Vanilla Virtu

I definitely think the medieval storyline is being told with this perfume. Cinnamon-nutmeg raisin bread, enjoyed in a candlelit tavern. There's a bit of a boozey undertone, but not in a sharp way; something like a cider or a mead that is slightly fermenting in your cup. The overall quality of this scent is honeyed but not cloyingly sweet; the molasses and bran notes ground the vanilla, preventing it from becoming heady. A gourmand with softness and depth.

The description and marketing of this perfume made it seem like the most perfect fit to ever exist for me, as someone who loves warm, spicy, and slightly strange/unique takes on gourmands. The smoky and vanilla-y sweetbread sounded very promising, but ultimately I feel like this fragrance underdelivered on this promise. The initial opening is very incense heavy, with a resinous, almost balsamic hit from the cedar. I do not sense any initial sweetness. This fairly quickly transforms into a darker, smoky cedar - kind of like a sauna with a hint of smoke and dark maple syrup. This drydown is absolutely gorgeous and comforting - however, it barely has any projection whatsoever. At this point, it is a very intimate skin scent, which is a shame, as this drydown is the best part of the perfume. I do not get spicy, "bready" gourmand hits - rather a more suggestive, dark syrupy hit with some delightful smoky tones once the incense has left, only leaving behind a bit of smoke. If the dark, smoked and candied cedar in the drydown could be amplified, this would be a major hit for me. Otherwise, I am left a bit confused as to why a scent marketed as a warm, spicy vanilla smells largely of incense and balsamic cedar, and minimally and subtly of sweet vanilla notes. Overall very confused by the order of the notes listed, as cedar and incense dominate through every moment.

I fell for marketing and bought a travel size expecting yummy medieval vibes, but got something a little flat and musky, very masculine leaning with incense and vanilla. It’s like Rose de Kandahar minus the rose and gourmand parts, so it’s a little underwhelming for me. I know Paraphrase uses only female models for marketing photoshoots, but why not use men if the fragrance is much more stereotypically suitable for them? Just a thought. I eventually satisfied my medieval gourmand cravings by remembering that I have a bottle of Empire des Indes by Oriza L.Legrand.

I had higher hopes for this one... unfortunately it doesn’t last well

I would put this in the Lune Feline/ Babycat category of smokey, spicy vanillas. If you like those scents and you like the Paraphrase style of perfumery I think you'll like this. Not super unique but beautiful and will be great for winter time.