Vanilla is the largest category we stock, and that is not an accident — it is the note that makes an inexpensive fragrance smell expensive, and Lattafa uses it more skilfully than most houses at this price.

It is worth knowing that “vanilla” covers four quite different things. Sweet and gourmand vanilla sits in bottles like Qimmah For Women (£14.99), where almond and coffee sit on top of it. Smoky vanilla is Raghba‘s territory, the closest thing here to Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille. Woody vanilla shows up in Raghba Wood Intense (£17.99) and Mughal Fort (£39.99), where caramel and oud pull it away from dessert. And clean, aromatic vanilla — Ramz Silver (£12.99), lavender and cardamom over vanilla, is the one to reach for if you want the note without the sweetness, and it is the cheapest bottle in this category.

Which one, honestly. If you want a signature scent for winter evenings, go smoky or woody. If you want something you can wear to work without thinking about it, Ramz Silver. If you are buying a gift and do not know the person’s taste well, a sweet vanilla is the safest bet in perfumery — very few people dislike it.

One caution. Vanilla-heavy fragrances are the slowest to macerate. A bottle that smells thin and alcoholic on day one can be a completely different thing at six weeks, and a large share of poor first impressions come from judging too early. The maceration guide explains what is actually happening.

Every bottle is 100% authentic Lattafa with the official authentication seal, dispatched from the UK within 24 hours, with free tracked delivery and 30-day returns.

Related: Gourmand fragrances · Tobacco fragrances · Tom Ford alternatives · Best for winter