Dark Vanilla

Dark vanilla, wood and leather. Inspired by Dark Vanilla.

Spices in the opening, then leather, oud and sandalwood making it deep and warm. The vanilla sits in the base and softens the whole without sweetening it — vanilla as it is meant to be for the evening.

How it develops

Spices open warm and herbal, dry from the start and without sweetness — an opening that makes clear this won't be a dessert vanilla. The heart is where it gains its weight: leather, smooth and slightly smoky, with Cambodian oud making it dark and resinous, sandalwood for the creaminess and patchouli for an earthy floor. Only then does the vanilla arrive, and it does something different from most fragrances: it softens the leather and the wood from the inside rather than laying sweetness over them, with amber rounding everything off warm. Spice, leather, wood — and vanilla as the mortar.

Who it's for, and when

Autumn, winter and evenings. Too heavy in warm weather. Love vanilla with a dark side but want more smoke and less leather, see M-150. Looking for leather and oud without the vanilla, M-180 is the neighbour.

How to wear it

Two sprays on the neck, on moisturised skin. Don't rub. Leather and oud last a long time on fabric — one spray on a coat is enough for days.