Aether Arts Perfume Vanilla Veracruz

Aether Arts Perfume Vanilla Veracruz

Boulder-based Amber Jobin of Aether Arts Perfume is a two time Art and Olfaction award-winning perfumer (2014 for John Frum and 2022 for Mayan Chocolate) – an extremely thoughtful artisanal creative who is not in the habit of churning out scent upon scent. This is one of the reasons why I anticipate her latest work eagerly: she follows the beat of her own drum, regardless of what is considered popular at the moment. Her new Vanilla Veracruz is no exception. Vanilla is having more than a moment these days, and Amber’s interpretation manages to introduce new facets to this time-honored aroma. It does so through an anthropological/historical lens which appeals to me – fleshing out our understanding of origin and narrative.

We must return to the origin. ~ Totonac philosophy which stresses respect for nature, sacred forests, and traditional rituals.

Aether Arts Vanilla Veracruz transports us once again to Mesoamerica and a culture and era which deeply intrigues her (see my review on Mezcal & Masa). It’s no secret that I share her fascination with this particular culture: mine was fueled by the Boston Museum of Fine Art’s magnificent gallery dedicated to Mesoamerican artifacts (first viewed in 1972), and Sir James Frazer’s iconic The Golden Bough (1890). The Golden Bough popularized anthropology to a wide readership with its extensive exploration of mythology, religion, and ancient customs/rites. Vanilla Veracruz hearkens back to ancient Mexico through its employment of native indigenous plants as it evokes the storied appeal of the vanilla orchid and bean.

Amber Jobin of Aether Arts Perfume

“The Totonac people of modern-day Veracruz, Mexico, are credited as the earliest growers of the Vanilla Planifolia vine. They considered vanilla sacred, “a gift from the gods,” and used it not only as a flavoring, but also as medicine.” ~ perfumer Amber Jobin describing the origins of vanilla

ingredient image by the perfumer

True vanilla has always been a time and labor intensive process which has been handed down over centuries; this explains why it is so costly. Vanilla orchids only bloom once a year for approximately 12-24 hours’ duration – and each flower must be hand-pollinated during this brief period. There exists only one natural pollinator, the stingless Melipona bee, which is the reason for this arduous hand-pollination of each bloom. The beans themselves require 8 months to reach maturity, but that’s just the beginning. Only through curing do the beans develop fragrance and flavor – through partial drying, a sweating process within sealed wooden cartons, then further slow drying.

Vanilla Veracruz opens with a tantalizingly spicy note of pimenta berry, aka allspice. Its pronounced piquancy is wed to a fresh jungle pepper accord. I was curious about this accord because I am familiar with several of the MANE Jungle Essences™. Amber revealed that she sourced a jungle pepper absolute from a trusted supplier – and it is wonderfully verdant. Her vanilla fairly sparkles at this juncture, as it commingles with the aromas of vanilla orchid and an aged, woody bean. Vanilla Veracruz’ expansive solarity feels both primal and playful as it affixes itself to the venerable mystery of palo santo incense and a sweet, tenderly smoky Mexican cedar (also known as Texan cedar).

What I love most about Aether Arts Perfume Vanilla Veracruz is its luminosity, and its ability to address an ancient theme from a present-day perspective. It whispers of an age-old olfactory delight which suits modern sensibility: classic, but never boring. Vanilla Veracruz is versatile – and like many of Amber’s fragrances, it hugs the flesh with an intimacy which invites one to lean in more closely. This is not a sillage beast: it’s a haunting presence which is long-lasting. Even with all the vanillas which flood the current market, Vanilla Veracruz demonstrates that there is certainly room in one’s fragrance collection for one more – this particular one.

Top Notes: Spicy Green Jungle Accord
Middle Notes: Vanilla Flower and Bean Accord
Base Notes: Palo Santo Incense and Mexican Cedar Accord

(per Aether Arts Perfume Website which also mentions pimenta berry (aka allspice)

Sample kindly provided by the perfumer – many thanks! My nose is my own…

~ Ida Meister, Deputy and Natural Perfumery Editor

 Thanks to the generosity of Amber Jobin of Aether Arts Perfume we have a draw for a 2ml roll-on oil of Aether Arts Perfume Vanilla Veracruz for one registered ÇaFleureBon reader in the USA. Please leave a comment about what appeals to you about Vanilla Veracruz based on Ida’s review. Draw closes 8/15/2026

 All art by Aether Arts Perfume

Mezcal & Masa was a 2026 Art & Olfaction Honorable Mention

Amber Jobin has created four “Queens” for our ÇaFleureBon series, 2026 Dragon Queen 2025 Snow Queen, 2024 Vampire Queen 2023 cyBorg Queen

Touchstone was composed for our 7^th anniversary Project Talisman and was a 2018 Art & Olfaction Finalist

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ARTISAN PERFUMERS and buy directly from their site.

Follow us on Instagram @cafleurebonofficial @idameister@aetherartsperfume

This is our Privacy Policy.

We announce the winners only on our site and on our Facebook page. Please “like” ÇaFleureBon and use our blog feed, or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.