ZAHAROFF
SIGNATURE TABAC
2021
PERFUMER
Claude Dir
Cognac
Rum
Anise
Davana
Lavender
Tobacco
Honey
Oud
Pimento
Balsam Fir
Cedarwood
vanilla
Incense
Amber
Plum
Myrrh
Sandalwood
Tonka Bean
‘Zaharoff Signature TABAC is an extraordinary fragrance palette of a wet tobacco mixed with warm boozy notes of cognac and rum. We took the Zaharoff Signature DNA and gave it a twist of “Americana” with Sweet Lavender, clean Blue Cypress, and Star Anis that unfolds into an earthy, smoky woods, and floral heart of Oud and Balsam, finally settling into a trilogy of warm, spiritual, and sensual Myrrh, Sandalwood, and Frankincense.’ – Zaharoff
Let me be frank and start by saying that Tabac is not what I expected on first impression, but I love it. It starts with a sweetness and tobacco with spices (anise and a tickling peppery vibe). I only get a hint of lavender and I expected something less cozy and less sweet. Personally, I prefer it the way it is, but it’s rather common. I don’t agree with reviewers that got their hands on this early that say this smells like pure, dry Tobaccos at all. It’s still heavily sweetened and soft/smooth straight away. This is as sweet as a Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille for example. It mostly reminds me of the Rojas Enigma Pour Homme‘s drydown. It smells safe and familiar.
After some minutes I start getting a hint of booze, but it’s mainly the woodiness that comes through. It does not come across as a tobacco layer over the lavender, myrrh, oud etc. DNA from Signature Pour Homme to me. It feels like a sweet tobacco scent with only a splash of the Zaharoff Signature, if at all.
It keeps the spicy touch, so it doesn’t lose the tobacco to go fully sweet, nor does it have the same sugary vibe from Tobacco Vanille; it’s honeyed and that’s a big plus. The sillage seems to slowly build up throughout the first hours and I have no complaints on the performance. Texture-wise, it’s not too dry.
As far as the scent goes, this is a 9 out of 10 for me now and my favorite of the 4 Zaharoffs I’ve tried. That comes with a word of caution for those who expect something out of the norm. I think this builds in a beautiful and quality way on an accessible sweet tobacco style and it might be the best in class, especially at it’s price. Yet, I’d love to see George take more risks.
