Anima VivaAmber Vanilla Extrait de Parfum

Anima Viva by Ramón Béjar is a unisex woody amber vanilla perfume extract, composed by Ramón Béjar himself. It belongs to the My Colourful Symphony collection, and the house describes it as a tribute to those who dare to live passionately.

Granada and Barcelona, a cultural symphony

Ramón Béjar is a Spanish house based in Barcelona, whose founder is also the nose. It presents itself as a philosophy rather than a brand: bringing together the most sophisticated essences and plants on the planet in limited-edition and numbered fragrances. Its positioning can be summed up in one sentence — formed in the Arab-Andalusian heritage of Granada, nourished by the artistic spirit of Barcelona — and the house speaks of a cultural symphony, where Middle Eastern perfumery meets Western olfactory tastes. The catalog is divided into two collections: My Universe Privée, eight fragrances born from a childhood passion for the mystical; and My Colourful Symphony, four brighter and more dynamic compositions, including this one.

An opening of angelica root, bergamot, orange, and Bourbon vanilla absolute

Angelica root brings what the house calls an earthy freshness: herbaceous, musky, slightly peppery. Bergamot and orange brighten it, and Bourbon vanilla absolute is already there — the fragrance begins with its central material instead of saving it for the end.

A heart of Mysore sandalwood, ambrette seeds, and CO₂ vanilla absolute

CO₂ vanilla absolute is the second extraction from the same pod: truer, fresher, less caramelized than the classic absolute. Mysore sandalwood brings its creamy lactonic quality, and the ambrette seeds a slightly fruity vegetal musk.

A base of amber, musk, Sumatran benzoin, and Spanish rockrose

Amber and Sumatran benzoin establish a balsamic warmth, Spanish rockrose — labdanum, a material of the Mediterranean garrigue — an ambered and leathery facet, and musk the skin effect. The longevity is very long.

The house's approach

The house is explicit about what governs the formula: precious vanilla absolute is the main protagonist, accompanied by the earthy freshness of angelica root and bergamot. The choice lies in the double extraction of vanilla — a Bourbon absolute at the top, a CO₂ absolute in the heart — two faces of the same pod at two moments of the fragrance. The house describes the result as both delicate and deep, ethereal and fleshy: this is what vanilla produces when treated as a precious material rather than a gourmand note.

For whom, for what occasions?

For those who love vanilla and want it noble rather than sweet. It is an all-season fragrance, wearable from day to night, with very long longevity and a wide sillage — one spray is enough. Anima Viva Ramón Béjar will appeal to those seeking an adult vanilla.