Foodie fragrances, or gourmand as they’re more formally known are a big pleasure of mine. Since I was a kid I have loved anything vanilla and creamy – never being much of a sweety fan but always loving cake, biscuits and chocolate. As a consequence, I have always been on the lookout for Vanilla scents for men, that are acceptable without being too floral – the ultimate men’s vanilla cologne!

Synthetic vanilla is often cloying, floral and sugary whereas when vanilla extract or even good synthetic vanilla is often smoother and creamier – mixed often with tonka, cocoa, honey, benzoin and sandalwood to give it warmth and depth.

So here are my top 5 best vanilla scents for guys (but some totally unisex) that will satisfy your cravings without giving in to the sinful urge.

1. TOM FORD Tobacco Vanille

Launched in 2007, Tobacco Vanille is my favourite of all the TOM FORD private blend fragrances. With top notes of tobacco leaf and spice; a heart of tonka bean, tobacco blossom, vanilla and cacao and a base of dried fruits and woody notes. Read my full TOM FORD Tobacco Vanille review here!

2. Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille

Slightly creamier than the other offerings with the addition of gorgeous coconut and almond. Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille is composed of sandalwood, black licorice, coconut milk, beeswax, bitter almond, musk, vanila, benzoin, guaiac wood and tonka bean. Read my full review here.

3. Givenchy Pi

So 90’s (they even made a special edition for one of the Matrix films) and is lighter than the others with citrus at its head but still prominently vanilla, almond and benzoin. You can read my full review here.

Givenchy Pi has a top of basil, rosemary, tarragon and mandarin; a heart of neroli, geranium, lily of the valley and anise with a base of vanilla, tonka, cedar, benzoin, almond and yellow sugar.

4. Thierry Mugler A*Men

Bow down. This is a fragrance staple; part of the men’s scent 101. Essentially A*Men is most noticeably coffee, stirax, warm musk and Tonka. It’s everything and is my all time favourite fragrance ever! I must have about 4/5 bottles of it around and every ancillary available. A*Men was one of my first ever reviews on MANFACE but here’s the most recent.

5. Replica Jazz Club by Maison Martin Margiela

On the slightly lighter end of the scale, Jazz Club ecompasses just that; a late night jazz club with a propitiatory blend of tobacco, leather and rum. I’d expect it to be darker than it is, but it still has everything I want from a vanilla gourmand fragrance. Read my full review of Jazz Club here.