French vanilla is a warm ambered or resinous note used to give fragrance depth, softness, and long-lasting richness. It can smell balsamic, sweet, smoky, vanillic, woody, powdery, or incense-like depending on the material. In perfumery, it rounds sharp edges and creates a smooth base that holds the composition together. French vanilla pairs well with woods, musks, spices, vanilla, tobacco, leather, florals, oud, and other resins.