Dolcelisir L`Erbolario

Source: www.lushome.com

A dry, spicy and boozy vanilla that would fit in well with Christmas just around the corner, Dolcelisir would sit between the spiced eggnog and dark rum-soaked fruit cake. Those who adore cinnamon would love Dolcelisir for this gourmand oriental scent is laden with cinnamon and other spices from the start till the end. 

Some fragrance lovers have found the dry spices to be too harsh for their liking but I find that this makes Dolcelisir unique amongst the many gourmand vanilla scents on the market. The only other drier vanilla I can think of is Mona di Orio's Vanille, a very intriguing dark and dry vanilla but with almost zero percent added sugar whilst Dolcelisir is unquestionably a gourmand vanilla. Other notes that make up this festive treat include smoky resins and woody notes, caramelized bitter citrus peel, maple syrup and a sugary rum. All the notes are well-blended and the result is a balmy and soothing gourmand lover's heaven. 

Dolcelisir is of comparable quality with more expensive niche perfumes, money for value and has decent sillage and longevity, what more could one ask for? If you have been searching for a liberally spiced and boozy vanilla to ring in the upcoming holidays, that is sweet without being cloying and enjoyable through all kinds of weather, I would recommend sampling Dolcelisir.

Eau des Missions, Les Couvent des Minimes

If you are looking for a boozy warm vanilla that's niche, good and affordable (seriously it does exist), look no further than Les Couvent des Minimes' Cologne of the Missions or Eau des Missions. 

It's been hailed as THE dupe for Guerlain's Spiritueuse Double Vanille, but I would have to prick that bubble and disagree. It's a good dupe but it would be like comparing a Porsche (SDV) with a Mini (Cologne of the Missions), both are solid cars in their own right but you can't compare them. SDV smells richer and darker than Cologne of the Missions but with a price difference of more than a 100 dollars I give my money to Les Couvent des Minimes, at 38 USD for a 3.4 oz bottle, I didn't even hesitate at the blind buy.

The sillage for Eau des Missions is massive (if you hate vanilla this will cause a headache of nuclear proportions), straight up you smell balmy vanilla and it stays smoky and sweet for half a day at least. It's a linear scent on me but is such a cozy and resinous fragrance, it doesn't quite matter, actually nothing much matters when you are wearing this. Eau des Missions is a feel good scent that keeps you warm and glowing while you wear it, as if you are cocooned on the sofa in your comfy pyjamas with a good book or movie for company.

So if you are a vanilla fanatic, gourmand lover, adore balmy resins...you won't regret trying this.