Tabacco Imperiale

While walking through the wonderfully chaotic and vibrant streets of Naples, a small 30ml bottle of Blenheim Bouquet caught my eye in the window of a clothing store. I stepped in for a closer look. As I explored the boutique, I noticed this brand I hadn’t seen before. The shop assistant explained that this brand is a luxury neapolitan tie maker, for the high society and even members of the Spanish royal family. Then the store owner said: “Show him Tabacco Imperiale.” She sprayed it on a paper strip, and I didn’t need to think twice. Without even waiting for it to dry down, I said, “Put it on my skin” From that moment on, the scent stayed with me all day, outshining whatever i was wearing that day. It was instant magic. Tabacco Imperiale is clearly inspired by the legendary Tobacco Vanille DNA, but it adds its own twist: a touch more gourmand, slightly more chocolaty, less tobacco-heavy, and with a pronounced clove note that gives it depth and warmth. It’s a compliment magnet with very great performance. The bottle is gorgeous, and the craftsmanship behind this scent shows that Neapolitans truly know how to hit the mark. Of course, I bought a bottle. It’s now one of my most complimented winter fragrances and a go-to when I need something that will last over 10 hours.

It's a really nice scent. I smelt it today in Burlington Arcade in London. It's very similar to Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille. It's a beast in the performance category. The price is off-putting though. £500 for a bottle, I mean are you serious? Would grab 2 bottles of TF Tobacco Vanille instead without even thinking.

To me, Tabacco Imperiale isn’t simply the best Tobacco Vanille ‘smellalike’, it’s the only fragrance that comes close. The cacao note, the longevity, the nuances that make Tobacco Vanille so good are all here. I’ve tried so many TV type fragrances, this is the one I’d buy if Tobacco Vanille wasn’t available. I bought a bottle anyway at Marinella in Burlington Arcade, London.

Has anyone tried this? I am just about to blind buy it.