In a world increasingly drawn to comfort and emotional connection, it's no surprise that gourmand fragrances are making a triumphant return. But if you're imagining those syrupy-sweet scents of the early 2000s, think again. The gourmand wave of 2025 is far more nuanced: luxurious, textured, and profoundly personal.
Gone are the days when a gourmand perfume meant smelling like dessert. Today, the genre has grown up. Perfumers are taking inspiration from edible notes like vanilla, tonka bean, and caramel, but refining them with salty inflections, smoky woods, and mineral undertones. It's a delicate balance between indulgence and sophistication, comfort and complexity. These fragrances no longer shout sugar; they whisper skin.
There’s something deeply sensual about wearing a scent that feels intimate and warm. Gourmand perfumes are designed not to dominate a room but to draw someone in. They leave a trail that feels lived-in, familiar yet intriguing—like sun-warmed skin or the memory of a childhood treat elevated to couture status.
Part of this trend is driven by what we crave in uncertain times: reassurance, softness, nostalgia. A gourmand perfume becomes a scented version of self-care. It tells a story of indulgence without excess, elegance without effort. There's a quiet luxury in choosing a fragrance that soothes and seduces at once.
Historically, the idea of edible notes in perfumery isn't new. Since antiquity, natural resins and spiced oils hinted at sweetness. But the modern gourmand era truly began in 1992 with Thierry Mugler's 'Angel' — a provocative blend of chocolate, caramel, and cotton candy that shocked and seduced in equal measure. What followed was a wave of overly sweet perfumes that, over time, lost favor. Until now.
Today, the gourmand is reborn with restraint and depth. Think vanilla wrapped in incense, almond softened by suede, or amber glazed in citrus zest. It's no longer about smelling like dessert, but about evoking something deliciously human.
Whether you're drawn to creamy warmth, resinous sweetness, or mineral sugar accords, 2025 is the year to rediscover the gourmand world—reimagined not as guilty pleasure, but as modern luxury.
3 Gourmand Masterpieces Available Now at Encapture Store
1. Juliette Has a Gun — Vanilla Vibes
A sun-kissed take on vanilla. Salty undertones balance the sweetness, creating a fragrance that's both warm and fresh, comforting and breezy. It's the gourmand for those who crave a little edge.
✦ Shop Vanilla Vibes
2. Nishane — Ambra Calabria
A magnetic blend where fresh bergamot and green leaves meet the golden depth of amber. Sweetness is present but elegantly wrapped in citrus brightness, perfect for gourmand lovers looking for complexity.
✦ Shop Ambra Calabria
3. Xerjoff — Ether
An avant-garde interpretation of sweetness. Ether dances between creamy gourmand notes and a sophisticated, almost mineral freshness, creating a scent that's indulgent yet ethereal.
✦ Shop Ether
Final Thoughts
Gourmand fragrances in 2025 are more than a trend—they are a movement towards emotional luxury. Whether you crave the cozy embrace of vanilla or the sophisticated sweetness of tonka, there's a gourmand masterpiece waiting to become your new signature.
Explore the full selection of exclusive fragrances on Encapture Store and find your sweetest escape.