In the past few years, gourmand scents have blurred the line between beauty and gastronomy. According to American trend tracker, the growth of “foodie” scents shows no signs of slowing down, with searches for gourmand fragrances growing 58.3% year after year. The unique category is characterised by an array of notes that mimic the aroma of edible items — typically using notes like vanilla, caramel, coffee, chocolate and a variety of fruits.
What are the appeals of gourmand fragrances?
The french term “Gourmand” translates to “fond of eating”, however these aromas are not solely intended to please one’s olfactory senses but can also evoke other sensory experiences like emotions and memories. It is in the ability of gourmand scents to trigger nostalgic and emotional feelings that they are so appealing. Neuroscience studies have shown that the olfactory is best at triggering emotional recollections. In order to sell the product more as an experience than a fragrance, many perfume houses choose ambiguous and poetic names. Since smell and memory are closely related, gourmand notes that evoke a feeling of comfort, sweetness, and indulgence usually elicit positive memories, which contribute to their increasing appeal.
Scents: A brief history
Since the late 19th century and early 20th century, gourmand scents have existed. The most well-known of the time was the creation of “Jicky” by Jacques Guerlain in 1889 which featured prominent vanilla notes at a time where floral scents were most dominant and notes were not typically synthetic. Most notably, the gourmand category got its big break, thanks to the success of Mugler’s Angel fragrance in 1992, deviating and overpowering the conventional “clean” scents. Since then brands have been releasing gourmand scents with increasingly innovative synthetic notes, and creating fragrances that mimic the multi-dimensional aromas of edibles. That being said, LUXUO has curated a list of 2024-released gourmand scents to amplify one’s olfactory experience.
Learn more about the connection between a fragrance and its name
1. Tom Ford “Vanille Fatale”
Tom Ford’s 2024 “Vanilla Fatale” is a revised version of their 2017 release complete with packaging and scent adjustments. The brand describes the unisex fragrance as “a quest for vanilla without hesitation”, focusing on the less explored, more seductive side of the classic vanilla scent. The bitter and woodier notes of suede tobacco and coffee are paired with the sweeter note to create a more complex fragrance. Coriander and Saffron add brightness and balance. Vanille Fatale aims to emulate a deep and enchanting aura, similar to that of a movie, with a fragrance which is unmistakably gourmand but not overly sweet.
2. Killian Paris “Born to be Unforgettable”
French perfumery Killian Paris is best known for formulating some of the most unique and unexpected fragrances in the market, and the 2024 release “Born to be Unforgettable” is no different. As expected in the fragrance name, this scent makes a strong first impression — one that aims to mimic the first sip of a sparking glass of cola. At first whiff, the scent reveals the drink’s signature notes with blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla, along with a kick of lime for freshness. The scent is created with cedarwood and vanilla base notes to enhance the sophistication and longevity of the product.
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3. Maison Margiela Replica “Afternoon Delight”
Maison Margiela Replica’s newest fragrance “Afternoon Delight” aims to capture moments of self-indulgence, by “transporting you to a Parisian café where the uplifting aroma of warm madeleines fills the air”. The top and middle notes are a delicious blend of Madagascan Vanilla, cookies, bitter almond and whipped crème that evokes a sense of warmth and comfort. Madagascan Vanilla is also present in base notes. It is paired with sandalwood, musk and bitter almond to create a sophisticated Parisian ambience.
4. Phlur “Vanilla Skin”
Phlur has become a favorite fragrance among Gen Z, Millenials and Millennials. It is well known for creating captivating stories that appeal and resonate with this audience. The brand’s viral phenomenon status came as a result 2022 fragrance “Missing Person” — formulated to evoke the lingering scent of a “missing person”. The emotional storyline was a hit with younger digital audiences. “Vanilla Skin” followed, in-keeping with the theme of evoking nostalgia. The creamy, comforting and sweet scent was designed to be a more mature version of the sweet-smelling body mists that most preteens had used. The scent is a blend of sweet vanilla, apple and sugar notes balanced with pink pepper and sandalwood notes to create a more mature fragrance.
5. Amouge “Love Delight”
Amouge’s newly released “Love Delight” encapsulates the olfactory experience of delectable delights along with delicate florals to add a feminine touch. Presented as an “invite to savour every moment of indulgence”, the scent is packed full of warm spicy aromas like ginger and cinnamon in top notes and vanilla and cocoa in the base notes. The candied scent is balanced by a top note Mandarin orange, and middle floral notes of rose and jasmine to create a feminine fragrance.
6. BORNTOSTANDOUT “Drunk Maple”
Made by popular Korean brand BORNTOSTANDOUT, this fragrance embodies the elements of an “unforgettable night” — intended to replicate the feelings of fun, warmth and the “treat yourself” attitude. The element of night is expressed through top notes of rum, davana and pink pepper, depicting “candlelights flickering and velvet drapes” as described by the brand. To embrace indulgence, the brand has added sweetness with notes of maple syrup, suede coffee, and vanilla.
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7. D.S & Durga “Pistachio”
New York fragrance brand D.S & Durga took on a straight-forward approach with this scent, bearing no intention to present a narrative and purely aiming to replicate the “fun of a pistachio”. While in the last few years, many seem to gravitate to “storytelling” fragrances, this 2022-released product had proven to be resounding success. The popularity of the scent prompted a relaunch of the fragrance in 2024 as a new addition to the brand’s permanent collection. The fragrance is unmistakably gourmand, with pistachio in the top, middle, and base notes. Other edible notes like cardamom, almond, and other sweet aromas are also present. Patchouli’s base note helps to tone down the sweetness.
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