanks a la Les Exclusifs
would be much appreciated,
but, also totally unpayable.


*LOL* Absolutely ! Perfumeshrine has great review on Tonka Imperiale- makes me wanna have a bottle myself. http://perfumeshrine.blogspot.com/20...fragrance.html
post #10 of 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by hednic View Post

I wish it were offered in a larger size.

Actually you can custom order any of the L'Art et la Matiere line in 250ml, 500ml and 1000ml sizes. I have a 250ml Angelique Noire. Just be prepared for sticker shock when they give you the price.

Tonka Imperiale is wonderful, very much on the gourmand side of Guerlain's modern floral/gourmand style and distinctly Wasser-esque. I wore it throughout the winter, it's fantastically rich but very wearable.
post #11 of 38
Absoluely adore this frag...
post #12 of 38
Its a wonderful intoxicating perfume!
An embracing intoxication.
post #13 of 38
I thought it was just OK - and ridiculously overpriced. Not something I feel compelled to purchase.
post #14 of 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stew View Post

Tonka Imperiale vs. Vetiver Tonka
woah

Yeah, baby! There's a matchup.
post #15 of 38
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redneck Perfumisto View Post

Yeah, baby! There's a matchup.

Haven't had a chance to try Vetiver Tonka. Is it worth a sample?
post #16 of 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by MJM_77 View Post

Haven't had a chance to try Vetiver Tonka. Is it worth a sample?


I hear great things about both.
post #17 of 38
They're both excellent. The tonka subsides some of the intense earthy/rooty'ness of the vetiver and results in an embracing perfume.
post #18 of 38
Thread Starter 
Looking at previous threads I'm gonna order a sample of Spiriteuse Double Vanille and compare, but I gotta say I'm gonna cop me a bottle of Tonka in the next coming weeks.
post #19 of 38
I am so into Spiritueuse Double Vanille that I can't imagine not loving Tonka Imperiale. I feel an epic blind buy coming on. . .
post #20 of 38
If you really like it, it will take a special place in your life. Who can ask anything more from a fragrance? I really think it's quite spectacular. I'm a huge Guerlain enthusiast.
post #21 of 38
I'd urge you to try Fourreau Noir by Serge Lutens. Its a less intense tonka but tonka none the less.
post #22 of 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stew View Post

Tonka Imperiale vs. Vetiver Tonka
woah

I've got one on one hand, one on the other....I'm leaning toward Tonka Imperiale...however, I'm partial to gourmands.
post #23 of 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by petruccijc View Post

I thought it was just OK - and ridiculously overpriced. Not something I feel compelled to purchase.

+1. Really too sweet/opulent smelling for my taste; and I love most gourmands.
post #24 of 38
It's an awesome scent but I can only ever imagine wearing it in a very specific circumstance: wintertime family gatherings, especially Christmas. It totally captures that vibe, imo, so well in fact that it limits its wearability for me. Still, I'll always have a few mL of this on hand!
post #25 of 38
As a Guerlain (and tonka) lover I feel sort of ridiculous admitting that I have not smelled this one yet. Too. Many. Releases.
post #26 of 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeperez23 View Post

As a Guerlain (and tonka) lover I feel sort of ridiculous admitting that I have not smelled this one yet. Too. Many. Releases.

Why not mike? No easy access to it?
post #27 of 38
Love it, and I don't really like gourmands, so go figure? It could only be a Guerlain - there's a breath of Apres l'Ondee, a facet from somewhere deep inside L'Heure Bleue, a touch of Quand Vient la Pluie . . . the "Guerlainade", I guess, but it has it's own character. Images of porcelin and alabaster come to mind. My impressions of it have changed since it came out, I find it easier to wear now and I once thought it was closely related to 180 Ans but trying them side by side tonight I don't anymore.
post #28 of 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by hedonist222 View Post

Why not mike? No easy access to it?

No reason, just have never encountered it in person and I haven't had the chance to swap for it either. It's inevitable. TMR.
post #29 of 38
Concur with mr. reasonable, Tonka Impériale is easily the most true-to-tradition of the "modern niche" line as it picks up obvious elements from historic Guerlains, notably Jicky's aromatic sweetness (rosemary, tonka bean), L'Heure Bleue's pastry almond scent, and the spicy Vol de Nuit. Pure sent-bon.
post #30 of 38
This thread convinced me I need to try Tonka Imperiale. Is it hard to find in stores for testing?
post #31 of 38
Thread Starter 
I have sampled both SDV and Vetiver Tonka. I was not a fan of Vetiver Tonka. I do however enjoy SDV, it is just not FBW for me. I want to get Tonka Imperiale but the price is kicking my a** right now!
post #32 of 38
I'm a big fan of this fragrance, although, I'm about to run out and should get some more...especially with the cooler months coming up.
post #33 of 38
I bought a niche fragrance lot on Ebay ($40 shipped) that included a 10 ml decant of Tonka Imperial, as well as partial bottles of Sweet Oriental Dream, Tea for Two and some Lush perfume that I don't care for. I have never smelled TI, so I hope I like it, and it should be a nice crown to this lot - If not, I will still definitely enjoy my Sweet Oriental Dream and T4T.
post #34 of 38
Just out of curiosity, guys...Since I haven't smelled this, is it very feminine? I've heard so, but hopefully it's somewhat wearable on a guy.
post #35 of 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by leor_77 View Post

Just out of curiosity, guys...Since I haven't smelled this, is it very feminine? I've heard so, but hopefully it's somewhat wearable on a guy.

I find it perfectly wearable for a man, no problems.

Personally, if I were going to buy a Guerlain it'd be SDV which is just slightly more beautiful than TI, in my opinion.

p.s Vetiver Tonka is also worth a sample, I absolutely adore this one. And it has WAY more vetiver than I thought it would based on reviews.
post #36 of 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by boosh View Post

I find it perfectly wearable for a man, no problems.

Personally, if I were going to buy a Guerlain it'd be SDV which is just slightly more beautiful than TI, in my opinion.

p.s Vetiver Tonka is also worth a sample, I absolutely adore this one. And it has WAY more vetiver than I thought it would based on reviews.

Thanks for your reply. Yeah, I agree with you completely. SDV and VT are both brilliant scents.
post #37 of 38
Wearing this today, for the 1st time.

Wow, it's sweet and VERY tonka prominent (duh), I found its very heavy and linear top notes a bit too in-my-face (well...for a Guerlain) and it felt like the house is trying to do something like Tom Ford does. Which is not a bad thing, it just came across as a bit like copying his 'style'. It is only in the dry down that this turns quite soft, lovely, honeyed and resinous...and now I can see what the fuss is all about.

Anyone else love the base notes and not-so-happy with the top notes?
post #38 of 38
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeperez23 View Post

Wearing this today, for the 1st time.

Wow, it's sweet and VERY tonka prominent (duh), I found its very heavy and linear top notes a bit too in-my-face (well...for a Guerlain) and it felt like the house is trying to do something like Tom Ford does. Which is not a bad thing, it just came across as a bit like copying his 'style'. It is only in the dry down that this turns quite soft, lovely, honeyed and resinous...and now I can see what the fuss is all about.

Anyone else love the base notes and not-so-happy with the top notes?

Hmmm, I seem to have the opposite experience. I loved the slightly aromatic topnotes (wished the rosemary was stronger) much more than rest of the development. I decided to purchase the similar Back to Black because I found it much richer and with a mouthwatering honey note.
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: MFD Archive