Vanille Chocolat Les Senteurs Gourmandes

Summer is faltering or has already taken a break, perhaps just gathering its last strength before the grand finale; in any case, the peak has been surpassed.
Yesterday was the first day when the harbingers of the coming autumn could be felt, it has drastically cooled down, light drizzle, it has become fresh. One must not become nostalgic; I welcome and love these precious days, the changes in nature.
This morning the same weather, one already shivers - I need something warm, something comforting and soft.
My gaze immediately fell on this fragrance, shamefully, I haven't worn you that often, even though you are always sniffed with pleasure and receive many compliments, you should sweeten my Monday.

I had read a lot of good things about the gourmand line so far, often also the similarity to Angel, especially here.
I have come to love Angel again since last year, it had long been tempting to me, but old love does not rust.

Right after applying, I am enveloped by warm, strong, and spicy dark honey, not smoothly dripping but rather viscous, enveloping and intoxicating.
The entry does not seem compact or immobile, just very direct and unembellished, which I like.
It resembles a slow circling of the prey, calm but powerful. Rich brown, earthy and grumbling, patchouli mixes in. Nothing seems blurred or softened, rather rough and a bit dirty, hefty and demanding, yet far from being clumsy or awkward.
Such a strong facet I have not yet experienced from the note, it becomes almost unbearable, oppressive and too firm in consistency, yet the honey sets golden accents and bright sprinkles in this patchouli tornado, taming and dimming the earthy rolling before it.

With the flare of the tobacco, a masculine, smoky, and resinous note joins in, the appearance already shows traits of Angel, however, it seems more complex and more unisex, a man could wear it too, why not.
A honey-dripping, patchouli-loving, spicy-powdery, and tobacco-smoking Oriental without diva-like airs or macho posturing, a mysterious mask that wants to be worn.
The sillage is strong but not arrogant, the scent constantly surrounds me, similar to a warm, strong hand on the neck or an arm that gently but firmly embraces the waist.

It crackles and sparks, yet not exaggerated, it is a melting and golden warmth, marked by hot, smoldering but not blazing embers, dense but not biting smoke clouds, a sweet trace of tobacco lingers in the air like one knows it from pipe smokers in winter.

Towards the end, the shadows lighten, the notes of the fragrance become finer and more feminine, delicate milk chocolate and fragile vanilla, only a cinnamon hint from the patch, with tobacco as a gently adhering fixative.
And by then I ask myself whether it is better or worse than Angel... A difficult question, I actually see it as independent.
From a family, that cannot be denied, I find it more mysterious, not so curvy and bosomy as the loud and shrill sister.
If Angel is a comet, this perfume is the fading tail, iridescent stardust, yet still substantial and enchanting.

I find the longevity appropriate for such a gourmand; even after ten hours, the base melts sensually and deliciously away, even slightly woody, a very versatile scent with such a manageable pyramid, astonishing.

For me, it is just right for cool summer days and the ever-approaching autumn; office-friendly as well. I wanted to experience Angel only in very small doses.

A beautiful gourmand that impresses me with depth, it does not need to hide, those who hate Angel and its twins can forget this one right away, but those who get nostrils as big as a horse's at the mere thought of chocolate and honey should definitely take a sniff.