New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

What is tobacco?

post #1 of 35
2/20/13 at 1:58pm
Thread Starter 
I have smoked cigars for about 10 years, only high quality handmade unflavored ones, and I'm surprised about the fragrances people say have a "prominent tobacco note" when it's simply not the case (for me). All I can smell in most "tobacco fragrances" is either cloying honey (Tobacco Vanille, Back to Black, Acqua di Cuba, Tabarome) or sweet cherry (Bogart pour Homme, and Odori Tabacco I heard). Miller Harris Tabac is OK but smells more like sweet wood and juicy pimento than it does tobacco.

A quality unflavored cigar (or pipe tobacco) smells like tobacco and a low quality flavored cigar smells like the flavor in question. So that said the real tobacco fragrances I would recommend, which are also more masculine, are:

Aramis Havana (green herbal tobacco)

Roger & Gallet Open (smoky soapy tobacco)

Michael Kors for Men (boozy cognac tobacco)

Cuba Paris Red (unlit cigar inside humidor tobacco but bad longevity and sillage)

Do you agree? And maybe more tips about similar fragrances, both designer and niche.
Reply
Reply

Features on Basenotes

Basenotes Reader Awards 2013 - Finalists Announced.
Petals Falling From The Sky - A Report From The Cote d'Azur's Bataille De Fleurs
Greatest Hits: Annick Menardo
post #2 of 35
2/20/13 at 2:02pm
Rectoverso Tea Tobacco - a tobacco scents with a hint of tea
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 35
2/20/13 at 2:03pm
Check out Bright Leaf by Murdock. Real McCoy of Tobacco IMO.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 35
2/20/13 at 3:20pm
Not being into cigars or roll-your-own cigarettes, tobacco notes don't really hit out hard at me. I tend to miss them in scents till others point out they exist, then I go back looking for them. I can't say I ever found it in Michael Kors and am still not sure about Bogart PH, but did in Dreamer, Herrera for Men and D&G Homme.

Annick Goutals Sables definitely smelled like something that is found in pipe tobacco.
Regards,
Renato
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 35
2/20/13 at 3:44pm
I wish I could find a fragrance that smells like the inside of a walk-in humidore lined with Spanish Cedar (which, by he way is neither Spanish nor cedar). IMHO, there are none. Most of the tobacco notes I smell are nothing like that delicious scent properly aged tobacco leaves. Most I think must be the flower or something else.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 35
2/20/13 at 4:05pm
OP, have you tried I Profumi di Firenze's Tabacco? I love it but could only compare it to Havana (which is much, much heavier) and Tobacco Vanille (which is sweeter and altogether not tobacco-y to my nose).
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 35
2/20/13 at 4:59pm
Guerlain Vetiver
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 35
2/20/13 at 5:04pm
the tobacco notes in fragrances are rarely the kind you will find in cigars, they are much sweeter.

that said, nothing makes me feel better than having a smoke.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 35
2/20/13 at 5:22pm
I think Bogart PH is a fairly good replication of cherry pipe tobacco.
Michael Kors for men is one I'd really like to try.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 35
2/20/13 at 5:24pm
I only know Michael Kors from your scents and yes, to me that is clearly a well blended tobacco note in with the booze.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 35
2/20/13 at 8:51pm
Dernier_Cri nailed it with Guerlain Vetiver; at least of the fact that I find the dry, inside-of-a-humidor tobacco note in this classic to be outstanding and of nice compliment to the green feel of the vetiver and citrus. I get an apple-blended tobacco note from Carlos Santana's frag (truly underrated) and a similar apple/tobacco note from Nicole Miller for Men. Michael Kors is a great scent, but I feel what tobacco it may have is blended in quite completely and tends to add depth, rather than stand out. The tobacco in Burberry London is sweetened heavily by the port wine note and mimosa; it's almost sugary-sweet, in a way. Which brings me to Cuba Red, a scent that comes close to Burberry London, but falls a bit shy on 'oomph'. (But you really can't beat it for the price.) Havana by Aramis was somewhat ruined by me, as it was out of stores by the time I became aware of it's charm, so I tried Montana Red (everyone here said it was a doppelganger...) and dug Montana Red. By the time I got to try Havana, I found it too similar to Montana's floral mid and neglected to notice the tobacco. I have yet to experience Roger & Gallet open.

Well, thank you for your time. Just my $0.02 on tobacco.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 35
2/20/13 at 9:32pm
Mona di Orio Cuir - heavy smoky tobacco on top & middle notes IMO b4 the leather even starts up...
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 35
2/20/13 at 11:14pm
Thread Starter 
This is interesting, suggestions so far:

- Rectoverso Tea Tobacco (sounds nice but discontinued I understand)
- Murdock Bright Leaf (never heard of it, must try)
- I Profumi di Firenze Tabacco (interesting, perhaps a bit too light and airy?)
- Guerlain Vetiver (I had a bottle of this years ago, not a huge fan of vetiver but worth a revisit)
- Mona di Orio Cuir (nice to se this one, but it's more like a cozy campfire smell)
- Banana Republic Black Walnut (is this a gourmand or similar to Michael Kors?)

The other mentions I think are too sweet or too less of a "real" tobacco scent. And comparing Montana to Havana, they do have some things in common but Havana is so superior in every aspect, it's richer, fuller, greener, darker and has a good punch in the tobacco like you could almost taste it. Montana may be better daytime in really warm climate or if you like a less aggressive Havana. If you love strong, dry and masculine scents with tobacco you should really give Roger & Gallet Open a try.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 35
2/20/13 at 11:27pm
I personally haven't tried it yet, but I hear Tabacco by Odori is a really nice tobacco fragrance. Hope to sample it soon, if I can find it.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 35
2/20/13 at 11:45pm
YES!!

Odori Tabacco is exactly what OP is looking for. Totally different from the sweet, moist, pipe tobacco deal most tobacco scents are about. Odori gives you the real deal, bitter and peppery dried leaves full of nicotine

Not my thing at all, but Odori did nail down that particular niche better than anyone else.

Side note.....if you want the smell of an Acid Kuba Kuba in a cedar box......surprisingly Banana Republic's Black Walnut is just that.
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 35
2/20/13 at 11:47pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, would be great if someone who has sampled Odori Tabacco made some inputs. Thank you DULLAH.

I can also recommend Vermeil for men if you like a more "clean" & warm soapy (but also a tiny bit animalic) tobacco scent, careful on the trigger - this one is a beast.
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 35
2/20/13 at 11:55pm
The Odori is very nice, a bit too honeyed for my taste and a tad too realistic (boring) maybe.
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 35
2/21/13 at 1:41am
Thread Starter 
I heard it's a bit sweet, but with a more cherry vibe rather than vanilla like in Tobacco Vanille. But if it's ANYTHING like Tobacco Vanille I'm sure I'll hate it (due to the cloying honey note). I guess the sweetest tobacco acceptable to me is Michael Kors for Men.
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 35
2/21/13 at 1:59am
SL Fumerie Turque is a nice tobacco - also with a honey note - but very different to TV (which smells like tobacco to me).

Creed Vintage Tabarome is an awesome tobacco fragrance too.
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 35
2/21/13 at 4:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rubirosa View Post

... I'm surprised about the fragrances people say have a "prominent tobacco note" when it's simply not the case...
A quality unflavored cigar (or pipe tobacco) smells like tobacco ...

Thanks for this. Took the words out of my mouth. I think many reviewers just follow what other people say or just take notes out of the pyramids, I've been very surprised at the opinions on certain fragrances only to be bitterly disappointed when I try them out.

My father used to smoke unflavoured pipe tobacco and one of my childhood memories is taking out his tobacco pouch and sniffing the contents. What a lovely smell. I too would love to find my perfect tobacco scent.

I'll have to try the suggestions from your list. I love Havana, especially that slightly harsh 'green' opening.
Reply
Reply
post #21 of 35
2/21/13 at 9:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rubirosa View Post

I heard it's a bit sweet, but with a more cherry vibe rather than vanilla like in Tobacco Vanille. But if it's ANYTHING like Tobacco Vanille I'm sure I'll hate it (due to the cloying honey note). I guess the sweetest tobacco acceptable to me is Michael Kors for Men.

Totally with you on Tobacco Vanille, instead of "cloying honey" I would sub in "Baulk inducing fudge overdose".

I tried a sample of Amouage Memoir Man the other day, and that had quite a noticeable smokey, tobacco top note which lingered for a while.

Definitely came as a pleasant surprise and brought a smile to my face. A very nice scent indeed.
Reply
Reply
post #22 of 35
2/21/13 at 9:37am
I agree with you -- the 2 most authentic 'tobacco' fragrances I have worn are both from Santa Maria Novella - (you'll have to research the actual names though)
Reply
Reply
post #23 of 35
2/21/13 at 11:21am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaern View Post

I agree with you -- the 2 most authentic 'tobacco' fragrances I have worn are both from Santa Maria Novella - (you'll have to research the actual names though)

I have only tried Acqua di Cuba and I smell 90% sweet honey. Have yet to try Tabacco Toscano, someone with some inputs about this one? We can conclude that many "tobacco" fragrances only uses tobacco as a background note, many times with a more prominent honey or vanilla which makes them sweet.

By the way, is nicotine a note?
Reply
Reply
post #24 of 35
2/24/13 at 8:00pm
I want to say Fumerie Turque but its too smoky.
Reply
Reply
post #25 of 35
2/24/13 at 9:39pm
I've had the chance to smell the leaf itself in the field back in N.C. USA but like they say..........to each his own, some will get it while others might not.

I've also got Vermeil's and Cut Cigar on my tobacco list of fragrances along with Remy Latour's Commander. They all have such a different take on the bright leaf. Have you tried the Demeter scents?
Reply
Reply
post #26 of 35
2/25/13 at 7:55am
Well, Here's a Question for all of you Tobacco Fans...

I've been working on just this thing for a fragrance in my line.

Spanish Cedar wood essential oil - just about as rare as hens teeth, plus tobacco straight up. No honey, cherry, or sweet.
Plus musk. It's quite nice, even lovely. When my friend perfumer Mike Storer smelled it last week, when he came to stay and visit for three days, he said, "Wow" This is Done!"

My study of common loose tobacco shows me that almost all tobacco sold comes flavored, and heavily vanilla fragranced as a result. As I usually abhor and eschew vanilla in my fragrances, I did not include it.

But Yes, I'm a little worried that it's a little too boring, albeit very very nice

I'm wondering if you would tell me some other notes that you all think might be appropriate to include?

I was thinking of a bit of a rum topnote.

Well, Let me know what you think...?
Right now, I call it Cigarbox.

Fragrantly Yours,
Paul Kiler
Reply
Reply
post #27 of 35
2/25/13 at 8:05am
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^I think your response and idea deserves its own thread/post^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Reply
Reply
post #28 of 35
2/25/13 at 9:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pkiler View Post

Well, Here's a Question for all of you Tobacco Fans...

I've been working on just this thing for a fragrance in my line.

Spanish Cedar wood essential oil - just about as rare as hens teeth, plus tobacco straight up. No honey, cherry, or sweet.
Plus musk. It's quite nice, even lovely. When my friend perfumer Mike Storer smelled it last week, when he came to stay and visit for three days, he said, "Wow" This is Done!"

My study of common loose tobacco shows me that almost all tobacco sold comes flavored, and heavily vanilla fragranced as a result. As I usually abhor and eschew vanilla in my fragrances, I did not include it.

But Yes, I'm a little worried that it's a little too boring, albeit very very nice

I'm wondering if you would tell me some other notes that you all think might be appropriate to include?

I was thinking of a bit of a rum topnote.

Well, Let me know what you think...?
Right now, I call it Cigarbox.

Fragrantly Yours,
Paul Kiler

When I think of tobacco I think of the associated smells of leather and some kind of alcohol: whiskey (I usually drink Islay malts so a smoky peat flavour and smell is part of the experience) or rum (here I think of Angostura 1919) or a cognac.

With these sorts of smells I find spices such as cardamom, clove, and saffron work well, none of which has to be sweet but these are the comforting smells I associate with pipe tobacco. I'm usually disappointed when spice is accompanied by an overload of sweetness.
Reply
Reply
post #29 of 35
2/25/13 at 12:50pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pkiler View Post

Well, Here's a Question for all of you Tobacco Fans...

I've been working on just this thing for a fragrance in my line.

Spanish Cedar wood essential oil - just about as rare as hens teeth, plus tobacco straight up. No honey, cherry, or sweet.
Plus musk. It's quite nice, even lovely. When my friend perfumer Mike Storer smelled it last week, when he came to stay and visit for three days, he said, "Wow" This is Done!"

My study of common loose tobacco shows me that almost all tobacco sold comes flavored, and heavily vanilla fragranced as a result. As I usually abhor and eschew vanilla in my fragrances, I did not include it.

But Yes, I'm a little worried that it's a little too boring, albeit very very nice

I'm wondering if you would tell me some other notes that you all think might be appropriate to include?

I was thinking of a bit of a rum topnote.

Well, Let me know what you think...?
Right now, I call it Cigarbox.

Fragrantly Yours,
Paul Kiler

That sounds great! I hope it's heavy, dark, dry and sharp. Just like smelling a hand made cuban cigar up close, with the open beautiful cigar box in the background. Smelling it should almost result in a small nicotine kick. I think rum would be a nice addition, I always enjoy my cigars with straight up rum or cognac or black coffee together with some pieces of dark bitter chocolate.

Like chopwet said, leather would also be a nice addition. A really old brown and comfortable leather armchair. But please no saffron, it's often a too dominant note.

Good luck Paul!
Reply
Reply
post #30 of 35
2/25/13 at 3:17pm
Hednic, do you think the Rectoverso Tea Tobacco is a safe blind buy? I love TV, and Mood Uomo and Micheal are just ok. Thanks.
Reply
Reply
post #31 of 35
2/25/13 at 6:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pkiler View Post

Well, Here's a Question for all of you Tobacco Fans...

I've been working on just this thing for a fragrance in my line.

Spanish Cedar wood essential oil - just about as rare as hens teeth, plus tobacco straight up. No honey, cherry, or sweet.
Plus musk. It's quite nice, even lovely. When my friend perfumer Mike Storer smelled it last week, when he came to stay and visit for three days, he said, "Wow" This is Done!"

My study of common loose tobacco shows me that almost all tobacco sold comes flavored, and heavily vanilla fragranced as a result. As I usually abhor and eschew vanilla in my fragrances, I did not include it.

But Yes, I'm a little worried that it's a little too boring, albeit very very nice

I'm wondering if you would tell me some other notes that you all think might be appropriate to include?

I was thinking of a bit of a rum topnote.

Well, Let me know what you think...?
Right now, I call it Cigarbox.

Fragrantly Yours,
Paul Kiler

I think it sounds great, Paul! If you need "test mules", I'd happily wear some out an about when it is available. Other notes...? Uhh, I'm not really much of a "nose" in that sense, but what about considering a darker floral element, say rose or geranium? Just ideas.

Sounds awesome though!
Reply
Reply
post #32 of 35
2/25/13 at 9:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rubirosa View Post

That sounds great! I hope it's heavy, dark, dry and sharp. Just like smelling a hand made cuban cigar up close, with the open beautiful cigar box in the background. Smelling it should almost result in a small nicotine kick. I think rum would be a nice addition, I always enjoy my cigars with straight up rum or cognac or black coffee together with some pieces of dark bitter chocolate.

Like chopwet said, leather would also be a nice addition. A really old brown and comfortable leather armchair. But please no saffron, it's often a too dominant note.

Good luck Paul!


As for Saffron, That gets covered in my Zaffran (saffron) and in Red Leather, both leather frags, so I don't need to place saffron in another, at least just yet.

I have a bit of leather in a version of Cigarbox, I'll see where it goes.. but I'm liking a quick to evaporate rum topnote, and maybe a bit of those spices as suggested by Chopwet. Especially since the Spanish cedar is actually more clove-y than one would think... It smells like a mix of Cedar wood texas, Cloves, Carrot, and mahogany that you're cutting on the tablesaw.

I haven't decided if I want to place some smokiness in it or not. Another consideration to torment me.
Reply
Reply
post #33 of 35
2/25/13 at 10:17pm
One of my favorite less sweet tobacco frags is this: Cigar Aficionado
Attachment 19402

Dark, dry, robust, realistic, great projection& sillage, and only costs $10-20 if you can find it(discontinued, check ebay).


Quote:
Originally Posted by pkiler View Post

Well, Here's a Question for all of you Tobacco Fans...

I've been working on just this thing for a fragrance in my line.

Spanish Cedar wood essential oil - just about as rare as hens teeth, plus tobacco straight up. No honey, cherry, or sweet.
Plus musk. It's quite nice, even lovely. When my friend perfumer Mike Storer smelled it last week, when he came to stay and visit for three days, he said, "Wow" This is Done!"

My study of common loose tobacco shows me that almost all tobacco sold comes flavored, and heavily vanilla fragranced as a result. As I usually abhor and eschew vanilla in my fragrances, I did not include it.

But Yes, I'm a little worried that it's a little too boring, albeit very very nice

I'm wondering if you would tell me some other notes that you all think might be appropriate to include?

I was thinking of a bit of a rum topnote.

Well, Let me know what you think...?
Right now, I call it Cigarbox.

Fragrantly Yours,
Paul Kiler

Im very interested in this scent you are creating. Cant wait to try it! As for other notes to add, I would consider(keep in mind, I wouldnt add all of these at once, just some ideas to kick around):

French Labdanum
Nutmeg
Dark Plum
Patchouli
Malt/Whiskey
Haitian Vetiver
Sandal Wood
Leather
Coffee Bean
Black Pepper
LL
Reply
Reply
post #34 of 35
2/26/13 at 12:41am
FullCollapse, thank you! I forgot to make note of Cigar Aficionado. I own it and yes indeed...dark dry, robust, incredible tenacity and projection for SURE! My StepDad wears it from time to time and he gets a great drydown: Dark and smooth, woodsy almost with a hint of patchouli, it seems. Maybe someone should mention this to smellgood4u, seeing as he seeks a bold, brash scent (I know he's looking for vintage Kouros, but he should try CA). And yes, budget friendly at the moment.
Reply
Reply
post #35 of 35
2/26/13 at 11:02am
Try Cigar by Remy Latour, if you can find it, it is similar to Cuba Red, only not as spicy, and lasts a lot longer. I think it's very close to the smell of a freshly rolled cigar.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Male Fragrance Discussion

Features on Basenotes

Basenotes Reader Awards 2013 - Finalists Announced.
Petals Falling From The Sky - A Report From The Cote d'Azur's Bataille De Fleurs
Greatest Hits: Annick Menardo