Tobacco Lush

I was gifted a 15ml of this bottle along with another 2 bottles from the same house. Save for one sample I tried that's not in the database, my first exposure to the house. First spray, this smells like smoke. As in ashtray smoke. Nothing sweet. Just as if I took a smoke break (I don't smoke). But development is nice. It warms up a bit and sweetens the slightest touch. It never goes far from the smell of cigarettes. For me, it's probably going to be a layering scent. Certainly nice enough for what it is, just on the boring side.

On me, this is a very strong, obviously tobacco-centric perfume. The projection and staying power are both massive: one spray was more than enough for me, and I could smell it on myself the next morning (so, about 24 hours later). This is a perfume for people who want to be noticed; it's really anything but shy. The tobacco is front and centre here: it's sweet-ish, but not as sweet as I expected given the typical style of Ganache Parfums. There's a dry, herbal liquorice element there as well that I think is a very elegant way to enrich the tobacco note (liquorice is often used as a flavouring and/or moistening agent in tobacco). In addition to this, you'll find a bitter smokiness in the middle notes and the dry-down that I think is quite welcome - it creates an interesting illusion, showcasing the smell of tobacco before and after it's been lit. There is also a very obvious, very recognizable note of leather, and it gives the blend a more sensuous character that prevents it from skewing too grandfatherly. To me, the cognac and rum notes sort of blend together a little, and mostly translate into a background alcoholic hum that works tirelessly to warm the scent and to give it a mellower, less forbidding feel. There is some kinship here with the infamous Rhinoceros by Zoologist, but they are pretty different to my nose. Rhinoceros is woodier, and leather is the most obvious element of its sillage. In addition, it has a crispness that you will not find here. Tobacco Lush is a tobacco fragrance through and through, that I think only true tobacco lovers will really appreciate. For people who really like this note, though, you might want to track down a bottle.

This has a note in the opening that smells like an ashtray/cigarette smoke, about 2 minutes in. Thankfully, that eventually goes away (it takes a while) and the true tobacco scent comes in. This is very dry, not a sweet apple or cherry-based tobacco, with a leather accord. Usually, Ganache Parfums are gigantic gourmand scents, full of sweetness. This is one I'm not too sure about. I think it's too acrid for my taste, which is a shame, I usually like their fragrances. This does get a little sweeter in the dry-down, a honeyed tobacco smell. Much better than the beginning. It is unisex, but I think it leans more male - it lasts at least 6 hours and the sillage is moderate on my skin. I did layer it with Cafe Lush from the same house and got a pleasant, sweet coffee/cream with an undertone of tobacco.

Not the best tobacco variation in perfumery I've ever smelled. This is a tart bitter scent of overripe tobacco leaves with a characteristic acidity, a brutal smell of fume.