Hey guys, ya' know... Vanilla is totally misunderstood. Some call it basic. Some call it safe. Some think it’s just sweetness. But in perfumery? Vanilla is architecture. It can be smoky, It can be leathery, It can be animalic, It can be creamy, resinous, boozy, spicy, addictive... the list goes on! Team Vanilla in The Gourmand Wars isn’t cupcake territory. This is strength and seduction in 16 different dialects. 🍦 VANILLA — DESIGNER The Power Players : These are the heavy hitters. Projection, spice, tobacco and amber wrapped around vanilla backbone. 1. Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille -The benchmark. Dark tobacco leaf, dried fruits and commanding vanilla. This is opulence and authority in a bottle. Vanilla here is structural, not decorative. 2. Mercedes-Benz Club Black - Smooth, resinous and warm. A reminder that designer vanilla can feel refined without being overpowering. A quiet confidence contender. 3. Giorgio Armani Stronger with You Intensely - Sticky sweet amber-vanilla energy. Modern, addictive and crowd-pleasing. The one that knows how to work a room. 4. Yves Saint Laurent Babycat - Smoky, leathery vanilla sophistication. Not loud, but deeply composed. A thinking man’s vanilla. 5. Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme - Explosive spice over warm vanilla base. Bold and unmistakable. A winter staple. 6. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male Elixir - Honeyed vanilla swagger. Sweet, loud and unapologetic. A statement fragrance through and through. 7. Paco Rabanne Invictus Victory Elixir - Sweet vanilla wrapped in strength and projection. Nightlife dominance in vanilla form.

John Varvatos Artisan is one of those fragrances that instantly transports you to a sunlit courtyard somewhere along the Mediterranean—citrus trees in bloom, warm air carrying a soft herbal breeze. The opening is bright and cheerful, led by clementine and tangerine, before orange blossom and ginger add a refined freshness that keeps it feeling clean rather than sweet. As it settles, a gentle musk and aromatic herbal notes lend a soft sophistication that feels effortless and approachable. While Artisan has fallen out of my regular rotation over time, that in no way diminishes what a wonderful scent it is. In fact, John Varvatos fragrances were among my very first fragrance purchases, and Artisan helped shape my appreciation for fresh, well-blended compositions that feel both classic and modern. It’s the kind of scent that never demands attention yet consistently earns compliments for its understated charm. Easy to wear, uplifting, and quietly elegant, Artisan remains a timeless warm-weather companion that’s always a pleasure to revisit.