Deep Dark Vanilla D.S. & Durga 2023

This is NOT A GOURMAND. This vanilla, like many of DS and Durga's fragrances, tells a story- specifically, this one reminds me of a renaissance/colonial era apothecary. If you've ever been to a historical reenactment town and they had a "ye olde pharmacie", it probably smelt like this- there's sarsparilla and hay notes in there. Maybe a bit Henderson Sisters or Florence + The Machine coded, which is great for fall or winter.

For me, vanilla brings to mind sweetness, and this is generally in line with most vanilla fragrances. Deep Dark Vanilla is a departure from the norm, and creates something that brings to mind a cool, fall evening (maybe in Salem?). I'm very intrigued by the aroma, sniffing the vanilla only to find a foreboding concoction of woody, earthy, musty, smoky, and slightly unripe, green notes. I do wish there was a hint of sweetness to dampen the medicinal quality, or at least provide just one more twist in the dry down.

Solid longevity, lasting over 6 hours with moderate sillage for the first few. An interesting brew that could likely layer quite well, maybe with something a bit sweet.

I could envision myself wearing this in fall predominantly, but the darkness is almost too palpable for other seasons. I wouldn't want to wear something so heavy in the summer, and I'd prefer something with a bit more contrasting sweetness or brightness to liven it up on dreary winter days or sunny spring ones. However, I think this perfume really offers a lot. It's a unique take for vanilla lovers, one that certainly sets a mood and tells a vague, spooky story.

This is an interesting one ... It's a touch herbaceous and green, a bit earthy, spicy, camphorous. There's a soft smokiness underneath, and a natural sweetness that wafts up through the layers. It shifts over time, sometimes settling to a simple but pleasant spiced sweetness, sometimes blooming as a rich sweetened earthy herbal woodiness. It reminds me of the D.S.&Durga fragrance "I Don't Know What" - they share that fragrant spiced sweetness. And that same note in Deep Dark Vanilla is reminiscent of true black licorice at times, maybe from the combination of spice and camphor.

After several hours, it's a lovely mixture that's still present, but settled,  a soft, round, sweetened, earthy, herby, woody blend.  I don't have the skill to name everything I'm smelling, but the composition as a whole is full and intriguing.

I don't know if I love Deep Dark Vanilla, but I absolutely do think it's interesting and well-crafted. I'll keep wearing it and enjoying the limbo it places me in.

A more medicinal take on vanilla that is a relief from sugary gourmands. Medicinal isn't bad in my book, it brings to mind herbal shops where you can buy dried roots and barks.

You know when getting blood drawn, the phlebotomist tightly ties your arm with a strip of rubber (in my case it's usually blue) to help them find the vein before sticking the needle? If you take notice, that rubber band has a vanilla scent that slightly calms you, the scent that you cling to while bracing for the prick of the needle. That's this stuff, with a little bit of sarsaparilla.

I like it but don't love it. Seems one dimensional and linear. Might be good for layering (I am thinking clove oil).

I expected a lot of things, but not a medicinal camphor-like opening! Luckily, camphor-like note faded into background quickly, and I got to experience the rest of the fragrance. This is the opposite of 99% of vanilla scents on the market. This is medicinal, raw, herbal, earthy, and medieval patchouli and vanilla. I cannot shake the impression that this is what salves and ointments from a plague doctor would smell like. This scent is dark, indeed.