Dave

To start, I'll admit - I have a special attachment to this perfume. This fragrance has been something I've reached for over a lot of my time being interested in fragrance, and every time I come back it has something new to offer. Dave is an enigma - I've decluttered this perfume multiple times, just to buy it again, where now I only buy it in travel sizes to not keep a large bottle when I don't want to ever reach for it, and also I find that the travel sizes just smell better? I've macerated the big bottles multiple times and the travels just still do better (very random observation, but try it) Why? Well, while Dave is advertised as a vanilla, it is a lot more complex, and depending on the day you'll get a lot of woodiness, more almond-like vanilla, a masculine lavender vanilla, an orange cream popsicle, or pretty vanillic cream. I think it's a fantastic signature scent, and I think it'll also keep you on your toes with it's smell. This is also a very complemented fragrance in my collection. All my friends love it, and I actually gave my big bottle to my guy friend because it really reminds me of him, and now it's his and his friends' favorite scent. In terms of experience, the opening tends to be sweeter, with the dry-down tending to the almond part. It lasts for a good while, and honestly, the sillage is pretty good for a brand like Henry Rose (clean perfumes), and just overall! I always say that my skin eats sweets for breakfast, and this fragrance continuously out-performs at least 80% of the more vanillic perfumes I've tried. This perfume does tend to lean more masculine, at least on me - I think the woody quality is less talked but is still present, which really helps makes this a good unisex perfume for most people. For a reference perfume, if you want a more sophisticated afternoon delight, this is your frag. This is a long review, but honestly, I find that when people get prophetic about certain perfumes on this website, they always turn out to be some of my favorite perfumes and the ones I get the most attached to. I will say! some people find this boring, some find it to have an off-note, so if you're convinced, try the perfume out, and if you don't like it, I get it! However, I do find this fragrance to be unique, and one that might earn a special place in your heart.

Straightforward, exactly as advertised-- melty vanilla ice cream. Reposting this as I can wear this more as the weather gets colder: I still feel the same way about this fragrance. It's just absolutely beautiful. How can something be so fluffy, light, dense and rich at the same time??! I get the vanilla and Chantily cream immediately upon first spray, despite top notes. This burst of sweetness does mellow out during the dry down but don't think it goes away! She just gets cozier on the skin. This a vanilla fragrance after all; the other notes just allow it to transform into different forms of a vanilla fragrance as it wears, and depending on what kind of day it is, depending on weather, etc.-- Sometimes I pick up on more of a floral vanilla when the lavender extract peaks through, and sometimes a fresher take on it with the almond blossom. I absolutely adore what the pink pepper is doing for this as well. I also get a honeyed vanilla vibe too-- most definitely the warmth of the tonka pushing through. This is such a fluffy daydream of a fragrance. I'm on hour 3 of wearing this as I write this, I'm still getting whiffs of myself, and I'm sensing a subtle scent bubble. Update- coming up on hour 11- it's become an intimate sillage, but is still definitely there on my wrist. While fewer than earlier, I still get whiffs from the amount I sprayed on my chest/neck. Very happy with this!!! Update again- a monthish later- I am still so damn in love with this. I see the perfumer is a guy named Pascal Gaurin, I've decided I need to kiss that man on the mouth for this work of absolute art. /lh

Well, I finally just bit the bullet and blind bought this one! Based on the reviews, the raving influencer videos, and the notes, I figured it was pretty safe for me. And I was correct. My initial impression of the opening is a nutty, sweet cream with a masculine kick. Absolutely a unisex fragrance. Projection is mid, but sillage is surprisingly present for 7-8 hours, though it seemed to come and go. Office safe, for sure. At times, this does feel gourmand, but not like a vanilla cupcake vibe. More like slightly sugared toasted almonds. But interestingly, other times it is more of a peppery musky scent. If you've ever tried Iris Malakhan, this has a very similar and very unique dry down thing going on. Although the notes are completely different. If you know, you know. This gets a thumbs up from me and is staying in my collection. No regrets! And I love the name! All their scents have great names. My daughter and I were coming up with new names for the Henry Rose collection for fun. Steve's Basement. Bob's Pool Party. Lol the possibilities are endless!!!

Wow!! This is a REALLY gorgeous, well-balanced fragrance - for predominantly a vanilla it has a lot going on! It opens softly sweet, but with warmth and immediate comfort from the background gourmand notes. From the start it feels smooth, and thoughtfully blended, it is not even slightly synthetic or cloying. As it settles, it becomes even better. Soft florals and a gentle fruity lift keep the sweetness buoyant, while subtle spice adds movement and depth. The gourmand elements (vanilla, chantilly cream, cocoa) really are beautifully integrated here — they add warmth and texture rather than reading as 'dessert'. On my skin this stays clean, rounded, and very well behaved all the way through the drydown. It has noticeably more presence than a skin scent, but never feels loud or heavy. Comforting, elegant, and quietly confident - it is a proper grown-up fragrance, rather than yet another bottled pudding. For me, this is a perfect Autumn/Winter scent: cosy, refined, and very wearable. Genuinely stunning!

Very beautiful fall scent, I don't get any other the orange or tangerine but I don't mind. The lavender is subtle in a way it feels like I'm testing this in a room that faintly already smells of lavender in some manner without it actually being part of the fragrance itself. The pink pepper has a beautiful opening, along with the cocoa it reminds me of getting an iced latte that is spiced in some way, dusting the thick cream that I am savoring more than the coffee itself. As it settles the spice, but not the cocoa srarrs to fade. Mixed with the almond, vanilla, and cream it makes for a beautiful nutty lactonic fragrance I am kind of obsessed with. At the very end of it's life the Tonka begins to smell almost like a sweet faux musk note, but that could be due to me testing this in the summer- not that I am complaining musk is my favorite base, but it is an interesting dry down. I wouldn't consider this a gourmand, more so (as stated earlier) just a nutty lactonic with some sweetness.

I began phasing out of my deeper, sweeter winter vanillas (Kay Ali Vanilla 28 and Lush's Sticky Dates) and was on a search for a spring time vanilla, something light and airy and sweet that won't leave people choking during a hot, humid day in Georgia . Out of sheer curiosity, I sprayed Dave on my skin at the Sephora display and IMMEDIATELY put back what I was originally going to get and bought Dave instead. Wow, wow, wow. I couldn't believe how gorgeous it was. It is the perfect spring time vanilla. The initial spray was a burst of orange and neroli which reminded me on melted creamsicle, then it dries down to a biscotti or cafè pastry. Yet, it still has a semblance of freshness. It's wildly complex and has so many layers to it. I think that was the concept of Dave, as it was inspired by Michelle Pfieffer's husband. Sweet, comforting, and complex. An interesting, more mature vanilla. Not juvenile and cupcake-like.

Not your typical overly sweet vanilla...the absolute antithesis of Vanilla Milk by Ellis Brooklyn, which stinks to high heaven. No, this is nice. Very nice. It's a beautiful creamsicle opening which dries down to a lovely, slightly floral, vanilla almond biscotti. I can't say how much I do love this and hope that HR ends up making a body cream to extend the longevity, which isn't great. My only criticism. That said, this one is in my top 4 vanilla scents. Considering that I have hundreds of perfumes, that says a lot. NOTE- this layers quite nicely with Torn. Although, when you do, it becomes a very green floral. The Vanilla pretty much disappears but this gorgeous complicated, herbal floral comes forward. I believe it's the pink pepper and the lavender in Dave mixed with the vetiver in Torn..wow. SO pretty. If you like herbaceous green florals, try mixing these two together.

It’s funny how differently everyone’s nose perceives this! I fell in love on first spray, the kind of love you find when you’re not even looking. This is the cleanest most elegant vanilla I’ve ever smelled. This perfume is so well blended that most of the notes don’t really stand out above others and for me, the scent stays 90% the same from initial spray to dry down. Slightly creamy, slightly powdery, slightly floral, slightly fresh. It’s says there’s pink pepper but again, not in your face. It’s so little that you wouldn’t notice. Dave is signature scent worthy. Inoffensive, intimate, and classic. I’ve never smelled anything quite like it and I’ve smelled lots. I do wish it was a bit stronger, but it would defeat the purpose of its design. I really think Dave is meant to be that steady, quiet, peaceful and comforting vibe.

first wear of this i was unsure about it. it was certainly nice but nothing that blew me away. second wear i become more intrigued and had a few people say it smelt very nice. by the third wear, and finishing my sample, i knew i wanted to upgrade to a travel size. in a market over saturated and completely flooded with vanillas, this is truly unique. i would classify it as a flormound. the lavender and neroli stand out to me and keep this quite lifted and aromatic but as that gourmand base of vanilla, chantilly cream, and tonka round out the scent so well. it smells incredible and it’s so perfectly unisex. i’m so impressed with this. i think it’s a great mix taking the best parts of a floral fragrance and a gourmand fragrance and putting them together.

Sorry I've felt some type of way finding out this was Michelle Pfeiffer's line and also the line's longevity and some of these lame names like who tf dave girl and why do I care (Oh I guess her husband but once again why do we care...)? I guess I do because as a new vanilla convert this is truly soooo delightful...these lovely little notes --- I ended up buying a full bottle. This is now my nighttime post bath relaxation scent. I spritz my robe with this and it really feels like a lovely vanilla aroma therapy fantasy, really is like a balm to my brain and makes my PM/home routine sooooo cozy. Ok miss Pfeiffer did that..... I'm also sussing out London 1983 I think these two are the stand outs of the line

I definitely get the fresh burst of tangerine in the opening of this fragrance. I also pick up on a slightly nutty nuance, maybe from the almond blossom or cocoa shell. The chantilly cream and vanilla round this out so nicely. It dried down to a comforting, somewhat spicy scent that’s not too overpowering or cloyingly sweet. I don’t know that I would classify this as a gourmand, as it doesn’t smell like pastries or candy, which I appreciate. I find this to be pretty unisex. It actually reminds me of throwing on my man’s cashmere sweater that still smells of his cologne. Warm and cozy with an understated sultriness. For me, this is vanilla done right.

First Impression from a travel size. On paper and skin (the hubbies) Dave is fantastic. While I like sweet fragrances, I tend to struggle with foodie gourmands scents. Im more so a Flormound girly. But Dave is sexy. Like a sweet creamy gourmandy smelling woman rubbed herself all over her boo/man. Now their fragrances have mixed. He smells fresh, sweet, warm spicy and aromatic all at once. Together delicious as hell. Very much so a unique unisex fragrance. Your boo/man can wear this or you can if you want to smell him 😏. Im pleasantly surprised by this fragrance!!! Definitely will be getting a bottle for the hubby.

okay so to start out i saw @bewareofpity on tiktok review and she said she really liked it and so i bought a travel size of it and ive had it for a couple of hours and im already plotting to buy the full size bottle on my next paycheck. it reminds me of my aunt and uncles house in the best way. its such a creamy and sweet scent but the fact that it leans a bit more unisex keeps it from being nauseatingly sweet. i live down south so right now and for a long time coming its going to be hot so im not going to be wearing it consistently till late fall and all winter. it also reminds me of christmas imo!

A unique vanilla with aromatic & floral elements. I mainly get the base notes with a hint of almond & lavender. This reminds me of a spongey, spring vanilla cake made with whipped icing and floral designs as accents. As a FL girl who adores gourmand perfumes, I'm ecstatic to find something vanilla-esque during hot days without choking myself or others out. This is light, airy, and approachable without sacrificing warmth, longevity, and projection (8-10 hours for myself).

so interesting and unique. love it. i can see where a lot of reviews are coming from — at first whiff i can definitely see generic/waxy basic vanilla candle. it’s such dense and creamy scent (good thing!) and so different from every other vanilla i’ve had. it smells light and sweet and clean — i agree most with reviews saying it reminds them of faint cookies or biscuits. overall don’t regret this at all and will more than likely get the full size when i’m out

It smells DIVINE! IT does NOT smell like Afternoon Delight ! This is a beautiful tropical warm vanilla with a floral profile. It also has a delicious nuttiness to it, almost like hazelnut cream. The chantilly note gives it a milky effect and you can smell a bit of the cocoa at the end, I wish it had more of that cocoa note. Edit**** : This also has a similar DNA to YSL Libre. I knew it smelled very familiar to a designer fragrance I've smelled before.

I wear fragrances for ME, not to get compliments from others. However: ME loves this luscious and effortless combination of citrus, lavender, creamy vanilla and tonka with a pink peppercorn on top. I get great longevity and every time I spray this, someone gives me a compliment. It walks a balanced line that doesn’t smell like a childish cupcake or toilet lavender. Year round, this is an easy grab. Inoffensive, indulgent, but still unisex chic.

This is amazing and so worth it. I'm a gourmand lover who can handle sickly sweet gourmands but I'm starting to get so tired of them and I wanted something a little more mature, so happy I found Dave! Signature scent worthy perfume. Wasn't impressed at first because it was totally different from what I expected... but when I smelled it a second time and took it in for the beauty it was, I knew I had to have it!

i own several henry rose fragrances and this is by far the best, in my opinion. i love gourmands but most of the time i avoid actually wearing them because they can give me headaches or become cloying in the heat, but dave doesn't do either. it's rich and warm without being aggressively VANILLA! i think this is a safe blind buy, especially if you're looking for a pretty gourmand for the warmer months.

This is truly unique. I haven't smelled anything similar and I was expecting Burberry Goddess or Libre"ish" vibes. This has a fun sweet opening, a romantic lavender note, and a sultry vanilla dry down. I bought the travel size to try it and will be purchasing the full bottle. It is absolutely wearable for any season and any time, that's how adaptable it is. Impressed! Happy to add it to my collection.

I was intrigued by this perfume, but my local Sephora didn't have samples. I decided to go with the 8 ml version, but I was so impressed that I ended up buying the 50 ml bottle just five minutes after smelling it. This is everything I was looking for in a mature vanilla scent: it's warm, a bit spicy, and undeniably sexy. I'm so glad it's a clean scent without any harsh chemicals.

Warm, spicy, sweet, and chic. I love the backstory behind this perfume. This is a great unisex perfume, especially for the wintertime. The tonka bean and cocoa notes are heavy, but I like it that way! May not be for you if you don’t like spicy scents. The projection is great, and longevity is moderate to strong. This is my signature fragrance for this winter.

this is one of those perfumes that I can't get enought of. It's comforting and cozy. I feel the tonka is most prominent, and the vanilla is there, but doesn't feel overly sweet or gormand. The neroli and tangerine/orange notes add brightness. I just started to explore this brand and also purchased the 8ML size of three other scents. Excited to try them all.

On my skin the initial spray reminds me of Gris Chanel but as it’s dries down that’s when the base notes steal the show. I really like how the Pink Pepper doesn’t linger like it does on Vanilla Skin. I agree with everyone else who said it’s a sophisticated non-cloying gourmand vanilla. It’s a thick scent so not too safe to wear in warm weather.

It took me way too long to get my nose on this and I wasn’t even excited to do so. I expected something underwhelming but was pleasantly PLEASANTLY surprised. I’ve been looking for that almond vanilla dream scent and I found it without even trying!! I also get so many compliments from strangers which never happens to me.

Delicious soft creamy vanilla that is brightened every so slightly by the citrus. I don't smell the pepper or lavender, and I don't think this smells masculine at all. It's already very special to me and definitely signature scent worthy. I LOVE it. I wish it was named something else, I actually hate the name :(

This perfume is what I hoped Afternoon Delight to be. A nice gourmand, pretty gender neutral, in fact neutral in many ways, neutral sweet, neutral woodsy. it's very balanced, if you are tired of brands doing vanilla/gourmands that are inspired by Bianco Latte or Eilish, this might be something you wanna smell.

Finally, an interesting vanilla that is complex and not overly sweet! I made my husband blind smell all my Henry Rose samples over the course of a few weeks and this was his resounding fav we kept coming back to (which is sweet considering Michelle Pfieffer named this fragrance after her husband).

Very beautiful, soft, and chic. It’s chantilly cream in a bottle, like icing a vanilla cake with the cream and delicate vanilla bean specks in the background. Light, airy, and refined. A great choice if you’re not usually into gourmands but want to try something gently sweet and different.

This is such a special fragrance. It begins bright and beachy without coming off as sunscreen. It quickly becomes smooth, nutty, creamy, and beautiful. The lasting power is impressive on me. I will absolutely be wearing this all spring/summer and even into fall/winter.

this doesn’t smell like anything else i have ever smelt before, in a good way. i was surprised when i first sprayed this because i’m not usually a fan of lavender but this fragrance is absolutely stunning. this is such a good vanilla fragrance

I love this!! I was wondering if it would smell too masculine on me, but the combination of powdery tonka shell, juicy tangerine, and sweet Chantilly cream really makes this a beautiful scent. My boyfriend always tells me I smell wonderful 😋❤️

One of the most beautiful and layered Vanilla perfumes I've tried. I didn't love it at first sniff but by day 2, I fell in love. It's warm and inviting and last so long on the skin! If you're a gourmand vanilla lover, try this.

love this perfume especially the dry down! a salty vanilla chantilly musk fragrance with a white floral opening. On my skin its very musky and salty which i like, surprised salt is not listed as a note. yummy.

itching for a full bottle... the one time i blind buy and decide to get the travel size i discover my signature scent... my soul scent... it calls to me in my sleep thank you so much henry rose for this gem

the first perfume that stood out to me in sephora and while wearing it, the first time i got accidentally called sir as a fem presenting lesbian so take that as you will #feelingandrogynousorsomething

I really like "Dave" and I like the name too. It smells warm and cozy but not at all cloying or too sweet, it's just right. Leans feminine but a guy could pull this off. Perfect fall and winter scent.

The dry down is so addictive and as someone that owns a lot of vanilla scents this has quickly become a favourite. It’s complex it’s not a straight forward vanilla but this is a so good.

This is my favorite from the brand. I am getting creamsicle vibes on my skin and hair. It’s so pretty and makes me feel happy. I don’t consider it being masculine at all.

Milky, lightly spiced, rice pudding. That’s what this is to my nose, in the best way possible I’ve never smelled a vanilla like this, it’s quite special

such a warm creamy rich vanilla !! it’s not overly sweet but it’s still very decadent

A chic and sophisticated vanilla for the girlies who don't like vanilla. Love ittt

I’ve been layering this with Kayali Freedom Musk Santal. So good!

On my skin, it smells like Naughty Nonna by Snif, but softer

I rarely find gourmands that I love, even more rarely find vanilla heavy gourmands that I love, and in general don’t ever go looking for them. I prefer coconut or chocolate on my skin, especially since I grew up in that hateful period of the 80s or early 90s where everyone wore Vanilla Fields and Warm Vanilla Sugar and I had a migraine all the time as a result. HR’s Dave is a happy exception to my disdain for vanilla frags. On me, this perfume is similar to Afternoon Delight from Replica, and that’s one that I love but won’t buy a bottle because it’s not something I think I’ll use enough to justify the pricetag. However, Dave is a softer, creamier vanilla that somehow doesn’t permeate my nostrils all the way into my thoughts, and it is a definite new favorite. I bought the travel size, but I want a full bottle of this some day for sure. The vanilla is not too sweet or two woodsy or astringent, and I catch just enough tonka and lavender in the drydown to keep this frag from being completely linear and boring. This is another perfume where I enjoy being able to catch many of the distinct notes throughout its wear time without going, “ugh, what a vanilla/tonka/lavender/orange/peppercorn bomb”. A gentle but not unnoticeable fragrance that would suit almost any age or style, and I’d say it would wear well most seasons except maybe in the summer. This is actually only my fourth gourmand that I’ve actively loved, and although it will never replace Tokyo Milk Dark’s Bittersweet (a chocolate cake powder beauty) as my favorite gourmand, it is absolutely worth a full bottle for me. Pretty sure I’m going to go through the travel size very quickly.

As a long-time fan of Henry Rose since its inception, I have admired how this fragrance house consistently creates scents that stand apart from the mainstream. My go-to fragrances have been Torn and Queens & Monsters—both unique, complex, and unlike anything else on the market. I say this with confidence as a true fragrance connoisseur, someone who owns hundreds of perfumes and has smelled thousands. That said, I've been eagerly awaiting the next vanilla release from Henry Rose. I was left disappointed by Menace and Jake's House BVI, as I was hoping for a rich, indulgent gourmand. When Dave was announced, I immediately joined the waitlist, hoping it would finally be the vanilla I had been craving. Now that it has arrived, here are my thoughts: For those who prefer safe, wearable vanillas—this is exactly that. Unlike Dark is Night, Torn, or Queens & Monsters, Dave doesn't have that bold, edgy character that I typically love from Henry Rose. But what it does offer is an incredibly easy-to-wear, fresh, and airy vanilla. It's light, citrusy, and even has a subtle tropical vibe. This is the kind of fragrance that works effortlessly, whether you're in sweats or dressed for an evening out. While it won't dethrone my OG favorites, I can already tell this will be a fragrance I reach for often. It's uncomplicated, versatile, and undeniably pleasant. If you're new to Henry Rose and love vanilla, this is a great entry point. For those who, like me, adore the brand's more daring compositions—this may feel a bit too safe, but it's still a solid addition to the collection. Final verdict? I like it a lot, and I'll be wearing it a lot.

This is a brand I came across at Credo Beauty in NYC and first fell in love with “dark is night”. For this reason I was excited to try Dave as I’m usually a vanilla perfume lover and don’t need all the bells and whistles that go along with a vanilla forward scent. But to my surprise this is much more than a generic vanilla. The orange and tangerine notes make it like a fluffy and light creamsicle that sits comfortably on my hair and clothes. I feel like this perfume lifts moods around me , it reminds me of a sunny day eating icecream in the park. Just so cozy and pleasing. Though this isn’t a straight gourmand, I think gourmand and floral lovers alike would enjoy this scent. It is safe to reach for everyday imo and not headache inducing in the slightest. There’s something rich and complex about Dave too, the neroli and TONKA bomb especially bring forth those qualities distinguishing it from other vanilla scents and making it sort of Amber-y. Despite the tonka bringing it down it maintains a fluffiness and light muskiness at its base. Wear is pretty linear but the scent still tells a beautiful story and I can see it being a crowd pleaser. Should you give this a try- absolutely. I think this is a great perfume house. But don’t expect anything incredibly niche or ground breaking about it. I will still be keeping a bottle tucked away in my collection anyway due to the ease of wear :)

The nutty character of Henry Rose Dave is its most defining and impressive feature. Imagine a rich, vanillic nut syrup poured over cracked ice, then finished with a sharp, bright twist of orange peel. It’s an incredibly literal gourmand profile—if you smelled this without context, you’d swear it was the base for a high-end dessert featuring roasted nuts, calming lavender, and a heavy dose of premium spiced vanilla. Writing this as my third vanilla review of the evening, I find this to be a much-needed breath of fresh air. It manages to be interesting and refreshing, standing in stark contrast to those trite, "juvenile" vanilla musks that have become so boring and repetitive. This isn't a casual scent for cropped jeans and sandals; it’s a sophisticated, "silk and high heels" kind of fragrance. Overall, this is a beautifully crafted take on the vanilla gourmand genre. It feels entirely new and intentional, offering a level of elegance that separates it from the more basic offerings in the category. If you’re looking for a vanilla that actually has some structural depth and a bit of an edge, this is a brilliant choice.

Ok, so this is definitely an interesting scent! I’m intrigued. I am a certified vanilla lover and I have several Henry Rose fragrances because I think they’re incredible, so naturally I needed Dave. I polled my whole family and got several different takes. My daughter said it smelled sweet like a baked good, my daughter-in-law said it smelled like nutty, or almost like almond extract and then my other daughter said it smelled like a bakery, my son said it smelled like a salon or barbershop. Personally, I am getting vanilla, almond, and then a bit of lemon. So then once I gathered all of this info, I realized what it’s been reminding me of...a poppyseed muffin! I don’t know how often I’d actually wear this scent, but for the right occasion. Maybe a light springy day, wearing a sundress and going to a lunch or something. It’s super pretty and pleasant. But I think for the most part I’m always going to reach for my heavy hitting vanillas.

This fragrance was a blind buy after someone recommended it to me, and I won’t lie, it’s not bad. I was looking for a fresh, light floral vanilla fragrance, but instead, I got something warmer, spicier, and a little more aromatic than I expected. It has some sweetness, but not in the soft, airy way I had in mind. To be honest, I’m still not fully sure how I feel about it, but it has grown on me a bit. Update: After a few hours on skin and clothes, everything softened up, felt more blended, and became more wearable. That said, this still isn’t exactly my kind of vanilla. The main reason is the sharp, nutty smell that sticks around for most of the wear, but overall, I can appreciate the fragrance more now. I rate it ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)