The note of vanilla is one of the most commonly used fragrance notes, and with such a wonderful scent, how could it not! Due to the common use, you might wonder, though; what are the best vanilla fragrances for men?
What Is The Note Of Vanilla And How Does It Smell?
Vanilla is an unmissable fragrance note when it comes to perfumery. It’s so commonly used that it almost seems to make an appearance in any fragrance. Now, not all fragrances use the note of vanilla, but don’t be surprised if half of them do.
And why wouldn’t perfumers use this wonderful note? It’s smooth, it’s sweet, it’s creamy, and it’s just an overall amazing addition to almost any scent. Vanilla seems to go great with woody notes, cinnamon, tobacco, boozy notes, and is often featured in gourmand and oriental fragrances. But honestly, it goes great with just about any note.
The actual note of vanilla can have a few different scents. Most commonly, perfumers use vanillin, a synthetic recreation of vanilla that smells sweet and comforting and has a gourmand feel to it. Actual vanilla has a very similar scent but comes across a little denser. And another step up in density is the vanilla pod. This is the least commonly used variant, but it has a few boozy qualities to it that make it go great with other boozy notes.
Some of the most popular fragrances in the world are made with the note of vanilla, but there are also a lot of hidden gems. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best vanilla fragrances for men!
1. Emporio Armani Stronger With You
Stronger With You is one of Armani’s most beloved creations when it comes to their men’s cologne line. With its sweet and seductive scent, it has made its way into many fragrance collections. This cologne was made by Cecile Matton and was launched in 2017.
- Top Notes: Cardamom, Pink Pepper, Mint, and Violet Leaves.
- Middle Notes: Pineapple, Sage, Melon, Cinnamon, and Lavender.
- Base Notes: Vanille, Chestnut, Cedar, Amberwood, and Guaiac Wood.
What Does Emporio Armani Stronger With You Smell Like?
Stronger With You opens loud and sweet with a bunch of sweet notes at the forefront. Hints of vanilla, nutty chestnut, several juicy fruits, and even cinnamon are all present, all working together to create a strong but extremely pleasant scent. Shortly after the first sprays, all of these notes settle down a bit, making or a much nicer scent and one that isn’t as strong and offensive.
As everything is starting to settle down, you’ll mainly smell a beautiful scent of vanilla and chestnut. These two gourmand notes create an immersive scent that smells really good. You can also pick up some fruity notes in the background, but these are very subtle. They add a different type of sweetness that ensures this isn’t your typical sweet gourmand cologne.
As the fragrance starts to dry down, the fruits start to disappear and make way for a few warm notes. Amber, cinnamon, and several woody notes start to blend in with the vanilla and chestnut, leaving you with a warm and rich finish. The woods and amber also smooth out some of the sweet qualities, making everything a little more subdued.
Stronger With You is without a doubt a sweet gourmand fragrance, so it’s best worn when the temperatures are on the lower side. During those colder days, this cologne is perfect for casual everyday wear. It doesn’t really fit too well in a formal setting, but casually, either during the day or at night, is amazing!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall and Winter.
- Occasions: Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours.
- Projection: Strong.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
2. Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
As one of the most popular Tom Ford fragrances in general, Tobacco Vanille couldn’t be skipped on this list. With its rich and sweet scent of both vanilla and tobacco, this cologne captured the hearts of many. This fragrance was made by Olivier Gillotin and launched in 2007.
- Top Notes: Tobacco Leaves and Spicy Notes.
- Middle Notes: Vanilla, Cacao, Tonka Bean, and Tobacco Blossom.
- Base Notes: Dried Fruits and Woody Notes.
What Does Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Smell Like?
Tobacco Vanille opens sweet and dense with both hints of tobacco and vanilla. The vanilla is creamy and sweet and the tobacco is rich and sweet. The tobacco is slightly stronger in the opening, but both notes are noticeable and both add a luxurious and sophisticated scent. Within the first spray, you can immediately tell why this is such a popular cologne.
Not long after the opening will a few gourmand notes start to show themselves. Cacao, several spices, and tonka bean are added, all providing either a sweet or creamy scent. This, of course, goes great with the creamy vanilla and sweet tobacco, which are still the two most prominent notes.
As the fragrance starts to dry down, the scent becomes a bit denser and ‘dustier’. This dusty feeling comes from the dried fruits; they add a rich and deep sweetness, but because they’re dried, they also carry some sort of dustiness with them. Although it might sound off-putting, this dusty feeling is what truly shows the beauty of this cologne. It makes it so much more intense, rich, and even luxurious that it would be a shame to leave out.
As you might have guessed, Tobacco Vanille is a very warm and sweet cologne, so you’re best off wearing this during the colder months. Here, there really aren’t any restrictions to this cologne. It’s so versatile and luxurious that it fits in any setting. Whether you’re at home or at work or looking to impress someone on a date, this cologne will be your best friend.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall and Winter.
- Occasions: Casual and Formal.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 8+ Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
3. Givenchy Pi
Givenchy is a fragrance house with a lot of hidden gems. Pi is just one of them and it’s a warm vanilla-based cologne. Made by perfumer Alberto Morillas, this fantastic men’s cologne was launched in 1998 and is still relevant to this day.
- Top Notes: Mandarin, Tarragon, Rosemary, and Basil.
- Middle Notes: Anise, Neroli, Geranium, and Lily Of The Valley.
- Base Notes: Vanilla, Almond, Tonka Bean, Cedar, and Benzoin.
What Does Givenchy Pi Smell Like?
The opening of Givenchy Pi is slightly fresh with a few powdery florals, backed by warm amber and vanilla. This immediately makes for a unique and interesting opening that perfectly sets the tone for the remainder of this fragrance.
Quickly thereafter, you can pick up a few aromatic and herbal notes. These add a spicy and rich freshness to the cologne, never taking away from that creamy vanilla scent. Speaking about the vanilla, the vanilla gradually becomes stronger and stronger, moving more into the spotlight. Backed by the powdery florals that highlight the creamy qualities of vanilla, you get an addictive, alluring, and luxurious scent.
As the cologne starts to dry down, the herbal and aromatic notes start to disappear, whereas a few warm woody notes start to appear. The woods highlight the sweetness of the vanilla, which is still present, and push it to the forefront even more. What you’re left with is a warm and creamy scent of vanilla that still has a fresh aspect to it.
Even though Pi contains some fresh elements, it’s still not a cologne you should wear during the warmer months. This is definitely a cold-weather fragrance, perfect for the fall or winter. Here, it’s great for casual daytime wear, but it will also be great for nights out or dates. And thanks to the luxurious feeling and fresh influences, it also works great in a formal setting as well.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall and Winter.
- Occasions: Casual and Formal.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
4. Parfums De Marly Pegasus
Pegasus is an amazing fragrance by the niche house Parfums De Marly. This cologne beautifully blends the note of vanilla with creamy and powdery notes, creating a unique and luxurious scent. This fragrance was released in 2011, and ever since, it has been seen as one of the best vanilla fragrances.
- Top Notes: Heliotrope, Cumin, and Bergamot.
- Middle Notes: Bitter Almond, Lavender, and Jasmine.
- Base Notes: Vanilla, Sandalwood, and Amber.
What Does Parfums De Marly Pegasus Smell Like?
Pegasus opens with a sweet gourmand scent of vanilla and almond. Added to this is a powdery influence, and together with the gourmand sweetness, it creates a very unusual and unique scent. It almost smells metallic, but in the best way possible. The nutty almond, paired with the fresh and powdery florals and the creamy sweet vanilla make up for most of the opening and this scent won’t go away until the dry down either.
Shortly after the opening, you can start to pick up a few woody notes, as well as the note of amber. These add a warm feeling to the already warm and sweet scent. The woods and amber do take away a little bit of that powdery feel and make the cologne appear more creamy instead.
As the cologne dries down, not that much changes anymore. You’re left with a sweet and creamy gourmand fragrance with a few fresh qualities. This makes for an unusual but extremely pleasant and likable scent. Safe to say that when you’re wearing this, you’ll be the only one smelling like this.
Pegasus is an amazing cologne with a sweet and powdery scent. This makes it perfect for the colder months, but thanks to the powdery fresh florals, it will also work great in the spring as well. During these seasons, you can wear this one pretty much whenever you want. Whether you’re at home, going to the office, on a date, or having a fun night with friends, this cologne will be great!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring, Fall, and Winter.
- Occasions: Formal and Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 8+ Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
5. Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme
Spicebomb Extreme is the intenser version of the incredibly popular Spicebomb. This time, it goes in a slightly sweeter direction, done with the use of vanilla. This fragrance was released in 2015 and has been a fan favorite ever since.
- Fragrance Notes: Vanilla, Tobacco, Black Pepper, Caraway, and Lavender.
What Does Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme Smell Like?
Spicebomb Extreme opens just as you would expect; strong and full of spices. The opening really does the name justice, and the great thing about Spicebomb Extreme is that although the opening is full of spices, it’s actually smooth and inoffensive. A blast of spices usually comes across as a little strong and aggressive, but that’s definitely not the case here.
Added to the spices is a wonderfully sweet scent of vanilla. The vanilla gorgeously blends in with the warm spices, creating a truly stunning scent that’s both sweet and spicy. It’s also extremely smooth, which is just another reason why this cologne is so popular.
In the dry down, we’re introduced to a new form of sweetness. This is coming from the note of tobacco, which adds a rich sweetness to the mix. The tobacco also contains a spicy element, so it also blends in nicely with the spices from the opening. Overall, this is a very well-thought-out cologne that never fails to amaze.
It is on the sweeter side, though, so you’re best off wearing this cologne during the colder months. Here, it fits in perfectly and will engulf you in a warm and welcoming aroma. During the colder months, you can also wear this one pretty much all the time. It’s great for casual settings, great for formal settings, and amazing for nighttime wear and dates.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall and Winter.
- Occasions: Formal and Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 8+ Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
6. Chanel Allure Homme Edition Blanche
Allure Homme Edition Blanche is one of the many flankers of the original Chanel Allure Homme. With this fragrance, they did something interesting, though. They combined the note of vanilla with a bunch of fresh and vibrant citrusy notes, resulting in a fresh vanilla cologne. Made by Jacques Polge, this fragrance was released in 2008.
- Fragrance Notes: Lemon, Vanilla, Pink Pepper, Bergamot, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, Vetiver, Musk, Amber, and Cedar.
What Does Chanel Allure Homme Edition Blanche Smell Like?
The opening of Allure Homme Edition Blanche immediately shows that this isn’t your typical vanilla cologne. Instead of a sweet and creamy scent, you’re greeted by a bright, vibrant, and refreshing scent of citruses. The note of lemon is on the forefront and gives off a bright and slightly sweet/fruity scent.
Along with the citruses are a few woody notes, as well as the notes of vanilla and tonka bean. These notes are all responsible for adding a smooth and creamy scent that goes surprisingly well with the lemon from the opening. Lemon already contains a somewhat sweet element, so that’s probably why it goes so great with the creamy vanilla. Together, they create a sweet, but bright and refreshing scent.
This bright and refreshing scent will continue on all the way into the dry down. Here, the scent starts to lose some of its freshness, moving the creamy vanilla a little more into the spotlight. The cologne is still fresh, but it does start to move in a warmer direction. The vanilla becomes more pronounced and you can even pick up a few woody notes.
Overall, Allure Homme Edition Blanche is an incredible cologne with a unique twist on the note of vanilla. With its fresh scent, this fragrance is perfect for the warmer months where it shines in both formal and casual settings. The strong influence of fresh citruses really gives this cologne a professional edge, whereas the vanilla still adds a touch of playfulness.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring and Summer.
- Occasions: Formal and Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime.
- Longevity: 5-7 Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
7. Hugo Boss Bottled
Boss Bottled is one of the more popular colognes on this list; who hasn’t seen or smelled Boss Bottled? But there’s a good reason for its popularity; it’s just an amazing fragrance. Made by Annick Menardo, this fragrance dates all the way back to 1998.
- Top Notes: Apple, Plum, Bergamot, Lemon, Oakmoss, and Geranium.
- Middle Notes: Cinnamon, Mahogany, and Carnation.
- Base Notes: Vanilla, Sandalwood, Cedar, Vetiver, and Olive Tree.
What Does Hugo Boss Bottled Smell Like?
Boss Bottled opens with a sweet scent of apple and plum. This sweet and fruity scent is quickly supported by a few spicy notes, most noticeably, cinnamon, creating an almost apple pie-like scent. This might sound a little weird, but it’s done in a fantastic and easy-to-wear way. The apple and plum are both sweet and juicy and the spices add a nice touch of warmth.
Not long after the opening will the vanilla start to appear. The vanilla is once again a sweet note and blends in amazingly well with the spices and fruits. It also strengthens that apple pie scent by making it creamier and more ‘gourmand sweet’.
As the cologne starts to dry down, a few warm woody notes start to appear. These woods ensure a rich dry down and primarily serve as a base for the other notes to thrive on. The woods do take away some of that apple pie feeling, but the fruits where starting to fade away anyway. Overall, you get a sweet vanilla cologne backed by spices, fruits, and woods.
Boss Bottled is definitely a cold-weather fragrance, perfect for the fall and winter. During these seasons, you’re best off wearing this one casually, as there’s a sense of playfulness to this cologne. The playfulness makes it great for nights out and dates and it tends to fit better on a younger man. Of course, anyone who enjoys this scent can wear it; just keep in mind that there’s a playful and youthful element to this fragrance.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall and Winter.
- Occasions: Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 4-6 Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
8. Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male
Jean Paul Gaultier’s Ultra Male is a common sight in any store that sells fragrances. This is an incredibly popular fragrance with an iconic bottle and fantastic scent. Made by Francis Kurkdjian, this fragrance was released in 2015.
- Top Notes: Pear, Lavender, Mint, Bergamot, and Lemon.
- Middle Notes: Cinnamon, Caraway, and Clary Sage.
- Base Notes: Vanilla, Amber, Patchouli, and Cedar.
What Does Jean Paul Gaultier Ultra Male Smell Like?
Ultra Male opens with a blast of sweetness that primarily comes from the notes of vanilla, pear, and lemon. All of these notes contain some sort of sweet element and they all push that sweetness to the forefront. Although this sweetness is thick and strong, it isn’t done in a bad or overpowering way. Instead, it smells amazing and rather playful.
Not long after the opening, a bunch of fresh and aromatic notes start to appear. Ultra Male is a flanker of Le Male, after all, and Le Male has a fantastic balance between sweet and fresh notes. Ultra Male follows suit and introduces hints of mint, sage, and bergamot to liven up the sweet opening.
As the fragrance starts to dry down, some of the fruity notes start to fade away, leaving you with a sweet scent of vanilla, amber, some woods, and mint. The dry down, although somewhat simple, still smells amazing and you can pick up most of the individual notes. The vanilla is creamy and sweet, the amber and woods provide warmth, and the mint balances it all out with a minty fresh scent.
Ultra Male is a wonderful cologne that’s definitely on the sweeter side. This makes it perfect for the colder months, where this will be the perfect casual day or nighttime fragrance for a younger man. The sweetness of this cologne adds a lot of playfulness and youthfulness to the scent, which makes it work a little bit better on a younger man. Of course, anyone can wear this, but just keep in mind the playfulness when applying!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall and Winter.
- Occasions: Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 4-6 Hours.
- Projection: Strong.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
9. Tom Ford Vanille Fatale
The second vanilla-based Tom Ford fragrance on this list; this one is more focused on the actual note of vanilla. This fragrance was made by Yann Vasier and was launched in 2017, 10 years after Tobacco Vanille. As part of the Tom Ford Private Blend Collection, you’re sure to get a truly amazing cologne.
- Top Notes: Myrrh, Rum, Olibanum, Coriander, Saffron, Orange, and Lime.
- Middle Notes: Barley, Coffee, Frangipani, Plum, Narcissus, Artemisia, and Rose.
- Base Notes: Vanilla, Suede, Tobacco, Mahogany, Patchouli, Oakmoss, and Violet.
What Does Tom Ford Vanille Fatale Smell Like?
The opening of Vanille Fatale is rich, smooth, creamy, and boozy. There are many notes present in the opening, but the creamy sweet vanilla is the most prominent one, backed by sweet resinous notes and a warm hint of boozy rum. Alongside these most prominent notes are a few subtle spices, adding an interesting layer of depth to the mix.
Shortly after the opening, a sweet and boozy scent of plum starts to appear. The plum goes great with both the vanilla and rum and accentuates both of these notes. This way, you get an even more intense scent that doesn’t become too strong or overpowering. And together with the plum are a few fresher notes. These fresher notes really aren’t detectable, but they do balance out the sweetness a bit.
As the cologne starts to dry down, a few woody notes and the note of tobacco appear. These are all rather soft and subtle, leaving room for the vanilla to be the main star. In the dry down, the booziness takes a backseat as well and the spices also start to disappear. This leaves you with a scent of just vanilla, a slight bit of dark booziness, and a warm hint of woods.
Vanille Fatale is truly a must for vanilla lovers. This fragrance perfectly encapsulates the raw beauty of vanilla and highlights it by adding supportive notes that beautifully fit in. This creates a beautiful cologne that’s warm and sweet, making it perfect for the colder months. Here, you can wear it any time you want; there really aren’t restrictions to a cologne like this.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall and Winter.
- Occasions: Formal and Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 8+ Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
10. Initio Parfums Absolute Aphrodisiac
Absolute Aphrodisiac is a cologne made by the niche house of Initio Parfums. With this fragrance, they took the note of vanilla and pushed it in a more animalic direction. This fragrance was made by Alexandra Kosinski and was released in 2015.
- Fragrance Notes: Vanilla, Amber, Castoreum, Leather, Musk, and White Flowers.
What Does Initio Parfums Absolute Aphrodisiac Smell Like?
This cologne opens with a nice and smooth scent of vanilla, supported by a powerful dose of animalic notes. Hints of musk and castoreum are immediately present and they provide the cologne with a musky and ‘dirty’ undertone. Right at the opening, these animalic notes overpower the vanilla a bit, but it doesn’t take too long for the vanilla to find its spot.
As the animalic notes become slightly softer and the vanilla takes the spotlight again, you’re left with a very smooth and exciting scent. Those dirty, musky undertones actually add a lot of character to the fragrance, and the word ‘dirty’ isn’t meant in a bad way at all. Dirty fragrances usually add a touch of filth or skank to the cologne that makes it much more engaging and addictive.
As the fragrance starts to dry down, not that much changes anymore. You can still pick up hints of musk, castoreum, and vanilla, but there’s also a soft undertone of amber present right now. The amber just adds a warm layer to the scent and doesn’t alter it that much. The vanilla and animalic notes are still the main players here.
What this leaves you with is a sweet and musky fragrance that’s perfect for the colder months. Due to the dirty musky undertones, this might not be your best choice for any formal occasion, but it makes it all the better for a casual setting, especially a romantic one. Musky fragrances tend to do great in romantic or intimate settings!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall and Winter.
- Occasions: Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours.
- Projection: Strong.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
11. Versace Eros
Versace Eros is an incredibly popular cologne that everyone has probably smelled at some point. This cologne is a wonderful mix of sweet vanilla and fresher aromatic notes that seems to be especially popular among the younger generation. Made by Aurelien Guichard, this fragrance was released in 2012.
- Top Notes: Mint, Green Apple, and Lemon.
- Middle Notes: Tonka Bean, Ambroxan, and Geranium.
- Base Notes: Vanilla, Cedar, Vetiver, and Oakmoss.
What Does Versace Eros Smell Like?
Eros opens fresh and aromatic with a fruity sweetness mixed in there. Hints of slightly sweet apple and mint are strongly present in the opening and perfectly set the tone for this fragrance; a fresh and sweet one. The mint is cool and refreshing, whereas the apple is juicy and sweet.
Almost immediately after the opening, you can start to pick up the note of vanilla. The vanilla is smooth and creamy and blends in perfectly with the apple and mint. Together, these notes create a sweet yet aromatic aroma. This scent is exactly why Versace Eros is loved so much, as it just smells absolutely incredible.
As the cologne starts to dry down, you can notice a few more aromatic notes, as well as a few more sweet and creamy notes. These all come together to strengthen the scent from the opening, as well as add an extra layer of depth. At this point, the scent itself doesn’t really change that much anymore, leaving you with a sweet and aromatic cologne with a youthful and playful vibe.
Even though Versace Eros is primarily focused on vanilla, the fresh aromatic notes also allow it to be worn in the warmer months. This makes Eros extremely versatile, as there really isn’t any setting, season, or occasion where you cannot wear this cologne. Whether you’re off to work, hanging out with friends, or on a date, this cologne will be great!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring.
- Occasions: Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $
12. Parfums De Marly Layton
Layton is the second Parfums De Marly fragrance on this list and with this one, the scent goes in a fruitier and spicier direction. Made by Hamid Merati-Kashani, this fragrance was released in 2016 and has been a fan-favorite from the house ever since!
- Top Notes: Apple, Lavender, Mandarin, and Bergamot.
- Middle Notes: Geranium, Violet, and Jasmine.
- Base Notes: Vanilla, Cardamom, Sandalwood, Pepper, Patchouli, and Guaiac Wood.
What Does Parfums De Marly Layton Smell Like?
The opening of Layton is sweet and fruity with the notes of apple and vanilla at the front. Along with these two sweet notes are a bunch of fresh and aromatic notes. Hints of several citruses and aromatic floral notes are all present, making for a beautiful and engaging opening.
A little while after the opening, the fresh and aromatic notes slowly start to fade away, leaving more room for the sweet fruits and vanilla to shine. Along with these sweet notes come a few spices, also adding a warm and sweet edge. The spices go great with the sweet and creamy vanilla, but they also go great with the apple, creating an apple pie-like feeling.
In the dry down, the fruitiness from the opening fades away, leaving room for a few warm woody notes to make themselves known. Woody notes always go great with vanilla, and that’s also the case here. Together, they ensure a fitting and equally stunning finish to this wonderful cologne.
Like many colognes on this list, Layton is best worn when the temperatures are on the lower side. However, because of the fresh influences in the opening, you can also wear this one during the spring as well. Throughout these months, this cologne will be great for both formal and casual settings. It’s luxurious, versatile, and smells amazing. What more do you want?
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring, Winter, and Fall.
- Occasions: Casual and Formal.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 8+ Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
13. Giorgio Armani Code Absolu
Giorgio Armani’s Code has been an absolute success, so naturally, they decided to make several flankers. One of those flankers is Code Absolu, a vanilla-based fragrance. Made by Antoine Maisondieu and launched in 2019, Code Absolu has been an amazing pick for all vanilla lovers out there.
- Top Notes: Green Mandarin and Apple.
- Middle Notes: Nutmeg, Orange Blossom, and Carrot Seeds.
- Base Notes: Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Suede, and Woody Notes.
What Does Giorgio Armani Code Absolu Smell Like?
The opening of Code Absolu is sweet with lots of vanilla up front. Added to the vanilla is an undertone of suede, which adds a smooth feeling to the scent. The smoothness of the suede goes great with the smooth and creamy qualities of vanilla, making for a memorable and likable opening.
Not long after the opening will the note of tonka bean start to present itself. Tonka bean, just like vanilla, is sweet and creamy and fits in perfectly with the already established scent. Along with the tonka bean are a few fresh fruits, citruses, and florals, and there’s even the addition of several spices. The spices add a somewhat sharp undertone that quickly mellows out into something warm and smooth.
In the dry down, Code Absolu becomes warm, sweet, smooth, and overall just very seductive. The fruits and citruses fade away, the sharpness of the spices mellow out, and the creaminess of the tonka bean, vanilla, and suede are more accentuated. This results in a smooth and extremely likable scent.
With such a likable and easy-going scent, it’s no surprise that this cologne is extremely versatile. It’s great for a date night, a night out, or a relaxing day at home, but it also wouldn’t be out of place in the office either. The only restriction that this cologne faces is the seasons in which you should wear it; Code Absolu is definitely a cold-weather fragrance.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall and Winter.
- Occasions: Casual and Formal.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 8+ Hours.
- Projection: Strong.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
14. Nishan Ani
When Nishane released Ani in 2019, it took the fragrance world by storm. Many hailed it as the best and most intense vanilla fragrance out there. Made by Cecile Zarokian, this cologne is definitely a stand-out when it comes to vanilla-based fragrances.
- Top Notes: Ginger, Bergamot, Pink Pepper, and Green Notes.
- Middle Notes: Blackcurrant, Cardamom, and Rose.
- Base Notes: Vanilla, Sandalwood, Benzoin, Cedar, Patchouli, Ambergris, and Musk.
What Does Nishane Ani Smell Like?
Nishane’s Ani opens with a sweet scent of vanilla, paired with an intense scent of many green notes. These green notes make for a unique and interesting addition and aren’t really seen that often in combination with vanilla. Although unusual, the green notes work great together with the vanilla, creating a unique and dense scent.
Shortly thereafter, you can start to pick up a few spicy notes. These spicy notes go great with the vanilla and create an oriental-like scent. It takes a little while, but after some time, the green notes do start to disappear. This leaves room for the spicy oriental scent of vanilla to become more pronounced.
As the cologne starts to dry down, the oriental scent of vanilla and spices is accompanied by a few warm woody notes. These woods don’t really influence the scent itself, but they do give it an overall warmer feeling. This leaves you with a gorgeous vanilla cologne, backed primarily by spices and with a unique and green-smelling opening.
Nishane Ani is definitely a warmer and sweeter fragrance, however, with its green opening, it’s not only a cold-weather cologne. Although it works great in the colder months, it’s also great for the spring as well. During these months, there really aren’t any restrictions to this cologne, as it’s just an overall pleasant and likable scent. Wear it to work or casually at home or with friends and you’re good to go!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring, Summer, and Fall.
- Occasions: Formal and Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 8+ Hours.
- Projection: Strong.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$
15. Bvlgari Black
Bvlgari Black is one of the few unisex fragrances from the house and it’s an amazing vanilla-based fragrance. Paired primarily with leather, this fragrance once again provides a scent that isn’t found that commonly. Made by Annick Menardo, this fragrance dates back to 1998.
- Top Notes: Green Tea, Bergamot, and Rose.
- Middle Notes: Sandalwood, Cedar, and Jasmine.
- Base Notes: Leather, Vanilla, Amber, Musk, and Oakmoss.
What Does Bvlgari Black Smell Like?
Bvlgari Black opens with a strong scent of woods and leather, creating an almost gasoline-like scent that isn’t too pleasant. Luckily, this all settles down in a matter of minutes, leaving you with a gorgeously smooth scent of leather, backed by warm and creamy woods.
It doesn’t take long for the creamy scent of vanilla to appear either. The vanilla is smooth, creamy, and sweet and blends in wonderfully with the woods and leather. Along with the leather, the vanilla makes up for the majority of this scent, but you can pick up a few soft floral notes every now and then.
As the cologne starts to dry down, it becomes a bit warmer with the addition of amber. Vanilla and amber always go great together, but along with the leather, you get something truly divine. What you’re left with is a unique cologne that smells sweet, luxurious, smooth, and extremely elegant.
Due to the elegancy, this fragrance is great for any formal occasion, but even casually will it be great. You could even wear this on nights out or dates if you’d like. It’s just very versatile. But it is on the sweeter side, though, so you’re best off wearing this one when it’s colder outside. The cold temperatures will dampen the otherwise somewhat strong and sweet scent, making it much more approachable.
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Fall and Winter.
- Occasions: Casual and Formal.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 4-6 Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$
16. Xerjoff Uden
Xerjoff Uden is a wonderful cologne, launched in 2009, with a fresher and more aromatic scent of vanilla. Paired with a few citruses and woody notes, this fragrance is perfect for anyone looking for a vanilla fragrance that isn’t primarily sweet.
- Top Notes: Citruses, Lemon, and Grapefruit.
- Middle Notes: Rum, Guaiac Wood, Sandalwood, and Rose.
- Base Notes: Vanille, Coffee, Musk, and Ambergris.
What Does Xerjoff Uden Smell Like?
Uden opens with an amazing scent of sweet vanilla and fresh citrusy notes. There are a bunch of citruses present in the opening, but the semi-sweet scent of lemon seems to be one of the strongest. Alongside the lemon is the note of grapefruit, which adds a juicy and zest scent to the mix.
A little while after this fresh opening, you can start to pick up a slightly heavier scent of rum. The rum adds a boozy warmth to the mix that goes amazingly well with the vanilla from the opening. Together, they create a slightly warmer scent, but that doesn’t mean that the fresh citruses have disappeared. No, all of these notes work together in harmony and none really overshadow each other.
As the cologne starts to dry down, a soft undertone of woody notes starts to appear. These woods ensure a warm and fitting dry down, but they aren’t the only notes that do that. There’s also a hint of coffee present, and the coffee goes great with the vanilla and rum. This leaves you with an almost gourmand scent that still has a bunch of fresh aspects to it.
With such a fresh take on vanilla, this cologne is actually best worn during warmer or cooler days. Seasons like the summer, spring, and fall are great for the semi-sweet and fresh scent, and because of its luxurious scent, you can wear it both formally and casually. This really is a rather versatile cologne, especially for a vanilla-based one!
If you’re interested in this fragrance, you can find it here on Amazon!
- Best seasons to wear: Spring, Summer, and Fall.
- Occasions: Formal and Casual.
- Time of day: Daytime and Nighttime.
- Longevity: 6-8 Hours.
- Projection: Moderate.
- Price Range ($-$$$): $$$