Vanilla
Fragrance notes
Character
Tom Ford's Vanilla does exactly one thing, which is also its main flaw depending on what you're shopping for: this is vanilla turned up as far as it goes, with almost nothing else competing for attention. Bitter almond opens the only real top note, sharp and slightly bitter for a moment before it dissolves straight into the vanilla heart.
Vanilla absolute, tonka bean and sandalwood pile on through the base, thick and a little synthetic-smooth thanks to Ultravanil doing a lot of the lifting, and the floral notes never really register against all that sweetness. It smells expensive and well made, but anyone hoping for a more layered gourmand, something with spice or coffee or booze in it, will find this one relentlessly one-note.
Sillage stays modest, a small bubble felt mainly by the wearer, and it wears at a middling pace, not particularly stubborn either way. It's a fine layering base or a cold-weather comfort scent for someone who already loves vanilla as a category, but a poor choice for anyone hoping Tom Ford would do something more ambitious with the note.
Smells similar
We matched these by the notes each one lists, giving more weight to the unusual ones they share. Sharing materials does not make one a copy of the other.
