Vanille Fatale

Vanille Fatale by Tom Ford, composed by Yann Vasnier in 2017, is a vanilla dressed up with spice, flowers and smoke, worn by anyone. Everyone describes it as floral and most as sweet; about half also find it spicy, resinous and citrusy, and a quarter notice leather.

The opening is busy and bright: orange and lime for citrus, saffron and coriander for a dry spice, rum for a boozy warmth, and myrrh and frankincense for a cool, resinous smoke. The heart is where the florals come in, with frangipani and narcissus giving a creamy, slightly green floral layer, rose a soft richness, and coffee, plum and barley adding a roasted, fruity, cereal-like depth. The base is Madagascar vanilla over tobacco, suede, mahogany and patchouli, with oakmoss and violet keeping it dry and faintly powdery.

Most wearers report long lasting performance and a moderate to strong trail. It is voted mainly for autumn and winter and leans towards evening. It suits someone who likes vanilla but wants it complex and smoky rather than simply sweet.

Vanille Fatale — unisex fragrance by Tom Ford (released 2017). Top notes: Rum, Myrrh, Olibanum, Saffron, Coriander, Orange, Lime. Heart notes: Barley, Coffee, Plum, Frangipani, Narcissus, Artemisia, Rose. Base notes: Madagascar Vanilla, Suede, Tobacco, Mahogany, Patchouli, Oakmoss, Violet. — Parfica open fragrance database