I’ve been into fragrances for a long time, and over the years, I’ve tried pretty much everything—fresh, citrusy colognes, aquatic scents, even some niche experimental ones. But no matter what phase I’m in, I always find myself coming back to tobacco-based fragrances. There’s something about their warmth and depth that just feels right, and some of my best memories are tied to those scents.
I’ll never forget the first time I got hooked on tobacco scents. It was during a trip to New Orleans with my friend Mike. We spent an evening in this old, dimly lit bar in the French Quarter, where the smell of cigars was thick in the air. The rich, smoky aroma of the place stuck with me. A few weeks later, I was out shopping with my girlfriend at the time, Jess, and we stumbled upon Tom Ford’s Tobacco Vanille. I sprayed it on, and Jess immediately turned to me and said, “That’s you.” I wore it to a holiday dinner at her place that same weekend, and the compliments started rolling in. Even her sister, who barely notices these things, commented, “That scent is perfect for tonight.” Right then, I knew tobacco scents had something special.
Fast forward a few years, and I decided to experiment with lighter fragrances. There was this summer where I wore a fresh, citrusy scent for most of the season, thinking it would be better for the hot weather. But one particular night stands out: Jess and I went to a rooftop party in Brooklyn. The vibe was great, but I felt like something was off. That clean, citrusy scent didn’t feel like me—it was too light, too forgettable. I remember Jess leaned in at one point and whispered, “I miss your old scent.” That’s when I realized: I needed the richness and personality that tobacco brings. The next night, I was back to Tobacco Oud by Tom Ford, and it felt right. We went to a jazz club that night, and when Jess leaned in again, this time she smiled and said, “Now this is more like it.”
Then there was this weekend trip to Chicago with my brother, Chris, and his girlfriend, Emma. We stayed in this vintage hotel that had an old-school, classic vibe, and I brought along Parfums de Marly Herod. It was a chilly fall weekend, and we spent one evening walking along Lake Michigan, bundled up in coats. Herod, with its smooth tobacco and spice, was the perfect scent for the occasion. Emma, who’s big into fragrances herself, kept asking what I was wearing. “It’s warm and kind of cozy, but not too heavy,” she said, as we all grabbed coffee after dinner. Even Chris, who usually doesn’t notice these things, mentioned it smelled “like fall in a bottle.”
But one of my favorite tobacco scent stories involves my fiancée, Emily. Last winter, we went to a small wedding for my cousin Mark, held in the mountains. I had been playing around with different fragrances leading up to the event, but on the day of, I decided to go with Maison Margiela’s Jazz Club. Emily loves Jazz Club—she says it reminds her of nights out when we first started dating. So, naturally, I wore it that day. As we stood by the fire pit at the reception, Emily leaned against me and whispered, “You smell like the coziest night out.” I smiled because she was right—the smoky, warm tobacco mixed with the mountain air just fit the moment perfectly. Later, even Mark’s wife, Hannah, asked about it. “I’m getting this faint smell of cigars and whiskey—what is that?” she asked. Emily proudly told her, “It’s his scent!”
Tobacco-based fragrances have this incredible ability to adapt to any situation, whether it’s a formal dinner, a laid-back night out, or an outdoor adventure. The richness of the tobacco note adds depth without being too bold, and there’s a warmth that just feels inviting. I’ve worn Tobacco Vanille on a cozy winter date night, Herod on crisp autumn days, and Jazz Club for nights that feel a little more special. They’re timeless and versatile, and no matter how many other scents I try, I always find my way back to tobacco.
In the end, it’s the memories tied to these scents that make them stand out. Whether it’s a compliment from Jess at a rooftop party or Emily’s smile when she recognizes Jazz Club, tobacco scents have a way of becoming part of the experience. They’re more than just a fragrance—they’re part of the story. If you haven’t tried one yet, I’d highly recommend it. You never know, it might just become the scent that stays with you, too.
