Gourmand Perfumes – Our Top Ten Favorites + Seven Incredible Edible All Hallow’s Eve Fragrance Draw

Delight_2009 will cotton how sweet it is

Left: Delicious sculpture by Artist Will Cotton

"Today there are so many gourmand fragrances it is hard to imagine a world without them.  In the 1990's,one of the important factors in this trend was coined by Faith Popcorn, who wrote of the lifestyle concept of "cocooning"; a general feeling of happy times spent at home with friends and family. Watching movies at home, cooking, dining  and throwing lavish parties  became very popular again.  People began to seek out new and exciting things to eat and drink. This Macro trend also connected well with fragrances, and the first modern gourmand Thierry Mugler's Angel debuted (Angel is thought by many perfumers to be the child of Shalimar.  This was archieved by removing the old fashioned powdery notes and replacing them with chocolate, adding more vanilla and then removing the classical citrus notes and introducing a juicy dewberry accord. It seems that was old  became new again)".-Kevin Verspoor, Independent Perfumer and Contributor

 

vanillaabsoluecafleurebon

AlexLaw aka Masterofstyles, Contributor

Hilde Soliani's Doolciiisssimo is based on an unconventional Milanese desert, a vanilla custard cream wrapped in cherry tobacco. Rare is the perfume where every single wearing feels like the first but rarer still is the one that screams "this perfume is me" Doolciiisssimo achieves this tireless affinity, never failing to melt me on the spot in the best gourmand tradition

arabie serge lutens

Nancy Knows, Contributor

 Dark Queen  via designaemporter.tumblr.com

I have a love-hate relationship with gourmands, as on first spray they appeal to me as comfort fragrances, but most of them cloy after a few hours’ wear.  Serge Lutens Arabie is one of the few sweet scents that never becomes sickly or insipid.  Its inspiration is a mid-Eastern spice shop, but it reminds me of the version of faerie from my beloved urban fantasy novels.  Smoke tendrils curl in and out of a dark wood over plates of candied fruit and rare spices left out as tribute to a dark queen.

anima dulcis arquiste edp

Valerie Vitale, Contributing Editor

Great gourmands speak to opulence, tap our imagination, and concentrate on the sensuous side of gastronomy. Arquiste Parfumeur Anima Dulcis by perfumers Rodrigo Flores-Roux and Yann Vasnier delivers this and more in a formula whose core is based on a recipe for spiced hot cocoa that Carlos Huber rediscovered while restoring a 15th century convent in Mexico City. Ornate notes of Chocolate, Vanilla, Cinnamon, and Chili are kept in line by striking animalic and subtle smoky strokes, creating kindling warmth, and making it an almost edible fragrant flame.

gourmand perfumes 3

John Reasinger, Sr Editor

When it comes to something yummy warm and ultra-comfortable I always reach for Hungry, Hungry Hippies by Brent Leonosiso of  smell bent. With its delicious and decadent blend of dark cacao-cannabis brownies dusted with robust cassis it truly takes my breath away and warms my soul at the same time. An unusual addition of a soil tincture adds to the already earthy dark patchouli and a sublime woodiness reminiscent of sandalwood remains on the skin sprinkled throughout with powdery hints of chocolate.

Ever on the cutting edge, far outside the box, Etat Libre d’Orange’sTilda Swinton Like This is the perfect gourmand that, technically isn’t one. An amazingly inspired perfume that is creamy, yet smoky, and has a superb balance in the maple-heavy immortelle flower and softly spiced pumpkin capturing a collection of smells more like grandma’s kitchen than any one particular food. Soft flowers, including a sweet and nutty heliotrope, augmented with musk and vetiver make this a wonderful potion and a true olfactory treat.

Kisses_2004 will cotton

Kisses 2004 Artist Will Cotton

Tama Blough, Sr Editor

There have been perfumes with edible notes for ages, but the modern perfume that launched a thousand imitations is Thierry Mugler Angel. Chocolate, vanilla, caramel, all kinds of yummy ingredients combine to make a perfume masterpiece that has polarized the perfume community, but found a late-bloomer fan in me. I own it in several iterations, and enjoy all of them. When I wear Angel, I remember to apply discreetly, and it is a warm cloud of delicious.

 

Cocoa is an interesting note in perfumery; one that I have come to appreciate over time. One of my first experiences with cocoa as a note was in the divine Cocoa Tuberose by Charna Ethier of Providence Perfumes. The combination of the cocoa with the heady, tropical tuberose was a stroke of perfumery genius. I remember the first time I smelled it, my perfume world was expanded tenfold into whole new ofactory territory. I cherish my bottle.

favorite gourmand perfumes

Mark Behnke, Managing Editor

Despite my profligacy when it comes to perfume I am a creature of habit in many other parts of my life. One of those is my morning coffee from Starbucks. I drink a Hazelnut Macchiato replace the vanilla flavor with even more hazelnut. I love the aroma and flavor of hazelnut. When I want hazelnut in my fragrance I turn to 2006’s Parfumerie Generale Aomassai. Pierre Guillaume also knows how to hold the vanilla and add in an overload of hazelnut as the opening phase of Aomassai is all about hazelnut contained in a lush candy coating of caramel and licorice. A pinch of spicy cinnamon and the resinous woody base make for my favorite hazelnut fragrance.

If we’re having hazelnut then I need some coffee and for that Bond No. 9 New Haarlem is the right cup of olfactory java. Maurice Roucel created one of the great gourmand perfumes in 2004 with New Haarlem. M. Roucel doesn’t make a still life of coffee he creates an impression of coffee and swirls in fascinating add-ins like lavender and patchouli along with the obvious like vanilla. His use of patchouli, in particular, is brilliant here as it is the linchpin which turns this into a piece of olfactory art.

icecreamcaverncafleureboncandy girl

Ice cream Cavern Artist Will Cotton

Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

I am a candy girl in a Mitsouko world.  Which is ironic because I don't have a sweet tooth and I seldom eat desserts. Blame it on the calories; I rather waft than ingest.  Vanille Aoud by Parfums M.Micallef is a stand out gourmand and is the first  Parfums M.Micallef I bought, back in 2006 (before the bazillions of ouds flooded the market).  Billowy clouds of vanilla and ylang-ylang bathe in benzoin then  swirl around a barely there oud note which adds depth and richness to a seamlessly blended composition (created by Jean Claude Astier,2005). A  hint of  dried fruit and a sprinkle of spice makes Vanilla Aoud perfect for the Oud-phobic and those leery of yet another cloying generic vanilla perfume. There is really nothing else I have smelled like it.

Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief

 

For our favorite Gourmand Perfumes Draw:

like this etat libre d'orange tilda swinton ginger perfume

100ml of Like This Tilda Swinton  courtesy of Etienne de Swardt and the team at  Etat Libre D'Orange  Worldwide

m micallef vanilla aoud

 75 ml of Vanille Aoud courtesy of Martine Micallef and Geoffrey Nedjman of Parfums M. Micallef WORLDWIDE Available at Parfumerie Nasreen

New_Haarlem bond 9 100 ml favorite gourmand perfume

Merci to Laurice & Company for 100 ml of New Haarlem from Bond No.9 USA ONLY

anima dulcis arquiste

Courtesy of the Beautiful Nasreen of Parfumerie Nasreen 1.7 oz of Arquiste Anima Dulcis USA ONLY

serge lutens arabie

Thank you to our friends at fragrancenet.com for 1.7 oz of Serge Lutens Arabie. USA ONLY

cocoa tuberose providence perfume company chocolate and vanilla  notes in perfumery cafleurebon

With gratitude to Natural Perfumer Charna Ethier for 30 ml of Cocoa Tuberose. Available at Twistedlily.com USA ONLY

angel shooting star perfume

Our generous friends at Clarins USA, who are the US distributor for Thierry Mugler Fragrances are sponsoring 1.7 oz of Angel in the refillable Shooting Star flacon USA ONLY

To be eligible please leave a comment with your thoughts on gourmand perfumes, our perfume reviews and which of the 7 above (list as many as you would like, country restrictions)  you would like to win. We can't guarantee it, but we will try to match you with your selection. Happy Halloween from all of us at CaFleureBon. Draw closes November 4, 2013

 

Editor's Note: I asked Fragrance Expert and author Michael Edwards for additional insight into Thierry Mugler's Angel. He wrote, "Thierry Mugler expressed the concept of a gourmand fragrance most poetically in  the book Perfume Legends by Michael Edwards:I want something mouth-watering and tasty, which reminds me of my childhood¹, he said. The scent of a fairground, candy floss, little cakes, chocolates, caramels and things like that¹. Initially, it surprised us. Imagine, a couturier¹s perfume which conjures up the scents of childhood. But the more we thought about it, the more interesting the idea seemed. And so, Yves de Chiris,[former vice president of fragrance marketing at Quest International], perfumer Olivier Cresp and I started to work on the idea".-Michelyn

We announce the winners only on site, and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

54 − 53 =

126 comments

  • I think well done gourmand scents are so cozy and comforting. This summer I enjoyed my bottle of L ‘Eau de Shalimar, which wears on me like a lemony vanilla meringue. I love my bottle of Angel Liqueur series, and in the winter my Womanity (gosh, I hate that name) Liqueur edition is crunchy edible and delicious.

    I would love to win any of these perfumes, but in particular the Tilda Swinton Like This m Serge Luten Arabie, or Micallef Vanilla Aoud. They are all absolute winners, though. Thanks for a lovely review.

  • To me, nothing beats a gourmand at bedtime. They conjure up warm cuddlies that lead to sleep. I would love either Arabie or New Haarlem. Thanks so much from Florida for another generous draw!

  • I’m with Michelyn would rather wear than eat, although I will indulge. I have several gourmand perfumes and find them very comforting at times. I have not yet tried Parfumerie Generale Aomassai but I truly think I must now. Lovely mouth watering article, now the choice is so difficult but I would love MM Vanilla Aoud.

  • I always relate gourmand with vanilla and there are so many fragrances in the market that have many different vanilla nuances. But from the perfumes above, my choice would be Serge Lutens Arabie

  • wefadetogray says:

    I am not sure how to chose between so many delights here. ca fleur bon has made it very difficult with all these temptations. I adore the sweetness of Parfumerie Generale in general (Musc Maori being one of those things I can only wear to bed because of the sweet chocolate note) however Aomassai does not work on my at all. For an unhealthy dose of gourmand I go for Praline de Santal and I just get a weird sense of relief.
    I’d love to try MM Vanilla Aoud, Anima Dulcis, and New Haarlem for sure. Thanks for this incredibly generous draw. I am in the US, in case you need that info.

  • I adore Angel and I have been looking for other gourmands. On the fence with Prada Candy, but I would love to try Like This. 🙂

  • I find gourmand fragrances very comforting. I haven’t tried Angel in years, but this made me want to give it another chance. I live in the US, and my choices would be Tilda Swinton Like This and Bond New Haarlem. Thanks!

  • I am picky about perfumes, and there are so many gourmands that are just pain vanilla! I really enjoyed this top ten list and would like New Haarlem, Vanilla Oud (this sounds great) Angel, Like This tilda swinton Cocoa Tuberose or Anima Dulcis by Arquiste. I am off to find happy happy hippie though… sounds fun
    happy halloween

  • Gourmands have always been tricky for me as well, my first few experiences with “designer” gourmands did not end well as I found most to be too cloying akin to the experience one might have with Joop, but this seemed to be every gourmand.

    However, after experiencing a few well-done gourmands like Mugler’s Pure Havane/Pure Malt, Ambre Narguile, and Bond No.9 New Haarlem, I have come to love them for their comforting scents.

    Even though I have a smidgeon 10 ml left of New Haarlem, I’d definitely would like a full bottle to replenish my supply. It is quite good scent for the winter months…well winter month singular in Arizona, haha.

    Thank you once again to this site and the suppliers for a most generous draw!

  • There’s nothing better that a gourmand scent for winter, it is the time to bring the sweetness for the cold weather and long nights. The review that gets most of my attention is Cocoa Tuberose, sounds really interesting. I live in the US and would love to win Anima Dulcis or Cocoa Tuberose of course! Thanks.

  • I am a neophyte with regards to gourmand perfumes the one I love is Un bois Vanille that on me it smells like a high calorie caramel, milky sugary, sugar in the best possible way. I don’t like Angel. I tried it several times but it is somehow not in agreement with my skin.
    I’d love to win Anima Dulces or Vanilla Aoud.
    Thanks for this draw.

  • John  chose my favorite gourmand of all time…Like This by Etat Libre d'Orange! After reading this article I'd love to try Vanilla Aoud and Anima Dulcis. Thanks for the draw and the mouthwatering article! I am in the U.S.

  • I love gourmands, and enjoyed all of the writers choices, especially Anima Dulcis and New Haarlem. I would love to win Anima Dulcis or Aoud Vanille. Thanks for the opportunity

  • Gourmand perfumes are my guilty pleasure. They don’t fit with my image–or the image I have of myself–but I just can’t help loving them, so they’re what I wear when I’m alone. I love almost all the one’s listed in this post! But if I could have any one bottle, I’d love the Anima Dulcis. Second choices would be Like This and Arabie.

  • I love the sound of the perfumes on the list ( though I had tried quite a few on the list as well). Gourmands are both yummy;satisfies the sweet tooth sans the calories, and soothing, especially in cooler weather. International reader here, I would like to win Anima Dulcis, Cocoa Tuberose, or Like This.

  • Love Gourmand fragrances especially during the cooler months here in Wisconsin which we have plenty of. Gourmands are comforting and work very well on my skin. Anima Dulcis, Like This and Cocoa Tuberose are my choices. I am in the US and thank you to the sponsors for those fabulous draws.

  • When I first started to seriously explore perfumes, the idea of gourmands didn’t appeal to me. But as I’ve become more open to different notes and genres, I’ve learned that some gourmands are comforting rather than cloying. I’d love to win Like This, Vanilla Oud, Anima Dulcis, or New Haarlem. I’m in the US; thanks for the draw!

  • Typically I haven’t been a fan of gourmands. I dislike smelling too much of something sweet and edible, as it can be cloying and nauseating to me. However, your reviews here may have convinced me to branch out and try a few. I would love to try Arabie, Anima Dulcis, Cocoa Tuberose, Tilda Swinton Like This, or Vanilla Aoud. Thank you so much for the draw!

  • Ah gourmands. My favorite type to wear year round, but especially in the Fall. Better than sweets. I am in the USA. Thanks for the draw. I would hope to win New Haarlem.

  • Since I can’t eat tasty treats very often I must get my pleasure from wearing gourmand scents! I am most interested in trying Anima Dulcis or Vanilla Oud. Thank you for the delicious reviews and drawing!

  • My fave category is gourmand. Very comforting scents on me.
    I would like to win Anima Dulcis or Angel or Cocoa Tuberose. 🙂
    U.S.
    Thank you

  • I don’t have many gourmand fragrances in my collection, but I still enjoy them especially when the colder weather arrives. New Haarlem and Mother from Opus Oils are among my favorites. I love Haarlem’s chocolate, caramel, lavender, coffee and immortelle richness. Opus Oil’s Mother is a winner with its sweet succulent figs and chocolate that entices my nose and mouth so much that I can almost taste them in my mouth! I would like to win either of the following fragrances: SL Arabie, Cocoa Tuberose, Arquiste Anima Dulcis or New Haarlem. Doesnt matter which one. Thanks for thevwonderful draw. I’m in the US

  • You are speaking my language! I love gourmands. I have 0.5 oz of Angel that I love. This review has opened up my eyes to more fragrances to put on my wish list; what a great addition for Halloween. It would be an absolute pleasure to win any of these, but if I have to choose New Haarlem as it has been on my wishlist for a long time. Second would be Vanilla Aoud because I cannot pass up a unique ylang ylang, rich vanilla fragrance. “There is really nothing else I have smelled like it.” Sold! I am in the USA.

  • I have not had the courage to explore gourmands yet, but this seems like the perfect time to start! I would particularly love to try Vanilla Aoud, Like This Tilda Swinton, SL Arabie, or Cocoa Tuberose. I am in the US, and thank you for the draw.

  • I love gourmands and find them comfy cozy for the long winter months in Cleveland, Ohio. I love to smell them lingering on my sweaters. I would gladly enjoy any of these scents, but New Haarlem and Tilda Swinton Like This would be particularly enjoyable to me. Thanks for the opportunity.

  • Cocoa Tuberose sounds like a warm cup of yummy. Vanilla Aoud would be exciting to me as well. Thanks, I am in the US.

  • I enjoyed all of these reviews. I’m another latecomer to Angel but Taste of Fragrance is probably my favorite gourmand. I would most like to win Bond 9 New Haarlem or Tilda Swinton Like This, thanks!

  • helical gnome says:

    I truly enjoy gourmand perfumes, in particular I enjoy vanilla scents. I tried once cocoa tuberose but my skin amplified something terrible so I couldnt enjoy it. My favorite gourmand scent has to be West Side (Bond no 9) a yummy vanilla that is!
    I would love to get Vanilla Aoud. I would also like Anima Dulcis and New Haarlem. I live in the US.
    Thanks for this wonderful draw.

  • A good gourmand can carry me through a tough day. Like many others, I love them as a bedtime scent, but I wear them any time I want something soothing. Anima Dulcis and New Haarlem are both favorites and I’ve only owned decants of them. I would love to win either! I’m in the US.

  • Nice piece! I wouldn’t say I like gourmands more than any other category, but I definitely like a lot of them, and I love your contributors’ and editors’ take on the genre. I especially love that John mentioned Hungry Hungry Hippies, which I think is such a fun gourmand scent.

    I would truly be happy to win any of these scents, but especially Cocoa Tuberose or Arabie. Thanks so much for the opportunity!

  • Love gourmand perfumes. So very comforting.
    I would love to win Anima Dulcis, New Haarlem or Angel.
    Thanks!!

  • I have to recognize I had a love and hate relationship with this type of fragrances. It was hate at the beginning but as somebody said in the review, they are everywhere. I learnt to tolerate them and today I can’t live without them. I prefer the ones called gourmands for grown ups. Once again I have to say that Mark’s review and comments are very similar with my thoughts on Aomassai and New Haarlem. Great choices both of them.

    I would love to win Arabie or New Haarlem. I am in US.

  • Men LOVE gourmands so do I need say more and I’m a layer and a gourmand layers nicely and they float thru the air I love them at bedtime also make me sleep so good I would like. To win any of the reviewed perfumes I live in the Us

  • Judy Woodfill says:

    I think, so far, Arabie is my favorite. I look forward to trying more gourmands – hopefully any of those reviewed.

  • Gourmands can be tricky on my skin but when they work they are lovely. Your reviews are always interesting!
    I am in the US and I would like the Arabie or Vanilla Aoud.

    Happy Halloween!

  • Chapeau Clack says:

    Great article as usual! i love to learn what my favorite perfume bloggers actually wear on themselves.
    Me, I can’t wear most mainstream gourmands at all no matter how much I love sweet fragrances. My skin tends to bring out an unpleasantly chemical component in them. But I find that there are joys to be found in niche-land. My big loves for now are the unabashedly sweet Traversee du Bosphore and the slightly more reserved Douce Amere. Out of the ones mentioned in the artilce I found Aomassai to be a bit of an overkill. I yet have to revisit that one in really cold weather though.
    I would love to try ELDO Like This and M.Micallef’s Vanilla Aoud and I’m outside of the US.

  • Gourmands for me are for the most part comfort scents and sometimes nighttime scents. Men do seem to notice when I’m wearing vanilla.

    I would love Arquiste Anima Dulcis or perhaps Arabie, which I am unfamiliar with. Cocoa Tuberose sounds gorgeous too.

    I live in the U.S.

  • I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, and most of the gourmand fragrances I’ve come across just smell too sickly for me (especially the vanilla-heavy ones). But I do enjoy my sample of Hungry Hungry Hippies, it’s dirty enough to work for me!

    I would love to win ELDO’s Tilda Swinton Like This. Thank you for the draw! I’m in Australia.

  • It truly does seem like the time if year for a solid gourmand fragrance. In my opinion, a good one will invite you in and envelop your senses and sensibilities in comforting familiarity. Sigh. I would love, love, love to win Arabie or try Arquiste Anima Dulcis. The description,” almost edible fragrant flame”, sounds fascinating. I am in the US. Thanks

  • I enjoy a gourmand occasionally. My favourite is Blue Sugar because it’s instantly warming and comforting. I like New Haarlem, and a couple more mentioned here, but I’ve not tried them all. The reviews do make them sound inviting though, especially Vanilla Aoud.
    I’d like to win Like This Tilda Swinton and Vanilla Aoud,
    ty

  • You’ve summarized in a single article all my favorite gourmet flavors. Winter is coming … I want to discover Like this from ELO. the only one I have not purchased yet.

  • Some gourmands are lovely and others can be a little too much. I do have a love for vanilla and cocoa perfumes that are curbed by a smokey scent. You have one of my absolute favorite gourmand perfumes listed- Cocoa Tuberose. That would be my choice. Thank you for the draw. I live in the US.

  • Before I even knew that the word gourmand existed in relation to perfume I used to wear Angel constantly. Now I am drooling over Vanilla Aoud, and would love to win a bottle!
    (I am international)

  • maysamassimo says:

    I really like gourmand scents because they can be really comforting when they are not too sweet. My favorite is Orchidee Vanille by Van Cleef & Arpels, which I love. I would like to win Cocoa Tuberose and Anima Dulcis. I’m in the US.

  • Happy Halloween!!! I used to be prejudiced against gourmands because some of them smelt like cake due to the loads of bad &sickly vanilla they had. All changed for me too when I tried SL Arabie!!!
    There was no way back!
    I’d like to win Like This Tilda Swinton and Vanilla Aoud since I am in the UK
    Thank you!

  • Gourmands are always my first choice in fragrance! I find them comforting and pleasant to be around. I love sweets, and indulge a little more often than I should! I would love to win M.Micallef Vanilla Aoud and Providence Perfumes Cocoa Tuberose. I live in the US. Thanks for this “sweet” draw!

  • I like Michelyn Camen’s review. Her thoughts concerning gourmand scents gave me a smile since I do love sweets however I prefer to “waft than ingest” because of the too many calories.
    Like Michelyn I am a candy girl since I love the smell of vanilla, chocolate, coffee and caramel. I simply adore gourmand scents. I can’t resist the sweet sensual smell of vanilla so if I win … Vanilla Aoud by M.Micallef Parfums would be number one choice.
    My wishes for a Happy Halloween time.

  • Thanks for the perfectly timed article – fragrant treats in time for Halloween for those of us beyond trick or treating years! My favourite gourmand is Annick Menardo’s classic Lolita Lempicka, however I also have to mention the decadent Mona di Orio’s d’or Vanille, as it’s boozy vanilla definitely has a gourmand aspect to it. I like very much that Arabie was included on your top ten – there is a lot to be said for gourmands which aren’t of the saccharine variety, but include the sweetness of resins, or dried fruits.
    I’d love to win Tilda Swinton Like This (pumpkin AND immortelle :D) or Vanille Aoud. Thanks for the opportunity!

  • Gourmands are my favorite class, for all seasons! They receive the most compliments of any fragrances I wear! (Alessandra and Acqua e Zucchero included). I had forgotten about Hungry, hungry Hippos–must investigate! If I win I would love Arquiste Anima Dulcis.

  • lovethescents says:

    I adore gourmands. It might be well be my favorite category. I would love to win the Micallef. Thank you for this opportunity!

  • I love gourmands, my favorite was Alien The taste of Fragrance, a limited edition a few years ago. I also like Love by Kilian. I’d like to win Vanilla Aoud or Tilda Swinton Like This (I’m in Romania)

  • I fell crazy for Angel when it first came out. Brought a sample spray with me to Paris, and it was in Paris that I first wore it. It was revolutionary, like no other perfume I’d smelled. I bought a bottle soon after my trip, and it’s been a holy grail perfume for me since. I would love to win any of the fragrances! Not familiar with them all, but gourmand is a favorite genre for me, so they’re all good. 🙂 Like This, Vanille Aoud, New Harlem, Anima Dulcis, Arabie, Cocoa Tuberose, or Angel. Thank you!!!!

  • When the weather is cooler I reach for my gourmands and angel was my first followed by Lolita Lempicka
    I adore the work of Maurice Roucel btw and tocade is another favorite gourmand
    I found the introduction fascinating about the cultural aspect of cocooning in the 90s tieing into the trend for comfort food and fragrance and that Angel has a bit of shalimar structure
    Great top ten gourmand list and I would love to win New Haarlem. Vanilla Aoud, cocoa tuberose,arabie, Angel, anima dulcis, or like this
    They all appeal to me as I read your lovely reviews

  • HAHA! A candy girl in a mitsouko world. I feel like that too as I LOVE gourmand fragrances and think all of your reviews are wonderful. I would love Vanilla Oud, Anima Dulcis, Serge Lutens Arabie, Cocoa Tuberose, New Haarlem and of course one can never have enough Angel! Great job CaFleureBon

  • Valerie has me convinced that I need to revisit Anima Dulcis (I tested it from a one ml sample and it went all dry and dusty on me). I would like to win Anima Dulcis, Vanilla Aoud or Arabie. I am in the US.

  • I do have a sweet tooth and right now I have been wearing like crazy Perfumerie Generale Indochine which is spicy sweet goodness! I am in the US and would live to win any of the following, and thanks for such a generous draw-

    Arabie
    New Harlem
    Anima Dulcis
    Like This

    Ramona 🙂

  • I like gourmands as long as they have a savory,dusty dry,smoky woody side to them.I wear Shalimar, Visa, Santal Blanc.I would love to win Micallef Vanilla Aoud.I’m based in Ireland

  • My favorite gourmands are L de Lolita Lempicka and Hypnotic Poison.
    Would love to try Arquiste Anima Dulcis the most because it’s been on the to-try list for a long time!

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    Gourmands are the best in winter when their cuddly nature wraps you up and fends off the cold. I would love to win Serge Lutens Arabie, Arquiste Parfumeur Anima Dulcis or Cocoa Tuberose. The Anima Dulcis sounds particularly fascinating! I live in the USA, thanks for the draw!

  • I love gourmand perfumes, especially now as it gets cooler out. But of course they still have to be interesting, not too sweet, and with a level of sophistication. I’d love to win The Arabie, Anima Dulcis, Cocoa Tuberose, or Micallef. I’m in the US.

  • The climate here is hot most of the year but gourmands always grow on me when the weather cools off and they aren’t cloying. Angel has always been migraine in a bottle for me but I do like Lolita Lempika and Luctor et Emergo. I live in the U.S. and would like Tilda Swinton Like this, Arquiste Anima Dulcis, or Cocoa Tuberose. Thanks.

  • I have been lusting after the ELO Like This for a year. I prefer gourmands that are less sugary and more complicated and agree with ana that a savory, dusty aspect makes them more appealing. I suppose Lolita Lempicka may be the only one I currently own!

  • Adore gourmands, comforting and sexy at the same time. Always have a bottle of Lolita Lempica Midnight, SL Arabie, and L’Heure Bleue on hand for cooler weather. My choice would be Anima Dulcis or Cocoa Tuberose. Tuberose is my favorite flower and either sound fab! Thanks for the draw and the photos, especially love the “Dark Queen”, just beautiful!
    I am in USA.

  • Jennifer Dysart says:

    I love gourmand, though I am picky, They work well with my chemistry but I don’t want to smell cheap. I would love Vanilla Aoud or Arquiste Anima Dulcis or Like This Tilda Swinton the most!

  • Chris Schaefer says:

    Gourmands are so fun! I loved reading the descriptions of the various fragrances and I must admit that they all sound delectable! I think that my favorites would be Doolciiisssmo…….a cherry tobacco, wow, then Serge Lutens Arabie, and Hungry, Hungry Hippies. Love that name and description. I am in the US.

  • I love gourmands, wearing one today. when reading the reviews i also imagine the scents.

    Tilda or Micallef for Europe….

  • julesinrose says:

    I adore gourmands. I love the smell (and taste) of vanilla all year round. One of my favorite scents is Frapin 1270, and lately I’ve been crazy about slumberhouse Ore (which I have on now).

    In the US, and my picks are (in order of preference): Arquiste Anima Dulcis, Bond No.9 New Haarlem, Etat Libre D’Orange’s Like This Tilda Swinton.

    Fab draw! Thanks!

  • I always thought that gourmands were not for me, but I’ve since come to appreciate them in winter and at bedtime, and at other unexpected times. I am in the US and would love to win Cocoa Tuberose, Arabie, or Anima Dulcis. Thanks!

  • I am not usually fond of gourmands, I prefer Woods, but these fragrances sound very different than the sweet stuff at the mall. I would really like to win New Haarlem, Like This, Anima Dulcis, Arabie or Vanilla Oud(for my girlfriend)

  • There is just something about Fall to me that screams gourmands. It’s that hot cocoa by the fire and holiday cookies. Really didn’t foray into the genre until A*Men Pure Malt found my nose. What a lovely sweet cocoa patchouli drizzled in boozy berries. The rest is history. Would love to win Bond No. 9 New Haarlem or Serge Lutens Arabie. But any of these sound wonderful. I am in the US. Thanks for the draw!

  • I am really curious about New Haarlem. Maurice Roucel created a few that are my favourites, therefore a take on coffee sounds great!

    I live in EU, therefore my pick would be Like This Tilda Swinton.

    Thanks for the draw!

  • Funny Kevin should mention “cocooning” in his opening paragraph, because Neonatura Cocoon is a wonderful, enveloping gourmand scent, with cocoa, spicy, vanilla-y goodness. Just last night I went on a little vanilla testing binge–Tonka Imperiale, Spiritueuse Double Vanille, Eau Duelle, Mona di Orio’s Vanille and Atelier’s Vanilla Incensee–and the top two were the Atelier and the Double Vanille. Thanks to Mark I may have to give my New Haarlem tester another try, because pretty much universally Bond No. 9 scents do not appeal to me. I was surprised at Michelyn’s admission–but LOVED what she says about Vanilla Aoud, which sounds right up my alley. I live in the U.S. and though I’d enjoy any, my top choices, in order, are:
    M. Micallef Vanilla Aoud
    Arquiste Anima Dulcis
    Cocoa Tuberose
    Like This Tilda Swinton
    Serge Lutens Arabie

  • I love gourmands, I would love to have a bottle of Bond No.9 New Haarlem, Micallef Vanilla Oudh and Serge Lutens Arabie they sound amazing and gourmands are some of my favorite fragrances for winter.

  • I usually like gourmand fragrances, and they are wonderful for this time of year. One of my favorites, gourmand-y and boozey, I just wore yesterday – Frapin 1270. The Micallef Vanilla Oud or Like This would be the ones I’d most like to win!

  • This is all so yummy, I have to enter! In the US.
    I’d love
    Vanilla Aoud
    Anima Dulcis

    I love some of the others but have them!

  • I have a weakness for gourmand scents. I loved Angel immediately, ad many of the foody fragrances from Demeter that came out around the same time. Over the years since, the Comme de Garçons cake and sugar scents won my heart, Keiko Mercheri’s Havane and Loukoum perfumes as well. Actually, almost any Turkish Delight inspired scent will tempt me. Also, Serendipity III’s fragrance brings back great memories, and Killian’s Love is a beautiful candied scent. I won a lovely sample of Laurie Stern’s Fleur de Caramel, from Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery, which I wear all the time, and it’s one of my favorite scents of all time. So many of the ones reviewed in this article are new to me, but I’d love to win Serge Lutens Arabie, Bond No. 9 New Haarlem, and Etat Libre D’Orange Like This Tilda Swinton. I wish Hilde Solani’s Doolsiiisssimo (sp?) and Hungry Hungry Hippies from smell bent were included in the draw, because they sound incredible too. I’m in the US. Thanks!

  • Dubaiscents says:

    I love gourmand scents, especially in cooler weather and for bed. Jeux de Peau by Serge Lutens smells just like caramel corn to me! I would love to win ELdO Like This or Providence Perfume Cocao Tuberose or Bond No 9 New Haarlem. (US)

  • Gourmand scents are some of my favorites, and these reviews are mouth-watering! I find the description of Arquiste Anima Dulcis especially ravishing, I just want to eat it up. I would love to win that one. Micallef Vanille Aoud and Charna’s Cocoa Tuberose also intrigue me. Thanks for the draw, and the delicious reviews. I am in the U.S.

  • susie frankel says:

    Cooking smells enhance the food experience…scents that refer to food smells are fun to experiment with as does the cook in the kitchen with a vast array of ingredients. I would like to experience the Hungry Hungry Hippies as I have been that in the past…
    My scent preference for the draw is SLutens Arabie.
    Great draw. Thanks. USA

  • I don’t generally think I am moved by gourmand scents as, in my head at least, I like that scent palette to stay in my kitchen and not with me the entire day. However, even a cursory glance at my collection reveals that to be a lie. Just on this list, I have adored Anima Dulcis and Like This and many other gourmand fragrances that I wear whenever the weather cools down a bit.

    From the draw, I would love to try either Serge Lutens Arabie or Cocoa Tuberose (I can’t even wrap my mind around the latter combination!).

  • Love to wear gourmands and smell them on others. Love to walk in bakeries and chocolate shops (who doesn’t really?)
    i’d like to win Arquiste Anima Dulcis, Micallef Vanille Aoud , Like This Tilda Swinton, or Arabie. USA
    thank you

  • I took only recently became partial to gourmands. I have yet to add any to my collection but I did fall in love with Haarlem on first sniff. I owned Angel for men many years back and remembering it took me a long time to use the small bottle I had up. Now I have really come to appreciate this olfactory art. I really love how you described the scents listed above. I’m excited to explore my range of fragrances to the gourmand side of the fragrance wheel. For the draw I’m in the United States and would love love love Bond No. 9 New Haarlem 1st choice then Cocoa Tuberose, Arquiste Anima Dulcis, Micallef Vanille Aoud and Serge Lutens Arabie. Thank you thank you…

  • What a wonderful list and prize draw, thank you! I would love to have several of these – Anima Dulcis, Arabie or Vanilla Aoud would make me equally happy!

    My current favorite gourmand is the incredibly delicious DSH Perfumes Mahjoun, and I am a fan of all things vanilla as well. I think gourmands get short shrift when it comes to respect, but the great ones are as good as any other style of perfume.

  • I love gourmands and wear them year round.I reach for them when i need a simple comforting scent.I would love to win Like This,Vanilla Oud,Arabie,New Haarlem or Cocoa Tuberose.Thanks for the draw and the always in depth interesting articles!

  • I love vanilla and spice in perfume, and your reviews make me want to try all of the scents listed. (Angel is the only one I’ve tried to date.) Michelyn’s review in particular has me thinking that Vanille Aoud may be the perfume of my dreams. I’m in the US, and would like to win Vanille Aoud, Anima Dulcis, Arabie, Like That, or Cocoa Tuberose.

  • I’m first and foremost a gourmand girl. I live in South Africa and would LOVE the magnificent Vanille Aoud by Micallef!

  • Gourmand has not been an easy category for me. Angel was my gateway perfume to the gourmand world and it still remains a favorite. A recent gourmand I’ve been enjoying is Guerlain’s La Petite Robe Noir. It probably isn’t the most original or extraordinary perfume but I think it’s very well made and the cherry and tea note in the beginning is absolutely gorgeous.

    I’d love to win either the Tilda Swinton or the Micallef. I’m located in Canada. Thanks for the draw!

  • Tilda Swinton,Arabi or New haarlem would be my top three picks based on the notes. I never really sought out any gourmand perfumes. Sounds like i’m missing out on some beauties based on the review and comments above. I live in the USA i would love fo try any of the above. Thank you

  • USA
    Love gourmands, as long as something balances the sweetness a little.
    I adore Safran Troublant, and Frapin 1270, and Botrytis (usually layered with something not sweet)
    Lutens scents all smell edible to me! Miel de Bois, Jeux de Peau, even Santal de Mysore and El Attarine. Yum!

    Associations color my enjoyment of a scent, for good and bad. Had to share most classes with a chronic Angel oversprayer who could be quite cruel (in other ways too!) so no Angel for me.

    Oh I would love to try Like This! I even won one last december on cfb but unfortunately never received. The holidays are probably the worst time of year for packages going astray 🙁 It would be my top choice.
    Also would be happy with anything else!
    Vanilla Aoud; Anima Dulcis; Cocoa Tuberose; Arabie; New Haarlem. All amazing!

  • I am recovering from trick or treating with the kids and am alone surrounded by Mars and almond joy bars, Hershey kisses and Reese’s. I will make my husband hide them because I love chocolate and sweets and have no willpower. So I want a gourmand perfume to take the edge off – New Haarlem arabie vanille oud angel like this cocoa tuberose anima dulca. All sound like they would do the trick Please enter me and I live in the USA.

  • about gourmands, all the best, especially if ful of spices ! Thankyou, For micallef or eldo, as i am in romania.

  • Gourmand perfumes took a while to grow on me. The tendency for the sweet notes to turn cloying on me was terribly offputting at first.. I understood the gorgeousness of gourmand perfumes through the Serge Lutens line where the jolie laide aspects of the foody notes are exacerbated- making them scary but sublime. Thank you for this draw.. I live in France and I would like to win Like This by ELDO or M Micallef Vanille Aoud

  • I really *want* to like Angel. From the notes, I should love it. I’ve tried it several times over the years, and it just doesn’t work on me. Typically, gourmand scents are my go to. The choices above sound lovely! I’ve only tried Angel from the list above. I would love to try the M Micallef Vanille Aoud or the Like This. Though, honestly I’d love to try any of the scents! I’m in the US. Happy November!!

  • Gourmands are nice, but not for everyday. I have serveral of them, and Organza Indecence is my favourite, with its smoothiness and creaminess. I also love Angel le Liquer. Arabie is also great, as well as Perfume d’Empire’s Aziyade, somewhat similar. Aomassai is a very interesting fragrance, but too demanding form me to wear.
    I’d like to win Like This veery much, but Vanille Aoud would be nice, too.

  • I love gourmands in colder weather as cozy, comforting scents, but they are also fun to wear in the summer, because they make me think about outdoor dining events, which often feature sweet treats.

    If a winner, I would choose Arabie, Vanille Aoud, Like This or New
    Haarlem.

  • I love gourmand perfumes, especially vanilla based ones like Spiritueuse Double Vanille. I would love to win the Micallef Vanille Aoud!

  • I love the comment ” candy girl in a mitsouko world”. My 2 favorite gourmands are Giselle with notes of vanilla, coconut, and caramel included along with ylang-ylang, cinnamon, freesia, jasmine as well as Micallef’s Note Vanille. So sad that was d/c.

    I’d choose either Micallef’s Vanille Aoud or New Haarlem if I win.

  • I love the warm comfort of gourmands. Currently I’m lusting after either the newly re-released Indult Tihota or Linari’s Angelo di Fiume. My sister wears both Angel and M. Micallef’s Vanille Aoud and they both smell fabulous on her. I personally am most interested in the Like This Tilda Swinton. The Arquiste Anima Dulcis and the SL Arabie also sound great. I am in the US.

  • I thought I disliked gourments at first. However my perfume tastes are changing. Now that it is getting chilly and cold I find myself looking for cozy and comforting scents: Like This Tilda Swinton or Vanilla Aoud perhaps?
    Thanks for the draw. I am from the EU.

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    I think Gourmand fragrances appeal to us because they remind us of our sweet tooth. The popularity of Gourmand fragrances may also be an indicator
    that people are finally getting comfortable with smells inspired by edible items. I have lost track of how many
    people simply shunned a fragrance because they were uncomfortable with the idea of smelling like some food item. One cannot help but notice that all the items
    mentioned in the article are in vogue now, hence, the popularity of the gourmand fragrances inspired by them.

    My preferences are Arquiste Anima Dulcis, Micallef Vanille Aoud and Bond No. 9 New Haarlem. I am in the US

  • I wasn’t sure about gourmand fragrances at first. I thought even SL Un Bois Vanille was too sweet. But I wonder now whether I formed my initial opinion of gourmands in the wrong season. In the fall and winter, there’s nothing more wonderful and comforting than a well constructed gourmand scent. I’ve come to love many vanilla fragrances, and come to appreciate cocoa and chocolate as a note and love the way saffron mixes with other notes. I’m a fan of ELd’O Like This and would love to win a bottle, as I would M. Micallef Vanille Aoud. I’m in Canada. Thanks!

  • I think the concept of gourmand fragrance began with comfort it comes with. It relaxes and soothes the mind. Yes it can be heady sweet or just sweet air but it lends such a big hug that brings a smile to the wearer.
    I agree with you Bond no 9’s New Harlem is an art form of a simple cup of Java. I would love to win it too!
    My picks are:
    Bond No 9 New Harlem
    Micallef Vanille Aoud
    Thanks
    USA

  • My first love was the oriental perfume, but throughout the years I grew very fond of gourmande fragrances. I love vanilla and tonka in fragrances. Although I like my fragrances sweet, it must not be too sweet. If I win I would like Etat Libre D’Orange Like This or M. Micallef Vanille Aoud.

  • I have been reading and enjoying Cafleurebon reviews for a while and the articles on this wonderful site are one of the main reasons my interest in fragrances and perfumery has continued to thrive. I used to love gourmands, but my interest in them wavered for a while, and I would mostly just stick to vanilla. I’m starting to enjoy them again and I would love to try some of the perfumes from this draw:

    Vanille Aoud Micallef
    Serge Lutens Arabie
    New Harlem from Bond No.9

  • gourmands grew on me — over time.

    i started out very dry and herbal (e.g. antaeus, azzaro for men, aramis), then softened it up a bit (aromatics elixir, cabochard, tabarome) — until, in the span of about 15 years (and 100s of perfumes later), i have arrived at a*men, mitsouko, shalimar, lutens fille en aiguilles, bois et violette, even miel de bois — slumberhouse miel, charna’s cocoa tuberose… which last is what i would like to win, if i do — or bond’s new haarlem.

  • I love many a gourmand perfume. It’s one of the types of perfumes my hubster loves on me, so that makes gourmand perfumes extra yummy! I absolutely love your choices for your favorites! Many of them are mine as well! I’m most excited about the possibility of trying the Chocolate Tuberose by PP. The combo of chocolate and tuberose is too interesting to pass up! Thank you for having such a great contest! Regards!

  • I really enjoyed your top ten gourmand perfumes I have worn Angel since 1998, and collect all the versions Outside of that I don’t own any tasty scents I especially enjoyed the reviews of cocoa tuberose,like this, anima dulcis vanille oud and new Haarlem which fortuitously are for draw I would love to win any of the above Wonderful post

  • I started with Angel and still love it but am running low. Any perfume with vanilla usually gets my husband’s attention. Please enter me in this great draw I would love to win any of the seven perfumes, they all sound fantastic.

  • Interesting choices. Gourmands are tricky for me and my SO, but the special ones can be exquisite. Own Like This, so would choose Cocoa Tuberose or Arabie.

  • I love gourmand scents… I like darker ones,though.I would LOVE to try any of the perfumes listed but New Haarlem from Bond No.9 or Arquiste Anima Dulcis would be the two that really make my mouth water 🙂 Thank you:)

  • Goodness, I love sweet scents! Especially sweet florals. Angel (rose) was my second perfume of my adult life (the first being Marina de Bourbon Aqua di aqua).

    Etat’s “Like This” sounds sooooo up my alley. I need to hunt down a sample of that one. This is my number one wish from here.

    Vanilla Aoud sounds like a great comfort scent for me. I love sweet woody scents to snuggle too. I am worried about the reviews of it being rubbery though.

    I have been curious about cocoa tuberose, but sometimes chocolate goes wonky on my skin if it’s more than a backdrop.

    Anima Dulcis I am curious about because I’ve never smelled chili in a perfume.

    This article has inspired me to go get samples of ‘like this ‘ and hungry hungry hippees 🙂

    Thanks for the generous draw!

  • This was a great read and I really enjoyed the reviews. Gourmands are the only type of fragrance I own!

    The allure of gourmands is I think one of comfort. There I just something so basic and familiar about a base of vanilla – it reminds us of baked treats and I think most people think about stress-free times and of childhood.

    As one reviewer stated, I also do not have a sweet tooth and rarely eat candy or deserts. I don’t really like sweet tastes. But desert smells… That’s another matter! I’m not sure why, but the fragrance of decadent sweets is more appealing.

    Some of my favorites that I’ve tried are Bond No9 New Haarlem, Mugler’s Amen, Mulger’s Amen Pure Malt, Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb, and Hermes Ambre Narguile, just to name some.

    Would be happy to win any of these!
    Serge Lutens Arabie
    Bond No9 New Haarlem
    Like This Tilda Swinton
    Mugler Angel

  • I was pretty reticent about gourmands for a while because I could only imagine scents like Angel or Pink Sugar or Prada Candy in that category and I really didn’t like them.
    But after finding some wonderful ones from Parfumerie Generale I found that you can make a gourmand without having it overly sweet. Chocolate and Tuberose are an incredibly sexy combination!

    Thanks for the draw. I would be thrilled to win
    Anima Dulcis
    Vanille Aoud
    Like This

  • I’m not a big “sweets” person when it comes to perfumes, so I love this article, specifically because of its focus on “outside of the box” food-inspired fragrances. Too often, gourmand becomes synonymous with toothache.

    I’ve been dying to try Cocoa Tuberose, so I’d adore a bottle of that. I’ve also been hoping to find a good coffee scent, and New Haarlem sounds wonderful. I also liked the sample of Like This I had and would love to be able to spray it with abandon. Anima Dulcis sounds really interesting, too!

    I’m in the US. Thanks so much for the draw!

  • I normally like orientals and think that gourmand perfumes are growing on me, especially in Autumn and Winter. There are so many out there to explore beside vanilla centered ones.

    I am in Europe and would like to win:
    Like This Tilda Swinton by Etat Libre D’Orange
    or
    Vanilla Aoud by M. Micallef

  • I love gourmands perfume, they are perfect cosy winter scents. I also love this review and you made very curios, especially the part about Cocoa, because it is a special perfume note. Cocoa Tuberose made me very, very, very, very curios.

    My picks:
    Like This Tilda Swinton
    Vanille Aoud courtesy Martine Micallef

    Thank you for this Draw! Wish you all the best!

  • I love cocoa and chocolate type gourmands. Cafleurebon always has great articles and reviews. I just wish there had more draws for us international readers! Haha.

    My choices would be

    Etat Libre D’Orange
    Vanille Aoud

  • I can’t lie, it may not be “cool” in the perfumista world, but I love gourmands. I love that Ca Fleure Bon loves them two and I found out about a few new ones here!

    I’m in the US and I’d be most interested in Cocoa Tuberose, Vanilla Aoud, Anima Dulcis, or New Harlaam. Thank you!

  • Once upon a time, gourmands were nearly all I wore. I’ve backed off from that extreme, but several of them (SL Un Bois Vanille and ELdO Like This, in particular) are among my favorite fragrances ever. These were some great reviews, and they definitely got me thinking about new fragrances to try. (Also, the photos are gorgeous!)

    I’m in the US, and I’d love to win New Haarlem, Arabie, or Vanilla Oud. Thanks for the fabulous draw!

  • Sherri Volf says:

    Reading the reviews here allows me to experience the perfumes without even actually smelling them. Reading your reviews is almost like a child walking into a candy store and then being invited to experience the candies being created in the kitchen. Breaking the ingredients down with vivid descriptions not only helps to identify the elements in the fragrances, but also helps to understand the dynamics of each blend. Reading theses incredibly insightful articles helps me to appreciate the harmony that exists in each synergy.

    I especially love reading the articles that feature one specific fragrance component as they are incredibly informative,

    I am definitely a fan of a good gourmand, nothing cloyingly sweet, but a perfectly balanced bouquet featuring fragrances that we associate with our favorite memories, usually having to do with something delicious.

    If chosen I would love the chance to experience on my skin, Like This Tilda Swinton.

    Thank you!

  • Well…I have a love-hate relationship with gourmands…. I only love them when they are not too candy or with caramel. I like them when they are dry like Dries van Noten, Chergui…. , 1270…. Gourmand Coquin….Well, perhaps what I love is vanille 😉
    If I win I would choose Tilda Swinton Like This : Ginger and Inmortelle together can be very good!!

  • Hot perfumes dress me in winter, be it hot chocolate, hot vanilla or hot spice. They remind me of summer and of sensual bouquets, transforming now into subtle fragrances.

    Vetiver and vanilla arouse my senses, so Tilda Swinton Like This, also with Vanille Aoud Micallef, would be my best matches.

  • tomate farcie says:

    I’m picky about my gourmands. I haven’t really identified what I like or for that matter don’t like. I’m in the US. I like Like This and Arabie or Anima Dulcis.

  • I have fallen in and out of love for gourmand fragrances
    I now am in my must try again phase and compliment you all on the wide range of fragrances to try
    I would be happy to win any of these except like this as I own that and it smells exactly like grandmas house on Christmas or thanksgiving
    USA

  • I enjoy the author’s candidness about finding gourmands tricky! I’d love to win Cocoa Tuberose if I’m chosen (I’m in the US). I have chemical sensitivities that mean I can only wear naturals. Thanks for the draw.