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Estate Vanilla
by Solstice Scents
Estate Vanilla by Solstice Scents is a deeply textured, richly complex vanilla fragrance that leans heavily into the natural and earthy aspects of vanilla bean. It begins with a lush, boozy, almost cake-like opening of bourbon vanilla, liquor, marshmallow, and whipped cream—very dessert-like but not juvenile. The character evolves into a deeper, smoky-ambery vanilla with hints of caramel, sweet smoke, and a subtle woody resinous quality. This transformation gives it a unique narrative, moving from a bright, boil-in-glass vanilla to a quieter, more intimate, radiant extract-like drydown. Though some find the drydown to be oddly off-putting—comparing it to a faux, synthetic vanilla air freshener or even a slightly nauseating stink—many others praise its authenticity and depth, noting it resembles a real vanilla bean infused with alcohol and cream.
Pros
- +Offers a deeply natural, authentic vanilla scent unmatched by most synthetic alternatives
- +Features a beautifully evolving development from bold initial richness to a warm, radiant, subtle drydown
- +Balances creaminess and warmth without becoming overly gourmand or childish
Cons
- −Longevity and sillage are weak, with moderate wear and low projection on most skin types
- −The drydown may become unpleasant or strange for some, likened to an artificial or slightly sour vanillic scent
- −Some users perceive it as overly foody or synthetic, reminiscent of department-store vanilla air fresheners