Our take
What does Vanille smell like?
Reminiscence released Vanille as an eau de toilette in 2012, composed by Fabrice Pellegrin. The idea is simple: a vanilla you wear like a sweater. The opening pairs bergamot with osmanthus, which reads as dried apricot more than zest. The heart slips toward jasmine and heliotrope. That flower smells of almond and modelling clay, and it paves the way for the base. This is where it all happens. Benzoin and tonka warm the vanilla up, praline adds a toasted hazelnut note and patchouli stops it from turning into pudding. White musk keeps the skin feeling clean. It stays firmly in sweet amber vanilla territory, far from smoky or woody takes. Guerlain’s Shalimar sets its vanilla on incense and citrus. Next to it, the Reminiscence version feels simpler and cosier. It has no wish to intimidate anyone.
When to wear it
A winter vanilla for weekends and quiet evenings. Two sprays are enough, and it lasts very well on a wool scarf.
It belongs to the Oriental / Amber family. Vanille is one of 20 creations by Reminiscence in our encyclopedia.
