Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille

Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille: A Masterpiece of Gourmand Art

An in-depth look at Christopher Sheldrake's iconic 2003 vanilla classic.

By James Whitmore, Fragrance News Reporter · · Updated

James covers releases, brand news, and industry shifts in fine fragrance. Former beauty desk editor; trained nose since 2014.

Released in 2003, Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille remains a benchmark in the world of niche perfumery. Crafted by Christopher Sheldrake, this fragrance shifted the perception of vanilla from a simplistic, sugary additive to a sophisticated, woody, and resinous olfactory experience. As part of the Les Eaux de Politesse and the wider Serge Lutens portfolio, Un Bois Vanille captures the essence of a dark, mysterious forest floor infused with the warmth of high-quality vanilla beans. It is a fragrance that balances the line between edible gourmand and serious, artistic perfumery.
4.2 Overall
Longevity
0.0
Projection
0.0
Sillage
0.0
$120-$160
๐ŸŒธSpringโ˜€๏ธSummer๐Ÿ‚Fallโ„๏ธWinter

Accords

0%
0%
0%
0%
0%

Notes Pyramid

Top
Mexican vanillaliquorice
Heart
coconut milkbeeswaxbitter almond
Base
sandalwoodtonka beanbenzoinguaiac woodmusk

Performance Dashboard

โฑ๏ธ Longevity 0.0/5

๐Ÿ“ข Projection 0.0/5

๐Ÿ’จ Sillage 0.0/5

When to Wear

๐ŸŒธSpringOK
โ˜€๏ธSummerAvoid
๐Ÿ‚FallAvoid
โ„๏ธWinterBest
๐ŸŒ™ evening events๐Ÿ“Œ cold weather casual wear๐Ÿ“Œ intimate gatherings

Community Verdict

โญ Overall
4.2
โฑ๏ธ Longevity
4.0
๐Ÿ’จ Sillage
3.8
๐Ÿ’ฐ Value
4.1
๐Ÿ’Œ Compliment Factor 0.0/5

Pros & Cons

  • โœ… Exceptional longevity
  • โœ… Unique, non-linear vanilla profile
  • โœ… High-quality resinous base
  • โŒ Can be too sweet for some
  • โŒ Strong presence may not suit office environments

Price & Value

$120-$160

“Excellent value for the niche market given the complexity and longevity.”

๐Ÿ“œ Reformulation History

No significant batch variations reported

Explore More

๐Ÿ” Similar Fragrances

๐Ÿ’ก Clone Alternatives

โค๏ธ You May Also Enjoy

More from This Brand

๐Ÿงช Layering Ideas

๐Ÿ† Final Verdict

Un Bois Vanille is a foundational fragrance for any vanilla lover. Its ability to balance gourmand sweetness with deep, woody resins makes it a timeless staple in the Serge Lutens collection.

More fragrances we love

Sponsored picks

Also worth your attention: watches

Sponsored picks
Serge LutensVanillaGourmandNiche FragranceUnisex