Gourmand scents are not one of the original olfactory groups devised when categorising fragrances unlike, say, woody or floral. And yet they have come to the fore through the decades to encapsulate fragrances with the creamy, sweet, sugary notes more often found in desserts. Think chocolate, vanilla, praline, pistachio, tonka and caramel, gourmand fragrances can have an addictive, moreish feel to them and yet are often be dismissed as sickly and cloying. However, when blended with notes to lift them like white florals, or darker more savoury notes of sandalwood and amber, we’d argue that they can balance out to be neck-nuzzlingly good. Decadent, classic and like your favourite cashmere sweater.

Main image: Dior

Here Are 12 Of Our Favourites


Beauty Pie

Vanille Nue, Members price £28 OTF BETA
A modern take on a classic vanilla scent profile with top notes of fresh bergamot and rum absolute, heliotrope and jasmine - all on a bed of musk. Addictive.


DS & Durga

Pistachio, £155 PISTACHIO
Pistachio perfumes have garnered 11.4m views on TikTok, with Pistachio by DS & Durga at the heart of the scent maelstrom. With pistachio, cardamom, roasted almond and vanilla crème, it has all the makings of a delicious dessert, but worn on the skin it dries down to an intriguing mix of sweet and green freshness.


Dior

Vanilla Diorama, £125 Unisex Eau De Parfum - Ambery And Gourmand Notes
As you might expect from the house of Dior, Vanilla Diorama exudes elegance – without a cupcake in sight. The semi-sweet scent has impressive longevity, with spicy cardamom, amber, bitter cocoa and orange zest to complete the well-rounded, rich fragrance.


Les Senteurs Gourmandes

Vanille Chocolat, €37 VANILLE CHOCOLAT
It may sound like a French patisserie, but Les Senteurs Gourmandes’ Vanille Chocolat scent has bitter chocolate balanced with the sweetness of honey and spices of cumin and anise. With lighter notes of bergamot and citron, it lands just on the right side of sickly and is decadently moreish.


Floral Street

Wild Vanilla Orchid, £29 Wild Vanilla Orchid Eau De Parfum
A long-lasting vanilla fragrance that doesn’t smell of home baking can be hard to find. This sweet vanilla is offset with tart cassis and vibrant citrus notes with a sandalwood depth to give it that staying power.


Byredo

Rouge Chaotique, £280 Night Veils Rouge Chaotique Extrait De Parfum 50ml Copy
Oud and gourmand notes aren’t immediately obvious bedfellows, but the hypnotic blend of spicy oud and saffron with syrupy plum and nutty praline clings to skin sensuously.


Diptyque

Eau Duelle, £153 Vanilla, Pink Peppercorn, Cypriol, Incense Copy
The sweet sugary bourbon vanilla notes are met with smoky incense and spicy pink peppercorn for an intense gourmand hit.


L’Artisan Parfumeur

Bana Banana, £170 BANA BANANA
Amber and candied bananas – weird right? Hear us out. This creamy scent smells decadent on the skin without a hint of milkshake – instead, notes of iris, violet, tonka and nutmeg create a cosy, sweet and rich blend that is undoubtedly addictive.


Tom Ford

Vanilla Sex, £290 Vanilla Sex Eau De Parfum 50ml
There is nothing boring about Tom Ford’s Vanilla Sex scent profile. It is warm, sexy with hints of amaretto and sandalwood to give it the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.


Jo Malone

Myrrh & Tonka, £150 Myrrh & Tonka Cologne Intense Copy
From the Cologne Intense range, this resinous scent lingers long into the night, with intoxicating notes of warm almond, vanilla and tonka. The perfect date night scent.


Sol de Janeiro

Cheriosa ’62, £24 Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 Perfume Mist 90ml
Pistachio, almond and salted caramel, mixed with the scent of salty skin, jasmine and sunshine. Brazilian summer in a bottle.

Boy Smells

Italian Kush, £105 ITALIAN KUSH FINE FRAGRANCE
Sicily in a spritz: expect notes of sweet pistachio, patchouli, sandalwood and limoncello.