FRAGRANCE | Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille EDP: A mesmerizing scent of confidence

halfwhiteboy - Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille EDP 01

Tobacco Vanille was my very first Tom Ford Private Blend purchase. It was an instant love, so it wasn't really hard to choose from among several that I've tried shortly after Tom Ford first opened locally at Adora in Greenbelt 5. That bottle has since been followed by many more, enough to allow me to mount a "Tom Ford Private Blend Christmas Tree" last year (*wink wink*). I have never written about it, so I guess it's high time I do.

The opening features a strong, dry tobacco drenched in vanilla. The sweetness isn't sickening like Mugler's A*men Pure Havane and is in fact almost boozy, possibly an effect of the dried fruits in the mix. It also doesn't go into gourmand territory, allowing the dryness of the tobacco to weave its magic completely unhinged. I love how its deep and dark character is on full display here. The bitterness is akin to the tobacco in the vintage Aramis Havana, unapologetic and downright gorgeous.

halfwhiteboy - Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille EDP 02

A chocolatey spiciness comes through, furthering the fragrance's depth and character. It's joined shortly by tonka, bringing with it an added sweetness but with a darker tone, so the result remains far from cloying even as the sweetness increases later. The chocolate eventually lifts off and the spiciness now resembles something like cinnamon. The tobacco, on the other hand, is still going strong, uninterrupted in its interplay with the boozy, spicy sweetness.

The scent is commanding, perfect for someone confident and accomplished, be it man or woman. It is, however, a little masculine-leaning by marketing standards. But even if you're a nobody like me, there's no stopping you from wearing it. It's all about owning it and then basking in its glorious atmosphere. Tobacco Vanille is perfect for cold weather or temperature-controlled environments, more so for evening or formal affairs. Projection is really good for maybe three or four hours before it starts waning, but the scent itself is really long-lasting. This is a must-try and will forever be one of my faves.

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