Today, I went back to work after an extended Thanksgiving break. How do I feel about this? Let’s just say that if I smoked, I would have been reaching for a cigarette. Instead, I’ll share a few mini reviews of some tobacco fragrances. Their cool, laidback vibe was just what I needed today.
Bell’Antonio, Hilde Soliani. I wanted Bell’Antonio to smell of coffee and tobacco, as advertised. It doesn’t, but the fruity pipe tobacco that predominates is a-ok, too. Bell’Antonio is chewy, rather than smoky. There is also an occasional waft of raisins. Yes, raisins! Bell’Antonio is billed as a masculine, but I thoroughly agree with Marina’s assessment on Perfume Smellin’ Things that it is a “masculine fragrance created to be worn by women.”
Tobacco Vanille, Tom Ford. I recognize that Tobacco Vanille is a tobacco fragrance. The first time I tried it, I was actually a little overwhelmed by the tobacco, which is also on the pipe tobacco end of the spectrum. But over time, I started to experience Tobacco Vanille as a scrumptious rum cake. Gourmand, boozy, spicy, and one of the most delectable vanilla notes I know.
M’Eau Joe No. 3, Opus Oils. I greatly anticipated this new release from Opus Oils, because Perfumer Kedra Hart uses tobacco notes in such a subtle way in some of her other fragrances. In her blends, tobacco comes across as fresh and “pure.” This is how the note is treated in M’Eau Joe, too. Although the scent is rather complex, I smell tobacco plant (with hay and herbal facets) and cigarette smoke. It’s ashier, crisper, drier, and more raw than the other two scents. Whiskey and tobacco, the basis of M’Eau Joe, could have been cliche central. But it isn’t. More like this scene in Almost Famous, less like a Guns ‘N Roses video.
For another review of Hilde Soliani Bell’Antonio, see the link above. For another review of Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille, see Olfactoria’s Travels. For another review of M’Eau Joe No. 3, see Perfume Posse.
And now, for a random giveaway. I’ve got a set of Six Scents samples that can be yours. Trompe L’oeil, M, #087, Ascent, Can’t Smell Fear, and Beau Bow. To enter, comment on this post. Available only for U.S. readers. Sorry! Blame the USPS.
Sample of Bell’Antonio is my own acquisition. Thanks to Undina for providing me with my first Tobacco Vanille sample, and thanks to Kedra Hart for my sample of M’Eau Joe No. 3. As always, reviews are not compensated, and my opinions are honest and my own. Information on my review policies is on the Media & Disclosure page.
I’ve always loved the scent of tobacco, especially really good pipe tobacco or the occasional good cigarette. It’s a scent I find pops up regularly in scents that I like. So, of course, now I can’t think of a single one, lol. I grew up not too far from the Amish farms in the Lancaster, Pa., area and the memory of the scent of the tobacco leaves drying in their tobacco sheds in late summer is one I will have forever.
This is funny, but as I read this, I was actually jealous of that scent memory.
I can only imagine the smell of the leaves as they dried was an amazing smell. Thanks for commenting, Shelly!
They still dry them that way and I still pull the car over and give the air a good sniff when I am in the area at that time of year. And the scent, especially if it is melded with the scents of fully-ripened corn or wheat or freshly-plowed earth is really wonderful.
Here is a picture of a typical Amish tobacco barn.
http://pinterest.com/pin/59743132528499202/
And I definitely want to be in the draw!
Thanks for the photo! It’s nice to put an image with the scent association. You are in the draw.
Hi Natalie,
, transported back to when I was little. It reminded me so much of my uncles, especially the one who smoked, wore a leather jacket and handlebar mustache, and rode a motorcycle that scared the hell out of me.
The first time I smelled Bell’Antonio, I had one of those out-of-body experiences
I don’t really get coffee from it either, just a warm comforting tobacco, but that’s perfectly fine with me.
What a great scent memory, and I LOVE that your uncle had a handlebar mustache. That goes perfectly with Bell’Antonio. Thank you for commenting, Das.
Tobacco Vanille is addictive!!!!
It is really nice at this time of year, isn’t it?
absolutely
I’d love to try the samples!
You’re in the draw!
Natalie, no need to enter me in the drawing. Just curious if you had a favorite among the three. A friend who recently sampled Bell’Antonio made it sound quite dishy!
Hmmm. That’s a tough call, as I do like all three. I think Bell’Antonio is the most complex and the most wearable, and M’Eau Joe is the most interesting conceptually (and the most masculine), but Tobacco Vanille is probably my favorite, because I do love its vanilla.
Tobacco is a note I’ve been meaning to explore more… and I want to put in an Opus Oils order one of these days, too…. SO MUCH TO TRY
I know what you mean. There are a growing number of “want to try” items on my list, which I had shortened just recently. You are in the draw, too!
I’m relatively unfamiliar with tobacco scents, but I am definitely intrigued! Thanks so much for the draw; I would love to be entered.
(do not enter me into the draw: I’m completely burried under untested samples
)
I’ve been writing my “single note exploration” post for, probably, a year now. I’ll finish it one day. But Tobacco Vanille is, probably, one of my most favorite tobacco scents: I think the mix of the two named ingridients is almost perfect.
I hear you on the samples. I agree with you on TV, too. It’s just a yummy fragrance. So glad I found that discounted bottle.
Would love to sample tobacco scents. I have a feeling I might not have the guts to wear it regularly, but of course I’m intrigued!
Of course!
You are in the draw.
I love tobacco, I love Tobacco Vanille, but I somehow can’t bring myself to spend that much money for a scent that is (1) not deeply weird and (2) from a bigbig company. So thank you for this post; now I know of more places to potentially get a tobacco-scent fix.
Oh, and skip me for the giveaway.
Oh, I hear ya. My bottle was steeply discounted. Not sure I could have forked out full price for TV.
My all time favorite perfume , Chergui, has a beautiful honeyed tobacco drydown.
I love Costamar Tabacca, too but it’s powerful. Not for every day.
BTW, I just love that clip from Almost Famous, where the tough rockers go mawkish with some classic Elton John. Must re-watch the movie soon!
[No need to enter my name in the draw--just hear for the good conversation!]
Thanks for joining in – always nice to see you!
And, thanks for using the word “mawkish” which is one of my faves and made me smile. Perfect description. 
This is generous! Thank you for the draw! I’m kind of a newbie to the perfume world and I don’t think I’ve ever smelled a tobacco fragrance.
Tobacco Vanille is masterpiece to me. There’s nothing like tobacco, and I don’t smoke.