French Avenue Liquid Brun

Cinnamon bark warming in a pan of vanilla cream, with a curl of orange-blossom steam rising off the top: Liquid Brun is French Avenue’s spiced vanilla, rich and glossy rather than sugary.

It opens bright for a gourmand, cinnamon and cardamom sharpened by bergamot and a soft flicker of orange blossom. The heart is where it earns its name: bourbon vanilla, deep and slightly boozy, cut with the peppery, lemony resin of elemi. Praline sweetens the base, guaiac wood adds a dry, smoky edge, and ambroxan and musk keep it radiant on skin.

It is built for cool evenings, autumn through early spring, and suits anyone who likes vanilla with some structure; it is usually listed for men, but this kind of vanilla is widely shared. It is often compared with Parfums de Marly Althaïr, and its published notes share almost the whole list. The honest caveat: a vanilla this rich can feel heavy in summer heat or a small office.

Spiced vanillas change a lot between the first spray and the drydown, so a 5 ml decant lets you wear it over several evenings, ideally next to Althaïr when it is back, and decide for yourself.

Notes. Top: cinnamon, cardamom, orange blossom, bergamot; heart: bourbon vanilla, elemi; base: praline, ambroxan, guaiac wood, musk. Launched in 2024.