LuvScnts

The first couple times I tried Tobacco Vanille I didn’t like it and got a headache. After a year of trying different fragrances, my preferences changed from light, citrusy scents to darker, spicier and “rougher” ones. Suddenly, Tobacco Vanille became my favorite scent. I haven’t bothered trying any dupes/clones. I did that with Tuscan Leather and there’s just nothing like the real thing.

Tobacco Vanille is classy, dark, mysterious, rough and smooth at the same time. I starts out smelling like spicy rum pudding to my nose, which doesn’t last much beyond 15 minutes. Then I get vanille, with a hint of tobacco. As time passes, the tobacco becomes more prominent, with vanilla in the background, making it smooth and balanced. It is the most realistic tobacco note I’ve ever smelled. It never becomes dirty or ashy. TV lasts over 8+ hours. It’s best suited for colder weather. It’s great for dates and formal occasions.

Iommi (or Monkey Special) from Xerjoff is fantastic. It’s one scent that noticeably changes the as you wear it. Upon initially spraying it I get a wonderful dose of passion fruit and rum. Just the right amount of sweet booziness. As it dries down I get a leather patchouli combination that alternates with caramel, but it never becomes overly sweet. This is not a linear fragrance. It lasts all day on my skin and I can usually detect it the following day (which says a lot because I don’t have the best working nose). It smells natural to me, not cheap or synthetic and is now available in 100ml bottles.

This is one fragrance I thought I’d enjoy, but was quite disappointed with as I primarily smell lemons. When it begins to dry down I pick up some woods. The lemon smell never completely disappears though. If it were more fruity and less lemony I’d enjoy it more. Does have decent performance though.

I initially resisted trying anything from Xerjoff when I first began this journey that’s developed into a hobby (passion/obsession), because the company seemed overhyped and overrated. Eventually I gave in and tried a few, only to realize that the hype is justified. After reading review after review and watching YouTube videos and comparing its notes with frags I already love, I decided to blind buy Naxos. I don’t regret it one bit and it remains my favorite fragrance of all time. It was love at first sniff. There’s only a handful of fragrances that fall into that category for me. When I smell it I get a light touch of lavender, honey and tobacco. As time progresses I notice the honey and tobacco more, and perhaps cinnamon. As it dries down I get the sweet honey and vanilla with a bit of tobacco still lingering. I wear it year round and during the warmer months the citrus is more noticeable. This is a unique fragrance that will cause you to stand out and get noticed. Amazing performance as it lasts all day.

The Impudent Cousin Matthew has similar characteristics to Castile, another great fragrance from Penhaligon’s. To me, Cousin Matthew is a more refined version of Castile. If Castile were a signature scent worn day to day, Cousin Matthew would be its equivalent for formal situations. It’s less soapy and a little more citrusy than Castile, though not sharp or abrasive whatsoever. Both are linear, clean fragrances that are quite appealing and pleasant. For the price, one can do better in my opinion, especially if looking for a fragrance that’s unique and “stands out”. The current price for 75ml of Cousin Matthew is $310 USD, up $15 from several months ago, while the price for 100ml of Castile has jumped $5 USD to $170 USD. If you can find them for roughly 50% off, then they’re worth it. Otherwise, keep looking.