Aaah cacao… This fruity, floral, nutty, chocolatey note. Like all notes, its appearance differs depending on the other notes accompanying it. In perfumes, provide a rich, deep, and complex sweet-bitter aroma that adds warmth and a gourmand quality to fragrances. No matter how faint, you can almost always detect a cacao note when it’s present in a fragrance.
Let’s take a look at some of my favorite fragrances that carry this delicious note.
For Her:
1. Rabanne Black XS EDT
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Paco Rabanne |
| Best for | Women |
| Fragrance Family | Floral Woody Musk |
| Notes | Top: Cranberry, Pink Pepper, and Tamarind Middle: Cacao, Rose, and Black Violet Base: Vanilla, Patchouli, and Massoia Wood |
| Release year | 2007 |
| Projection | High – Moderate |
| Perfumer | Emilie Coppermann and Mark Buxton |
We’re hitting it straight to the nostalgia. Black XS for her is a fragrance that accompanied many in their youth, and carried them through life from first dates to movie nights with friends. It was the fragrance for the cool girl back in the day, and I would love to see it make a comeback.
There’s no denying the gourmand element in Black XS. If you love chocolate-vanilla fragrances with a spicy kick, you’ll definitely enjoy this. With gourmands being more refined these days, this might seem heavy for some, so keep that in mind if you do reach for this.
2. Hugo Boss The Scent Private Accord EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Hugo Boss |
| Best for | Women |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Vanilla |
| Notes | Top: Mandarin Orange Middle: Coffee and Osmanthus Base: Cacao and Tonka Bean |
| Release year | 2018 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Louise Turner |
This fragrance is very heavy on the cacao; actually, mandarin and dark chocolate are so present when you first spray it. This is leaning more towards the refined type of sweet scent that I mentioned earlier. It reminds me of a bitter orange, dark chocolate bar.
The Private Accord for her is definitely a fragrance you would want to reserve for the winter season, as it won’t last as long on your skin during the summer. If you’re looking for something sweet but subtle for winter, this is a good choice.
For Him:
1. CH Bad Boy Le Parfum
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Carolina Herrera |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Leather |
| Notes | Top: Orange and Grapefruit Middle: Pepper, Pelargonium, and Flint Base: Vetiver, Cedar, Patchouli, and Benzoin |
| Release year | 2021 |
| Projection | Moderate – Low |
| Perfumer | Fanny Bal, Bruno Jovanovic, and Nicolas Beaulieu |
Bad Boy Le Parfum is a captivating but not everyone thinks so. This fragrance is bold. The interplay between the vibrant top notes and the deeper base creates a dynamic and multifaceted scent. I recommend trying it before purchasing, as it is not a “blind buy” safe.
This Carolina Herrera perfume stands out. The prominent leather note is tempered by the sweetness of benzoin, which adds depth and complexity reminiscent of cacao. While it shares some DNA with other fragrances in the market, Bad Boy Le Parfum still stands out.
2. Lattafa Asad Bourbon EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Lattafa |
| Best for | Men |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Spicy |
| Notes | Top: Lavender, Mirabelle, and Pink Pepper Middle: Cacao, Nutmeg, and Davana Base: Bourbon Vanilla, Amber, and Vetiver |
| Release year | 2025 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Lattafa |
Lattafa Asad Bourbon initially presents as a typical masculine scent, but changes into something else when you let it macerate. The cacao and vanilla base creates a sweet, almost caramel-like scent, making it a surprisingly versatile fragrance.
While it may require reapplication after a few hours, the affordable price point makes Asad Bourbon a worthwhile purchase. Layer this with Lattafa Khamra, and it’ll be all you wear this fall season.
Unisex:
1. Montale Chocolate Greedy EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Montale |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Fragrance Family | Amber Vanilla |
| Notes | Top: Cacao and Vanilla Middle: Bitter Orange and Dried Fruits Base: Coffee and Tonka Beans |
| Release year | 2007 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Pierre Montale |
Did anyone say freshly baked chocolate cake? Montale Chocolate Greedy is a decadent gourmand fragrance that truly lives up to its name. Perfect for cozy autumn and winter evenings, this scent is a love letter to chocolate lovers.
The combination of cacao, vanilla, coffee, and tonka bean creates a deliciously sweet aroma. Montale Chocolate Greedy is also ideal for layering, allowing you to create your own unique and delicious scent combinations.
2. Kiswah Perfumes Warde Choco EDP
| Highlights | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Kiswah |
| Best for | Unisex |
| Fragrance Family | Floral Gourmand |
| Notes | Top: Rose Middle: Chocolate Base: Woody Notes |
| Release year | 2012 |
| Projection | Moderate |
| Perfumer | Kiswah |
Kiswah Warde Choco is a sweet and romantic fragrance that combines rose petals with deep, creamy, rich chocolate. The cocoa and the woody undertones create a warm scent, resulting in a unique floral gourmand.
This fragrance, overall, is warm and elegant. The rose, combined with chocolate and cocoa, creates an irresistible scent. The woody base adds depth, making Kiswah Warde Choco a fragrance that you should not be sleeping on.
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