The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Vanilla CO₂ & Oud arrived in 2026 from Joschka Klee, a fragrance built around a simple but striking tension: the rounded comfort of vanilla against the dark, resinous weight of oud. The name makes the central pairing explicit, while rum brings a boozy lift and pink pepper adds a flash of heat. It isn't a quiet study in vanilla. It's a more tactile version, one that moves between dessert, spice, and wood without settling into a single category.
The composition's distinction comes from the meeting point of vanilla CO₂ and oud. Vanilla CO₂ suggests a concentrated, full-bodied reading of an otherwise familiar material, while the rum note adds warmth and a slight bar-sofa glow. Around them, benzoin and opoponax bring resinous depth, cocoa supplies a darker sweetness, and the base gathers wood, amber, musk, and spice. The result is familiar vanilla pushed toward something more grown-up and atmospheric.
The evolution
It begins with a lively spark: pink pepper and rum CO₂ cut through the air before elemi gives the opening a resinous edge. The heart settles into a warmer register, where cocoa and creamy butter make the composition feel almost dessert-like, lifted by vanilla CO₂ and the dark glow of benzoin and opoponax. Then the base takes over. Cambodian oud and sandalwood bring a polished woody depth, while tonka bean, amber, musk, labdanum, and vanilla absolute leave a lingering sweetness that feels more like skin than confection. By the next day, the memory is likely to be warm, woody, and softly spiced.
Cultural impact
Phil Julian's work sits within a broader current of niche perfumery where limited releases and small-batch production are treated as part of the value itself. Vanilla CO₂ & Oud fits that context by pairing a bold gourmand profile with the house's emphasis on restricted production and considered design. The combination of a CO₂-extracted vanilla with oud, benzoin, opoponax, and cocoa speaks to a current appetite for denser, more resinous gourmands that move beyond simple sweetness.
The House
Phil JulianPhil Julian is a German niche fragrance label founded by Phil Julian and rooted in Heidelberg, where the founder's personal memories shape the creative direction. The house debuted with Fovere, a unisex composition handmade in Italy, and has continued to expand with releases including Green Cactus (2025) and Vanilla CO₂ & Oud (2026). The brand operates on a small-scale, limited-edition model, positioning each release as a distinct chapter rather than part of a sprawling catalog.
The Creator
Joschka KleeKlee gravitates toward complexity and contrast. Serpent alone demonstrates this with its dual-potion structure, offering The Innocent Flower alongside The Fatal Poison.
