Vanuatu

I really adore this fragrance. I got a sample from Luckyscent, and upon opening the bottle for a sniff and immediate application didn't think it was anything too special. It smelled kind of woodsy, kind of citrusy, kind of aromatic. It was a meh for me. I had some on my wrists and honestly forgot about it. Around half an hour later, I began catching whiffs of something absolutely divine and I realized that it was Vanuatu. It had dried down on my skin into something really special - a very creamy, warm sandalwood with what I think is the papyrus lifting it up (I'm a big vetiver lover, and the comparison is apt). I'll be honest and say I really don't smell the vast majority of the notes listed here. The citrus/rhubarb disappears on me in the dry down and it doesn't smell fruity on the whole. I don't get any cumin/sweat or patchouli at all, even right out of the bottle. The violet is light and not powdery, maybe just adding a hint of a floral quality along with the fig, but I don't find either to be very present at all. The cardamom warms everything up, but it's not like sniffing chai. Overall, Vanuatu ends up being a warm, creamy vetiver-like scent on me, with underpinnings of something spicy and intriguing, but remaining eminently wearable. It takes a little while to work its magic and meld with my skin chemistry, but for me it's FBW. I got a deal on eBay for $160, which I think is a worthwhile price point. 9/10.

This is Aromatic, Cozy, inviting, warm and very stimulating to the senses. I received a sample and it started leaking all over my hands. I then sprayed on paper to compare the reaction. Opens very sharp citrus and spices. Instantly reminded me of a scent and I realized it reminds me a Turmeric.( a facial mask i have and use) spicey but sweet, woody and almost lactonic/creamy) This is more so on my skin then paper. The paper starts to calm down but on skin it warms up and the sweetness from Fig come through combines with the pepper, woods and citrus. I like this. Great projection! I do feel this is more masculine but I can see myself wearing this in the colder months from time to time. Something I would love to smell on a man for sure. kinda sexy! very classy. mmmmmm

Quite a spicy opening. Cumin is always very difficult for me but this isn't as harsh as other cumin frags. This instead comes across very fresh with a bit of tartness from perhaps the rhubarb and bergamot. I'm not a huge fan of the opening but it starts to settle down quite quickly. The cumin quickly transitions to a milky sandalwood which leaves the cumin feeling more like cinnamon. There is a lot happening here and I thought i would hate it but it feels really nicely blended. I actually quite love this for a slightly warmer/spicy milky sandalwood. The cardamom starts to really come through after ten minutes and it leaves this feeling like gris charnel with a spicy edge. 4/5

From the brand's site if you want to see what they consider the top, heart, and base: Top notes: Bergamot Italy essence, cardamom essence, rhubarb, black pepper essence Heart notes: Fig milk, violet leaves, cumin essence, violet Base notes: Sandalwood Australian essence, light patchouli essence, cedar atlas essence, papyrus wood, sparkling wood

This opens a very vibrant citrus and pepper, aromatic. The dry down is more woody, with hints if the fig and violet. unisex leaning masculine. Incredibly well made and classy smelling. This house can do no wrong for me.

This opens up pretty spicy and a bit fresh with a very pronounced cumin note, i must say that usually i dont like cumin but in this frag its actually very nice. It quickly turns into this very creamy sandalwood with some fruitiness to it. Quite strange at first but i really enjoy it. But i dont get any of the citrus notes listed. The cardamom note comes through after it has dried down for a while and its really nice. This doesnt really feel that special to me , its a nice soothing fragnance but nothing that really stands out. That being said i do think this is a really sophisticated and well blended fragnance. Sadly almost all sora dora frags dont perform well on my skin chemistry.. which makes me sad :( overal this is a great fragnance. Really rounded out and smooth but not worth the price for me.

Spicy woods with a tropical and humid twist, didn’t know that was a thing. The opening is a potent swirl of the green elements, spice and woods and florals. Didn’t think fig until I read the notes but I can see it - kind of odd here. Heavier elements playing with lighter. Odd but wearable. Looking at the notes I would not have anticipated this profile. It’s different and doesn’t remind me of much except for maybe Florabloom Absolu with it’s fruity florals and dark base - not the same but tropical spice and dark juxtaposed with lighter elements.

Umm... reminds me of any of the many Polo dupes that were manufactured by RL competitors in the mid 80's. While they were mostly nice fragrances, not one of them had the magic of POLO of the early 80's. I actually like this and might have bought a bottle if it had been properly priced; at around $75.

Fresh spices mixed with musky (read masculine) type of woods. It’s quite refreshing and aromatic (almost minty) but with a smoother sandalwood base. It’s good and I like it, but it’s a bit boring. Follow me on IG: scent.guide

Fresh and spicy, the papyrus is incredibly pleasant (if you like vetiver, you'll like this one too). However, nothing too new and for sure not worth 200€.

Lovely woodsey cardamom. Does NOT smell like Gris Charnel

Vanuatu is pleasant with a soft, green, and aromatic profile, but it is way overpriced. Opens with citrus and pepper. The dry down is more woody, with a smooth sandalwood base. Unisex, but feels more masculine. OK, but a bit boring. Sora Dora is generally a hit or miss with my skin chemistry. This is a miss, it doesn't stand out enough to justify the high price.

I wonder in which universe this smells like Gris Charnel, becasue I saw this and happy I sprayed it all over my arm and I got a huge dose of black pepper and cumin that literally burned my nostrils and i `m just gonna scrub it off because I might throw up . Pure sweat smell

Will need to add more thoughts on this one but I'm really liking it. Spicy, fresh sandalwood with a fruity-musky element and Sora Dora's expected addition of a mildly challenging savory edge from the cumin. It's very pretty and ethereal, with a mild aquatic floral element that pushes it towards shampoo...but I like it. The rhubarb and fig bring an expected youthful, somewhat predictable fruity-freshness to it all, but the cumin and papyrus help it feel mature, sophisticated, and complex. The contrast plays with expectations about what a "good" pairing is, while managing to make the bridge just strong enough to cross. It's what I like about the brand and it's fun to smell/wear.

I find this fragrance intriguing... many notes to tingle your nostrils.. hehe. Definitely get the sweat smell for a bit with the cumin but that dies down fast. It fresh with citrus and airy at start then the woody notes anchor it. Spicey, fresh woody... what not to love. The balance in my opinion is perfect. Lovely juice.... A tad masculine leaning but I’d wear it all day as a female ;)

I wish it was anything like Gris Charnel. It reminds me of an old grandpa Perfume, a rich grandpa. very masculine, cumin and cardamon are way too strong for me. its sharp, Figy , good longevity.