I had hoped Oud Vanille would stand out on its own more, since I already have- and love- Shaghaf Oud from Swiss Arabian. It is so similar, however, than now I have two gourmand fragrances in my oud collection. It's not that Oud Vanille isn't a good scent. I like it. But I don't LOVE it. For younger people used to fragrances like Bath and Body Works and Victoria's Secret, this will be a slightly more grown step up from typicals like Amber Romance, but not nearly as complex as more niche fragrances. All in all, Oud Vanille is mostly one-note despite the name. The oud sits in the background, the vanilla is warm and nice, and at this price point you can use it liberally without feeling guilty. What I do see as an advantage with this is that it will be great for layering. I tried it with Ard al Zaafran's Midnight Oud (allegedly a dupe for Amouage Interlude Man) and it is absolutely delicious. I like Midnight Oud on its own, but bringing out the vanilla-oud softens the strong oregano presence that causes them to market it more toward men. This also pairs well with Oud Rose, and anything sandalwood or spicy. It all depends on what you're in the mood for.
Rating: [4 of 5 Stars!]