Hello Posse Peepers, Vanille Charnelle came out in a trilogy of more expensive Annick Goutal fragrances in 2015. New bottle shape, high end marketing and costly ingredients. Nobody seemed to notice. It was like they never happened. I loved the idea of them but so much is being released that Vanille Charnel slipped from my radar without a trace. Recently, while shopping on Surrender To Chance and rediscovered the set, I grabbed a couple of ml of each and thought maybe you would like to be reminded too?
Vanille Charnelle by Camille Goutal, Isabelle Doyen for Annick Goutal 2015
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Ylang-ylang, pepper
Heart: Vanilla, tonka bean, white musk
Base: Vanilla absolute, vetiver
Dry vanilla, crackling with the freshly ground pepper, backed by a creamy, banana infused ylang. Sounds freaking awful but for the record it is really good. Thick, glutinous and rich with the zing of pepper cutting through perfectly. I think the note list has been truncated for ease of digestion because I also pick up some creamy green herbs like basil or cardamom (could easily be my imagination). Later the vetiver does give a very softly acted dry grass effect but it merely serves to mute the sweet resinous vanilla a little.
Groundbreaking? Naah, not really. Interesting and fun, totally wearable. I don’t think it will challenge or cause anyone to scrunch their nose at your sillage and if you’re a sexy bastard already then it will give people another excuse to come in for a better sniff. There is something delightfully tongue-in-cheek retro about Vanille Charnel though. I like it a lot.
PDI
One of the great things I selfishly love about fragrances not making an enormous splash is that they hit the discounters quick smart these days. Already Vanille Charnelle is available for just over $100 if you look around. Finally, there will be one winging its way to me, as soon as I get some breathing space on the credit cards.
Further reading: Perfume Shrine and Scented Hound
FragranceNet has $110/75ml after coupon currently
Surrender To Chance has samples from $4.50/0.5ml
Would you try Vanille Charnelle? Which other Annick Goutal frags do you like?
Portia xx
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Howdy, dear! Sorry I’m late to the party but was in post-vacation crazy mode. I really liked this one, too, and have a bit around here somewhere. Glad you got it for a good price. My fave AGs are Nuit Etoilee, Eau de Camille and Eau de Ciel (both from way back when) and the Encens Flamboyant. And I did rather like the tea one from a few years ago. Thanks for the reminder to go back and give this line some love!!
I tried Vanille Charnelle but it didn’t stand out to me as something I had to have, it reminded me of the previous Orientalistes collection, which I already own and love (Encens Flamboyant, Ambre Fetiche, Musc Nomade, Myrrhe Ardente). I also own and love Nuit Etoilee edp and Mon Parfum Cheri par Camille. Out of the florals, I like Songes and Passion best.
Hi there TaraC,
Yes, very like the orientalist without smelling like any of them. Ambre Fetiche and Musc Nomade are in my collection too.
I completely understand it just isn’t as out there as it could have been. Much better valuee too now.
Portia xx
I am big AG fan; have several FBs in my collection, including Vanille Exquise. I skipped this one due to the price, though, and because I OD’d on vanilla fragrances when I first went down the rabbit hole. Perhaps worth a sample.
Hey MMKinpa
Definitely worth a try even if it never becomes a FB purchase. I think it’s really nice.
Portia xx