I Get So Many "You Smell Amazing" Compliments When I Wear This Specific Scent

If you’d asked me this time last year, I’d have told you that gourmand perfumes were not for me, and that vanilla was my least favourite fragrance note. I was firmly in the floral scent camp and had no intention of exploring elsewhere until a certain fragrance landed on my doorstep.

Gourmand scents are ones comprised of an edible note, most commonly a sweet one. Think vanilla, caramel, strawberry… You get the idea. Until recently, I classed them as sickly and off-putting - images of my school days with vanilla body sprays haunting my mind.

Then Phlur hit the fragrance landscape and I smelt Vanilla Skin. It immediately became my go-to scent, and I dared to open my mind and try some more gourmand perfumes. No longer were the fragrances sickly sweet and dated. Instead, there was a whole world of interesting, complex gourmand scents that I wanted to spray all over me. Don’t get me wrong, they are not for everyone, but consider this article a guide to the best beguiling, interesting gourmand fragrances that you just have to smell.

Before I share them with you, I spoke to two experts - Victoria Corrales, Phlur’s SVP of product development, and Jonnie Swarbrick, Fragrance du Bois creative director - in order to understand the gourmand fragrance world better.

Can You Layer Gourmand Fragrances and What Combinations Go Well Together?

Both Swarbrick and Corrales say that gourmand fragrances are great for layering. Swarbrick tells me that combining them “allows you to personalise your scent."

"When layering, balance is essential - combine a sweeter gourmand base with fresh or spicy top layers to add dimension," he adds. "This technique enhances the depth of the gourmand without becoming overwhelming.”

Corrales agrees that balance is essential when layering. She advises you to do this by “pairing the warmth and sweetness of a gourmand with something fresh, floral, or even a woody perfume to add depth and complexity.” I’m a great fan of fragrance layering, as you can create something really unique, or simply just enhance certain notes in your favourite fragrance.

What Is So Appealing to People About a Gourmand Scent?

Corrales believes that “gourmand scents [can be] comforting and decadent, almost like a sensory treat for yourself. There’s something so universal about the allure of sweetness; it reminds us of special moments, indulgent treats, or even the simple joy of a cosy day. I think it’s fun to feel 'edible' too - desired, decadent.”

Swarbrick thinks they have the same appeal. "They resonate with our innate sense of comfort and nostalgia, often evoking memories of indulgent treats or celebratory moments. The brain associates these sweet, edible notes with pleasure and satisfaction, making them universally appealing."

Do Gourmand Scents Work for Both Day and Night Wear?

I wear gourmand fragrances day and night, and feel they effortlessly transition between the two. Swarbrick explains that “during the day, their sweet, comforting notes feel soft and approachable, adding an understated elegance to casual or professional settings. At night, their deeper, richer facets emerge, creating a warm and sophisticated aura ideal for evening events or intimate occasions. This seamless adaptability is part of their charm, allowing them to complement the wearer’s lifestyle, no matter the time of day.”

Corrales advises us to think about the different notes in the fragrances, as their day and night suitability will depend on their composition or on how they’re layered. "During the day, you might gravitate towards lighter, more playful gourmand notes, and for the evening, choose gourmand scents with deeper, richer notes, like tonka bean, or sugared amber, to create a more indulgent, sultry mood."

What Gourmand Notes are Especially Popular at the Moment?

Vanilla is definitely having a moment right now, and there’s more to come. Corrales says that she’s “also seeing consumers loving whipped, lactonic scents that are reminiscent of chantilly cream. Phlur's Heavy Cream (£25) is a testament to this new obsession. Similarly, they seem to gravitate towards marshmallows, or pastry characteristics with buttery or toasted notes.”

Swarbrick has noticed that current “trending notes include caramel, cherry, and creamy sandalwood, all of which provide a balance of sweetness and sophistication. In Fragrance du Bois Voyage À Paris (£295), gourmand vanilla is beautifully enhanced by smoky cedar and cognac-inspired oak fusion, embodying a modern, luxurious interpretation of the gourmand fragrance family. These combinations appeal to contemporary tastes while maintaining an indulgent, elegant quality.”

The Best Gourmand Fragrances, Chosen by Editors

• Best sugary gourmand perfume: Kilian Paris Love, Don't Be Shy
• Best warm gourmand perfume: Jo Malone London Myrrh Tonka Cologne Intense
• Best vanilla gourmand perfume: Phlur Vanilla Skin
• Best gourmand body mist: Sol De Janeiro Cheirosa 62

1. Kilian Paris Love, Don't Be Shy

2. Jo Malone London Myrrh Tonka Cologne Intense

3. Phlur Vanilla Skin

4. Sol De Janeiro Cheirosa 62

5. Byredo Vanille Antique

6. Maia Njie Tropica

7. YSL Black Opium

8. Burberry Goddess

More of the Best Sophisticated Gourmand Fragrances: