Our take
What does Vanille de Zanzibar smell like?
Boucheron added Vanille de Zanzibar to La Collection in 2017, a line where each scent starts from one material and one place. Nathalie Lorson composed it. The opening is a surprise. Juicy pear comes first, with a dash of mandarin and a quiet jasmine. Then the Bourbon vanilla shows up without the icing sugar. Heliotrope gives it a powdery grain that recalls marzipan. Peru balsam adds a resinous warmth with a hint of smoke, which keeps it from smelling like custard. Sandalwood and patchouli hold the base while white musk smooths the corners. Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille is thicker and boozier by comparison. This one stays pale and almost milky. It wears well on anyone, which suits the name. Think of it as a travel vanilla rather than a kitchen one. Longevity is decent but nothing dramatic.
When to wear it
Ideal for an autumn Sunday or a cosy evening, sprayed on a wool sweater. Three sprays are plenty since the balsam stretches nicely on skin.
It belongs to the Oriental / Amber family. Vanille de Zanzibar is one of 18 creations by Boucheron in our encyclopedia.
