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.

Rich, deep, warm, spicy vanilla. This is really good. There is some sweetness but I don't think I would classify it as gourmand. More like the kind of sweetness you get in Nag Champa incense, but this is more complex than that and smells more luxurious. Totally unisex, and totally intoxicating. Definitely a fall/winter fragrance to be worn in cool weather. It's very strong and lasts all day. I bought a 10ml of this and although it's a really great scent I don't think I'd buy a full bottle at the price point.

Revisiting this today, I’m shocked this house doesn’t have much buzz around it. Probably bc they don’t give free bottles out to the YouTubers. This is one of the better boozy vanilla fragrances out there. It’s what Spicebomb wish it could have been, the quality is unmatched. With that said, it’s been done before but this is done so well. The performance is avg, I would say along the lines of many TF private blends. This on skin is fanfreakintastic though, so much I may pull the trigger on a bottle!

I’m really enjoying Vanilla in Bourbon, a spicy, boozy vanilla that leans slightly masculine because it’s not a sugar sweet vanilla (thank god). Vanilla in Bourbon reminds me of a sweet cigar room, with an added hippie vibe because of the myrrh, olibanum and balsam notes. Guaic wood is also one of my favorite wood notes. I love that this brand sells 10ml sizes. Highly recommend this beautiful scent if you like a more grown up vanilla perfume.

This is really really nice. The booziness fades pretty quickly and you're left with a very spicy yet cozy, very wintery vanilla. It makes me wish I was sitting by a fireplace. Edit: as much as I think this smells phenomenal I never feel drawn to wear it. I guess boozy/spicy frags aren't really for me. But if they're for you definitely give this a try! I feel like this is the kind of scent I'd like in a candle but not as my personal scent

Smells much like its namesake, an elevated vanilla extract of sorts. Warm vanillic sweetness projecting from a gentle backdrop of oaken booziness. Rich, woody, top-shelf smoothness. The vanilla is bolstered with a balsamic and smoky touch of added resins, while a dusting of holiday spices lends an effervescent facade. Moderately soft projection settles into an intimate scent bubble over 3-4hr, longevity 16hr+.

I was gifted this fragrance for my graduation. I love the bottle so much. The atomizer is perfect and it is one of the most beautiful bottles I own. The initial spray is a bit strong but it dries down into a true vanilla. It is a little bit cloying for summer but colder months / nighttime its so sexy and sweet. I usually dont love boozy fragrances but this one is done just right.

I absolutely love this scent. I am not a gourmand gal at all so this works really well for me. The performance is horrible however, but I honestly still need a full bottle because I love it so much. None to be found right now unfortunately. If anyone has a bottle to sell, let me know!

I completely adore this one. It’s like a lemony Vanilla Diorama but without that strong amber funk, which I very much appreciate. The myrrh and incense add a nice touch, although those accords aren’t too strong. This is the perfect easy wear for a cold winter day.

Balsamic, spicy, woody, leathery, aromatic vanilla with citrus nuances. It reminds me of the vanilla in Eau Duelle Eau de parfum, but with booziness on top of the smokiness. Longevity is good at 5-7 hours on my clothes and skin. This is great.

On skin, smells too much like Spicebomb, BVLGARI Man in black to warrant a $240 purchase. Beautiful scent and lasts longer than those do. Plum in Cognac and Praline in Maple are on my buy list though

It smells like vanilla extract you use for cooking lol mixed with some bourbon 🥃 I love the smell it’s definitely for fall and winter

This review marks my return to the house of Scents of Wood, a brand widely recognized for its unique artisanal philosophy of aging organic alcohol in various wooden barrels to give their creations an authentic, deep woody character. I had previously reviewed their well known fragrance Plum in Cognac, and while it was certainly an enjoyable experience, it ultimately did not leave enough of a lasting impression on me to warrant picking up a full bottle for my personal collection. Coming into this review, I am eager to see if this composition can deliver the impactful punch I felt its predecessor was missing. Based on the main accords, this fragrance presents a heavy Amber, Warm Spicy, and Vanilla forward layout, alluding to a dense and resinous experience. Let us see if this barrel aged creation can offer a truly standout twist on a saturated genre, or if it ends up smelling like a standard sweet gourmand. Opening: The opening is sweet, smoky, and balsamic. The primary notes I get are vanilla, olibanum, cinnamon, and myrrh, with the vanilla and olibanum leading the initial impression. True to its name, the vanilla is what I pick up on first as a familiar creamy, sweet, and natural smelling vanilla bean type accord. The olibanum rises right alongside it, imparting a distinctly smoky and resinous accord that is highly typical of high quality olibanum, likely bolstered by some supplementary smokiness from the guaiac wood in the blend. The cinnamon works underneath the vanilla and olibanum, providing a warm spiciness that approaches a fiery quality but carefully avoids crossing the line into Big Red chewing gum territory. Lastly, the myrrh rounds out the opening with a dark, warm, and balsamic accord floating quietly in the background, while hints of brightness remain buried underneath from the lemon zest. The result is an opening that is dense, sweet, smoky, and ambery, almost evoking an Amouage style DNA. Dry Down: The dry down is sweet, balsamic, and spicy, evolving smoothly as the heavier elements take complete control of the skin. The primary notes I get are vanilla, myrrh, cinnamon, and olibanum, with the vanilla and myrrh leading the composition. The vanilla remains the highlighted note in the dry down, maintaining the exact same creamy sweetness from the opening without any perceptible change. Meanwhile, the myrrh has moved directly to the forefront, bringing with it a heftier dose of that dark, balsamic, and warm accord that hid in the background initially. The cinnamon retains its position as a supporting note of warm spiciness, but it has rounded out significantly and is not quite as fiery or tenacious as it was during the opening. Lastly, the olibanum has moved into the background, still offering soft puffs of the resinous smokiness that dominated the initial spray. The result is a dry down that is darker, deeper, and more grounded while still retaining that luxury resinous texture. Further into the dry down, it becomes a powdery, vanilla dominant fragrance bordering on a smooth tonka accord. Performance: The initial projection within the first hour is very strong, reaching out at least six feet and enveloping the space around you. The sillage matches that intensity perfectly, leaving behind a dense, heavy, and unmistakable scent trail. After a few hours on the skin, the projection is still hovering around an impressive six feet, and the scent trail is perhaps only a bit lighter while remaining easily noticeable in passing. After about seven to eight hours, the performance shows incredible resilience, still reaching out about five feet while the scent trail has not dropped off at all. The fragrance persists with this heavy presence until about the eleven to twelve hour mark, where it finally yields and becomes a skin scent. When to Wear: Vanilla in Bourbon is a definitive fall and winter fragrance that is best suited for evening wear when the temperature drops. It possesses a warm, sweet, and seductive vibe that works perfectly after hours as a special occasion or date night fragrance where you want to project an air of allure. It could also be worn casually as a cozy fragrance around the house or out running errands in the cold, but it is simply a bit too heavy handed on the sweetness and smoke for formal wear or professional office wear. The dense composition requires open air or intimate evening settings to truly breathe without overwhelming those around you. Blind Buy: I would not call Vanilla in Bourbon a safe blind buy, primarily because the naming convention is highly misleading. There is absolutely no bourbon or any discernible kind of booziness to speak of in this fragrance, meaning it will be highly confusing for anyone purchasing a bottle thinking they are getting a literal, liquor soaked vanilla bean. However, for anyone who is a dedicated fan of traditional oriental or amber fragrances and loves a prominent dose of frankincense smoke, this is definitely worth sampling. Just ensure you approach it expecting a resinous incense journey rather than a bakery or a bar. Final Verdict: While Vanilla in Bourbon is texturally plush, seamless, and undeniably a high tier blend, the actual scent profile creates a stark disconnect against its own marketing. Approaching this with expectations of a decadent, liquor soaked gourmand, the anticipated booziness fails to materialize on my skin, steering the composition instead into a solemn, resinous territory dominated by an interplay of rich vanilla, smoky olibanum, and dark myrrh. The natural quality of the vanilla bean is masterfully executed, and the late stage evolution into a powdery, tonka adjacent finish provides a compelling twist, yet no amount of technical sophistication can reconcile a naming convention so completely divorced from the reality of the wear. Ultimately, a monumental twelve hour lifespan and near flawless performance cannot salvage a fragrance that fails to forge a distinct emotional resonance, and much like Plum in Cognac before it, this creation functions as an objectively accomplished exercise in perfumery that simply lacks the artistic punctuation required to command a permanent place on my shelf. Given the premium retail investment, its redundancy within an established amber wardrobe renders it an unfortunate pass, lacking that elusive, transcendent spark necessary to justify a full bottle acquisition. Scent: 9/10 Longevity: 8/10 Sillage: 9/10 Versatility: Average Compliment Factor: High Gender: Unisex, leaning masculine Value: Overpriced

This leans far woodier than I expected - likely a result of the legacy bourbon barrel it's been aged in. The composition is light and airy, built around a bright vanilla with a soft touch of cardamom and lemon zest, which gives it almost a tobacco accord. It immediately reminded me of a lighter, more restrained take on Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille. This definitely has higher quality ingredients, and more spice, but they feel very similar. The scent reads as comfortably unisex and very easy to wear. That said, I do wish it had more presence. My first impression was an immediate sense that this would be one of those fragrances that simply doesn’t last. Whether I’m going nose-blind or the performance truly falls short, longevity seems limited to around three hours. Overall, I enjoy it. I understand that this brand is built on simple ingredients and barrel-aging their fragrances, though I usually expect a little more risk or character. Still, this is good - nothing new or groundbreaking - but good. I'm glad I opted for a travel size, as it suits occasional wear rather than full-bottle commitment.

Picture this— An intimate log cabin in the woods at the foot of a mountain. Inside a fire crackles cheerfully in the cast iron stove, and you’re tucked under a warm flannel blanket enjoying a homemade root beer float. The rootbeer syrup is made from scratch, with slow churned vanilla bean ice cream on top. The secret ingredient is a splash of a rich, sweet bourbon. Woodford Double Barrel perhaps. I don’t get much lemon peel, but maybe it adds an overall ‘brightness’ to keep the boozy/vanilla/resinous/woody facets from getting too heavy. Silage is intimate, but if you overspray a bit you’ll create a nice delicious scent bubble for you and anyone in arms reach. Longevity is about 4-5 hours, so good for days you want to wear different fragrances for separate occasions. Doesn’t smell that similar to Eau Duelle, but in the same family. Versatile- you could wear this to church, date night, or at 2 pm on a Wednesday. A cozy gem. 🍨🥃🫚🌲🔥

This is a very delicious vanilla + spicy cinnamon forward scent, but I think the lemon zest and maybe even the myrrh make this not as deep and dark as I wanted it to be. On first spray, you do get a little bit of smokiness, but I wish it lasted longer. I think it's honestly a little too vanilla forward to be very interesting. I would like to sample more from this house, because I definitely think they would have other scents I would like more than this one. It also reminds me of some other fragrance that I can't really put my finger on? Anyway, this is going to sit firmly in my likes category. I wouldn't mind at all if someone got this for me as a gift, but I don't think I'll run out and spend $240 on a full bottle. 6.5/10