Craving
Phuong Dang's Craving is a spicy unisex scent featuring coffee, bread, and aromatic woods. This Bertrand Duchaufour creation balances sharp spices with cozy gourmand notes. It performs best in cooler climates, offering a long-lasting, textured scent that feels both rustic and refined. Ideal for those wanting a unique, non-mainstream signature fragrance.
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Performance Metrics
405 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Expect 6 to 8 hours of longevity on skin with moderate projection that pulls into an intimate radius after the first hour. It thrives in crisp autumn or winter air.
Notes Pyramid
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Craving is a dry, textured oriental composition dominated by roasted coffee beans, warm spicy cinnamon, and a distinctive yeasty bread accord, all smoothed by an amber base of resinous myrrh and creamy sandalwood.
Main Accords
11 MAPPEDThe warm spicy and amber accords provide a strong, resinous foundation that lasts throughout the day, while the coffee and aromatic tea notes lend a dry, roasted quality that gives the fragrance its unique, gritty character.
Community Data
263 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
OWNERSHIP STATS
GENDER APPEAL
REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in fall and winter. The vote picture leans most toward night.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Vivid, photorealistic coffee and bread accords.
Excellent longevity for a complex niche scent.
Beautifully resinous base of myrrh and patchouli.
Perfect for crisp autumn and winter weather.
Sophisticated, non-sweet gourmand profile.
Develops significantly and uniquely on skin.
Great for those who avoid mainstream florals.
Stands out in a crowded niche market.
Versatile enough for professional settings.
High-quality ingredient feel in the base.
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
The bread note can be polarizing for some.
Not a traditional crowd-pleasing scent profile.
The opening zest fades faster than expected.
Can feel too heavy for hot, humid climates.
Requires multiple wears to truly understand.
Price point reflects niche, premium positioning.
Intimate sillage may not suit projection-lovers.
Not suitable for a safe, blind-buy gift.
The coffee note is dry, not sugary sweet.
May be too intense for casual office wear.
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“A Raw and Roasted Coffee Experience with Phuong Dang Craving”
The opening of Craving hits with a sudden, bracing clarity. Black pepper, cardamom, and a sharp zest of yuzu immediately command attention. It is not the soft introduction you might expect from a gourmand. Instead, it feels grounded and slightly aggressive, setting a stage for the complexity that follows. You immediately understand this is a fragrance designed to challenge and engage rather than simply comfort.
As it settles, the heart emerges, and this is where the fragrance truly finds its voice. The coffee and bread accord is vivid and almost photorealistic, feeling like a quiet moment in a rustic bakery. Black tea adds a dry, tannic quality that prevents the coffee from becoming overly sweet, while olibanum provides a wisp of smoky, church-like air. It is a fascinating juxtaposition of homey warmth and ancient resins.
The dry-down is where the base really takes over, bringing a rich, resinous foundation of myrrh, sandalwood, and patchouli. Ambergris adds a subtle, salty depth that rounds out the experience, lingering on the skin for hours. The progression is logical and deliberate, moving from the sharp, spice-forward top notes into a comforting, woody warmth that feels exceptionally well-constructed.
Performance is respectable, generally clocking in at 6 to 8 hours on my skin. The sillage starts strong but pulls back to a closer, more intimate projection after the first hour, making it an excellent companion for close-quarter settings. I find it performs best in cooler weather, specifically autumn, where the notes of cedar and patchouli can fully bloom without being stifled by heat or humidity.
This is a fragrance for those who like their gourmands with a side of mystery. It fits anyone looking for a signature scent that defies the usual sweet-vanilla trap of modern releases. It is sophisticated, yes, but it retains a raw, unpolished edge that makes it feel authentic rather than manufactured. If you are tired of sugary designer scents, this will be a welcome change.
Ultimately, Craving is a triumph of balance. It manages to name notes like coffee and bread without feeling like a literal dessert. It is a wearable, spicy, and resinous scent that rewards repeated wearings. It is not for everyone, but for the right wearer, it is a rewarding experience.
FAQs
What is the dominant smell of Craving?+
Craving opens with a sharp, spicy burst of black pepper and cardamom before settling into a warm, gourmand heart dominated by coffee and a unique bread accord. The scent feels like a cozy, sophisticated morning in a bustling cafe, grounded by resinous myrrh and sandalwood.
How long does this perfume last?+
On average, Craving provides moderate to long-lasting performance, typically lingering on skin for 6 to 8 hours. Its longevity is well-suited for a full work day, especially in mild to cool weather, though skin chemistry and hydration levels significantly impact the final dry-down phase.
Is this a good signature scent?+
If you enjoy complex, spicy gourmands that stand out from mass-market trends, Craving could be an excellent signature. It carries enough weight for professional settings during autumn or winter, but its spicy profile might feel a bit too intense for warm, humid summer days.
Is Craving masculine or feminine?+
Craving is distinctly unisex. The warm spicy and amber accords provide a foundation that appeals to anyone, regardless of gender. Those who prefer spicy, grounded scents will find it comfortable, while the coffee and bread notes add a tactile, inviting quality that fits anyone seeking a bold, non-floral statement.
Can I wear this in the office?+
Yes, Craving is office-friendly if applied with restraint. Its moderate sillage means it won't overwhelm a workspace, yet the sophisticated coffee and black tea notes provide enough character to remain interesting. Avoid over-spraying in small meeting rooms to keep the spicy, resinous base from becoming too assertive.
How does the opening compare to the dry-down?+
The opening is bright and zesty thanks to yuzu and bergamot, which quickly fades into the heart of coffee and bread. As it dries down, the scent shifts from that initial freshness toward a lingering, resinous base of myrrh and patchouli that feels warm and dark.
Should I sample this before buying?+
Because the bread and coffee combination can be polarizing, sampling is highly recommended. You want to see how the spicy cinnamon and pepper notes behave on your unique skin chemistry before committing to a full bottle, as gourmand profiles are notoriously subjective and vary significantly between wearers.
Does it work well for evening wear?+
The deep amber and myrrh base makes Craving a fantastic choice for evening events. It feels elevated and interesting enough for dinner dates or social gatherings in autumn, where the cool air allows the woodier cedar and patchouli notes to project effectively without being cloying.
What kind of clothing fits this scent?+
Craving pairs beautifully with structured clothing in neutral or warm tones. Think thick wool sweaters, dark denim, or tailored jackets. The spicy, earthy profile complements natural fabrics that have some weight, fitting the vibe of a polished yet relaxed outfit during the colder months.
Is this a blind buy?+
Blind buying Craving is risky due to its complex blend of coffee and spice. Unless you are already a fan of Bertrand Duchaufour's work or possess a collection of spicy, resinous unisex scents, get a small decant to test its development over several days of wear.
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Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCOREIf you enjoy the coffee and spice structure of Craving but want something different, look toward By Kilian's Intoxicated or Bond No. 9's New Haarlem for variations on the gourmand theme.
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