Promises, Promises

If Lucifer wore a fragrance, this would be it. Dry. Sweet. Smoldering. On first spray I’m hit in the face with a lovely assortment of robust resinous incenses like myrrh and frankincense, all supported by a dry, powdered, and sweet vanillic, musky backbone. Then as it dries down, and for a majority of the fragrance, the vanilla gets sweeter and begins to costar and fight for dominance with the smoky and thick incenses, all the while a fuzzy and sexy musk ties it all together with a lovely bow. Eventually, it settles into its final stage as mostly vanilla focused fragrance, with slight smoky and musky nuances, very reminiscent to the far dry down of “Sweetly Known” by the house as well. I am a huge fan of John’s work, and I truly believe that he followed through on his promise to make an amazing vanilla perfume. And while I do think there are hints and nods to his previous work - “Sweetly Known”- this takes it away from the cozy, caramel drizzled, seductively spicy, and ever so slightly sultry feel to a dry and resinous vanilla that would make an excellent addition to anyone looking for a day to day vanilla they could wear pretty much anywhere. Don’t get me wrong though, this is still very very sexy, but in a more subtle, cunning way than most other popular syrupy or brown sugar vanillas on the market right now. Very well done. Very very good longevity as expected from Kerosene, lasts an easy 18 hours on my skin; but much more understated in terms of projection than some of his other works, only getting real good projection in the first 3 or so hours. 9.5/10. Signature Scent Worthy. Song vibe - Party and Bullshit by The Notorious B.I.G. TLDR - A fantastic dry, musky, resinous, and slightly smoky vanilla that’s casual, professional, and sexy all at the same time. As many below me have stated, a fantastic vanilla in a the sea of redundancy that is vanilla focused fragrances.

Bleak grey bright sky. Ethereal. Concrete. Asphalt. Skyscrapers. Metal and glass. Slightly salty, maritime, animalic amber. Clean musks. Suede. Dry cloudy polluted vanilla coming out of a motorcycle tailpipe. Metropolitan. Industrial. A city plagued with addiction, but instead of heroin people are smelling this on their arm. This smells simple, but it's a facade. There is a story here. We keep getting promised a better future, but you look at that bright grey sky and know that its just promises promises. You quietly choose hope. This scent is beautiful and bleak. Hollow and yet somehow full. A dry smoldering amber cityscape with an airy vanilla sky by day that fades into an arctic dry amber desert under moonlight. You swear you smell incense from a local bookstore. You've never been there before, but you have nostalgia that isn't yours. An airbag of amber deploying with the promise of life in the midst of a would be devestating car wreck. The air filling the bag is a dry chemical reaction of vanilla happening quickly. Like a match being lit. The seats are new leather trim. The metal of the car creaks and groans. Its not the best of circumstances, but at least it smells like this. You should have been watching the road, but you were contemplating the scent. The car wreck is actually happening. This has been your jumbled amber vanilla memories of life flashing before your eyes. You expire. Your soul an amber white wisp. You haunt the street. Passersby smell this scent as they feel the temperature drop.

Finally sampling one of the two 2024 releases by the house of Kerosene – Promises, Promises – a sweet, spicy, resinous vanilla, a mix of vanilla, amber, and musk as listed notes. For me, it walks the line between familiarity and uniqueness in that I don’t think any fragrance quite smells like it but there’s a comfort and coziness in the vanilla blend that’s not too heavy, spicy, or overwrought. I think it’s potentially a perfect match for those looking for a vanilla fragrance that haven’t quite been able to find theirs and for fans of vanilla fragrances looking for something a bit different. There is a heartiness to its resinous with an abundance of balsam or smoke, almost a wheatlike golden resiliency that’s not too heavy. Quite easily lovable even if not among the most stunning of the house’s releases. As with the rest of the line, this is EDP concentration, priced at $152 at 100ml and sold via the usual points of sale, including the house site and US boutiques like Luckyscent and Ministry of Scent. And as with pretty much any fragrance in the line, the performance is outstanding. This remains a top brand in terms of quality, reliability, creativity, performance, and affordability. Really a stellar US brand if others haven’t checked it out. My very favorite of the house and an all-time favorite is Blackmail, but I love a number of perfumes in the catalogue. Overall, I think this is quite outstanding and I’d strongly consider buying a bottle. 8 out of 10

In a market overflowing with vanilla fragrances, this one stands apart from the crowd. Promises, Promises is unlike any other vanilla perfume in my collection (and I own and have sampled no small number of vanilla-heavy scents of all varieties). Unlike many of the market's current offerings, it's sweet without being tooth-achingly saccharine. The amber here gives the composition warmth and depth (and, luckily for me, does not seem to contain any of the "trendy," modern amber aromachemicals that have taken the perfume world by storm in recent years). Any musk that may be present is neither animalic nor laundry-clean. Everything feels balanced. For what sounds like a straightforward and simple scent, it's deceptively complex and intriguing -- an almost-but-not-quite-caramelized vanilla. And then there's the smoky aspect, which is what I feel makes this fragrance so special. I would describe Promises, Promises as an "industrial vanilla" with an edge -- this vanilla isn't afraid to get its hands dirty. It is no stranger to late-night, solitary walks on desolate city streets. It occasionally frequents backyard bonfires. It regrets nothing. As with most of Kerosene's offerings, this one is no slouch when it comes to performance. I don't need to spray excessively, and the scent remains detectable all day. I've been able to wear this in multiple seasons and in all types of weather and locations.

I've never ordered a full bottle as fast... A sample from Lucky Scent arrived today and while it wasn't love at first sniff, Promises, Promises grew on me over a space of an hour and then I was fully sold. I knew Kerosene + Vanilla would be magical. I first got an animalic note which took me by surprise. So glad it's listed in the notes here or I was imagining things. Then I realised this is in line with raw vanilla. If you've ever split open a vanilla pod then you'll be familiar with that slight animalic funk. That raw vanilla stays for a while and then the sweet, smoky vanilla comes through. The dry down is definitely sweeter but it's no where near as sweet as the usual suspects of the vanilla world. Promises, Promises could be called the cousin of Sweetly Known but there's no cardamom or burnt match. You can own both without feeling like you've wasted funds, I feel. Especially as Promises, Promises dries down, I find it a lovely, comforting fragrance to take to bed. If your idea of vanilla leans towards extreme gourmand (Escapade Gourmand, Tihota, Bianco Latte or anything Jousset) then yes, you may be disappointed by Promises, Promises. For me, it's a unique take on vanilla and probably the first where I've likened it to an actual vanilla pod as opposed to an edible vanilla item. Like most Kerosene frags, performance is great. Can't wait to play around with it more tomorrow.

First impressions: I was surprised by the smoke/incense note. If you are familiar with Kerosene’s other fragrances with smoke or incense, you will recognize it immediately. I’m shocked this isn’t listing incense as a note. It is VERY prominent. The incense lasts throughout the life of the fragrance. It takes on a bit of a caramel-like vanilla quality. It also smells woody to me, again like Kerosene does so well. The image I get with this is spilled vanilla extract on an unfinished wood surface in an old, dimly lit workshop. I feel like this will actually layer well with Unknown Pleasures, to darken it up without altering it. (I’m not usually a fan of layering) I’m also thinking that this will be more of a cool weather fragrance. Second wear: this is definitely a smoky vanilla. Can’t wait for cooler weather to get the full effect. I did get two compliments on this from family (who never mention my fragrance). This is incredibly nice. Sillage isn’t crazy, but the longevity is top notch. I really love this.

I love this! For some reason, and I don't know why because I'm very familiar with this house, I was expecting this one to be like a really sweet and soft musk and vanilla scent... Like Vanilla Bean by Kuumba fragrance oil. But no, this one is a really spicy... Maybe like a clove heavy vanilla fragrance, though clove (or any spice for that matter) is not listed in the notes! I'm really perplexed by this cause this is very reminiscent of his other ones like Sweetly Known and Unknown Pleasures give or take a few notes. I got a huge blast of spicy vanilla in the opening and then it settles after about an hour into softer smoky vanilla... Don't notice the amber and musk for some reason. Reminds me of Unknown Pleasures without the lemon note. I do love it. I feel like it's not as strong performance wise as the other ones I've owned or have, but it is long lasting. I think it'll shine best in colder months! I'm gonna wait to let mine age before I wear it again and see how it develops then.

Blackmail and Sweetly Known are two of my all time favorite scents from the house, but I own MANY of Pegg's creations. This to my nose is simply put, a less sweet Sweetly Known to start out, that mellows down to a beautiful ambery church incense kind of vibe. I get a similar smoke note to Blackmail or Sweetly Known, but it turns into a more frankincense/myrrh forward incense than just smoke. I am guessing that's the amber really coming through. I totally understand why people get church vibes from this. It's not quite as powerful as some of Pegg's other scents in projection, but the longevity is certainly there, and this scent is just as well crafted as the rest of them. Being such a basic combination of notes, I didn't anticipate much, but was thoroughly amazed at how beautiful this was from start to finish. If you love a fairly linear incense-y amber forward vanilla, this is a must. I can't wait for this to macerate some to see how the vanilla ages with the rest of the fragrance.

This is a nice disheveled vanilla. It smells like it's been through some things. I know this isn't a note but I get gasoline..? Idk but I really like it. It kind of reminds me of replica - by the fireplace but a bit less conventional. The performance is pretty serious here. The first day I was testing this I wore it on a drive through the mountains, on which I got super nauseous. When I got home I tried to wash it off my wrists not once but twice (!) to no avail. The scent itself was an innocent bystander in the incident, and not to blame for the nausea. I was both impressed and concerned about how long it would linger but I'm pleased to report it did taper off and seems to have a long but normal lifespan. While I think this would work in a lot of settings, I don't personally think this would be an "office safe" scent, and not for those that don't care for sweetness. I find it to be interesting and easy to reach for though and would get a full bottle at some point :)

I love this. I've always been anti-vanilla but this transcends that sympathy. Blackmail is my tried and true scent, and I'm currently wearing Promises, Promises layered over it. It's strong, there's no hiding that it's a musky, ambery vanilla, but it's exactly what I wanted from Kerosene. Some have been complaining that it's not sugary enough, or too spicy, but I believe that's what makes this vanilla both unique and tolerable. This isn't a groundbreaking scent or a complete game-changer, but it's incredibly enjoyable. I really want a full bottle, but I'll have to budget that out. I'm reminded of the outdoors with this. That's part of the reason I love Kerosene so much. I feel like instead of synthetic, soulless scents, Pegg manages to make photorealistic fragrances that give me the impression of being out in the world. This is no exception, with its stunning spiciness and simplistic warmth.

This is beautiful! This smells like the common denominator between practically all of Kerosene's gourmands with an added spiced balsamic amber. It reminds me of melting down brown sugar for a dessert recipe in a log cabin in a snowstorm. This is heavily reminiscent of Kerosene's Winter of '99, just without the nutmeg. The amber is dry and arid yet resinous and thick. There is a distinct smoky wood quality to this that really adds extra depth to a fragrance with a pretty simplistic note lineup. For anyone who knows kerosene, specifically their gourmands, it goes without saying that the performance is excellent on this. Great sillage and great longevity. This isn't anything that doesn't exist already, but Promises, Promises showcases the backbone of Kerosene's beloved gourmands in a crowd-pleasing yet deep and unusual vanilla amber. This is going to be FANTASTIC in the colder weather. 8.5/10!

ok hear me out - when i first put this on for a wear test this morning, i wasn't floored. it is now 4 pm and i am considering a full bottle purchase. first spray (7 am)/first hour of wear: incense smoke, big chunk of amber in an antique store, some vanilla (i guess) powdery in an almost annoying way. no strong feelings either way. after 1.5 hrs: smoky quality starting to fade off, mostly amber now. no musk detected. not full bottle worthy, would buy a travel size for a GNO. by lunch time: completely in love. this perfume settles into a warm, sexy-in-a-dark-way vanilla amber musk. i want a full bottle for date nights and winter time. 4 pm now, projection is just now starting to fade but i can absolutely still smell the scent on myself. i will be getting a full bottle. promises, promises - i am sorry for judging you.

A fragrance sealed with a promise by Pegg, a promise to create a Kerosene Vanilla one day. And TBH - Outstanding vanilla, so warming, pure and beautiful that you can't just move away. I was so anxious in choosing between "Promises,Promises" and "Sweetly Known" as they share similar profile, but I decided to stick with the more comforting and classy vanilla. And I don't regret it at all! It will be an absolute must for the fall as it has these slightly cozy but also spicy notes and of course - amber. If you're judging by the cover, meaning checking the notes, you might suggest that it's another mass appealing amber and vanilla combo, and yes - this duo has been heavily flooding the market. However, give this interpretation a try as it might seem simple in compounds but you know it carries Kerosene's quality mark.

It smells like an incensy vanilla. On me it’s coming off as Dr. Pepper. I’m not mad at it at all. It’s the loud Kerosene DNA that I enjoy. It’s not a typical vanilla and though I own many vanillas, it doesn’t smell like anything I already own. It’s its own original thing and I am enjoying it so far. Now I’ve only had it for one day so it may change but so far it’s great. It projects and it has the Kerosene longevity that I love. Wore it to the casino yesterday and I got a compliment. This is not a crowd pleasing scent but I don’t think Kerosene does crowd pleasing. They do interesting, strong and creative & it checks every box for that. I expected something different honestly but I still really like what I got. If you want a long lasting interesting scent to call your own this is it. I love Kerosene!

If you enjoy Indult Tihota, this is the type of perfume that you will want to drown yourself in. Complaints of the lack of vanilla should be ignored by other commenters. This perfume exudes sophisticated fluffy fuzzy vanilla with a heavy dosing of soft plush approachable musk. The amber seems to be holding the two chained to the skin as if they are both about to float away. The aura you get is not unlike the one you get with Tihota, just a bit creamier and deeper. Notes of spices drift in the background, but do not overtake the composition adding a touch of depth that reveals itself upon dry down. Huge win in my book and a great addition to the brand. Its clear the inspiration that was taken and I am a happy to have this in my collection.

This scent starts off with this incredibly yummy sweet vanilla that reminds me of the vanilla ice cream that’s yellowish with the black dots. It also has a sweet incense smoke to it. It smells like the aroma of when a vanilla baked good comes out of the oven on Christmas Eve. This is AMBER in a bottle. It’s all it is - with some vanilla and light incense. Grand Soir is Amber with some added stuff - this is all Amber with a little vanilla and incense touch. It’s quite linear, and it’s very similar to Sweetly Known (my favorite fragrance of all time), which gives this fragrance extra points. They truly are so similar. They share that burnt sugar aspect, the vanilla, and incense. So good

Smoky resinous amber and balsamic vanilla with an overlay of very dry and powdery musk. It is sweet but not as sweet as some of the vanillas out now, and the sweetness has a natural feel to it. I think this is the exact right level of sweetness for a comfort fragrance in fact. Lasts a decent time on skin, about 5 hours. I’m wearing it in 95 degree summer but I bet it will be fabulous in fall and winter. As I wear it the song by Naked Eyes is echoing in my head. I remember listening to it in the 80s after a break up. This would be perfect to wear after something like that; it’s very soothing and feels like a cuddle from a loved one.

This is a very amber-heavy fragrance. I do get some vanilla in the background, but it's not the sweet, cupcakey vanilla. It's more of a vanilla extract vibe. However, the amber lends it a lot of sweetness and resinous qualities. I don't smell incense or smoke, but I can understand why people compare it to church incense. The amber makes it smell like something people would have worn a thousand years ago. I can see an ancient Egyptian queen wearing this. It is just so rich and elegant.

Beautiful amber-vanilla, so easy to wear, scratches my sweet itch without being overwhelming. It is simple and scrumptious. If you like Absolute Aphrodisiac for its amber vanilla you’ll love this too, this is that without the animalics, leather, white flowers. I love Ambre Sultan, but this is like a more feminine leaning, fluffy and creamy, less spicy version of that. Ngl if my grandma smelled like this and put me onto this frag I’d be so happy 😂

Smoky sweet ambery vanilla fragrance with a dusting of powder. This reminds me a lot of Matiere Premiere's Encens Suave with a replacement of the Incense for Vanilla. I am surprised this is not more powerful and pushing given it is a Kerosene house fragrance, however it is longer lasting. This is a cozy, cold weather fragrance. A very solid release and glad I got a sample of this. Nishane Ani + Grand Soir + By the Fireplace = Promises, Promises

Leaving an updated review as I've had my bottle for close to a year now. It has matured beautifully. What was once a musky vanilla has now transformed into a smoldering, sweet, amber. The vanilla sweetens the deal, but the amber is truly the star of the show. This works best in cooler weather to get that resinous amber to emerge nicely on skin. In warmer weather, the musk takes over. Still a love, still a 10/10 in my books.

This is was a blind buy for me. The ambery is the like mfk grand soir. This is reminding me of the same smokey vanilla in blackmail without the fruityness. I primarily ger amber and vanilla. This is thick and resinous. This can be blackmails sibling. I sprayed this on my arm in 98 degree weather and it lingered and projected for hours, this could be quite cloying in the heat so I can't wait to bring it out in the cold!

I love this so, so much. it's a deep, resiny, syrupy, spicy vanilla that dries down into something almost reminiscent of bubblegum (at least on me). I want to sample blackmail since I've heard that they're similar in dry down, but I just really adore this. Top contender for my fall/winter signature, but the more I sample it, the more I think I could wear this any day, every day, all year round.

I love the smell. Smoky amber and vanilla. Reminds me of an old vintage store and when you blow out a candle. Dusty but in a good way. Practial magic as a scent! This would be a perfect cold weather scent for me if it wouldn't be for the horrible performance. I thought it was just me but my husband couldn't smell it on me 30 minutes after spraying unless he pressed his nose onto my shirt.

Far more smoky and animalic than expected (pleasant surprise for me, as that’s more my tastes than pure sweet gourmand) This is intoxicating, I keep coming back to my wrist, pulling away drunk and floating. Too good. Might be a bit cloying — but to me: dark, sensual, deep. Incense. Nude on a fur rug in front of fireplace. Sipping on vanilla bourbon.

Wowie kazowie. This smells like woodworking in a cave (I have experienced this smell before) it is very nostalgic to me, and somehow comforting, even though it has such a strange scent profile. It's like you're in a warm place with amber-y colored lights, and the atmosphere is somehow hugging you. easy 9/10

Arm in arm we laughed like kids At all the silly things we did You can't finish what you start If this is love it breaks my heart You made me promises, promises You knew you'd never keep Promises ,promises Why do I believe All of your promises You knew you'd never keep Promises, promises Why do I believe

I know a lot of people get vanilla icing from this, but I get almost a dark, smokey, hot tea, bonfire scent. I absolutely love it and I think this may end up being one of my main fall scenes, but I feel like maybe I’m processing it differently than many other people!!! Still, unbelievable.

Incredible. This is my comfort fragrance. It reminds me of burning nag champa with vanilla oil on my wrists. This smells like peace, and I also love to wear it to bed. I love it so much I am tempted to buy an extra bottle in case it's ever discontinued!

Were Tihota and Fire at Will to commit arson together, you'd get Promises Promises. It's a beautiful smoldering vanilla... This is not for sugary-vanilla gourmand lovers (though the sweet airy traces exist), this is THE vanilla for amber feigns.

Wow!! I like this!! It smells so much like Absolute Aphrodisiac. Hopefully it ends up performing better than that because AA is like a whisper of a perfume on my skin and clothes. So far, so good. It's a like!!

Smells soft, nostalgic, dry, resinous almost. Childhood Christmas or maybe the week leading up to a breakup. I need to get a bottle

Smells exactly like traditional Egyptian chewing gum, mastic with honey. Evokes the feeling of uncovering a relic. Phenomenal.

Like the inside of a church at a candlelight vigil mass. I love it so much. Sexy, smooth, and delicious 🤤

This is what I wanted Tihota to be. It’s rich and complex and warm vanilla but not sugary-sweet. Love.

comforting, warm, & inexplicably familiar- an embrace from the mother you never had

I absolutely love this one!! But the sprayer is awful!!!

Nice and exactly what I had in mind, a nuanced amber AND vanilla. A 2-in-1. Nothing over-the-top gourmand, this feels like a fine fragrance the way it’s been done in layers. Mild animalic accords flicker throughout. It’s an 'Oriental' fragrance, but this isn’t full throttle oriental. People say this isn’t a vanilla smell at all, saying it’s almost entirely amber and smoke/incense but that’s just plain false. There’s lots of vanilla throughout the core and it’s still inherently a vanilla scent, albeit not a pure vanilla. But that’s okay! It has the Pegg feel, very derivative of his other work such as Sweetly Known, Blackmail, Unknown Pleasures, etc. though this is one of his softer and milder scents. The performance is great, I smell this the next day. It projects a foot and dries into the intimate vanilla cocoon that people want. After 12 hours I’m left with soft, sweet ambers and the musk. The vanilla is now subdued. It’s natural smelling and quite nice to me. Although it doesn’t sweep me off my feet I like the animalic/ambery direction this goes in comparison to other viral vanilla centered fragrances (bianco latte, tihota, etc.) and has a whole other amber dimension that still makes it feel.. decently round! I just WISH this had more sillage. 7/10

I'm not getting the heavy incense the others are getting. I do get some in the opening, but then it fades, and I get a powdery, sweet, warm and fluffy vanilla. It reminds me of the vanilla in Sweetly Known (my favorite from the house) just without the spice and smoke. I would say it's unisex leaning a bit feminine. So far I don't think it's anything unique for a vanilla lover, however I find Kerosene has something special in their DNA, so I'm going to keep it and test again in cooler weather. Will update my review then. Edit: finally tested in cold weather, and I really like it now. Its cozy and warm, and I am getting more of the incense. Definitely a cold weather scent for me. I sold my bottle, but might purchase another.

I get an exact replica of Duncan Hines vanilla frosting, which is not what I was expecting but is a nostalgic delight. EDIT: I liked it at first but wasn't sure if I loved it when I first wrote this review. BUT it grew on me so much I had to buy a bottle and it's very rare for me to buy a full bottle of anything. I love the childhood memories it evokes for me of fluffy vanilla icing but then the amber gives it a richer, deeper feel. It has an almost vintage aspect that I like. It makes me feel like an old hollywood movie star in a fur coat.

Very simple scent; amber, vanilla, and musk. That's all you're realistically gonna pick up on, however that's not to say it's a bad fragrance; while it's not necessarily a scent to break any molds, it is a very nice, sweet smell that I can imagine getting many compliments. In terms of Kerosene fragrances, this might be the least polarizing/most inoffensive scent you could buy, yet still with that trademark Kerosene kick their other scents I've tried have had.

Amber.....lots of Amber...vanilla....and yes! Musk.. It is all that & only that. Very cozy. Smells like a warm embrace on a cold day. The performance is subpar for a Kerosene frag but if amber is your thing, this is good. The vanilla isn't overly sweet or cloying. It's just right.You will need to reapply often. Might be nice for an intimate night, though .. beautiful on the skin, it invites closeness. Definitely unisex.

This is a dusty vanilla that reminds me of my grandmother's house and going through her vintage bakery kits where bits of stale icing still lingered in the piping bags and on the toppers! I have a hard time with the opening as there is something (also in Sweetly Known-assuming it is the musk) that smells a little dirty to me, but after a few minutes it melts into the skin and I mostly smell dusty vanilla icing. :)

This smells like a literal hunk of amber that you can buy from a health store. It's sticky, sweet, straightforward, and simple. I don't detect the vanilla, or the musk really. The dry down has a funk to it - very animalic, a bit fecal, so you need to be okay with that if you're going to enjoy this scent throughout its wear. Wears fairly close to the skin, and lasts eternally.

I like Promises x2. I would describe this perfume as a deep, dry amber vanilla. Super easy to wear, I can’t imagine any vanilla lover snubbing it. Like with all perfumes with a dominant vanilla note, it is a little hard to be unique and stand apart in this category which is why it’s not a love from me. That said, this is very good selection in a crowded vanilla field.

Powerhouse smoky and sweet amber open. Mellows to sweet cinnamon candy, intense amber and vanilla. Settles to cinnamon vanilla. Has a vintage quality with the heaviness. It’s beautiful for a winter day or cold fall day. It’s the safe feeling you get when you’re with your grandma or elders you trust with your everything.

A pretty straightforward vanilla and musk. Don't expect a sweet gourmand here. It smells like a dusty, antique vanilla. The amber and musk definitely gives this a more vintage feel to it. In a world of sickly sweet, synthetic vanillas, I appreciate this.

It smells like something a grandma would wear. I don't hate it but I don't love it. Very sweet, very caramel, let's say cotton candy almost. I smell mild woodiness, no musk honestly. Just pure amber and caramel.

A very nice spicy vanilla. It leans into the amber and musk on my skin, but it’s very pleasant. Lasts forever as a skin scent, 24hrs later I can still smell it where I sprayed it. Will 100% be getting a bottle.

Okay why hasn’t anyone said this smells exactly like Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens. This is unmistakably Ambre Sultan's amber accord, but with the vanilla dialed all the way up and aromatics subdued.