Vaniglia del Madagascar Spezierie Palazzo Vecchio 1994 Eau de Parfum

After getting a whiff of the highly praised Vanilla West Indies today, I had to admit to myself again that I already know and own the best, (almost) pure vanilla scent. Yes, St. Barth is good, there's certainly no complaint there. Delicate authentic vanilla, my first thought is Wibele (a typical pastry here in Baden-Württemberg, do you know it?) But somehow it lacks that certain something. And by that, I don't mean significantly different notes playing along. Something is missing to make the scent perfect for me. And that's exactly what Vaniglia del Madagascar from IPdF has! Most of my predecessors have aptly described that certain something about this scent: It is not just one-dimensional vanilla, but creamy. It has such a soft, noble cream note that I can't specify further, which wonderfully rounds off the vanilla. Slightly powdery, I would almost say. Lily of the valley now rather puts me off, as I generally don't like lily of the valley scents. And incense, like in Eau Duelle, is definitely not it either. That smells great combined with vanilla, but completely, completely different.

No question, if I didn't know this one, St. Barth would be close to the holy grail of vanilla scents for me. But I have already found my grail, even if the vanilla here doesn't come across as completely pure.

It's intense, the IPdF, and as a wearer, you tend to underestimate the sillage, as it comes across so harmless and delicate. Longevity is superb. And for me, it is definitely a winter scent. One that I am already looking forward to on the cooler days that will soon come!