Vienna VIE
Designed by Gerald Ghislain, Vienna VIE by The Scent of Departure is an oriental vanilla perfume for men and women. It blends green mint and fresh grass with warm cinnamon, licorice, and rich Mexican chocolate. This unique scent is ideal for cool spring days and casual coffee shop settings.
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Performance Metrics
105 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
It provides moderate performance, lasting five to seven hours on the skin. The projection is polite, remaining within arm's length before settling into a soft, spiced chocolate skin scent after two hours.
Notes Pyramid
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A contrasting green gourmand that opens with crisp mint and cut grass, transitions through hot star anise and cinnamon, and dries down to a dark, powdery base of Mexican chocolate, licorice, and coffee.
Main Accords
10 MAPPEDThe green and aromatic accords dominate the opening with a cool, leafy freshness. As it warms on skin, the hot spices and licorice take over, leading into a dry, bittersweet chocolate and coffee base.
Community Data
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OWNERSHIP STATS
GENDER APPEAL
REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
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OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in spring and summer. The vote picture leans most toward daytime.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Unique contrast of fresh green grass and warm chocolate notes
Features a very realistic, refreshing mint opening
Great casual option for cool spring mornings
Unisex appeal that avoids being overly sugary or feminine
Anise and licorice notes add a sophisticated, dry woodiness
Polite projection that works well in office settings
Created by renowned niche perfumer Gerald Ghislain
Excellent choice for collectors seeking quirky gourmands
Pairs beautifully with casual knitwear and daytime wear
Does not become overly sweet or cloying on skin
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
The grassy opening can feel harsh to some noses
Moderate longevity of only five to seven hours
Licorice note can be polarizing for sweet vanilla fans
Does not project well in cold winter weather
Too heavy and spiced for humid summer afternoons
Not suited for formal evening wear or clubbing
May require reapplication throughout a long workday
The transition from green to warm chocolate is very fast
Hard to find since it is a niche release
Not a safe blind buy for beginners
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Vienna VIE Review: Gerald Ghislain's Quirky Mint and Pastry Waltz”
The opening of Vienna VIE is an unexpected splash of cold water. You get a sharp, realistic blast of crushed mint leaves and wet, cut grass. A hint of sour lemon keeps it bright, mimicking the chilly air of a morning walk along the Danube. It is green, slightly bitter, and completely devoid of any initial sweetness.
As the green notes begin to soften, the heart emerges with a warm, spicy contrast. Star anise and clove bring a dry heat, while rhubarb adds a tart, stringy texture. It feels like stepping from a damp garden straight into a warm bakery. The transition is quick, shifting the scent from cool and outdoor-fresh to spiced and indoor-cozy.
The base is where the fragrance settles into its gourmand identity. Mexican chocolate and vanilla emerge, but they are not sugary. Instead, they feel powdery and dark, joined by a strong thread of licorice and a soft wave of black coffee. The patchouli and guaiac wood underneath keep the dry-down earthy, preventing the blend from smelling like a cheap vanilla syrup.
In terms of wear, this sits close to the skin. It projects moderately for two hours before becoming a skin scent. It is not a heavy winter beast, nor is it light enough for a boiling summer day. It performs best in the crisp air of early spring or late autumn, lasting about six hours on skin.
This is not a safe crowd-pleaser for those who want a simple sweet vanilla or a clean citrus. It is a quirky, artistic creation meant for people who like contrast in their bottles. The blend of bitter green grass, licorice, and dry chocolate requires an open mind and a casual, creative style.
Ultimately, this is a charming olfactory postcard. The scent paints a lovely picture of Vienna's duality, pairing manicured palace lawns with rich, spiced chocolate pastries. It is a fun, slightly weird scent that is well worth checking out if you want to break away from standard designer trends.
FAQs
What does Vienna VIE smell like?+
This fragrance starts with a burst of cool mint and wet grass. It quickly transitions into a warm heart of star anise and cinnamon, before settling into a cozy, dark base of Mexican chocolate, coffee, and dry licorice.
How long does Vienna VIE last on skin?+
Expect around five to seven hours of wear. The green mint and lemon top notes fade within the first hour, leaving the warm cinnamon, chocolate, and patchouli to linger close to the skin as a soft, comforting scent bubble.
Is Vienna VIE suitable for hot summer weather?+
The mint and rhubarb top notes feel refreshing in the spring sun. However, the heavy Mexican chocolate, licorice, and coffee base notes can become cloying during humid summer afternoons, making it better for cooler days.
What occasions fit Vienna VIE best?+
This scent is perfect for casual daytime wear, weekend brunch, or visits to a local café. The earthy patchouli and sweet chocolate elements make it cozy enough for casual autumn strolls in a light knit sweater.
Does Vienna VIE lean masculine or feminine?+
It is a true unisex fragrance. The green grass and sharp star anise counter the sweet vanilla and Mexican chocolate base, preventing it from leaning too sugary-sweet or overly traditional.
Who is the ideal audience for this perfume?+
It suits fragrance enthusiasts who want a unique gourmand that avoids standard caramel sweetness. If you enjoy herbal notes like tarragon and star anise mixed with dark coffee, this will appeal to your nose.
Can I layer Vienna VIE with other fragrances?+
You can layer it with a simple vanilla solinote to amplify the sweet base. Alternatively, spraying a light citrus cologne over it can extend the refreshing bright mint and lemon opening into the warm afternoon.
Are there any good dupes for Vienna VIE?+
While there is no direct dupe, it shares the anise-heavy, sweet-herbal profile of Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin. It also shares the mint and chocolate contrast found in Lush Dirty, though Vienna is much warmer.
Is Vienna VIE a safe blind buy?+
No, you should sample this first. The combination of green grass, herbal tarragon, licorice, and chocolate is highly unusual and may polarize people who prefer standard designer vanilla or fresh citrus scents.
How strong is the projection of Vienna VIE?+
The sillage is moderate, projecting about arm's length for the first two hours. It won't fill a large room, making it safe for office wear or intimate dinner dates where you want a subtle scent.
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Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCOREThere are no direct clones, but fans of licorice-heavy scents like Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin or the herbal mint of Lush Dirty will find familiar elements here.
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