The Best Vanilla Fragrances for Men, From Tom Ford to Byredo
Character-defining scents that are anything but plain
Vanilla fragrances are far from ordinary. In fact, the scent is key to some of the most distinctive men’s aftershaves on the market. At the risk of needlessly confusing everyone and getting in a tangle with the Trades Descriptions Act, you can rest assured that the vanilla scents listed below are far from, well, vanilla.
They're exciting, they're memorable, and they have an interesting history too. It's been just over a century since the scent first found its way into a mass-produced perfume. In 1921, historic perfumer Guerlain added it to its Jicky fragrance (first created in 1889, its widely considered to be the label's most iconic scent) and its ubiquity only grew from that point on. The very first perfume for men, Parfums Caron's 1934 creation Pour Un Homme, featured vanilla and lavender – a far cry from the 'masculine' woody colognes that men usually opted for.
Long story short: every man needs a vanilla fragrance in their arsenal. Eager to see what a little spritz of vanilla can do for you? For your convenience, we’ve collated our top picks below, from the likes of Byredo, Maison Margiela, Tom Ford and more.
Penhaligons – Alula
Vanilla joins sundry other notes one might affiliate with a desert-side sojurn – tobacco, turmeric, cardamon, plum and black pepper, just to name five – to forge a warm and succulent scent that smells like a leisurely trip to that palatial Atreides gaff on Arrakis.
30ml; £110; sephora.co.uk
Dior – Vanilla Diorama
From deserts to desserts, Dior invites all to indulge in the flavours of the Vanilla Diorama (Christian Dior's favourite sweet invented for the couturier by Parisian restaurant Maxim's) by way of the La Collection Privée Eau de Parfum inspired by the vanilla, chocolate and orange treat.
125ml; £245; dior.com
Parfums De Marly – Althaïr
15-year-old French fragrance marque Parfums De Marly sources inspiration from eighteenth century aristocracy to bring timelessly elegant olfactory concoctions to contemporary consumers.
Its most recently debuted mixture is named Althaïr; it follows a vanilla lead which initially courts bright citruses before betrothing toasty, musky aromas.
125ml; £245; selfridges.com
Tom Ford – Tobacco Vanille
When treating yourself to a vanilla scent, it’s hard to beat a Tom Ford eau de parfum. The most traditional choice being Tobacco Vanille, the ultimate hedonistic indulgence.
50ml; £220; mrporter.com
Tom Ford – Vanilla Sex
But for those who'd pick new and buzzy over traditional any day, there's Vanilla Sex, Tom Ford's latest fragrance that amplifies the sweetness of its namesake note (the former, just to be clear) via almond, sandalwood and amber.
50ml; £290; selfridges.com
Musc Ravageur – Frederic Malle
Frederic Malle gives vanilla a sex drive in Musc Ravageur. The 22-year-old scent melds the orchid spice with notes of amber, bergamot, tangerine and cinnamon to produce a source of olfactory delight.
50ml; £165; johnlewis.com
By the Fireplace – Maison Margiela
Vanilla fragrances are said to trigger fond childhood memories, and this one in particular — a comforting scent from Maison Margiela’s Replica line — is redolent of cold days spent inside a cosy abode.
100ml; £102; theperfumeshop.com
Homme Intense – Dior
Dior Homme Intense is sophistication, bottled. A rich, sensual scent comprising vanilla, amber, iris, cacao and more that tells a story of a gallant in his prime.
50ml; £74; fenwick.co.uk
Pi – Givenchy
Since its 1998 inception, Alberto Morillas’ Givenchy Pi has been the signature scent of the self-assured. Now it’s your turn to champion the high-fructose battenberg-esque fragrance.
100ml; £61.99; theperfumeshop.com
Oxford – Ruth Mastenbroek
Ruth Mastenbroek’s very own vanilla scent – a fizzy, mysterious herb-led smell – offers a feeling of support and reassurance one may covet when venturing into the great outdoors.
100ml; £130; ruthmastenbroek.com
402 – Bon Parfumeur
Some say a dessert-sweet scent is just the ticket to kickstarting a positive morn. Test it out for yourself with 402, Bon Parfumeur’s couthy daytime fragrance packed with toffee notes.
30ml; £45; lookfantastic.com
Orchidée Vanille – Van Cleef & Arpels
Vanilla fragrances are genderless, none more so than Orchidée Vanille from Van Cleef and Arpels’ Collection Extraordinaire. Masculine notes of dark chocolate and almond harmonise with feminine floral notes resulting in a multi-faceted fragrance for all.
100ml; £145; johnlewis.com
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