Key takeaways:
- Vanilla absolute is a highly concentrated extract from vanilla beans.
- Vanilla absolute has a rich, deep scent.
- Sweet Ash Super is one Snif fragrance containing vanilla absolute.
Searching for fragrances can feel complicated. Some ingredients are completely unfamiliar, and other ingredients, such as vanilla absolute, sound familiar but hit different in perfume than they do in your kitchen.
That’s why this guide will break down what vanilla absolute smells like, how it’s different from vanilla extract, and some of the notes that define this scent. From there, we’ll dive into a few of the Snif fragrances where vanilla absolute shines.
What Is Vanilla Absolute?
If you’re a lover of all things vanilla, chances are you’ve already smelled vanilla absolute. Vanilla absolute is a highly concentrated, thick liquid or a semi-solid resin that’s extracted from vanilla beans using strong solvents.
Given that the extraction process is complex, vanilla absolute is a valuable, costly ingredient that gives fragrances a rich, complex, sweet smell (more on the smell later!).
How Are Vanilla Absolute and Vanilla Extract Different?
Vanilla absolute is more concentrated, made differently, and built for fragrance. Made through solvent extraction, vanilla absolute is a resin that is highly potent and used to give perfumes that delicious vanilla smell.
It’s produced through solvent extraction, resulting in a rich, resin-like material that perfumers use to create that deep, delicious vanilla effect. One important note: because it’s made with solvents (and can contain trace amounts), vanilla absolute is for scent — not for eating.
Vanilla extract, on the other hand, is the liquid used in baking and cooking that you likely have in your kitchen. To make vanilla extract, vanilla beans are soaked in alcohol. Because it’s not as potent as vanilla absolute and is produced differently, it is safe for human consumption.
What Does Vanilla Absolute Smell Like?
Now that you know what vanilla absolute is, how it’s made, and what makes it different from vanilla absolute, it’s time to break down the scent profile.
Deep
Vanilla absolute has a deep scent that’s more intense than the smell of vanilla extract or synthetic vanilla. Because the smell of vanilla absolute is so deep, it’s commonly used as a mid or base note, meaning that in a fragrance, it’s one of the smells that will linger longer.
Warm and Sweet
There’s also an undeniably warm and sweet vibe to vanilla absolute, and this is what makes it reminiscent of baked goods, sweet treats, and quick trips to your favorite coffee shop.
Rich
The richness of vanilla absolute comes from the notes of caramel, chocolate, and rum that define this beloved smell. Perfumers either try to balance out this richness with fruity, floral notes or add to it with warm, woody smells and other sweet scents.
Complex
Unlike vanilla extract, vanilla absolute is anything but one-note. It’s rich and layered with a creamy sweetness up front and smoky, balsamic depth underneath that gives it real character.
That complexity is exactly why vanilla absolute is such an icon in perfumery: it doesn’t just smell like vanilla. It wears like it.
What Is a Vanilla Absolute Fragrance To Try?
It’s time to dive into some of our favorite vanilla absolute fragrances. From scented candles to deliciously sweet colognes, there’s something for everyone on this list.
Sweet Ash Super
Sweet Ash is one of our best-selling fragrances, which is why we made Sweet Ash Super, a supercharged version of this iconic Snif scent that is made to last all day long. This fragrance features a blend of vanilla absolute, musk, sandalwood, milk, fir balsam, and cedarwood for next-level obsession.
Extra Whip Body Mist
Our Extra Whip Body Mist offers something light and airy. Bringing together cold aldehydes, icing sugar, whipped cream, vanilla, milky sandalwood, and fluffy musk, this body mist is as simple and delicious as a dollop of whipped cream for dessert.
Vanilla Vice
Vanilla Vice is the fragrance for you if you have a verified sweet tooth and a love of soft serve. With a combination of ice cream accord, vanilla bean, jasmine sambac, amberwood, musk, and orcanox, Vanilla Vice is a layered, complex take on the classic vanilla fragrance. It’s the kind of scent that’s sweet enough for summer nights but can also be layered to create a dreamy holiday scent in winter.
Room for Dessert
If you’re looking for a darker, fruitier vanilla fragrance, look no further than Room for Dessert.
This cologne features a blend of strawberry, creme brulee accord, vanilla, ambrette seeds, orcanox, and cedar. In other words, it’s the kind of cologne that will become a date-night staple after just one wear.
The Sweet Side
You’re officially ready to take a walk on the sweet side. As you search for your next signature scent, remember that vanilla absolute is a timeless fragrance ingredient that will add a little sweetness and warmth to your perfume lineup.
FAQs
How is vanilla absolute made?
Vanilla absolute is made through a process known as solvent extraction. First, a “concrete” with a wax-like texture is made using a solvent like hexane. This extracts the aromatic compounds from cured vanilla beans.
From there, the concrete is washed with ethanol, dissolving the fragrant resins. Once the alcohol has evaporated away, the product, highly-concentrated vanilla absolute, is left behind.
Is vanilla absolute the same thing as vanilla extract?
Although they are similar, vanilla absolute is not the same thing as vanilla extract. Vanilla absolute is a high-concentrated resin that is made through solvent extraction. It’ss used for perfumes, but is not suitable for consumption. Vanilla extract, on the other hand, is made by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol and is used in cooking and baking.
Sources:
Effects of Different Extraction Methods on Vanilla Aroma | NIH
Vanilla Extract - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
Analysis of Volatile Components of Jasmine and Jasmine Tea during Scenting Process | NIH