Prices are collected from third-party retailers and updated periodically. Always verify the price on the retailer's site before purchasing. We may earn a commission on purchases made through our links.

What does Un bois vanille smell like?

Un Bois Vanille is a vanilla fragrance that doesn't play vanilla safe. Created by Christopher Sheldrake and Serge Lutens in 2003, it opens with something unexpected — some wearers describe a jarring,...

Details

House: Serge Lutens
Concentration: Parfum
Gender: unisex
Year: 2003
Longevity: 7.9 / 10
Sillage: 7.1 / 10
Scent Profile: Woody, Sweet, Gourmand, Spicy, Oriental
Best Seasons: Winter, Fall
Best Occasions: Evening, Night Out
Perfumer: Christopher Sheldrake, Serge Lutens

Community Insights

Based on 151 discussions

Un Bois Vanille consistently wins over people who claim they don't like vanilla fragrances — the licorice, wood, and bitter almond keep it from reading as a straightforward gourmand, and that complexity is what converts skeptics.
The opening is genuinely divisive. Many enthusiasts warn first-timers to expect a strange, almost off-putting top — something anise-heavy and unusual — before the dry-down reveals the fragrance's real character. Patience is repeatedly cited as essential.
It's considered one of the more approachable entry points into the Serge Lutens catalog, frequently mentioned alongside other house favorites like Chergui and Feminité du Bois when enthusiasts share their personal collections.
Performance is understood to be moderate rather than a projection powerhouse — the community generally accepts this as part of its character rather than a flaw, noting that its intimate sillage suits the fragrance's overall mood.
Fall and winter are the near-universal consensus for when to wear it, with evening occasions being the most recommended context. Summer wear is rarely mentioned without caveats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Un Bois Vanille actually wearable by people who don't love sweet fragrances?+

Surprisingly often, yes. The licorice, bitter almond, guaiac wood, and benzoin add enough darkness and complexity to prevent it from reading as straightforwardly sweet. It's a woody, slightly smoky vanilla rather than a dessert-counter vanilla, and that distinction makes it work for a lot of people who typically avoid gourmands.

How does it perform — will it last all day?+

Longevity is solid and it tends to wear through the better part of a day, but sillage is modest. It projects gently rather than loudly, sitting closer to the skin after the first hour or so. It won't fill a room, but it won't disappear on you either. One spray is typically enough for everyday wear; add a second if you want it to carry further for a night out.

When should I wear this — is it a year-round fragrance?+

Fall and winter are the sweet spot by a wide margin. The combination of warm vanilla, beeswax, and smoky wood makes it genuinely comforting in cold weather. It can work for spring evenings, but summer wear is a stretch — the warmth and sweetness of the composition don't translate well to heat.

Is this a masculine, feminine, or truly unisex fragrance?

Appears in Collections

Evening Fragrances2333 Unisex Fragrances3693 Parfum Fragrances1015 2000s Fragrances1079 Fragrances Starting With U76

Similar Fragrances

Serge Lutens

Gris clair...

Serge Lutens

Ambre sultan

Eau De Parfum

Serge Lutens

Chergui

Eau De Parfum

Le Labo

Bergamote 22

Eau De Parfum

Yves Saint Laurent

Cuir

Le Labo

Vetiver 46

Eau De Parfum

Solinotes

Vanille

Eau De Parfum

Yves Saint Laurent

Opium pour Homme

Eau De Toilette

Accords

Notes

HeartVanila//Coconut milk//Beeswax//Black Licorice//Sandalwood//Mexican vanilla//Tonka bean//Bitter almond//Benzoin//Guaiac Wood//Musk

What does Un bois vanille smell like?

Un Bois Vanille is a vanilla fragrance that doesn't play vanilla safe. Created by Christopher Sheldrake and Serge Lutens in 2003, it opens with something unexpected — some wearers describe a jarring,...

Details

House: Serge Lutens
Concentration: Parfum
Gender: unisex
Year: 2003
Longevity: 7.9 / 10
Sillage: 7.1 / 10
Scent Profile: Woody, Sweet, Gourmand, Spicy, Oriental
Best Seasons: Winter, Fall
Best Occasions: Evening, Night Out
Perfumer: Christopher Sheldrake, Serge Lutens

Community Insights

Based on 151 discussions

Un Bois Vanille consistently wins over people who claim they don't like vanilla fragrances — the licorice, wood, and bitter almond keep it from reading as a straightforward gourmand, and that complexity is what converts skeptics.
The opening is genuinely divisive. Many enthusiasts warn first-timers to expect a strange, almost off-putting top — something anise-heavy and unusual — before the dry-down reveals the fragrance's real character. Patience is repeatedly cited as essential.
It's considered one of the more approachable entry points into the Serge Lutens catalog, frequently mentioned alongside other house favorites like Chergui and Feminité du Bois when enthusiasts share their personal collections.
Performance is understood to be moderate rather than a projection powerhouse — the community generally accepts this as part of its character rather than a flaw, noting that its intimate sillage suits the fragrance's overall mood.
Fall and winter are the near-universal consensus for when to wear it, with evening occasions being the most recommended context. Summer wear is rarely mentioned without caveats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Un Bois Vanille actually wearable by people who don't love sweet fragrances?+

Surprisingly often, yes. The licorice, bitter almond, guaiac wood, and benzoin add enough darkness and complexity to prevent it from reading as straightforwardly sweet. It's a woody, slightly smoky vanilla rather than a dessert-counter vanilla, and that distinction makes it work for a lot of people who typically avoid gourmands.

How does it perform — will it last all day?+

Longevity is solid and it tends to wear through the better part of a day, but sillage is modest. It projects gently rather than loudly, sitting closer to the skin after the first hour or so. It won't fill a room, but it won't disappear on you either. One spray is typically enough for everyday wear; add a second if you want it to carry further for a night out.

When should I wear this — is it a year-round fragrance?+

Fall and winter are the sweet spot by a wide margin. The combination of warm vanilla, beeswax, and smoky wood makes it genuinely comforting in cold weather. It can work for spring evenings, but summer wear is a stretch — the warmth and sweetness of the composition don't translate well to heat.

Is this a masculine, feminine, or truly unisex fragrance?

+

It's marketed for everyone and genuinely wears that way. The licorice and woody accords give it enough structure to avoid reading as traditionally feminine, while the vanilla and coconut milk keep it from skewing masculine. It sits comfortably in the unisex middle — your own skin chemistry will do a lot of the shaping.

How does Un Bois Vanille compare to other famous vanilla fragrances?+

It occupies a different space than simple linear vanillas. The black licorice, benzoin, and guaiac wood give it an angular, almost brooding quality that sets it apart from sweeter, more straightforward vanilla compositions. It's in conversation with the broader oriental tradition — warm, resinous, woody — rather than the pure gourmand genre.

What occasions suit this fragrance best?+

Evening and night-out wear are the natural fits. Its warmth and intimacy make it a good choice for dinners, colder-weather gatherings, or quiet evenings at home. It can work in a casual daytime context when applied lightly, but its sweetness and density make it less ideal for professional or business settings.

No tracked prices yet

We are not tracking a current retailer offer for this fragrance yet.

View price details

No tracked prices yet

We are not tracking a current retailer offer for this fragrance yet.

View price details

Where to buy Un bois vanille

No tracked prices yet.

We don't track a retailer offer for this fragrance yet — check the Amazon link below for current availability.

Amazon

Price not trackedBuy

No price tracked yet. Join the list and we'll email you if one shows up.

Prices are collected from third-party retailers and updated periodically. Always verify the price on the retailer's site before purchasing. We may earn a commission on purchases made through our links.

Similar Fragrances

Serge Lutens

Gris clair...

Serge Lutens

Ambre sultan

Eau De Parfum

Serge Lutens

Chergui

Eau De Parfum

Le Labo

Bergamote 22

Eau De Parfum

Yves Saint Laurent

Cuir

Le Labo

Vetiver 46

Eau De Parfum

Solinotes

Vanille

Eau De Parfum

Yves Saint Laurent

Opium pour Homme

Eau De Toilette

Appears in Collections

Evening Fragrances2333 Unisex Fragrances3693 Parfum Fragrances1015 2000s Fragrances1079 Fragrances Starting With U76