Osmanthus, Benzoin, and Bourbon Vanilla

[Seajewel]

No further description.

[feyofthefellwood]

The gorgeous osmanthus/vanilla combo reminds me of Like the Very Gods, though this is simpler. The osmanthus is so pretty and cheerful, with an almost peachy smell at times. I think the benzoin is adding a nice sweet resin to the base, but it's not that strong. The only downside to this scent is that it doesn't have a lot of throw or longevity, though I'm hopeful that the vanilla and benzoin will gain a little oomph with age. 

[FebruaryFoxglove]

This is my favorite ménage of recent memory—the osmanthus is a dewy, blushing pink, bordering on jammy, but is anchored by a sweet vanillic resinous base that outlasts the florals on drydown. The bourbon vanilla here helps deliver the flourmand vibes I had wanted (but did not get) out of the mallow flower, honeysuckle, and vanilla trio!

[puellacaerulea]

While I like these notes individually, together they're a bit too sweet for my liking. In the bottle, I can mostly pick out osmanthus and benzoin -- sweetly floral and resinous, but with a sort of sickly medicinal quality to it. This improves as it dries down, with the bourbon vanilla coming out more and adding a creaminess that slightly moderates the sweetness. Definitely a floral-gourmand that leans on the sweet side.

[Teaotter]

This smells delightfully like gentle vanilla apricots for the fifteen minutes until my skin swallows it completely. I've tried slathering to no avail. It's perfectly lovely, but not for me.

[ND¢]

intrigued by the reviews though generally not 'a floral lover,' I grabbed a bottle. you know what, I almost get the comparison to apricot. it's such a unique floral, not at all brash or overbearing. I think I remember this from They Shut Me Up In Prose, but I prefer the simpler chord this combo strikes. Fuzzy apricots, heh, because of the benzoin. I wish the vanilla were a bit more dominant, but there's time. 

[becca_s]

On me this is a sweet, creamy floral. I have a similar experience to other reviewers that the Osmanthus leans towards being slightly peachy/Apricot with a soft, fuzzy quality. I don't get much of the bourbon vanilla but I can pick out the benzoin adding a sweet, resinous base.  This is very soft and dreamy, low throw but lasts a long time. I'll be interested to see if the vanilla becomes stronger with aging. 

[RoseThornAndOak]

It's definitely a unique floral, it's almost orangeish, but not like orange flower. It's softer, with a bit of spice/pollen. I could see apricot blossom sortof, maybe if there was a crossbreed between orange and apricot. It is definitely more floral than fruity. 

 

It's not a single note osmanthus but almost feels like one, with a slight benzoin anchor. I wish there was more vanilla too but I could see this being a great layering note.

 

Kinda gives me Interview with The Vampire/ New Orleans vibes, like if you wanted an alternative to jasmine, honeysuckle, or rose, or wanted a southern floral layering note this would be great. I feel like it would be great over graveyard or other atmospheric blends, stony/dirt, etc, something with more oomph because this is pretty light/ephemeral and not very long lasting.