Vanilla in Bourbon Scents of Wood 2022

I don't own a lot of vanilla scents, as they typically get too sweet and cloying. This one is really nice! It's a not-sweet vanilla that exudes comfort and coziness. I liked it on rainy days in the Spring but it's not too much for Summer either. Longevity is decent, I can still catch whiffs from my skin after a few hours. This is nice work!

Scents of Wood Vanilla in Bourbon is a boozy, spicy, vanilla that pivots away from the sweeter vanilla-dominance of most “bourbon vanilla”-type scents. Still, it’s mostly a gourmand, but a spiced vanilla in the way that sometimes chocolate or vanilla extract smell on their own, quite alcoholic, but not acerbic. So it’s a very pleasant, mostly-gourmand, blended vanilla and spiced fragrance. It reminds me most (in that characterization) of Gallagher Fragrances Wicked Good, but with an added booziness that distinguishes it, but a similar sort of deep vanilla but not saccharine aspect to it.

Vanilla in Bourbon has the same pricing as most of the brand, at $240/38 for 75/10ml, sold in the US at great boutiques like Perfumology, among others, and its performance is quite great. This is yet another fragrance from the line that I’d argue is easily full-bottle-worthy were it not for the sheer number of great offerings. I do enjoy the 10ml size as a way to have an extended trial of each of my favorites.

Overall, it’s another outstanding entry with the depth, care, and quality I’ve come to associate with this house.

8 out of 10

Vanilla in Bourbon is a truly prominent vanilla scent for me. In this regard, the name fits really well. Furthermore, the name includes "Bourbon".
I admit I am searching in vain for something tipsy in the direction of Bourbon. You won't find a kind of whiskey or anything similar here.

The scent starts for me directly with this wonderful vanilla note, which already has a slightly dark undertone in the background. I emphasize "slightly" because it never really becomes dark. This type of vanilla, as it is presented, can perhaps be compared to a vanilla from an Angelique Noire by Guerlain or the unfortunately discontinued Oud - Black Vanilla Absolute by Perry Ellis. A vanilla that even has almost slightly balsamic vibes and simply exudes a certain warmth.

Along with the vanilla, there are a few well-placed spices, especially cinnamon, but also a bit of cardamom. Furthermore, everything has a slightly "ambered" quality, and you also get a pleasantly woody impression.
The whole thing is enveloped in a gentle veil of incense.

From time to time, I also had the feeling of sniffing a kind of dark cocoa, baking cocoa, or slightly earthy cocoa. This fit well with the balsamic vanilla.

I admit this scent doesn't blow me away. I had higher expectations, but why?
I don't know.
In essence, it is definitely not a bad scent, and you can really wear it well.
However, if you are looking for something Bourbon, you are in the wrong place.