My Top 12 Gourmand Fragrances

For someone who claims she doesn't want to smell like a cupcake I certainly own and wear a staggering amount of sweet and gourmand perfumes. I do have a sweet tooth, so that may explain it. Still, I didn't consider making a list of foody perfumes because I already posted my top fig, vanilla, chocolate, citrus, and fruity ones. But a couple of readers requested a "Best Of" gourmands, and looking at my shelves I realized that there are quite of few that didn't make it into previous posts because they're not necessarily centered around any of the obvious notes I mentioned above.

I admit that all of these are sweet and sinful. Yes, there are food-related fragrances that aren't dessert-like; Christopher Brosius even offers a roast beef accord, but as you can imagine, that's not really my thing. So while avoiding straight up vanillas and such, here are my personal favorite perfumes that make me go and raid the pantry (in no particular order):

• Honore des Pres- Sexy Angelic. Olivia Giacobetti created a natural perfume based on a traditional French confection, calisson, that sounds heavenly and obviously smells the part. Abysmal lasting power, though.
• People Of The Labyrinths-  Luctor et Emergo. Marzipan and cherries that spell Play-Doh to many.I find it delicious and somewhat incensy in the dry-down. I especially love it on the husband.
• Serge Lutens- Rahat Loukoum. Turkish Delight is one of my favorite things in the universe, and Uncle Serge's interpretation is musky, honeyed and luxurious. 
• Keiko Mecheri- Loukhoum and Loukhoum Parfum du Soir. Keiko Mecheri's variation on this theme is more floral, more powdery and also woodier. It is larger than life, especially in the parfum version.
• Guerlain- Gourmand Coquin. From the somewhat controversial Elixir Charnel range, this spicy boozy chocolate and rose creature grew on me slowly. It's delicious and very very Guerlain.
• CB I Hate Perfume accords in My Birthday Cake, Wildflower Honey and just about everything Christopher Brosius makes. The accords are very literal, often (not always) linear and are bound to take you places.
• Thierry Mugler- Innocent. Angel's delicate and musky sibling is soft and very praline-like. There's none of the loud and obnoxious qualities of too many Mugler perfumes, which is probably why Innocent is the wallflower of the line.
• Kelly & Jones- #5 Notes of Chardonnay. Kelly & Jones perfumes were created to go with wine. It would have been nothing but a gimmick if the fragrances weren't so nice. Chardonnay is creme brulee in an oak barrel. Irresistible.
• Hilde Soliani- Fraaagola Saalaaata. Italian perfumer Hilde Soliani offers several mouth-watering perfumes. This one is about salted strawberries. I can't believe how much I like it, considering I usually abhor strawberry notes in perfume, but the masterful blending and saltiness save Fraaagola Saalaaata from being as intolerable as Soliani's penchant for extra vowels.
• L'Artisan- Traversee du Bosphore. Yes, another Turkish Delight fragrance, this one with an extra serving of every stall from the markets of Istanbul, including the leather ones.
• Etat Libre d'Orange- Like This (Tilda Swinton). Pumpkin pie laced with ginger and maple syrup, a warm kitchen and a cat snuggled at your feet.
• Dawn Spencer Hurwitz- Mahjoun. Fruitcake and sticky pudding, spicy and nutty. A drop before bedtime is kind of like a hot toddy for the soul.

Honorable Mention: Serge Lutens Louve (Rahat Loukoum's muskier and fluffier sibling) and Jeux de Peau (caramelized popcorn on toast),  Ava Luxe Loukhoum, Milk, and Madeline (what it says is what you get), Lostmarch Lan-Ael (Fruit Loops in milk), Montale Sweet Oriental Dream (another sweet almond with a touch of honey and a powdery rose), and Parfumerie Generale Tonkamande (almond milk and toast).

What are your favorite gourmands?

Image: Paulette Goddard in Modern Times.