Notes On Tom Ford’s Vanilla Trio

I went to my local Nordstrom one day to do a bit of personal research on designer cologne. My original goal was to familiarise myself with a vast array of different fragrances as it occurred to me that my impression of men’s colognes lacked any depth. I thought of them as all the same, having no real discernible qualities from one another other than what someone has described to me as— a barber shop sort of smell. I came away stepping over my ignorance and gaining a newfound appreciation for men’s colognes, but that’s a different story. Today, I wanted to talk about the special treat my nose indulged in when I came across the Tom Ford Kiosk. 

I’d like to start with Tobacco Vanille, as it was my first impression of the brand when I smelt it a while back. I was a blind buyer back then, and I came across a good deal on a coffret set that also included Soleil Blanc, Deep Cherry, and Oud Wood. Sadly, out of the four, I only ended up keeping Oud Wood, and regifting the others to friends and family as I found that they weren’t really to my tastes at the time. I remember my disappointment with Tobacco Vanille, finding it pungently sweet and nauseatingly cloying on my skin. I have the delicious misfortune of being a regular smoker, so I had this expectation that the scent would have an essence of smoke or perhaps something sharp to balance out those richer notes. Though this scent isn’t for me, I have a deep appreciation for what it perfectly achieves— an intimate Turkish smoker’s lounge with complimentary bite-sized hors d’oeuvres of sweet treats for their patrons. It’s a scent I can see myself returning to at a different point in the future, but as of right now, I’ll appreciate it on those who walk past. 

Next up is Vanilla Sex which despite my critical opinion of the sickeningly sweet quality of Tobacco Vanille, I found Vanilla Sex’s burst of vanilla to be deliciously pleasant— a vanilla scent that would agree with any gourmand lover! However, I will say I think this fragrance lacks a certain depth compared to her siblings. I personally find that the bitter almond and the floral notes do a lovely job of balancing out the rich foundation compared to Tobacco Vanille, but despite it, it’s a very one-dimensional scent. What you see is what you get, though that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I would consider Vanilla Sex to be the bubbly, and charming little sister that folks dote and fawn over, whereas Tobacco Vanille is the try-hard, suave middle brother. 

Now, while I personally found Vanilla Sex to be comparatively more pleasant on first sniff, Vanille Fatale has a fascinating depth and complexity throughout the entirety of its wear. If Vanilla Sex is the little sister, and Tobacco Vanille is the younger brother, then Vanilla Fatale is the elegant and mature older sister. Vanille Fatale is the perfect blend of her sibling fragrances— sweet but not cloying, and well balanced by its bouquet of florals and side serving of fruits. The rum, myrrh, and saffron on top give her an air of sophistication that avoids being egregious thanks to the thoughtful bursts of citrus, and the barley, coffee, and plum in her heart beautifully carry that air of sophistication as it settles alongside the base. The vanilla and tobacco in its foundation are lovingly cradled by the mossy, sturdy mahogany and sensual suede, complimented by the patchouli, and brightened by the violet. A lovely fragrance through and through that had me tilting my head and beaming each time my nose came across a different note. 

Vanilla as a fragrance personality is notorious— beloved or belittled by those who come across it. Tom Ford’s olfactory range is unsurprising given their large arsenal of fragrances, but the noses behind each fragrance and the way they choose to interpret the impressions of a single note never ceases to amaze me. This scent journey reminded me that regardless of any aversion or preconceived notion I have towards a fragrance, I will at some point find an exception due to the vastness of the world of parfumerie, and it makes me absolutely giddy for all the new fragrances I’ll come across.