Spicy

Aniseed smells like liquorice dissolved in warmth—sweet, slightly spicy, with an almost creamy vanilla undertone. Imagine biting into a liquorice sweet, then that familiar tongue-coating sensation meets the gentle heat of star anise in a cup of chai. It's not sharp or peppery; rather, it's smooth and almost caramel-like, with a faint medicinal whisper reminiscent of pastis or ouzo. There's something simultaneously confectionery and aromatic, herbaceous yet indulgent. It can feel either nostalgic or exotic depending on the context.

Gourmand

Vanilla smells like warmth wrapped in sweetness—imagine the comforting aroma of freshly baked vanilla sponge cake, or a warm bowl of vanilla custard on a winter's evening. It's creamy and soft, almost edible, with subtle woody undertones and a hint of spice that recalls cloves or nutmeg. Pure vanilla is surprisingly complex: it's not aggressively sweet, but rather enveloping, like condensed caramel with a touch of earthy depth. It smells like indulgence and safety simultaneously.