To My Father
Vilhelm Parfumerie To My Father is a rich leather and woody fragrance designed for cold weather. Crafted by Bertrand Duchaufour, it blends bitter orange, peated whiskey, and oak tree. This unisex scent delivers a comforting, nostalgic profile that lasts all day, making it an excellent choice for autumn and winter.
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Performance Metrics
1,533 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
It delivers ten to twelve hours of longevity. Sillage projects beyond arm's length for three hours before drying down to a cozy, moderate skin scent best suited for winter weather.
Notes Pyramid
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A dry, smoky blend of peated whiskey, rustic leather, and solid oak tree. Bitter orange and davana add a tart opening texture, while cabreuva wood and ambrette create a warm, musky base.
Main Accords
5 MAPPEDThe woody and whiskey accords dominate the skin, creating a smoky, slightly sour warmth. The leather accord feels worn and rustic rather than smooth, shifting slowly into a dry oak tree finish.
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When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in winter and spring.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Hyper realistic peated whiskey note
Excellent longevity exceeding ten hours
Dry woodiness that never gets cloying
Perfect for cold winter days
Creates a comforting, nostalgic scent bubble
High quality oak wood raw materials
Great for casual weekend wear
Unique profile that stands out
Warm leather drydown on clothing
Solid projection in chilly air
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Polarizing sour yeast opening
Not suitable for warm summer weather
Lacks the sweetness some booze lovers expect
Can smell slightly medicinal to beginners
Heavy smoke note can mimic cigarettes
Not versatile enough for office wear
Price is high for limited occasions
Too dry for fans of sweet amber
Saddle leather accord can feel rustic
Requires multiple wearings to fully appreciate
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Vilhelm Parfumerie To My Father: Boozy Nostalgia in a Bottle”
To My Father opens with a sharp, photorealistic burst of bitter orange and herbal davana. It mimics the oils sprayed from a fresh citrus peel over a cold drink. The ambrette seed adds a slight musky haze, preventing the citrus from feeling too bright. It is a dry and immediate introduction that sets a serious, contemplative mood.
Within twenty minutes, the heart notes take over. The star of the show is a peated whiskey accord that smells incredibly realistic. Bertrand Duchaufour avoids the sweet, sugary route of rum or cognac. Instead, he highlights the yeasty, smoky, and slightly sour facets of scotch. Cade oil reinforces this dark, smoky texture, while cabreuva wood adds a subtle, resinous sweetness.
On the skin, the fragrance remains dry and textured. It does not dissolve into a sweet vanilla puddle. Instead, the leather accord behaves like well worn saddle leather, smelling rustic and weathered. The oak tree note provides a solid, dry woodiness that grounds the smoky aspects, preventing them from smelling like an ashtray.
This perfume performs exceptionally well in cold climates. A chilly autumn breeze helps diffuse the dense notes of whiskey and leather, making the scent trail smell rich and comforting. It easily lasts over ten hours on skin, projecting a steady arm's length bubble for the first four hours before settling down.
This is not a mass appealing scent for beginners looking for a clean office cologne. It is a mature, nostalgic fragrance that suits someone wearing heavy wool coats and boots. The dry, smoky nature makes it a great choice for casual winter wear, though it lacks the freshness needed for warm spring days.
Ultimately, To My Father is a successful exercise in atmospheric perfumery. The whiskey and leather elements are rendered with impressive realism. If you enjoy dry, woody, and smoky scents, this is an excellent bottle to add to your collection. Just be sure to test it on your skin first.
FAQs
What does To My Father smell like?+
This fragrance opens with a sharp burst of bitter orange and davana, mimicking a citrus peel garnish on a drink. It quickly develops a dry, peated whiskey accord on a base of rugged leather and solid oak tree, creating a scent like a wooden workshop mixed with fine spirits.
How does the fragrance transition from opening to drydown?+
The initial spray is quite tart and alcoholic, dominated by bitter orange and davana. As it settles over the first hour, the whiskey note emerges alongside cade oil. The final hours on the skin are warm and woody, leaving a lingering trail of leather and oak tree.
How long does To My Father last on skin?+
Expect excellent longevity from this eau de parfum. It easily persists for ten to twelve hours on skin, and it will linger on woolen sweaters or heavy coats for days. The dry oak tree and leather base notes remain noticeable long after the booze fades.
What is the sillage and projection of this scent?+
It projects strongly for the first three hours, filling a small room or extending beyond arm's length. After that, it settles into a moderate scent bubble that hugs the skin but remains highly noticeable to anyone standing close during a cold evening.
Which season is best for wearing To My Father?+
This perfume is tailor made for late autumn and freezing winter days. The heavy whiskey and smoky cade oil notes require cold air to breathe, as high heat or summer humidity can make the leather accord feel suffocating and overly sweet.
For what occasions should I wear this fragrance?+
It fits casual outdoor activities like autumn walks, cabin trips, or cozy evenings by a fireplace. The smoky leather and booze notes make it a bit too bold for a quiet office, but it excels as a comforting personal scent for weekends.
Does To My Father lean masculine or feminine?+
While marketed as unisex, the heavy combination of peated whiskey, dry oak wood, and dark leather gives it a traditional masculine slant. Women who enjoy dry, non-sweet woody scents will also find it very wearable in cold weather.
Who is the ideal audience for this perfume?+
It suits fragrance enthusiasts who appreciate realistic spirit notes and dry wood profiles. If you prefer sweet vanilla or clean, soapy colognes, this smoky blend of cade oil and oak tree will likely feel too rugged for your taste.
Can I layer To My Father with other fragrances?+
Yes, you can layer it to soften its dry, smoky edges. Spraying a simple sweet vanilla or amber scent underneath helps balance the sharp peat of the whiskey and the bitterness of the orange, making the leather base smell creamier.
How does this compare to Vilhelm Parfumerie Chicago High?+
Both share a boozy, smoky DNA, but Chicago High has a sweet, syrupy pineapple note that makes it louder. To My Father is drier and woodier, substituting the sweet fruit for bitter orange and focusing heavily on oak tree and cabreuva.
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Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCORENo dupes submitted yet. The first useful DupeScore can come from your community.
Look at Vilhelm Chicago High for a sweeter, pineapple infused alternative, or Lubin Idole for a spicier rum profile.
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