Darling

Darling, created by Gabriel Gabor for the French house De Gabor in 2016, is a gourmand fragrance by every account. More than half also call it woody, close to half find it spicy, and a smaller group pick up resinous, ambered and citrus tones.

The note list is long, and the picture it paints is of a boozy, nutty dessert. Rum and cognac give a warm, spirited sweetness, cherry and plum add dark fruit, and marzipan and praline bring an almond and caramelised nut richness. Ginger, pink pepper and saffron keep it from turning cloying, and bergamot adds a brief brightness. Underneath, oud, guaiac wood and sandalwood supply the woods, leather and suede add a soft animal warmth, and vanilla, tonka bean, benzoin and labdanum build a dense, resinous base with a powdery finish.

Darling is a shared fragrance, worn by anyone. Its richness points to winter evenings and to people who want a gourmand with woods and spirits in it rather than straightforward sweetness.

Darling — unisex fragrance by De Gabor (released 2016). Notes: Agarwood (Oud), Ambergris, Amyris, Benzoin, Bergamot, Calabrian bergamot, Cherry, Coffee blossom, Cognac, Dried Plum, Fig, Ginger, Guaiac Wood, Jasmine, Labdanum, Leather, Marzipan, Musk, Orchid, Patchouli, Pink Pepper, Plum, Powdery Notes, Praline, Rum, Saffron, Sandalwood, Spanish Labdanum, Suede, Tonka Bean, Vanilla. — Parfica open fragrance database