Tobacco

Origin

Native to the Americas, the tobacco plant is cultivated across Cuba, the southern United States, Turkey, and beyond, its leaves cured and fermented to develop their aroma. Perfumery uses an absolute extracted from the dried leaves, deep and honeyed.

The smell

Dark, dry, and richly sweet, like cured leaves left to age in a cedar box. There is honey and dried fruit in it, a hint of hay and leather, all wrapped in a warm smokiness that lingers in wood and cloth. It smells lived-in and masculine, the scent of an old armchair where a pipe was once enjoyed.

Key quality

Lends a warm, sweet, leathery depth that reads as comforting and lived-in.

Historical use

Brought to Europe by Spanish and Portuguese explorers in the sixteenth century, tobacco swiftly became a courtly indulgence, snuffed and smoked across royal palaces. The Prince Regent and the dandies of his circle were devoted to pipes and snuff, and tobacco absolute later became a hallmark of refined masculine fragrances and amber accords.