I’ve been a Scentbird subscriber for at least 7 years, but instead of getting a fragrance sample every month, I get a 30 day sample four times a year, quarterly. Whenever I see a fragrance that sounds like something I would like to try, I add it to my fragrance queue.
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Recently, I received my June sample. I chose Gold from the American indie or niche brand Commodity.
Commodity is or was sold at Sephora, and before COVID, I had tried most, if not all, of the Commodity testers at the store. I probably tried Gold, but I don’t remember exactly. I added Gold to my queue because the warm notes in this eau de parfum are the ones that I gravitate toward:
- vanilla
- benzoin
- tonka bean
- sandalwood
- amber.
To me, it sounded like I couldn’t miss with many of my favorite notes. The part that I missed in the description before I bought it is the descriptor “gourmand”. Gourmand scents are food-like fragrances, and Gold definitely fits that bill. The vanilla is front and center. Gold should delight those who love vanilla gourmand scents. It smells like a yummy sugar cookie.
For me, however, Gold is a little too sweet. I am sorely missing a strongish spice note to balance things out. But I will still wear it when I’m in the mood for something quite sweet, and I’m sure I will finish up the sample. Though it’s not a perfect fit for my taste, it’s still close enough to be worth the $15.95 I paid for it.
If you’re intrigued by this vanilla bomb, here’s the description of the fragrance:
“Rich enough to bathe in, this decadent fragrance is an intoxicating journey to one’s innermost desires, thoughts and impulses. Its warm gourmand scent is a luxurious blend of molten amber, balsamic benzoin and sweet vanilla.”
According to Fragrantica, Gold is a gender neutral scent. I’m not so sure, but you never know. Some men may enjoy smelling like a sugar cookie. Also, those who have tried it say that it is an autumn or winter scent. And they may be right since it might be perfect to wear while making or eating Christmas cookies.
The main accords are listed on Fragrantica in order of strength as:
- vanilla
- amber
- powdery
- woody
- sweet
- warm spicy
- aromatic
- balsamic.
Gee, reading the Fragrantica list of accords that I am doing now for the first time would make me think even more that this should have been a slam dunk for me.
Here’s some more info on the fragrance:
“Gold by Commodity is an Amber fragrance for women and men. Gold was launched in 2013. The nose behind this fragrance is Donna Ramanauskas. Top notes are Camphor, Juniper Berries and Bergamot; middle notes are Amber, Benzoin and Haitian Vetiver; base notes are Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Sandalwood and Musk.”
So interesting. Now I understand why it is considered gender neutral: camphor, juniper berries, vetiver. Immediately after spraying the scent, I can smell those bright, uplifting notes, but they are volatile and disappear quickly.
Gold is moderately lasting. On me, I think it lasts a couple of hours (but I am still thinking that almost no scents last on me lately). With the way I have been describing Gold, you’d think it has enormous sillage (i.e. how far the scent broadcasts), but it doesn’t. It wears surprisingly close to the skin.
Gold by Commodity is a terrific scent for vanilla lovers. If you’re an amber lover, you would have to love the vanilla-amber combination because amber plays a supporting role. So if you love sweet vanilla gourmand scents, you must try Gold by Commodity.
Right now, Gold by Commodity is out of stock at Sephora and on the Commodity website, but it is listed as “coming soon”. Gold is available now on Scentbird in the 0.27 ml spray vial for both subscribers and for non-subscribers.
If you’re interested in giving Scentbird’s subscription a go, I would be grateful if you’d use my referral code. As I mentioned earlier, I have stayed with Scentbird for so long because it is easy to modify the frequency of the subscription to suit yourself and you can change it or cancel at any time. Although Scentbird has lots of designer and celebrity fragrances, they are getting more and more niche brands as time goes on.
I absolutely love this fragrance. I bought a large bottle when it was on sale at Sephora, just before they stopped carrying Commodity. I don’t get a lot of gourmand sweetness from it, just warmth. I’m one of those people who divides fragrance into Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer and this is definitely a colder weather fragrance for me.
Paula, thanks so much for letting me know that you’re a fan of Gold! Maybe I should put it aside until the fall and try again when warm, yummy scents make more sense, lol. It’s so interesting to me that Gold contains my favorite accords and notes, yet whatever the combination is that makes this gourmand rather than oriental is the sticking point for me. Fragrance alchemy and preferences are fascinating
I have noticed them on the Sephora website, and have wondered about their fragrances.Too bad this is a little too sweet for you!
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I don’t care for her food he takes sense but I do like a warm vanilla and Amber. Too bad this was a miss for you. I didn’t realize you could do a quarterly subscription for scent bird I might do that. And if I do I’ll be sure to use your code.
That’s the best part about Scentbird is that you can alter your subscription or you can buy a one-time fragrance vial. I can’t complain because I have discovered some keepers over the years
It’s great to be able to test for a smaller price than have to buy a bottle and realize it’s not what you love.
Scentbird and the sample retailers were the only game in town for me for the past year and a half to try new fragrances. And I like that with Scentbird you get more for your money than the teeny tiny vials from the other fragrance retailers.
I really need to give Scentbird a try as I’ve been more and more of a fragrance fiend lately.
At some point, you should check out their brands and take the quiz and see what you think. I have been finding that they are bringing on more indie and niche brands lately. And for the past almost 18 months, Scentbird and buying sample vials on eBay, Luckyscent, Indigo Perfumery etc. were the only way to go. What I like about Scentbird is that you get a larger sample than at most of the sites that sell sample vials. What are you wearing lately, Gabrielle?
I’ve been wearing Ani by Nishane (which I won on Instagram), Mitsouko by Guerlain, Souvenirs de Tunisie by Veronique Gabai, and Cape Heartache by Imaginary Authors. All kinds of fragrances. I’m wacky! Off to take that Scentbird quiz!
It sounds like a pretty scent! I enjoy a vanilla base and the other notes sound like a good blend!
I’m going to save Commodity Gold for the autumn and try it again. It really smells like Christmas cookies!