The Best Gourmand Fragrances Redefining Sweetness

Delectable perfumes deserve far more appreciation than they receive. Once dismissed as overly sweet, hyper-feminine, or adolescent, the best gourmand fragrances have since evolved. “The trend began over [two years] ago and we haven’t seen it slow down,” shares Autumne West, Nordstrom’s national beauty director. “We’re also seeing a surge of lavender, which some may view as floral, but it’s also a gourmand when we think of lavender-flavored foods.”

The shift toward more complex scents is evident in the way fragrance houses are reinterpreting gourmand notes. The bestselling perfumes today incorporate unconventional ingredients to create a more nuanced result. Delphine Jelk, Guerlain’s in-house perfumer, attributes this evolution to a growing desire for more refined compositions. “Gourmands have become more elegant and less childish,” Jelk tells Vogue. While vanilla remains a staple, she highlights that “honey, nutty, and milk fragrances” are gaining traction with “mouthwatering fruity notes” are also popular.

Vogue’s Favorite Gourmand Perfumes:

• Best Skin Scent Vanilla: Henry Rose Dave Eau de Parfum, $120
• Best Licorice: Dior la Collection Privée Eau Noire Eau de Parfum, $350
• Best Spicy Vanilla: Parfums de Marly Althair Eau de Parfum, $365
• Best Sugared Latte: Maison Margiela Replica Coffee Break Eau de Toilette, $165
• Best Fruity Gourmand: Guerlain Pêche Mirage Eau de Parfum, $445
• Best Cereal Milk: Dedcool Mochi Milk Eau de Parfum, $90
• Best Boozy: Kilian Angels’ Share Fragrance, $255

Aymar de Chergé, vice president of marketing for Parfums de Marly and Initio Parfums Privés, confirms that today’s gourmand fragrances are increasingly shifting toward unisex or gender-neutral offerings. He says, “There’s a greater push toward unisex or gender-neutral gourmands, which focus on more universal themes of indulgence and comfort rather than leaning into traditionally feminine or masculine qualities.”

Indulgent, food-inspired fragrances are here to stay. “Gourmands have surged as fragrance lovers are adding more to their personal collections and not just wearing one signature scent,” notes Linda Levy, president of The Fragrance Foundation. She also attributes their rise to their ability to evoke nostalgia and comfort.

That emotional connection is something Stacey Younge, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of Sixth Street Wellness, sees firsthand. She explains that scent plays a powerful role in memory and emotional regulation, which may be why gourmands are resonating so deeply right now. “Familiar scents bring calm and comforting memories,” Young tells Vogue. In particular, she explains that chocolate, vanilla, and coffee notes, in particular, tend to be associated with pleasure, childhood nostalgia, and feelings of safety.

The new era of gourmands celebrate the intricate connection between food, fragrance, and nostalgia in an elevated way. Today’s gourmands aren’t just about vanilla and caramel. They layer richness with complexity, incorporating unexpected elements like saffron, cardamom, ginger, and even smoky or nutty notes to create depth. “Gourmand doesn’t have to be the body spray you wore back in junior high. Now, it’s sophisticated, sexy, and grown up,” West says.

Ahead, Vogue’s guide to the best gourmand scents, from classic sweets to spice-forward aromatics—plus, how to choose the right one for you.

Best Licorice: Dior La Collection Privée Eau Noire Eau de Parfum

• Why We Love It: Eau Noire was La Collection Privée’s inaugural fragrance launch—giving gourmands a mysterious edge. Dark licorice contrasts with resinous, sweet lavender honey for a delectable scent that reads sophisticated rather than adolescent. Meanwhile, myrrh further deepens the overall fragrance profile.
• Key Notes: Thyme, sage, lavender honey, coffee, immortelle Virginia cedar, saffron.
• This Smells Like: The chic and single auntie that works in fashion.

Best Powdery: Matiere Premiere Vanilla Powder Extrait

• Why We Love It: A more intense version of one of Matiere Premiere’s most popular scents, Vanilla Powder, this extrait has major staying power. The craftsmanship of founder and perfumer Aurélien Guichard sought to juxtapose white powders and intense vanilla. Venezuelan tonka bean (a.k.a. vanilla) absolute is the star here, grounded by palo santo, white musk balance, and creamy coconut powder for a scent that is soft and a little musky.
• Editor’s Experience: “When I first spritzed this scent, a slew of colleagues piped up to ask what the delicious scent was. It was none other than Vanilla Powder Extrait—this scent is a major compliment collector. A cool girl’s powder perfume, it isn’t objectively sweet, while still projecting a delectable aroma.” —C.C.
• Key Notes: Coconut powder, Madagascar vanilla absolute, Venezuelan tonka bean, palo Santo, white musk
• This Smells Like: Not your grandmother’s powdery perfume—your cool older sister.

Best Fruity Gourmand: Guerlain Pêche Mirage Eau de Parfum

• Why We Love It: Guerlain has mastered modern gourmands, with viral favorites like Tobacco Honey, and Pêche Mirage is no exception. This scent plays on the full spectrum of peach, from its sweetness to its sensuality. Delphine Jelk, Guerlain’s in-house perfumer, shares that combining peach with iris and saffron creates the fragrance’s leather accord, adding depth and complexity. “The contrast of peach and leather works because peach is both juicy and addictive, evoking childhood memories while also being incredibly sexy and sensual,” she says. This is the scent for someone who wants to make a statement with a fragrance that feels both familiar and surprising.
• Key Notes: Peach, blackcurrant, saffron, osmanthus, amber, leather, sandalwood
• This Smells Like: A fruity floral that feels both familiar and surprising.

Best Cereal Milk: Dedcool Mochi Milk Eau de Parfum

• Why We Love It: Dedcool is one of those zillenial brands that’s cracked the code on going viral—and Mochi Milk is a bestseller. The perfume excels in its restraint—it’s sweet like cereal milk rather than a fresh-out-of-the-oven baked good. Rather than overloading on ambroxan or vanilla, instead the scent derives its subtle sweetness from marshmallow and peach nectar (with, of course, a hint of vanilla and amber too). As the scent dries down, Australian sandalwood takes over, and white musk adds contrast, though marshmallow continues to linger. It’s the kind of perfume that whispers than loudly projects.
• Editor’s Experience: “One of my longest-standing friends at Vogue, Molly Barstein, put me onto Dedcool’s Mochi Milk. When I hugged her after a holiday break, I got the slightest whiff of an airy, sweet scent, and knew I had to try it myself. I treat Mochi Milk as an everyday perfume or one of my favorite layers in my fragrance wardrobe. Side note, I love the fact that the spritz is an ultra-fine continuous mist, rather than a heavy spritz”—C.C.
• Key Notes: Marshmallow, peach nectar, incense, rice milk, vanilla bean, jasmine, Australian Sandalwood, amber, white musk
• This Smells Like: Airy light sweetness of the leftover milk after eating all of your fun cereal.

Best Unique: Dries Van Noten Soie Malaquais Refillable Eau de Parfum

• Why We Love It: Dries Van Noten’s Soie Malaquais is more than just a pretty face. Inspired by the fashion house’s silk dresses, master perfumer Marie Salamagne created a scent akin to second skin. Here, she spotlights silk as a key note, layering it with nutty chestnut, rich cocoa, and tart black currant for a moody contrast, while hints of rose and bergamot give the fragrance a subtle, fresh lift. The effect is smooth, initmate, and subtly sweet.
• Notes: Bergamot, black currant, rose, silk, chestnut, cocoa.
• This Smells Like: Equal parts sweet, subtly sour, and silky.

Best Sugared Latte: Maison Margiela Replica Coffee Break Eau de Toilette

• Why We Love It: Maison Margiela’s fragrances are all about bottling shared memories. Each scent captures a distinct encounter, using an olfactory experience to transport the wearer to a specific moment in time. Coffee Break replicates that quiet, comforting, and flavorful experience of sipping a creamy cup of coffee on a cold winter’s day. Breathe in, and let the warm aroma of coffee and red apple accords, soothing lavender essence, and rich sandalwood gently wrap around you. The fragrance opens with a syrupy coffee note, but a hint of spearmint adds a twist—suddenly, you’re in a cozy café, feeling the warmth of the mug in your hands. Oops, there’s a little cream on your upper lip, dear.
• Key Notes: Coffee accord, red apple accord, lemon essence, lavender essence, spearmint essence, orange flower absolute, milk mousse accord, sandalwood essence, cedarwood essence.
• This Smells Like: A lavender latte.
• Size: 3 oz.

Best Ethereal: Liis Celestial Object Eau de Parfum

• Why We Love It: Liis’s Celestial Objects falls somewhere between a gourmand and a woody aromatic. Subtle sweetness, however, comes from ripe quince, resinous Labdanum, and rice paper, which adds a powdery airiness. Meanwhile, incense and pink pepper throw in an extra kick. Yes, there is tonka bean as a bottom note, but this is anything but a vanilla-dominant scent.
• Editor’s Experience: “I don’t think of Celestial Object as a gourmand solely, because it whispers in it’s originality. Let’s be clear, tonka bean is not the star of the scent. For starters, quince does, in fact, add a sparkly, starry quality (like little seltzer bubbles), contrasted by the most fluffy, barely-there powderiness. It’s also a rather gentle perfume—I can douse myself in spritzes of this without asphyxiating those around me. Plus, the element of incense here is entirely subtle. It’s lovely in an ethereal sort of way.” —CC
• Key Notes: Quince, pink pepper, almond, rice paper, incense, tonka bean, labdanum
• This Smells Like: Ethereal, sparkling, and dewy.

Best Boozy: Kilian Paris Angels’ Share Fragrance

• Why We Love It: The French cognac heir honors his family’s legacy with this boozy elixir that pays tribute to “la part des anges” or “angels’ share”—the portion of liquor that naturally evaporates from oak barrels during the aging process, rising into the air over time. Even the bottle is a nod to the Hennessy family and is designed to resemble a stylish crystal rocks glass. Best of all, this perfume is notably long-lasting and projecting, lingering for up to 12 hours on clothing.
• *Editor’s Experience: “I received this scent as a Christmas gift years ago, and it’s one I always reach for in chillier months. Utterly cozy, it’s the perfect blend of sweet and spice that leaves behind a delightful fragrance trail. This perfume is a major compliment collector, and it lingers on my clothes for days after. I enjoy the occasional glass of whiskey, so I find the bottle adds a charming touch.” —C.C.
• Key Notes: Cognac oil, oak absolute, cinnamon essence, tonka bean absolute, sandalwood, praline, vanilla extract
• This Smells Like: Warm, sweet, and boozy

Best Smoky: Loewe Roasted Vanilla Eau de Parfum

• Why We Love It: Loewe’s gourmand leans more woodsy upon first spritz, with vanilla as an accent rather than a dominant force. There’s also a notable smoky quality, one that British Vogue’s senior beauty and wellness editor Morgan Fargo likened to “that of an ember rather than a dimly lit jazz club—think fire pit, not smoking area.” Vanilla emerges more prominently once the scent dries down, though, adding a creamy quality.
• Key Notes: Pink pepper, elemi oil, rose, oakwood, davana oil, ylang heart, vanilla tincture, amber, benzoin resinoid.
• This Smells Like: Freshly fire-roasted almonds, ever so slightly sprinkled with sugar.

Best Spicy Vanilla: Parfums de Marly Althaïr Eau de Parfum

• Why We Love It: Vanilla scents tend to skew more feminine, however, this fragrance focuses on bourbon vanilla and deepens the scent with delicious spices, including cinnamon and cardamom. Adding the top note of bergamot provides freshness and wearability, while the gourmand praline base balances it out with warmth and vibrance. Equally compelling on the skin as is in the bottle, the result is an intoxicating mix of sweetness, spice, and sophistication.
• Key Notes: Orange blossom, bergamot, cinnamon, bourbon vanilla, elemi, guaiacwood, ambrox, praline, musk
  This Smells Like: An ambery vanilla with a woody finish.
  Size: 4.2 oz

Best Resinous: Carolina Herrera Good Girl Jasmine Absolute Eau de Parfum

• Why We Love It: It’s not often that Carolina Herrera’s scents lean into decadent gourmands rather than florals alone. Good Girl Jasmine Absolute is about as resinous as the brand’s perfumes come, with bitter almond juxtaposed with roasted tonka bean. There are some fruity undertones too, thanks to tart black currant and a splash of citrus. Though the true star notes of this perfume are undoubtedly jasmine and toffee—they also leave behind an intoxicating scent trail.
• Notes: Mandarin, black currant accord, jasmine, bitter almond, caramelized toffee, roasted tonka bean.
• This Smells Like: A bag of toffee bark.

Best Nutty: D.S & Durga Pistachio Eau de Parfum

• Why We Love It: Pistachio might not be the first note that comes to mind for a fragrance, but D.S. & Durga proves just how addictive it can be. This is a sweet scent, but in a mature way. It strikes a playful balance of nutty warmth and creamy sweetness, with a sheer, airy quality that keeps it from feeling heavy. The first spritz envelops you in pistachio, which then unfolds into a nutty, herbal, and deliciously sweet aroma. Originally launched as a limited-edition Studio Juice with only 100 units, its instant popularity secured its place in the permanent collection. Bold yet effortless, it has a rich, earthy undertone that adds depth to its sweetness. This is the kind of fragrance that lingers softly, drawing people in without trying too hard.
• Key Notes: Pistachio, cardamom, roasted almond, patchouli, vanilla crème
• This Smells Like: A vanilla sundae with a generous amount of pistachios on top.

Best Skin Scent Vanilla: Henry Rose Dave Eau de Parfum

• Why We Love It: Michelle Pfeiffer’s niche fragrance brand, Henry Rose, are known for their clean scents (as in, non-toxic ingredients), and wallet-friendly price points that don’t sacrifice quality. Of its lineup, Dave eau de parfum (endearingly named after Pfeiffer’s husband, who loves when Pfeiffer wears vanilla-based scents) is a warm, skin-hugging vanilla. What makes this feel grown up is the combination of neroli, fresh cocoa shells, the sharpness of pink peppercorn, and a few soothing white blooms. There’s no doubt this scent is decadent—but in a skin-hugging and seductive way.
• Editor’s Experience: “For a fragrance with an ordinary name, this is an extraordinary gourmand. Not that it’s wildly different or unexpected, just well-done for the category. When I first spritzed this in the beauty closet back in January 2025, it was met with many coo’s of approval from all those nearby. There’s something about Dave that reads more cozy and skin-hugging than most vanilla-forward aromas, without teetering into the category of ’synthetic ambroxan slop,’ as the critics of FragranceTok say. Of all my gourmand-leaning perfumes, I no doubt find Dave most comforting.” —C.C.
• Key Notes: Tangerine heart, neroli, pink pepper, lavandin, orange flower, almond blossom, vanilla bean chantilly, cocoa shell, tonka bean
• This Smells Like: Eating a sweet treat while wearing a semi-sheer cashmere knit top.

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