Vanilla in Bourbon

Scents of Wood Vanilla in Bourbon is a boozy, spicy, vanilla that pivots away from the sweeter vanilla-dominance of most “bourbon vanilla”-type scents. Still, it’s mostly a gourmand, but a spiced vanilla in the way that sometimes chocolate or vanilla extract smell on their own, quite alcoholic, but not acerbic. So it’s a very pleasant, mostly-gourmand, blended vanilla and spiced fragrance. It reminds me most (in that characterization) of Gallagher Fragrances Wicked Good, but with an added booziness that distinguishes it, but a similar sort of deep vanilla but not saccharine aspect to it. Vanilla in Bourbon has the same pricing as most of the brand, at $240/38 for 75/10ml, sold in the US at great boutiques like Perfumology, among others, and its performance is quite great. This is yet another fragrance from the line that I’d argue is easily full-bottle-worthy were it not for the sheer number of great offerings. I do enjoy the 10ml size as a way to have an extended trial of each of my favorites. Overall, it’s another outstanding entry with the depth, care, and quality I’ve come to associate with this house. 8 out of 10

Mmm, this is the kinda vanilla that makes me wanna do bad things. This vanilla is intoxicating and bears resemblance to some of Tom Fords masterpieces that have been reformulated or discontinued, w the exception of one of my current favs Myrrh Mystique. It also reminds me of the booziness I love in Guerlains SDV. I am a girly girl but there’s something about Smokey and Woody Scents that turn me on, more so on a man than on me, but even just on me, it’s pure lust sex goddess territory. With only one spray near my wrist, I can’t imagine how incredible it would smell properly worn, and how hypnotizing this would smell on a man that digs this kind of scent. Very sexy. I forget (or not sure) what cardamom smells like, and don’t get the lemon zest, I pick up on the woods for sure, but would put vanilla on the top tier, with cinnamon below it as I also get that as well, and amber coming in fourth place as this really is what the name of it calls it. Boozy rich top of the line extract, smokiness and a dash of cinnamon it’s heavenly and it’s a must.

So sad this doesn't last longer, even on paper it seems to disappear after 20 minutes. It is a delicious scent, simple in theory but has a subtle complexity about it. Very wearable, very addictive. I only have a decant of this but I would be running to purchase a full bottle if the longevity was better. Slightly sweet and vanillic, slightly spicy, warm, but I wouldn't say it leans gourmand since it retains that sexy cologne quality. Very unisex in my opinion. Despite lacking longevity and it being a super wearable cozy scent, I do notice that the sillage is pretty darn good. Even when I'm wearing a different scent on each arm to test stuff out, this is the only one I can smell in the air around me. I'll try layering with a bulletproof vanilla scent and see if that helps it holds up longer, but at this price point...

This can seriously cause intoxication. It is exactly as described: vanilla marshmallow dropped into a glass of booze. The vanilla is similar to the flavouring used in cakes, yet the fragrance itself has everything a vanilla scent should be: spicy, warm, a little powdery, and gently sweet. The dry-down reminds me of a long-discontinued favourite, Givenchy's Organza Indecence. Although sweeter, it has a long, cashmere-like, smoky tail that wraps around you like an expensive shawl. The bottle is a piece of art (Scents of Wood likely realises this). It's definitely a keeper.

I love this fragrance. It's gorgeous and vanilla-y with some rich notes that aren't sweet or gourmand, to me. I wish it wasn't so expensive as it doesn't feel worth it for the price of a full bottle given how many similar fragrances I'm sure there are. But I liked the way this settled on my skin and I was able to smell it for a while. After wearing it several more times, I don't find myself reaching for it as an everyday scent. It is a little bit sweet and strong for daily use, as I tire of the powerful vanilla. It still lasts a long time on me.