Vanilla is one of the most loved notes in perfumery. It is warm, cosy and almost everyone likes it from the first sniff. But vanilla is not only "sweet". It can be smoky with tobacco, boozy like cognac, rich like a latte or soft and powdery like a cashmere sweater.
We picked six vanilla scents that show how different this note can be. All of them are available as original 5 ml and 10 ml decants, so you can try them before you decide which one is yours.
1. Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
Tobacco Vanille is the classic of vanilla tobacco scents. Dry tobacco leaves, vanilla, tonka bean and cocoa create a rich, sweet and very luxurious scent that projects from a distance. The longevity is outstanding.
Who it is for: someone who wants to be noticed. Perfect for cold evenings.
2. Kilian Angels' Share
Angels' Share is inspired by cognac ageing in oak barrels. Cognac, cinnamon, praline and vanilla make it warm, candy sweet and very addictive. It is a little lighter and more playful than Tobacco Vanille, but just as memorable.
Who it is for: anyone who likes sweet scents with a boozy touch. Great for holidays and nights out.
3. Mancera Xplicit Vanilla
Xplicit Vanilla is a rich gourmand vanilla with dark chocolate, brown sugar and creamy sandalwood. The scent is dense and warm, and the decant is one of the most affordable in the shop.
Who it is for: sweet tooth lovers who want a strong vanilla scent at a good price.
4. Mancera Amore Caffe
Amore Caffe recreates the cosiness of a coffee shop: coffee, amaretto, creamy notes and vanilla. If you love the smell of freshly brewed coffee with milk, this is your scent.
Who it is for: people looking for a cosy everyday scent for autumn and winter.
5. Xerjoff Naxos
Naxos combines vanilla and tobacco with honey, lavender and citrus. The result is more refined and brighter than Tobacco Vanille, with a honeyed sweetness that never feels heavy. A great choice if you want vanilla with more elegance.
Who it is for: the office, dates and anyone who wants a sweet but sophisticated scent.
6. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Gentle Fluidity Gold
Gentle Fluidity Gold is the softest of the six. Vanilla, musk and amber with a pinch of juniper and nutmeg create a powdery, clean scent that stays close to the skin and smells expensive.
Who it is for: people who love vanilla but do not want heavy, sweet scents.
Which one should you choose?
- Strongest and longest lasting: Tobacco Vanille
- Sweetest and most playful: Angels' Share
- Best price: Xplicit Vanilla and Amore Caffe
- Most refined: Naxos
- Softest and cleanest: Gentle Fluidity Gold
Can't decide? Pick three of them in Build your set and get 10% off the whole set. And if you want a recommendation based on your taste, take the "Find your scent" quiz. It takes less than a minute.