Un Bois Vanille

Un Bois Vanille, inspired by Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille (2003)

Caramelised vanilla over dry woods is the core of Un Bois Vanille. Early on, a brief coconut-milk note passes through, followed by an anise and black licorice phase that gives the sweetness a darker, herbal twist. Beeswax and bitter almond add depth. Eventually it settles into sugared vanilla, guaiac wood and sandalwood with a clean, slightly soapy musk.

About the original

Serge Lutens released Un Bois Vanille in 2003, and it is credited to Christopher Sheldrake. The brand calls it a carnal, radiant and dry vanilla, with wood notes that make it warmer, and links it to Cortes's discovery of vanilla in Aztec Mexico. It is sold today as an eau de parfum in the Collection Noire. Serge Lutens does not publish notes, so the list used here is the commonly cited probable one.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Serge Lutens stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Despite the word 'bois', this is a sweet scent first and a woody one second, best suited to cool weather. Licorice and burnt sugar both feature, and the woods can come across as slightly sharp against the vanilla.

Related scents

• Serge Lutens Chergui
• Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan
• Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Notes: Sandalwood, Black Licorice, Coconut Milk, Beeswax, Bitter Almond, Musk, Vanilla, Benzoin, Guaiac Wood, Tonka Bean

Burnt sugar and vanilla arrive first over a dry wood base, with coconut milk flickering briefly.

Black licorice and bitter almond come next, an anise-tinged phase rounded by beeswax.

The finish is sugared vanilla with guaiac wood, sandalwood, benzoin, tonka bean and a soapy musk.

Does Un Bois Vanille smell of coconut?

Only briefly. Coconut milk appears early and fades, while vanilla and wood carry the rest.

Is Un Bois Vanille very sweet?

Yes, notably so. Dry woods and licorice give it shape, but caramelised vanilla is the dominant impression.

How does it compare with Chergui?

Both sit in the Serge Lutens Collection Noire. Chergui centres on honey and tobacco; Un Bois Vanille centres on vanilla with woods and licorice.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Serge Lutens and Un Bois Vanille are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Serge Lutens in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.