Vanille Glacé is a marron glacé finished with vanilla in place of chestnut. The sugar isn’t in a hurry. It soaks in one layer at a time, finishing with a glossy sheen. The first impression is brown sugar syrup, with cinnamon drawing the syrup into sharper focus. At its heart, the vanilla leans heavy rather than white and airy. Freshly baked madeleine adds soft warmth, and espresso casts a thin, bitter shadow at the edge of the sweetness.
The drydown gives full reign to blond woods, tonka bean and musk, lending reassurance to the indulgence.
Best Hansel & Gretel by Mischief Academy Alternatives & Similar Perfumes
Hansel & Gretel by Mischief Academy is a warm oriental spicy fragrance with a rich blend of ginger and cinnamon, softened by vanilla and tonka beans. The scent evokes a cozy sweetness reminiscent of hot chocolate and spiced rum, with cloves adding depth and warmth. Those drawn to a gourmand yet spicy profile with a comforting, slightly boozy twist will find this composition compelling.
Spice Must Flow by Etat Libre d'Orange £200.00
- Key notes:
- amber
- cinnamon
- cumin
- ginger
- incense
- patchouli
- rose
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- spicy
- woody
The Orange Extraordinaire collection.
An homage to the role of spices in Western perfumery, history and culture. Naturally it’s a majestic aromatic flow of cinnamon and ginger, with numerous sparks of pepper and a rich incense background.
Tabac Rouge by Phaedon Paris £108.33
- Key notes:
- benzoin
- cinnamon
- ginger
- tobacco
- Aromagroups:
- spicy
- woody
Inspired by an Art Deco skyscraper and the paintings of Tamara de Lempicka, Tabac Rouge is a striking androgynous fragrance, conjuring up curling tendrils of incense and tobacco smoke. Turkish tobacco absolute is warmed by ginger and cinnamon, with a luxuriant hint of honey. Tabac Rouge dries down to a lush base of Siam benzoin and musk.
Vanille Glacé by Insenf £104.17
- Key notes:
- brown sugar
- cinnamon
- coffee
- sandalwood
- tonka beans
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- edible
- woody
Baraonda by Nasomatto £108.33
- Key notes:
- amber
- cinnamon
- peru balm
- rum
- tonka beans
- Aromagroups:
- woody
Baronda is the perfume of hedonistic pleasures, of throwing caution to the wind, of no longer giving a f**k. Whisky and honey are the opening act here, loosening inhibitions and smoothing the way for a long cruise through cinnamon, immortelle, vanilla and resinous amber.
Esprit de Contradiction by Maison Matine £50.00
- Key notes:
- cedarwood
- cloves
- ginger
- lemon
- sage
- Aromagroups:
- aromatic
- citrusy
- spicy
Aromatic sage, coriander and black pepper combine with mandarin and lemon for laid-back sophistication. Vetiver and musk give it muscle, while orris provides lean, refined woodiness.
火马 - Cavallo di fuoco by Zanini £175.00
- Key notes:
- celery
- cloves
- ginger
- leather
- osmanthus
- oud
- pepper
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- spicy
- unconventional
The largest Chinese community in Italy is located in the Tuscan city of Prato. The main drag, Via Pisoiese, is an “everything everywhere all at once” bustle of Chinese signs, 24-hour restaurants, holiday-bright colours, white Porsches emblazoned with Hello Kitty. The street is accidentally hipster, underground on purpose, eccentric by nature — reflected in this fire horse of a perfume, Cavallo di Fuoco. In it, mint and celery lead unexpectedly to a hurly-burly blend of pomelo, ginger, Chinese jujube and honeyed Chinese oud. Just like the dynamic fire horse in Chinese astrology, this smellscape is bold, untamed and full of life.
Limited to 36 bottles, 38% extrait.
Blended with:
Pomelo tincture,
Osmanthus absolute,
Chinese Jujube absolute,
Persimmon fermented tincture,
Sichuan Pepper tincture,
Ginger essential oil,
Kaffir Lime tincture,
Rose Buds absolute,
Ginseng tincture,
Celery tincture,
Bamboo tincture,
Clove tincture,
Mandarin essential oil,
Wild mint tincture,
Chinese oud.
Important notice:
Zanini blends are living botanical compositions, crafted entirely from natural materials and free from synthetic fixatives or stabilizers. As with all things living, subtle variations are part of their nature: over time, you may notice a gentle evolution in colour, texture, or the appearance of natural sediment. These are not imperfections, but part of the character of the raw materials themselves.
These blends are olfactive smellscapes (but neither aromatherapy, nor ‘spray-and-go’ perfumes) and sensory experiences, closer to works of art created in the scented plane (rather than, say, visual or audio).
Certain essential oils and absolutes that are used in Zanini’s 100% natural blends may potentially cause allergies in some people. Please spray Zanini’s blends on fabric (on sleeves, scarves, etc.).
Zanini advise that those who are prone to allergic reactions, pregnant and nursing women, as well as people with chronic illnesses to be extra careful. Before trying natural blends, study the list of ingredients and consult with a doctor if you are not sure or a had a history of allergies. If you do decide to put these blends on your skin (unable to resist the temptation) always test the blend on the inside part of your elbow first and wait.
Do not spray these blends liberally as a cloud in the way you would spray a conventional perfume. Zanini’s smellscapes need to be… carefully applied and experienced. Be mindful that some oils can also make your skin hyper-sensitive to UV.
Lignum Vitae by Beaufort £104.17
- Key notes:
- amber
- caramel
- gaiac / guaiac wood
- ginger
- lemon
- oud
- sea salt
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- edible
- woody
Inspired by the innovative use of materials that allowed 18th century clockmakers to construct the first truly accurate marine chronometers, Lignum Vitae combines elements of wood, metal and salt to produce a truly unique, transportive fragrance. Lignum vitae itself is an incredibly dense wood - the only wood which is guaranteed to sink in water - which is indigenous to the Caribbean and the north coast of South America. The brand’s nautical theme is enhanced wonderfully by caramel, a madeleine cake accord and a cool winter lemon note which provide a truly unique gourmand experience akin to smelling warm shortbread, muffins or cupcakes.
In combining unexpected and exotic raw materials, Beaufort London celebrates the innovative spirit which brought to an end the search for lost time, and permitted the safe passage of ships across the world.
***
The Sniff on Lignum Vitae:
"An innovative gourmand fragrance with a masculine slant, Lignum Vitae by Beaufort London is something rather unexpected. And who doesn’t love a plot twist?"
Sexual Healing by Art Meets Art £91.67
- Key notes:
- ginger
- honey
- tobacco
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- spicy
Perfumer: Christophe Raynaud accepted the challenge of translating into a perfume the soft and sensual voice of Marvin Gaye singing Sexual Healing…
Tropical by Arquiste £162.50
- Key notes:
- amber
- ginger
- guava
- lime
- plumeria
- vanilla
- Aromagroups:
- floral
- woody
A juicy, decadent take on tropical fruits, flowers and woods. Inspired by a modernist garden in the old city of Mêrida, Yucatán. The balmy air fills with the heady scent of champaca orchids, ripe guava, fresh ginger, jasmine sambac, Mexican vanilla and mahogany. A spritz of paradise.
White by Comme Des Garcons £83.33
- Key notes:
- cardamom
- cinnamon
- cloves
- coriander
- lily-of-the-valley
- marigold
- nutmeg
- rose
- Aromagroups:
- spicy
White is a bright and lively fragrance built around the friction between hot spices and suave florals. The cinnamon, clove and cardamom opening suggests candied red hots, which makes it all the more surprising when the melange of rose de Mai and lily of the valley softly asserts itself. The undertone of tagete, with its bitter herbalness, keeps White from getting too “pretty-pretty”.
About Hansel & Gretel by Mischief Academy
- How does Hansel & Gretel differ from the fragrances listed here?
- Hansel & Gretel is characterised by its blend of spicy ginger and cinnamon with gourmand notes like hot chocolate, rum and vanilla, creating a warm and cozy profile. Many listed fragrances share some spicy or sweet notes but differ in tone, such as fresher, smokier, or more floral interpretations.
- Are any of these fragrances suitable for those who dislike overly sweet scents?
- Yes, fragrances like Esprit de Contradiction and Spice Must Flow offer fresher or resinous spice profiles with less emphasis on sweetness. Others like Cavallo di Fuoco and Tabac Rouge provide smoky or leathery elements that balance the sweetness.









