Tabac Rouge

WARNING: Side effects of Tabac Rouge: obsessive compulsive wrist sniffing and or shirt/fabric sniffing. SECOND WARNING: this is gonna be a long one. ;P I got two sample vials of this absolutely delicious creation and I can tell you right off the bat those two samples are going to be gone in record time. I was working out on my treadmill yesterday and could not stop sniffing my wrist to the point of tripping myself and almost smacking face down on top my treadmill belt. It was all worth it though. ;) Ok let's officially start this review off by addressing the humongous elephant in the room, which is : does this smell/resemble TF's TV and the answer is...*drum roll*.... YES. In my honest, humble opinion, very much so. There are a few minor differences, the most prominent being TR is a sweeter composition but, all in all, they are extremely similar. TR is a gorgeously creamy blend that is worth every single penny (and compared to TV you'll be saving quite a few of those if you go with TR.) This is quality juice and one of my best finds in the past 6 months - hands down. Onto notes/what I get from TR. Heaven. Pure bliss. This fragrance starts out with a dewy, moist almost a little bit bitter tobacco. The honey chimes in and adds a nice dose of sweetness, making this a syrup - like tobacco concoction, followed by a sprinkle of cinnamon all blended together to perfection. I must add that for me, on my skin, the tobacco note never dismisses itself out of the composition entirely. It's present through the whole life of this frag and apparent in all three stages as well. Towards the end it's almost a shadow of its former self but I can still pick it up easily, and I'm ecstatic that on my skin the tobacco hangs around and doesn't fizzle out once it hits the mid. Once the top fades, which on me is about 35 minutes in, I start to pick up a warm, creamy ginger note and a slight powdery vibe. The tobacco is still working it's magic, but at this point is just toned down a few notches and mixed with the ginger gives off a subtle sharp, kind of peppery tobacco-like tone. I also get a slight incense vibe, warming this composition up and adding just a hint of subtle smoke/sweetness, but also adding some balance to the blend. There is a trace of musk adding a faint dose of animalic raunch. There is only but a pea sized amount of it in this fragrance, but just enough to give this fragrance some edge. The benzoine adds an almost vanilla like accord, which further adds another layer of a milky like, creaminess. So at this stage, it's a creamy, spicy, a little sharp, slight incense, slight vanilla tobacco with a splash of grit. Together these notes work off one another in perfect unison, each playing an important role in this composition to make it as refined, erotic and utterly hypnotic as it is. The final stage of this composition settles down into a velvety smooth, slightly sweet powdery tobacco (though I still pick up the tobacco, as I mentioned earlier it's present but in a transparent sort of way) with a hint of that spice and sweet honey. DELISH I also have to point out that between each of the stages of this composition, the transitions are seamless and fold right into the next in such a masterfully composed way. Words that come to mind with this blend are smooth, creamy, velvety, warm, extremely well blended, well rounded, polished, cozy, exquisite, luscious, tempting, edgy but sophisticated, enticing and silky. To me, this fragrance is a contradiction of itself in the best possible way. It's everything and anything, and I adore that aspect of it. As far as gender is concerned, I'm female and I do and plan on continuing to rock the hell out of this fragrance. To me, it's perfectly unisex. There's enough qualities about this fragrance that will cater to both genders comfortably. So, to wrap this up (finally, right..lol) I am utterly smitten with Tabac Rouge.( as if you couldn't tell already by my hour long novella) This is such a sexy fragrance and I'm absolutely spell bound by it. I don't recommend ever blind buying, (although I myself do such a reckless thing), I try (pretend) to be the voice of reason, but with TR, all bets are off. Go right ahead. Buy it. Go go. Gooooooo! If this composition is up your alley then it's a safe bet. Even if you aren't head over heels for it, you are going to at least like and enjoy it. As far as sillage goes, above average Projection. This is hard to gauge since I only have sample vials but with my experience with this frag, by just applying it to my wrists and neck, it definitely projected well. I can only imagine how it would preform straight out of the sprayer. I'm ruling this a safe above average/ beastly Lasting power - 10 hours easily. K, I'm done now. Finally. Woohoo. Happy Sniffin'!

Wonderful fragrance. Excellent. Dominant notes include Cinnamon, Ginger, Tobacco, and a Honey/Benzoin accord which might as well be interpreted as Vanilla. Even though tobacco is not listed in the pyramid here on Fragrantica, it's certainly there, and it's listed as "turkish tobacco absolute" on the Phaedon website. The cinnamon/ginger combination is what I noticed first after applying Tabac Rouge. It's intense and spicy, a strong cinnamon note with a piquant bite supplied by the ginger. Underneath it, the tobacco is fresh and smooth, providing structure in the middle without ever becoming too strong. And finally, a lush honey-benzoin accord, which is soft and sweet, holding everything together at the base. If these notes appeal to you, you will absolutely like this, as Tabac Rouge features a well-balanced structure composed of top notch ingredients. There's nothing cloying or overwhelming about it, nothing grating on the nostrils, and it performs well in terms of projection and longevity. Of course, you can't review Tabac Rouge without comparing it to Tobacco Vanille. The comparison is required, in my opinion, because these two are very, very similar. However, there's a few differences which may sway you in one direction or another. And since both fragrances are excellent, it really comes down to a matter of personal taste. Let's start with price. Although I believe price really shouldn't be much of a factor once you're spending over $150 on any frag, it's good to know what you're working with: Tobacco Vanille: A 3.4 oz/100 ml bottle currently retails for $295. The 1.7 oz. bottles retail for $215. Tabac Rouge: A 3.4 oz/100 ml bottle currently retails for $160 Here are the main differences between Tabac Rouge and Tobacco Vanille, in my experience. 1) The opening: The spices in Tabac Rouge are clearly cinnamon and ginger. They sit in a higher register than those in Tobacco Vanille and have more piquancy or "bite" to them. The spices in TV are a bit darker (not much...remember, any difference between these two is subtle) dominated by cinnamon but also with an apparent clove note that I don't get in Tabac Rouge. 2) Cocoa: In my review for Tobacco Vanille I said that it's about 3 parts vanilla, 2 parts tobacco, and 1 part cocoa. I get a definite cocoa note in Tobacco Vanille, blended with the vanilla, that I don't get in Tabac Rouge. It's just not there. 3) The weight and density: Everything in Tobacco Vanille is bigger, louder, and more tenacious than in Tabac Rouge. The notes are more dense and a bit deeper. For example, Tobacco Vanille's tobacco note smells nearly identical to Rouge's tobacco, but it's more robust and upfront. Same for the vanilla notes, but Tobacco Vanille's is richer and seems to have greater depth. 4) Performance: The longevity and projection of Tobacco Vanille is insane. Projection 10/10. Longevity 10/10. You'll get 16 hours or more out of TV with solid projection for at least 12. I'd give Tabac Rouge a 7/10 for projection, and 8/10 for longevity. But that's not necessarily a bad thing...8 hours with a foot and a half projection is plenty for me. 5) Balance: While both scents are well-composed I get a little more note separation with Tabac Rouge. At times the notes in Tobacco Vanille can kind of run into each other, and that doesn't happen in Tabac Rouge. So which one's for you? If you want big, deep, rich notes with insane longevity and projection, a bit of a chocolate touch, and something that will get you noticed without fail, then Tobacco Vanille is the right choice. However, if you prefer something quieter (though still noticeable), with a spicier cinnamon note in the top, and maybe a little more finesse throughout, then Tabac Rouge is your option. If you enjoy tobacco, vanilla, cinnamon and spice, you really can't go wrong with either one of these, and you should just pick the one that fits your style. They're both great. Although I owned and enjoyed Tobacco Vanille, I'm happy to have discovered Tabac Rouge because personally, I prefer it. Its subtlety is a better match to my personality and I can wear it more often than the Tom Ford. In some cases "clone frags" are annoying, but I enjoy having two options in this scenario. Neither fragrance is superior, but both are certainly better suited for specific contexts and personalities. Choose wisely ;)

"Sweet and stylish... confidently yet subtly making a statement in the nightclub." Tabac Rouge (TR) is a 2013 fragrance from the French perfume house Phaedon. Highly rated on Fragrantica and claimed to be a clone of the much acclaimed Tobacco Vanille (TV) by Tom Ford, I decided to take a risk by blind-purchasing a tester bottle from Sens Unique in Paris (with the help of a friend), as it was sold out. Looking back now, I don't regret one bit over the €120 blind purchase. On my skin, TR opens with unmistakable notes of cinnamon and honey. The opening is thoroughly dessert-sweet and will appeal to people with a liking for gourmand scents. Plus, I also strangely get a bit of sweetened oatmeal note in the scent. After an hour or two, the tobacco slowly reveals itself. Unlike Parfums de Marly's Herod, the tobacco in TR is smoother and more refined. It smells more like a flavoured cigarette rather than the leafy, spiced type I get from Herod. The longevity is very commendable; even after a full working day of around 9 hours and a shower, the sweet-tobacco drydown is still present on skin. Same goes for the sillage; wafts of cinnamon and honey are noticeable from a distance. Its heavy and dark characteristics make TR a perfume best used as a night fragrance for cold climates too. Now comes the big question: how similar is TR to TV? Indeed, they are very similar from the onset: both are clearly tobacco-vanilla unisex fragrances. However, they are a number of subtle differences. Many people claim that TV is sweeter than TR, which is true to some extent, but it's a different kind of sweetness altogether. TV's sweetness stems from its vanilla-dried fruit combo; TR, while arguably as sweet as TV, has sweet notes that come from its honey-cinnamon combo instead. TV is somewhat harsher and louder, while TR is softer and more subtle. In essence, I would say that the prominent notes for TV are tobacco, vanilla and dried fruits while those for TR would be tobacco, honey, cinnamon and a lick of ginger. As user Q.R. Crumm explains, TR is "the refined and classy brother of Tobacco Vanille (who is the loud, shouty ar*e-hole, the person who gets piss-drunk at a party and then gets on everyone's nerves.)". Amusing yet accurate analogy on how TR compares with TV. Mature, refined and classy, TR is a slightly different take on the immensely popular Tom Ford fragrance. Is it blind-purchase worthy? Maybe; if you like TV but feel that it's too obnoxious or overwhelming and want something more agreeable, then TR is definitely worth trying.

I received a sample of Tabac Rouge with a purchase, and I'm very impressed. My first to try from Phaedon, it is an excellent take on a honey scent. Rich and realistic without being cloying, it is beautifully balanced throughout. Artisanal honey is one of life's little luxuries that I particularly enjoy, and I enjoy the inclusion of a well-placed honey note in perfume as a result. It adds a rich, refined sweetness when done well. Here, it is placed alongside a resinous amber accord, and they marry beautifully. Despite the name, I get very little smokiness. TR is honey-dominant from initial spray, slow, sticky and sweet. It smells like raw, artisanal honey - good enough to eat. Warm, sweet spice complements it nicely, with cinnamon particularly evident. I get some nutmeg too. The ginger is very subtle, but adds to the warm spicy accord. A vintage-style amber base emerges as it develops, rich and resinous. It sweetened to perfection by the honey, and the spices tie it all together beautifully. It is reminiscent of spicebombs of old, but the emphasis on honey gives it a creative, modern twist. It becomes dry as it progresses, with the stickiness of the honey giving way to a powdery, somewhat airy texture. A plant-like tobacco note emerges here, not smoky, but dry and hay-like. It is a nice counterpoint to the sweet amber as well as adding interest. It becomes musky as it fades, remaining a honeyed amber scent until final fade. Sillage is moderate and longevity is long-lasting. It is unisex despite its sweetness, and is best worn in autumn/winter. A lovely, high-quality take on a honey scent, TR strikes the right balance between being sweet, dry, airy, amber-y and spicy without ever being cloying. It is creatively put-together, while being wearable and is satisfying throughout. One of the best honey scents I've tried. 4.5/5.

Tabac Rouge definitely has striking similarities to Tobacco Vanille, but there's also distinct differences between the two. I love Tobacco Vanille, but I hate the price tag. After reading and listening to the reviews about Tabac Rouge I decided to make a blind purchase on this as a more affordable alternative to TV. TR arrived today and I was pleasantly surprised as soon as I sprayed it on. The opening definitely smells like TV to me. The combination of rich, warm spicy notes, tobacco and sweet notes immediately put a smile on my face as it really strongly reminds me of TV. As it settles on my skin the similarities are less distinct. TR has a really strong, rich, dense and sweet honey note that lasts from the opening till the very dry down, whereas TV has a gorgeous vanilla note. The spiciness in TR is much more subtle with just a smooth cinnamon as compared to the spicy blend in TV which is more sharp and potent, probably due to cloves. To me the overall feel of TR is sweeter than TV. TR smells very similar to TV when I just catch whiffs of it throughout the wearing rather than smelling it up close. If I smell the scent really close on the skin I become more aware of the differences. Whiffs in the air bring the combination of tobacco, honey and cinnamon to my nose, while smelling it close to the skin I mainly detect lots and lots of honey. Tabac Rouge is a beautifully composed fragrance and I'm very happy to have it in my collection as a worthy alternative for Tobacco Vanille! Longevity and sillage are great! ♥♥♥♥♥