Niche tobacco perfumes: 7 tobaccos, from honey to rum

Tobacco in perfume has nothing to do with the smell of cigarettes. It is about the dried leaf: a warm, slightly honeyed, sometimes fruity scent that brings to mind a cigar box or a wood-panelled library. It is a note that loves cold weather, and niche houses have made it one of their specialities.

Here are seven niche perfumes where tobacco plays a real part, each with its own style. The notes we mention are the ones on our product pages, nothing more.

Honeyed tobacco: Chergui

Chergui (2005), by Serge Lutens, brings together tobacco, honey, hay, iris, amber and musk. Honey and hay give it a golden, almost sweet side, and iris softens it. A classic of the genre, warm and enveloping. See Chergui.

Elegant tobacco: Herod

Herod (2012), by Parfums de Marly, opens with cinnamon and pepper. In the heart, tobacco meets osmanthus, frankincense and labdanum. The base lays down vanilla, musk, cedar, vetiver and patchouli. A spiced, refined tobacco, perfect for winter evenings. See Herod.

Rum tobacco: Side Effect

Side Effect (2016), by Initio, combines rum, tobacco, vanilla and cinnamon. Only four notes, all of them warm. Rum and vanilla make it very gourmand. This is a perfume for going out rather than for the office. See Side Effect.

Spiced tobacco: Red Tobacco

Red Tobacco (2017), by Mancera, opens with cinnamon, nutmeg, saffron, green apple and frankincense. The heart brings tobacco, patchouli and jasmine. The base blends vanilla, amber, sandalwood, oud and musk. It is the richest pick here, full of spice and wood. See Red Tobacco.

Coconut tobacco: Fan Your Flames

Fan Your Flames (2018), by Nishane, is an extrait. It opens with coconut and rum. The heart pairs tobacco with tonka bean, then the base settles on oakmoss and cedar. The coconut gives it an unexpected twist, somewhere between gourmand and woody. See Fan Your Flames.

Tobacco and rose: Tabac Rose

BDK Parfums keeps Tabac Rose simple: our page lists two notes, tobacco and rose. The rose softens the tobacco and gives it a more floral feel. A good choice if classic tobaccos feel too dark for you. See Tabac Rose.

Blond tobacco: 902 Hazy Spice

902 Hazy Spice, by Bon Parfumeur, opens with orange, ginger and armagnac. The heart brings cinnamon, clove and geranium. The base blends labdanum, vanilla and blond tobacco. Spicy and bright, it is the tobacco here that smells most like the festive season. See 902 Hazy Spice.

Which one to choose?

In short:

• You want the soft, honeyed classic: Chergui.
• You want a smart tobacco for the evening: Herod.
• You love gourmand scents: Side Effect or Fan Your Flames.
• You want lots of spice: Red Tobacco or 902 Hazy Spice.
• You prefer a more floral tobacco: Tabac Rose.

Tobacco is a powerful note: one or two sprays are often enough. Test on your skin before you buy if you can. On every product page you can compare the shops that sell the perfume and set a price alert to hear when it drops.