GOLDFIELD & BANKS
SILKY WOODS
2021
PERFUMER
Hamid Merati Kashani
Australian Oud
Cinnamon
Tobacco
Ylang-Ylang
Vanilla
Sandalwood
Incense
‘Encased in molten gold and infused with precious Agarwood, Silky Woods is the aptly named debut fragrance in a new luxury collection called the Botanical Series by Goldfield & Banks Showcasing the precious wood species harvested sustainably for the first time in perfume history in the Daintree Rainforest in Tropical Queensland, Silky Woods is a delightful and delicate yet very sensual blend that captures Australia’s sensorial experience. To a modern sillage of suede, exotic vanilla and smoky Tobacco, Goldfield & Banks has added refined essences of saffron, incense, ylang ylang and native sandalwood. Silky Woods is a celebration of the abundance of organic ingredients in Australia, and the home-grown innovation with which they are transformed into essences coveted across the globe.’ – Goldfield & Banks
Silky Woods is a very popular release. I like it, as I like most vanilla scents, but it didn’t instantly wow me, as much as it seems to have done for other people. I do understand why this particular release received the flanker treatment however. I revisited this one before smelling the Silky Woods Elixir (read my review of that here, as they are quite different).
Silky Woods is a sugary sweet vanilla, with a slightly leathery edge from saffron. It feels a bit boozy and spicy, more like a vanilla liqueur of syrup. Transparent and more watery to me than creamy; probably a high dose of ambroxan.
There is something very woody and almost earthy underneath, which could be geared more towards oud lovers.
As much as I enjoy wearing it as most vanillas, I’m not sure how much this offers above some other popular options, like Kayali Vanilla 28 or my preference, Guerlain Spiritueuse Double Vanille. Still, a really nice fragrance and understandably one from Goldfield & Banks that gets the attention. I would want it to be a little more different and eccentric to stand out from the pack… but perhaps I’m a bit of a hypocrite, because the Elixir stands out much more, but I like it less.
