That emotional connection is something Stacey Younge, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of Sixth Street Wellness, sees firsthand. She explains that scent plays a powerful role in memory and emotional regulation, which may be why gourmands are resonating so deeply right now. “Our sense of smell triggers our olfactory system which directly connects to the part of the brain where all of our memories are stored. It is also the part of the brain most impacted by trauma,” Younge says. “Familiar, comforting scents can trigger happy and pleasurable memories or can help soothe and bring calm and comforting memories,” she adds. She explains that chocolate, vanilla, and coffee notes, in particular, tend to be associated with pleasure, childhood nostalgia, and feelings of safety. “People often use scents and smells as a way to calm their nervous system or help bring them to a space that helps them feel comforted and safe.”
It’s no surprise, then, that we’ve entered the era of the new gourmands—scents that celebrate the intricate connection between food and fragrance in a more nuanced, elevated way. Today’s gourmands aren’t just about vanilla and caramel. They layer richness with complexity, incorporating unexpected elements like saffron, cardamom, ginger, and even smoky or nutty notes to create depth. “Gourmand doesn’t have to be the body spray you wore back in junior high. Now, it’s sophisticated, sexy, and grown up,” West says.
This evolution has given both heritage and emerging fragrance houses a long runway to push creative boundaries, crafting scents that feel indulgent yet refined. Ahead, Vogue’s guide to the best gourmand scents—plus how to choose the right one for you.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Kurky Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: Maison Francis Kurkdjian is known for creating elegant fragrances that fill the room with just a couple of spritzes. Kurky is the newest addition to the collection, named after MFK’s childhood nickname. The packaging is playful, featuring a Russian doll-style unboxing to reveal this fun fragrance from the master perfumer. Kurky offers a quirky, err, kurky, yet luxurious take on the gourmand. With its soft, creamy, and fruity blend, it’s smooth and subtle, building gently, unlike the bold Baccarat 540.
- Key Notes: Cream, fruit, vanilla, musk
- This Smells Like: A tutti-frutti creamsicle.
- Size: 2.4 oz.
Tom Ford Lost Cherry Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: Cherry may be trending, but Tom Ford knew of its power years ago, which is why Lost Cherry remains a favorite among fragrance lovers. Tom Ford fragrances are known for their bad boy aesthetic, mixed with luxurious elegance. The cheeky nomenclature might make you roll your eyes, but Lost Cherry will have them rolling to the back of your head. It’s drenched in syrupy sweet cherry liqueur, balanced by bitter almond, a floral rose and jasmine blend, and finished with sandalwood for a sweet, woody dry down.
- Key Notes: Black cherry accord, bitter almond, griotte syrup, rose absolute orpur, peru balsam, roasted tonka orpur
- This Smells Like: Drinking a Shirley Temple by a warm bonfire
- Size: 1.7 oz.
Maison Margiela Replica Coffee Break Eau de Toilette
- Why We Love It: Maison Margiela’s fragrances are all about bottling shared memories. Each scent captures a distinct encounter, using an olfactory experience to transport the wearer to a specific moment in time. Coffee Break replicates that quiet, comforting, and flavorful experience of sipping a creamy cup of coffee on a cold winter’s day. Breathe in, and let the warm aroma of coffee and red apple accords, soothing lavender essence, and rich sandalwood gently wrap around you. The fragrance opens with a syrupy coffee note, but a hint of spearmint adds a refreshing twist—suddenly, you’re in a cozy café, feeling the warmth of the mug in your hands. Oops, there’s a little cream on your upper lip, dear.
- Key Notes: Coffee accord, red apple accord, lemon essence, lavender essence, spearmint essence, orange flower absolute, milk mousse accord, sandalwood essence, cedarwood essence.
- This Smells Like: A lavender latte.
- Size: 3 oz.
Coach Love Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: Inspired by the universal feeling of love and all its expressions, Love is a delicious floral and fruity scent. The fragrance opens with a juicy blend of wild strawberries and mandarin, developing into a heart of red rose and jasmine, before drying down to warm cedarwood. This is my favorite in my gourmand collection—and my go-to date night perfume. I’ve never worn this and not received a compliment. It’s light yet warm, with a sillage that lasts all day (and night, if you need it to).
- Key Notes: Wild strawberry, mandarin, pink pepper leaves, rose, Indian sambac jasmine, cedarwood
- This Smells Like: Kissing someone wearing strawberry chapstick while it’s raining in the woods at the start of spring.
Size: 3 oz.
Guerlain Pêche Mirage Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: Guerlain has mastered modern gourmands, with viral favorites like Tobacco Honey, and Pêche Mirage is no exception. This scent plays on the full spectrum of peach, from its sweetness to its sensuality. Delphine Jelk, Guerlain’s in-house perfumer, shares that combining peach with iris and saffron creates the fragrance’s leather accord, adding depth and complexity. “The contrast of peach and leather works because peach is both juicy and addictive, evoking childhood memories while also being incredibly sexy and sensual,” she says. This is the scent for someone who wants to make a statement with a fragrance that feels both familiar and surprising.
- Key Notes: Peach, blackcurrant, saffron, osmanthus, amber, leather, sandalwood
- This Smells Like: A fruity floral that feels both familiar and surprising.
- Size: 1.7 oz.
Malin+Goetz Dark Rum Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: A gender-neutral gourmand? Yes, please. This rich, spicy scent is inspired by bay rum, offering a deliciously complex fragrance. Created for anyone, the subtle sweetness evokes deep molasses mixed with vanilla and coconut. The spices are balanced and not overpowering, drying down to a satisfying, earthy finish. It’s creamy, warm, and fresh—imagine Friday night dance parties on the beach, spilling into Saturday’s sun-soaked tanning session. If you find it too masculine, layer it with a vanilla or ginger lotion to add a sultry, complex depth.
- Key Notes: Bergamot, plum, anise, leather, rum, vanilla, patchouli, amber, milk
This Smells Like: Old-world bay rum
Size: 1.7 oz
Parfums de Marly Althaïr Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: Vanilla scents tend to skew more feminine, however, this fragrance focuses on bourbon vanilla and deepens the scent with delicious spices, including cinnamon and cardamom. Adding the top note of bergamot provides freshness and wearability, while the gourmand praline base balances it out with warmth and vibrance. Equally compelling on the skin as is in the bottle, the result is an intoxicating mix of sweetness, spice, and sophistication.
- Key Notes: Orange blossom, bergamot, cinnamon, bourbon vanilla, elemi, guaiacwood, ambrox, praline, musk
This Smells Like: An ambery vanilla with a woody finish.
Size: 4.2 oz
Dossier Caramelized Lavender & Hazelnut Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: Dossier began by duping your favorite high-end fragrances, but the brand has since made a name for itself with its Originals collection. Caramelized Lavender and Hazelnut is from its Genderless Collection and offers a subtle take on lavender. It’s soft and sweet, with just a touch of spice that lingers. This fragrance is versatile enough for any season and makes a great everyday scent.
- Key Notes: Caramelized hazelnut accord, lavender, violet, orange flower, patchouli, vetiver, suede, ambroxan
This Smells Like: A nutty, fresh cologne with an earthy finish.
Size: 1.7 oz
D.S & Durga Pistachio Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: Pistachio might not be the first note that comes to mind for a fragrance, but D.S. & Durga proves just how addictive it can be. This is a sweet scent, but in a mature way. It strikes a playful balance of nutty warmth and creamy sweetness, with a sheer, airy quality that keeps it from feeling heavy. The first spritz envelops you in pistachio, which then unfolds into a nutty, herbal, and deliciously sweet aroma. Originally launched as a limited-edition Studio Juice with only 100 units, its instant popularity secured its place in the permanent collection. Bold yet effortless, it has a rich, earthy undertone that adds depth to its sweetness. This is the kind of fragrance that lingers softly, drawing people in without trying too hard.
- Key Notes: Pistachio, cardamom, roasted almond, patchouli, vanilla crème
- This Smells Like: A vanilla sundae with a generous amount of pistachios on top.
- Size: 1.7 oz
Le Monde Gourmand Chai Épicé Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: True to its name, Le Monde Gourmand focuses exclusively on gourmand fragrances, creating irresistible and luxurious perfumes at accessible prices. For confection lovers looking for something warm and intriguing, try Chai Épicé with breakfast to kickstart your day. This cozy scent wraps you in a warm, comforting aroma. It smells faintly of a chai latte, but is more akin to a spiced almond cookie. The fragrance is sweet yet refined, never cloying or childish. It’s the grown-up gourmand you’ve been searching for.
- Key Notes: Violet fig, muguet musk, blonde woods
- This Smells Like: A warm, spicy baked good.
- Size: 1 oz.
Sol de Janiero Cheirosa 71 Hair & Body Perfume Mist
- Why We Love It: Sol de Janeiro scents have earned a devoted following from both Gen Z and Millennials, who share a passion for warm, edible-inspired fragrances. Cheirosa 71 stands out with its indulgent scent profile, blending caramelized vanilla, toasted macadamia nut, sea salt, white chocolate, and coconut blossom for a rich, creamy fragrance. It’s the olfactory equivalent of golden hour—warm, glowing, and a little decadent. If you want to smell as indulgent as your tropical beach vacation, add this fragrance to your raffia tote. The salty ocean air mingles effortlessly with the gourmand notes, creating an irresistible, sun-kissed throw.
- Key Notes: Caramelized vanilla, sea salt, toasted macadamia nut, white chocolate, tonka bean, coconut blossom
- This Smells Like: Warm and sophisticated
- Size: 3 oz.
Kayali Yum Boujee Marshmallow
- Why We Love It: Mona Kattan, founder of Kayali, has created a fragrance collection spanning over 4,000 scents—and that doesn’t even include her own! It’s safe to say she knows a thing or two about perfumes. Yum Boujee Marshmallow is an adult take on the sweet marshmallow scent, with a more complex journey. Subtly sweet and creamy with a fruity finish, Yum Boujee Marshmallow is like sinking into a cloud of marshmallows and then indulging in pink Starbursts. The fragrance dries down to a powdery, sugary delight, only to open back up with strawberry and vanilla notes before fully settling into a sweet yet warm finish. If Killian’s Love Be Shy took a beach vacation, Boujee Marshmallow would be the result.
- Key Notes: Strawberry, pink marshmallow, coconut, whipped vanilla
- This Smells Like: A strawberry marshmallow.
- Size: 3.4 oz.
Kilian Paris Angels’ Share Fragrance
- Why We Love It: The French cognac heir honors his family’s legacy with this boozy elixir that pays tribute to “la part des anges” or “angels’ share”—the portion of liquor that naturally evaporates from oak barrels during the aging process, rising into the air over time. Even the bottle is a nod to the Hennessy family and is designed to resemble a stylish crystal rocks glass.
- Key Notes: Cognac, tonka bean, oak wood
- This Smells Like: Warm, sweet, and boozy
- Size: 1.7 oz.
Amouage Love Delight Eau de Parfum
- Why We Love It: Gourmand fragrances are an essential part of Amouage’s repertoire. The brand even dedicated an entire collection to them: The Secret Garden, where gourmand and floral elements intertwine. Inspired by the uniquely fragrant atmosphere of bakeries in Muscat and across Oman, Love Delight is an olfactory indulgence that fully embodies a sense of sweetness and decadence.
- Key Notes: Ginger, mandarin, rose water, cinnamon, heliotrope, jasmine, rose, vanilla, cocoa, rum absolute, cypriol
- This Smells Like: Floral, sweet
- Size: 3.4 oz
Everything You Need to Know
What is a gourmand perfume?
A gourmand fragrance highlights sweet, indulgent, and edible notes, often reminiscent of food or dessert. Autumne West, Nordstrom’s national beauty director adds that “they are scents based on what you eat or what you cook with.” The new gourmands are leaning on the latter, exploring the depth of gourmand with spices like cardamom and ginger. Similar to food delicacies or high-end dining experiences, luxury fragrance houses are utilizing premium ingredients, like saffron, to create unique, indulgent fragrances. “While vanilla seems to be the hero, it’s the unique pairings that are standing out. Think of your favorite gourmand plus a woody or floral,” she says.
How to Choose a Gourmand Perfume
Choosing the best gourmand fragrance doesn’t have to be complicated. “If you enjoy rich, decadent desserts, look for fragrances with notes of vanilla, praline, or chocolate. If you’re seeking a gourmand fragrance that is softer and less sweet, consider something with tonka or coffee bean,” Jacqueline says. West also suggests starting with one single food you enjoy. She says, “Maybe you love the scent of vanilla cake or a lavender latte and from there you can look to explore and discover fragrances with those notes.”
Jelk takes a less formulaic approach, recommending that you “let your inner child make the choice.” More consumers are turning to gourmands because they offer comfort and evoke a sense of safety. “It’s like the little candy you received from your Granny when you were a kid,” Jelk explains. She adds: “In French, we say, ‘Un peu de douceur dans ce monde de brut,’ which translates to ‘a little sweetness in this brutal world.’”
- Autumne West is Nordstrom’s national beauty director.
- Yvan Jacqueline is the president of Parfums de Marly and Initio Parfums Privés.
