Vanilla Diorama by Dior

Dior Vanilla Diorama is extremely elegant, unique, and has an incredible evolution. It opens incredibly rich, rum-soaked with fine sweet rum, but it doesn’t last long; immediately the sandalwood emerges with a soft, floral, vanilla-powdered, delicate scent, with a touch of cinnamon powder that makes it very warm. Extremely elegant, refined, nothing synthetic, with natural ingredients and quality that shows. The sandalwood is aromatic wood for incense, but it doesn’t smell like a church. It’s niche, not for daily wear, the office, or summer. I use it exclusively for special occasions, elegant attire, winter, and night, with controlled sprays. Do not put it on clothes because it doesn’t project and marks other fragrances. Its extreme elegance doesn’t make it versatile; limited use. Complex, special, unisex but nothing commercial or synthetic. Not a blind buy. If you try it, let it evolve for 15 minutes for its true potential; after half an hour it stops being an elegant grandma perfume to become something special, yes, for older and well-dressed people. It’s not sweet, although not gourmand, it’s warm for a date if you don’t overdo it and apply it in advance. I don’t feel lemon or cardamomo declared, let alone lime; the orange is there but weak and overshadowed by vanilla, sandalwood, cinnamon, and patchouli, making it powdery. Be careful, it’s not for beginners. Summary: 1. Rum-soaked opening that doesn’t last long. 2. In the dry-down it evolves to subtle orange, with vanilla, sandalwood, cinnamon, and patchouli predominating, very powdery, not flat. 3. A trail where you pass for three hours. 4. Projection over a metre and a half; if you over-spray, it fills large rooms. 5. Longevity over 12 hours firmly on skin and clothes last forever. 6. Ages, not for young people, use above 40. 7. Similarity, reminds me of a strong Guerlain, I don’t recall the name. 8. Compliments, none unpleasant, rather imposing and curious. 9. Use, unisex, elegant, winter, night, over 40. 10. Unisex, yes. 11. Price, high. 12. Verdict: Complex, elegant, exclusive, limited use, winter night, over 40 well-dressed; it shows a lot but isn’t versatile or a compliment machine. Not a blind buy, requires trying and letting it dry. Note: 250ml or 8.4oz bottle not available in this format. Tested over 4 days.

It’s a warm and spiced fragrance that opens strong with natural cinnamon and cardamomo; the rum doesn’t invade. On my skin, the middle notes combined with the vanilla last; I don’t smell the citrus or patchouli. It’s strong, natural, and refined, a gourmand that can be worn all year with controlled sprays. It’s very well mixed; the vanilla is delicious at times, reminding me of Mon Guerlain, others of Killian’s Angel’s. It doesn’t smell like a dessert, but like a drink: a chocolate liqueur, a kitchen vanilla syrup, or opening a box of chocolates with that spicy cinnamon touch, like a chocolate Abuelita with lots of cinnamon. That’s my perception, it can change because Dior perfumes intensify over time. I have vintage Dior Poison, it’s still intense and majestic, smells all over the house without smelling stale; it’s one of the richest wines, so Dior makes quality perfumes, you just have to let them macerate. It’s nothing new or out of this world, there are cheaper options. Its trail is medium to soft, linear, doesn’t change except for the first seconds. It combines with others, but I don’t recommend blind buying because it opens with known aromas, from powdered cinnamon to concentrated vanilla for desserts. If you’re looking for the perfect vanilla, I assure you it’s not this one, because the spices are stronger. It lasts about 6 to 8 hours with medium intensity. This vanilla, although delicious, isn’t alone; it’s always accompanied by cinnamon, cardamomo, and those notes stand out. It’s perfect for those who love cinnamon and cardamomo with a chocolate touch, making it powdery. I like cinnamon, so for me it’s a hit; I look forward to maceration giving it more strength and longevity. For me, cinnamon is a delight, a potion to attract sweet love, a perfume for lovers.

They have a similarity to Tom Ford Noir Extreme, I imagine mainly due to the vanilla and sandalwood. If you have one, you won’t want the other due to their great resemblance, as is my case since I already have Noir Extreme.

One of my favourite vanilla fragrances, I’ve only tested it in decants, but 10 ml lasts me all winter, the perfect season. Don’t buy the full bottle because it would last you an eternity. It smells of vanilla, rum, and spices; the projection and longevity are incredible, they always give me compliments. Works well day and night, with casual or elegant clothes.

It’s an oriental vanilla; it’s not gourmand as they say. In the Middle East, vanilla is used not only in desserts but in men’s fragrances, and the fact that it’s used in baking doesn’t mean it has to smell like a dessert. The second strong note is the pepper with cinnamon, which makes it more masculine and at the same time unisex; together with the rum, they give it that refined and classy, oriental touch. It causes olfactory fatigue at times, but yes, it projects, even on my skin which is the most difficult; it did project, and for a certain time I could perceive it, although the scent faded; however, the people around me did tell me they could smell it. It’s unisex because the pepper and cinnamon aren’t very feminine notes and make the fragrance recall a walk in a Middle Eastern market. Scent 8, Longevity 7, Projection 6, Quality 9.

Among perfumes where vanilla is the protagonist, I’ve liked this one very much because it’s not cloying and is surrounded by spices. In the opening, you immediately detect vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon, and clove (although they aren’t listed). It seemed similar to me at this stage to Tobacco Vanille, obviously, without the tobacco. On my skin, I don’t perceive the rum and only very faintly the cocoa. In the end, it leaves a sensation of not very sweet, spiced vanilla, with a base of nuts and orange, which makes it different from other vanilla perfumes.

Once again, following the notes didn’t work out. On my nose, which isn’t used to niche fragrances, it smells like a very old wardrobe with a touch of cinnamon. I’d love to like it, but it’s impossible; my sense of smell simply can’t tolerate it. Both this and Feve Delicieuse smell the same to me. The good thing is that they last quite a while on my skin.

Another time I followed the notes and it went wrong. On my nose, not used to niches, it smells like an old wardrobe with a touch of cinnamon. I’d love to like it, but I can’t, it makes me angry because my sense of smell isn’t trained and I can’t tolerate it. Both this and Feve Delicieuse I feel the same way. The good thing is that on my skin it lasts quite a while.

It’s very similar to Feve, though here the benzoin isn’t quite as prominent. I didn’t like either of them, as I’m not a fan of old wardrobe or dusty scents. And I don’t care what people say about training your nose; if you don’t like it, you don’t like it.

Luckily for my wallet, Vanilla Diorama hasn’t won me over. It has a citrus opening that passes quickly, leaving a brief phase reminiscent of Feve Délicieuse. Then it settles into a spiced, very smoky vanilla, which is too much for me; it’s unisex and slightly powdery. In the base, it smells of unsweetened cocoa powder with a spicy kick, which I imagine is pink pepper. For me, it’s not a sweet perfume. The trail is moderate and lasts about 7 hours on my skin. To be honest, it left me cold… Scent 5/10, Longevity 7/10, Sillage 6/10, Value for money 4/10, Versatility 6.5/10, Packaging 7/10. Would I buy it again? No.

I was eager to give Vanilla Diorama a sniff. Many mixed feelings, I say ‘mixed’ because I’ve already smelled it in something very recent. To me, it’s as if you fused 50% of an Angel Share (by Kilian) with 30% of a Dolce Vita by Dior and 20% of a Miss Dior Le Parfum. The result? A deliciously rich, very gourmand aroma, where a very syrupy orange liqueur stands out with touches of cardamom and cocoa powder. I find it slightly powdery and warm. Here, my companions (and not because it’s my favourite) have to say they don’t detect a resemblance, but none to Fève Délicieuse either. It has a very moderate trail and a longevity of about 7 hours. As hours pass, it becomes sweeter and sweeter but doesn’t become annoying. It feels like a refined sweet, but friends, I must say I find it very boring. I will enjoy it, but I don’t think I’ll repurchase. I expected something else and am a bit annoyed, but don’t think wrongly, as it smells fabulous; however, it seems disproportionate for it to be in their private line. Very tasty, but this should be called Amber Diorama. I give it a 7.