Dipped in Chocolate

Today’s review continues the exploration of a scent narrative that has become a cornerstone of my recent olfactory journey. After meticulously comparing the raw intensity of the 2020 original and the polished accessibility of the 2024 remake of A Whiff of Waffle Cone, I am now turning my attention to its successor: Dipped in Chocolate. Another, now discontinued collaborative effort with Salt & Straw, this fragrance promises to expand upon the familiar waffle cone architecture by introducing an interplay of light and dark. With a note profile featuring chocolate, cardamom, and benzoin, this iteration suggests a move away from the stark, smoky realism of its predecessor in favor of something more resinous and spiced, but still overtly gourmand. The house describes this as an invitation to explore youthful indulgence and romantic escapades, signaling a pivot toward a more evocative and perhaps more nuanced gourmand experience. The question remains whether this chocolate dipped variation can maintain the atmospheric storytelling I’ve come to expect from the house, or if the addition of these darker elements shifts the center of gravity into entirely new territory. Let’s see if this fragrance manages to elevate the collection or if it simply gets lost in the sauce. Opening: The opening is sweet, spicy, and warm. The primary notes I get are chocolate, cardamom, vanilla, and waffle, with the chocolate and cardamom leading the way. True to its name, the chocolate note is overwhelmingly the most prominent element, arriving with a nuclear blast of cocoa. Rather than a standard bar of milk chocolate, it comes across as a fine cocoa powder, reminiscent of a rich hot cocoa mix or sweetened baking chocolate powder. The cardamom joins in at the top, counterbalancing the heavy handed sweetness with a sizable dose of warm, dusty spiciness. Notably, it lacks the green or camphorous nuances that cardamom can often possess, instead leaning entirely into a warm and dry spicy profile. The vanilla works underneath the chocolate and cardamom, folding in a soft, creamy sweetness that helps to elevate the gourmand profile of the opening, hearkening back to the vanilla found in A Whiff of Waffle Cone. Lastly, the waffle rounds out the experience with a toasted, malty accord, accurately mimicking the aroma of a crunchy, golden brown waffle cone. The result is an opening that carries clear ties to the original Whiff of Waffle Cone DNA, but here it remains unrefined in its own right, trading a balanced sweetness for a much darker and more chocolate centric narrative. Dry Down: The dry down is still sweet, spicy, and warm. The primary notes I get are still chocolate, cardamom, vanilla, and waffle, with the chocolate and cardamom still leading the composition. This makes Dipped in Chocolate a very linear fragrance, following a structural path similar to its predecessor. However, as the scent settles, there are some subtle differences that shift the character of the fragrance. Namely, I pick up on a more noticeable sweet creaminess from the vanilla and a more toasty maltiness from the waffle accord. Additionally, some deep, balsamic resins from the benzoin have newly emerged in the background. These resins provide a necessary anchor, giving the fragrance a weighted richness that was not as apparent in the opening. The result is an even deeper dive into gourmand territory, nuanced with just enough balsamic richness to ground the lingering sweetness. Performance: The initial projection within the first hour is absolutely nuclear, possessing an expansive quality that fills even a large room with ease. The sillage matches that intensity, leaving a scent trail so dense you could effectively cut it with a knife. Remarkably, after about four hours, the performance remains largely unchanged and just as powerful as it was upon the initial application. Even after eight hours, while the projection draws in slightly, it continues to reach out around four to five feet from the body. Likewise, the scent trail softens during this stage but remains fairly noticeable to anyone in the vicinity. The composition ultimately provides a massive journey on the skin, lasting about eleven to twelve hours in total before finally becoming a skin scent. It is a formidable performer that easily commands the space around you, outlasting many of its contemporaries in the genre. When to Wear: Dipped in Chocolate is a definitive fall and winter fragrance that is best suited for evening wear. Its heavy and indulgent nature makes it a premier choice for special occasions like date nights, where its deep cocoa and warm spice can create an intimate, atmospheric aura. Similarly, the cozy and gourmand profile makes it excellent for casual wear, acting as a comforting olfactory blanket during the colder months of the year. However, these same characteristics make it unsuitable for formal occasions or office wear. The sheer density of the chocolate and the nuclear projection would likely be overwhelming in a buttoned down or professional setting. It is a fragrance that requires a relaxed or romantic environment to truly be appreciated, thriving in the open air or in casual settings where its literal, dessert leaning sweetness feels most at home. Blind Buy: Much like A Whiff of Waffle Cone, Dipped in Chocolate is not a safe blind buy. This lack of safety stems from how unapologetically sweet and gourmand the composition remains throughout the wear. While it lacks the polarizing smoky accords of its predecessor, it replaces them with a literalism that not everyone will find wearable; quite simply, not every enthusiast wants to smell like straight cocoa powder. This is a fragrance meticulously crafted for those who truly appreciate smelling edible and can handle a profile that refuses to compromise its sweetness. Given the massive performance and the specificity of the scent, sampling is strongly recommended before committing to a full bottle. Final Verdict: I had previously reviewed Chocolate Citronique by Sphinx Fragrances and deemed it the most authentic and enjoyable representation of chocolate I had ever experienced, leading me to add it to my list of necessary purchases. Now, having blind bought and experienced Dipped in Chocolate, that is no longer the case. This fragrance stands as a true testament to what chocolate in a perfumery context can be: bold, assertive, and dark. It functions as the unwavering centerpiece of the composition rather than a mere afterthought. The level of hyper realism at work here is truly on another level; while Chocolate Citronique does a commendable job of embodying the aroma of milk chocolate, the note in Dipped in Chocolate is so present and realistic that I can nearly taste it on my tongue. This experience is further elevated by the incredibly powerful performance, which ensures the chocolate remains long enough to continue to mystify the nose and the taste buds alike. Having tried a significant number of chocolate fragrances, I can confidently say this is the definitive chocolate experience, hands down. If the goal is to smell like literal chocolate, this is the essential choice. With this fragrance now being discontinued, I consider myself extremely lucky to be the owner of such a potent and evocative bottle. Scent: 10/10 Longevity: 8/10 Sillage: 10/10 Versatility: Average Compliment Factor: High Gender: Unisex Value: Great

Sweet and decadent, smells like I've walked into an ice cream shop. I definitely get the A Whiff of Waffle Cone DNA, but obviously more chocolate centric with less vanilla and no caramel. This is my favorite chocolate fragrance that I've smelled so far as it's smoothed out so much by the waffle note. If you're not a photorealistic gourmand lover, this probably won't be for you, but I find it quite unique. The cardamom is a bit too strong for me in the drydown, but it quickly fades down into something tolerable. It doesn't project as much as AWOWC does, but it still has moderate sillage and lasts all day, even leaving traces after I shower. In terms of perfumes listed as similar— ❌ Al Rehab Choco Musk: more vanilla than chocolate ❌ Byredo Eyes Closed: smells like Christmas spices ❌ Montale Chocolate Greedy: a bready chocolate scent, creamier but not as rich ❌ Sabrina Carpenter Sweet Tooth Caramel Dream: more caramel and patchouli than chocolate and waffle

A successful blind buy as I very much enjoy this, but I would be wary of a few things with this one. It smells dense and inviting and quite more complex to my nose that I would have initially imagined. This is a fantastic chocolate vanilla/spice heavy scent. I almost get a chocolate spicebomb effect from this. The chocolate doesn’t last very long, but the dry down is still sweet and very heavy on the skin. The longevity is a plus for me as well. I get at least 8 hours with this, but projection isn’t very strong from what I can tell. Think BR540 extrait for similar sillage levels. Final things I’d say is that it’s not quite as gourmand as I would have initially thought, so if you are afraid of it being just a sugary candle smell, I think it’s definitely better than that. Then finally I do sometimes feel if this had pine needles in it, it could pass for a Christmas scent lol. I’d give it an 8-8.5/10 overall, successful blind buy imo.

I'm a huge IA fan and blind bought this because Waffle Cone is my favorite sickly sweet gourmand in the entire world. It has occurred to me that IA tends to have this... dustiness... to certain fragrances in their lineup that I actually quite enjoy and it's present here. The opening is very rich and deep - it matches the color on the bottle perfectly. A warm, dark, almost-bitter chocolate bar that's just been melted in a double boiler with a heavy blast of spicy cardamom. It almost makes you want to cough. Once it dries, it reveals it's homage to Waffle Cone and you can unmistakably smell that rich cinnamon/maple/vanilla combo underneath the chocolate coating. Wonderful fall and winter scent for the darker and colder months. I'm fine with this being a limited release - I probably would not purchase another full bottle after I run out and simply stick to the OG Waffle Cone. I will absolutely enjoy it while it lasts, though!

I've been sniffing around for a good, dark chocolate scent, and then this launch released and I blind bought it. I have a sampler of whiff of a waffle cone that I am milking the everliving heck out of because it is soo delightfully creamy and rich and delicious. This begins like a grainy hot cocoa, much like I drink every morning. I mix up raw cacao, cinnamon, ginger and maple syrup with cream and hot water, and that is almost exactly this. This has a definite creaminess from the sandalwood, the spice is not overpowering the chocolate and the vanilla is sweet and true. Is it fairly linear? Yes. Did it make me and my boyfriend both groan with delight and excitement? Also yes. I am a gourmandy at heart and this, hours later, is still making me delighted and over the moon to be sniffing. Perfect timing for the winter ahead!

A chocolate gourmand that doesn't actually smell overly sweet. A dry cocoa opening with tendrils of vanilla and spice, a whisper of chai that comes forward as it dries down. I don't get a lot of rum but I do smell a pipe tobacco note somewhere in there. Great performance. This would smell incredible on men, as well as women. As all I.A. scents take me somewhere, here I go... I find myself cozied up in a lovely home library, on a worn in leather sofa with a large leatherbound book, newly opened to page one, in front of a stone fireplace. The pipe, recently used by the last inhabitant, adorns the mantle. A cup of hot cocoa awaits me, while snow falls softly outside my windows, framed with burgundy velvet curtains..a moment of complete contentment fills my heart. Ah... Don't bother me, I want to stay there longer...

While still being a gourmand, the spice and the woodiness are still present enough to keep it from being too sweet and cloying. It is definitely a fall/winter gourmand to me despite all the ice cream shoppe hype, mostly due to the cardamom which is mostly present only in holiday baking where I grew up. I snagged a sample of the OG Whiff of Waffle cone with my order and I am glad I waited for this one for the full bottle, as I find it to be very similar, but the Dipped in Chocolate benefits from the spice and chocolate making it more interesting and complex.

First impressions: You can definitely smell the AWOWC in here from the maple, but overall it is a dark, slightly sweet and spicy chocolate scent. I find it to be a fairly linear opening, although the opening smells like a richer chocolate than the mid/base. I was worried about blind buying this as ive never owend a full bottle gourmand, and I havent smelled any niche gourmand besides xerjoff lira and a whiff of wafflecone, but in my opinion this is definitely a safe blind buy.

I just smelled this at Indigo in Lakewood, Ohio. Loved it! I tested side by side with Whiff of a waffle cone. This one I liked way better. It's much stronger and has a dark cocoa scent. Somehow, I couldn't smell the DNA people speak of. For me, the chocolate and cardamom is dominant. And I love those two smells. I like this a lot because it overpowered about 20 other perfumes. Don't bother layering because the cardamom will overpower any other chocolate. Not a sweet scent.

Love. If you like Whiff of Waffle Cone you'll love this. It is that, but with chocolate poured all over it. Is it serious? No. Is it sexy? Who the heck cares. It smells like your childhood ice cream parlor if you had a big chocolate Sunday in front of you. And sometimes you just need to smell a happy memory.

I wouldn't say this is masculine but it's not a girly girl fragrance. It's perfectly Unisex imo. Nice spiced chocolate cardamom. The list of notes above makes sense. It reminds me of SOCRE Your Girlfriend is a Badass but make it more resinous/spicy and louder. I love both.

The is a dark decedent chocolate with some caramel and sandalwood. Not milky or overly sweet, but dark cacao and dark chocolate in the best way. Lasts a solid 8 hours. A true gourmand lovers dream.

Opening can be overwhelming and choke you out with a blast of cardamon. As it settles, I pick up that smell of waffle cones inside an ice-cream shop.

This is phenomenal. Reminds me of something Solstice Scents would make. I need a back-up bottle

On the initial spray, it's like the moment where you start pouring the liquid into boxed brownie mix. Creamy, but still a hit of powdery cocoa. Very reminiscent of baking with my grandmother, I love the scent memory here. There's spices in it for sure, but I think the chocolate and vanilla are more forward than the spice. However on the dry down there was a hyper-sweet ambery note in the mix that didn't sit well on my skin. I'll be trying it again - I did enjoy it - but the bottle was also cold when I tried it (had been sitting on my porch all day after delivery) so maybe that influenced the smell. If the smell doesn't change after maceration I don't think it'll be something I reach for. Will probably decant a bit for myself to have it in my scent library then sell it, as I don't want full bottles that I don't reach for often. Update: this has incredible longevity. I put on one spray, then scrubbed it off to go to a social event where the scent wasn't appropriate, applied about 8 sprays of another fragrance, and about 6 hour later all I could smell was Dipped In Chocolate. It completely overpowered my other fragrance (which isn't known for longevity or projection but still) and did so after surviving a scrubbing. I also tried applying it later and layering it with Gilded (a lightly sweet cardamom fragrance) and the two worked extremely well together, and mostly tempered the sickly sweet amber I mentioned before. It's just such a loud combination I don't think I would wear it often so I still maintain I will be selling my bottle.

Looking at the imagery and marketting, you'd think this is like an ice cream scent with chocolate, but it's not. Not really. It's more of that waffle cone DNA than anything else. The cinnamon paired with the sandalwood and cardamom are one of, if not the most prominent element. It is unexpectedly more spicey than it is vanillic. This spiciness leads to a kind of "candle-like" smell once it settles. Which by all means it isn't bad, it's just certainly different than what I expected through the marketing. Perhaps this is my own fault because I have yet to try the original Whiff of a Waffle Cone. The chocolate is certainly prominent. It is a sweet decadent chocolate. When I wore it, a lot of people made the comment "Does somebody smell syrup?" So I completely understand other reviews mentioning the smell of like maple syrup, because it is very sweet and decadent. If you're looking for a chocolate ice cream scent, this is not that. When I think ice-cream-like scents I think of Dulce from By/rosiejane. However, this is entirely devoid of that lightness associated with ice cream. It's warm and spicey. I would describe it more like a chocolate stroopwafel. It's decently long lasting I will say that. You'd only ever need to respray to get some of those spices back to their pinnacle. Overall, not a bad scent I would say. I wasn't really wow-ed by it, but my coworkers liked it. Definitely amazing for cold weather and if you're a holiday-loving person this could really set you in the mood.

Spiced hot chocolate at the start and dries down into something a bit more fireside and maple. Unlike some other reviewers, I didn’t find this to be extremely sweet and would consider it solidly unisex. Cozy and welcoming, but not elevated. Good for cuddling time, house parties, or holidays with family. I prefer Blend No. 83 for date nights and fancier occasions (forever sad it was discontinued). As someone who kinda likes the notes of Whiff of Waffle Cone and MM’s By the Fireside but can’t wear either because they go too sweet and cloying over a few hours, Dipped in Chocolate isn’t a bad substitute. I don’t *love* my blind buy, but I don’t regret it. Wish it was offered as a travel size, because it’s the kind of juice I’ll look forward to on certain occasions but it’s going to take forever to go through a fb. Hope the shelf life for IA is good!

Just got mine today!!! If you are familiar with Imaginary Authors but want more info before a blind buy this review is for you. After sitting with it for 3 hours it is clearly a dark chocolate gormond fragrance. Not sweet, but dry dark cocoa powder. It has the resinous quality reminiscent of the leather in Untamable, It shares the same vanilla as Memoires of a Trespasser, and has a hint of the syrup present in Whiff of Waffle cone. It does have that wonderful “dusty” DNA unique to this house making It completely unisex. After 3 hours and 2 sprays on my chest, scent is still projecting and wafting in my orbit. It’s another fun experience by IA. I’m enjoying it. I will edit in the morning about longevity. Edit: longevity is excellent!!! 24hours + on clothes. 8+ hours on skin

the opening is like those liquor filled chocolates; then it quickly gets overpowered by sandalwood to the point you wonder if you made a mistake and fell for yet another perfume because of its gourmand sounding name; then finally the chocolate comes back to balance things out. still, i wouldn't consider this a gourmand but more of an incense scent with a touch of gourmand. banger incense scent though. very poor projection, probably the worst one out of my entire collection. hopefully that gets better from macerating.

Cardamom spiced chocolate! If you like cardamom pastries, you will love this! This is like a cardamom pain au chocolate - deeply warm and spicy with a bittersweet chocolate on top. It’s more cacao than anything. And she is intense! This is not for the faint of heart or for someone looking for something casual. She is a commitment. That being said, I wore this while having friends over and got nothing but compliments, and even had to let two of them know that this is no longer available to buy.