CaFleureBon Tobacco in Perfumery: “Dangerous Addiction”+ Nine Niche, Indie and Natural Perfume Prizes

 humphrey bogart smoking maltese falcon

Humphrey Bogart in the Maltese Falcon

 Since the 1960s, the U.S. Surgeon General  has reported  the inherent dangers of smoking. The use of tobacco in cigarettes became popular  when soldiers in England brought them back from Turkery  and Russia but it was during World War I that smoking cigarettes exploded (before that time, cigars, chewing tobacco and pipe smoking were more popular) and has been part of American culture ever since.  Tobacco  still  has a seductive, nostalgic and familiar presence (whether it’s Old Hollywood glamor such as Humphrey Bogart rolling his own cigarette in The Maltese Falcon, American Cowboys of the Wild, Wild West, or the aromatic memories of a grandfather’s pipe or an uncle's cigar). Throughout history, (some studies say that tobacco  began growing in America as early as 6000 B.C.) both the leaf and  the smoke of tobacco  were important in rituals and communication. 

four sacred plants of the  navajo

The four sacred plants of the Navajo Indians

The leaves—sweet-smelling, hay-like, and earthy—have been used for healing, for magic, and for ritual. Tobacco was very important in ceremonial uses for many Native Americans , as early as 1 B.C, who used this native plant for ceremony, for prayer, for healing, or as an offering.  For some, the act of smoking tobacco signified words that left the mouth and were carried on the smoke into the spirit world. It is one of the four sacred plants (corn, squash, tobacco and beans) of the Diné or Navajo and the sacred pipe was used widely for tobacco by the Oglala Lakota before ceremonies or treaty signing.

flapper smoking habanita

Flapper smoking

The absolute of tobacco in which the cured leaves are solvent extracted and washed with alcohol is used in perfumery for its rich, warm, slightly dirty and sweet tobacco note. It may or may not be nicotine-free. The effect of tobacco in a perfume is hard to achieve with other ingredients.   Some detect a hint of whisky or caramel in the absolute; others find it coumarinic and reminiscent of pipe tobacco. It is very tenacious and is used in exotic perfumes, masculine scents, and  feminine oriental blends.  Smoking for women became a sign of liberation, personified by the flappers of the Roaring Twenties who puffed away and drank with abandon. Although the perfume Molinard Habanita was originally produced to scent women's cigarettes, it contained no tobacco and incorporated rose, vetiver, vanilla, and incense notes. Caron's famous fountain fragrance, Tabac Blond, created by Ernest Daltroff,  is also tobacco-free but smoky and leathery nonetheless.  Introduced in 1919 it represented the more androgenous female ideal of the 1920s—the women who smoked using long cigarette holders and wore trousers or shortskirts. Tobacco blends very well with sandalwood, castoretum, labdanum, clary sage, bergamot, leather, vanilla and cedar oils.  Some of these, particularly clary sage, have also been used as tobacco additives for smoking. Ambergris improves the scent of tobacco.

tobacco in perfumery  tobacco plant

The tobacco plant is a member of the nightshade family or Solanaceae, and is related to sweet peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, chili peppers and the deadly nightshade. The seed of a tobacco plant is very small. A ounce sample  contains 300,000 seeds.  The nicotine found in tobacco is a poison and, especially when extracted from the plant, can cause severe illness and death.  In high but non-fatal doses it may be hallucinogenic and was used for this reason by experienced shamans and medicine men.

smoking_mayan_priest_woodblock

In Latin America and Native American cultures, tobacco was viewed as a gift of the gods and if tobacco smoke was exhaled it would carry thoughts and prayers to Heaven. It may be used in place of incense for communication with the spirit world. This practice was  prevalent amongst the Mayans and Incans who valued it both as incense on altars but also from the mouths of the worshippers.  Sometimes priests in ancient Brazil would light pipes and puff smoke into the faces of people to transmit heroic virtues. For medicinal uses the leaves may be blended to make a poultice for wounds and burns, to treat hemorrhoids, or even for earaches and toothaches.  In the southeastern United States it is thought to provide relief from jellyfish stings. When inhaled it was used to treat nasal polyps and externally for bites by poisonous reptiles, ringworm, and tetanus.

220px-Chute_tobacco

The earliest depiction of a European man smoking, from Tabacco by Anthony Chute

Tobacco may have been the crop that allowed the Jamestown colony in the early history of the United States to survive.  John Rolfe was an early settler in North America and was also the husband of Pocahontas. In the early 1600s he began growing tobacco and soon found a type from Bermuda that was preferable to the local variety.  He was soon exporting it to England where it became a highly valued commodity. Called “Brown Gold”, it was used as currency for many years and was a cash crop in Virginia and the Carolinas where it became closely tied to slavery.  Most farmers of the area grew it for transport to Europe in the early 1600s where Sir Walter Raleigh introduced it to society and promoted it to gentleman as a form of recreation. It was so profitable farmers had to be regulated to make sure they grew food crops in addition to tobacco. Beginning in the 17th century nicotine was extracted from tobacco and used as an insecticide.  Until recently nicotine-based pesticides were registered in the U.S. for use as an organic pesticide but will be discontinued by 2014. In fact, it may be a nicotine-based pesticide that is one of the chemicals contributing to mysterious bee die-offs.

aztecs and tobacco

The flowers of the tobacco plant and its relatives can be very sweet and fragrant. In fact Cestrum nocturnum, the night queen, is a relative of tobacco.  Many of the flowers of tobacco plants are white and are fragrant at night, sometimes strongly so. These white flowers are attractive to moths that come to pollinate them.  One variety is called ornamental tobacco and seems to glow at night, inviting nocturnal pollinators.  The Aztecs cultivated a plant called the jasmine tobacco or winged tobacco which is grown mainly as an ornamental.

W11670_01_tobacco-flower-nicotiana-tabacum

tobacco flower(nicotiana-tabacum

This same plant, along with other nicotine species may be used to produce a tobacco flower absolute which is very rare and perhaps only manufactured in privately for some perfume houses. The notes of the flower are described as reminiscent of carnations and yet very delicate and sweet with a fresh, almost fruity note.

smoke flower

In magic and sorcery the smoking of herbs used to banish evil spirits and call forth good ones. Smoke is used before a ceremony for good luck and as an offering. Two of the most frequently smoked herbs are sage and tobacco. Smoke arising from the burning of herbs is used in divination; reading of the smoke could interpret omens before a significant event. If you sprinkle dried tobacco leaves outside your house it will help to keep the negative energies outside and a few leaves in a sachet will make for a safe journey if you carry it along. For some old-time spells it may be mixed with anise seed to influence someone’s dreams, or a bottle of whiskey  and two cigars at the center of a crossroads may gain you the blessing of the crossroads (especially if the whiskey is on the road and not in the car with you!). 

charles edouard edmond delort a volputuous smoke

Charles Edouard Edmond Delort: A Volputuous Smoke

The addictive magic of smoke and the potency of the herb tobacco have made it a favorite of ancient and modern practitioners of spells and meditation. For many years it was also an irresistible symbol of sex and mystery. For the addiction without the danger try a perfume with smoky, sexy, sweet tobacco…

Elise Pearlstine, Monthly Contributor

Art Direction: Michelyn Camen

le habana cuban cigar ad

Don't inhale; spritz from one of the smokiest, sexiest and most addictive draws we have offered…

 

Niche

 

 100 ml MONTABACO- from the Four Corners of the Earth Perfume Collection from Ormonde Jayne, a collaboration between Linda Pilkerton and Geza Schoen-  Leather, suede, wood and tobacco leaf …a suggestive sensuality and Latino temperament.  (available at Ormonde Jayne Boutiques and Harrod's)HarrHavailable AVA 

 shooting stars oroville xerjoff tobacco in perfumery cafleurebon

 50 ml XERJOFF TOBACCO OROVILLE  includes clary sage, Italian neroli, Roman chamomile, carnation,mysore sandalwood and Cuban tobacco leaves— as smooth as Cary Grant

bombay bling edp neela vermeire creations

55 ml of Neela Vermeire Creations BOMBAY BLING , (a 2011 CaFleurebon winner of Best in Scent  for best collaboration and one of the  top 25 fragrances of the year) created by Bertrand Duchaufour. Release your inner Bollywood diva/divo with notes of lychee,mango black currant wrapped in sweet addictive tobacco. Mark's review here

Artisan

cognoscenti no 16 cafleurebon tobacco in perfumery

 

 50 ml  of Cognoscenti No 16, by Danielle Sergent, a winner of CaFleurebon Best of Scent 2012:  Clary Sage, Tomato Leaf, Linden blossom, Leather, Black Agarwood, Benzoin, Frankincense, Myrrh and Tobacco. Tama's review here

dsh perfumes 10 ml le smoking

One of  CaFleureBon's Best of Scent and top 25 fragrances of 2012 from Dawn Spencer Hurwitz and DSH Perfumes, 10 ml of the dangerously delicious Le Smoking, a green chypre created for The Denver Musuem /YSL retrospective,  includes oakmoss, marijuana accord (hey it was the 70s), tobacco absolue, lots of leather, orris root,clary sage and honey. Mark's review here

Havâne pour Homme | eau de cologne - 1 oz

From Shelley Waddington of En Voyage Perfumes, (a 2011 Best of Scent awardee) 15ml of Havane pour Homme, a boozy, aromatic elixir with rum, leather and tobacco.  I always think of "Papa"…Hemingway when I smell this virile and erotic scent.

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100% Natural (Natural Perfumers Guild)

Providence-Perfume-Tabac-Citron 100 percent natural

Charna Ethier, Best Natural Perfumer 2011 and 2012 (CaFleurebon Best of Scent Awards) of Providence Perfume Co. created Tabac Citron, a unisexy ALL NATURAL tobacco scent warmed by the sun- lemon zest, black spruce and lavender (15 ml)

WoofromHouseofMatriarch

 Seattle Perfumer Christi Meshell of House of Matriarch, a CaFleureBon Best of scent 2012,offers 15 ml travel size of  "Woo"— as in "to court" in 33% extrait-  Woo seduce with notes of tobacco absolue, ambergris and leather.  John's review here

RoseofCimarronsmaller

From our author, Elise Pearlstine, 15 ml of Rose of Cimmaron, as created for The Outlaw Natural Perfumer's Guild Internet project and is a rose for a "dame who dares', with smoky notes of blond tobacco, labdanum, pepper,  blended  with  two rose absolues and patchouli. Reviewed  on CaFleureBon here

To be eligible for our  Dangeroulsy addictive Tobbaco Perfume draw you must leave a comment with something interesting you learned from this article about Tobacco in Perfumery  AND AS MANY PERFUMES YOU WOULD LIKE TO WIN IN YOUR CHOICES . IF YOU ONLY WEAR NATURAL PERFUMES THOSE CAN BE YOUR CHOICES. DRAW ENDS FEBRUARY 21, 2013

Disclaimer: Because someone out there is going to take issue with featuring tobacco in perfumes We are not advocates of cigarrette, pipe or cigar smoking. Cigarettes contain over 4000 chemicals, over 50 of which are known carcinogens (cancer causing poisons). Quit today and wear your favorite tobacco perfume instead.None of these fragrances include nicotine or any known carcinogenic substances.  

We announce the winners only onsite and on our Facebook page, so Like CaFleureBon and use our RSS option…..or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

To be  npg logonpg logonpg logoTT

We announce the winners only onsite and on our Facebook page, so Like CaFleureBon and use our RSS option…..or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

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141 comments

  • Let me start out by saying that I love Tobacco in perfume. I was surprised to learn that many of the flowers of tobacco plants are white and are fragrant at night an that those white flowers are attractive to moths that come to pollinate them. And that there is a variety that glows at night to attract nocturnal pollinators. That’s so cool. A bunch of fabulous prizes …my choices would be MONTABACO- from the Four Corners of the Earth Perfume Collection, Woo from the house of Matriach, DSH Le Smoking and NV Bombay Bling…thank you so much.

  • News to me that it was a “gift of the Creator and if tobacco smoke was exhaled it would carry thoughts and prayers to Heaven”. I’d love the House of Matriarch, “Woo”, very intriguing, Dawn’s Le Smoking and Neela Vermeire Creations BOMBAY BLING !
    Good reading Elise and well researched! Thank you

  • Didn’t know that Sir Walter Raleigh introduced tobacco to European society during the 1600s i and promoted it as a form of recreation for gentlemen. So that’s why John Lennon was cursing him in “I’m so Tired.”

    For niche, I’d go for Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville, Artisan – Cognoscenti No. 16, and for Natural Perfumes, I’d love to try Woo! thank you so much!

  • Tobacco is one of my favorite notes in a perfume. One fact that I found interesting in this excellent article is that nicotine, which is found in tobacco, is a poison that has been used in pesticides possibly linked to the dying off of the honeybee population. Fortunately these pesticides, registered as “organic” will be banned by 2014.
    If I am lucky enough to win this draw, my perfume choices are as follows:
    Niche: Bombay Bling
    Artisan: Cognoscenti
    Natural: Tabac Citron

  • newvilledude says:

    I found it very interesting that organic pesticide made from the nicotine may be partially responsible for the bee die off. My choices would be MONTABACO- from the Four Corners of the Earth Perfume Collection, Le Smoking and Tabac Citron

  • As a perfumista I was surprised to learn that there is no tobacco notes in tabac blonde and molinard
    Also that tobacco is one of the four sacred plants of the Navajo Indians
    Smoking used to be so glamorous and I remember all the old movies where women said witty things through rings of smoke
    Great post
    My choices are montebaco by ormonde Jayne
    Havana pour homme by en voyage perfumes and tabac citron by providence perfume company
    Thank you to all the wonderful companies

  • Davis Brandão Dos Santos says:

    I used to enjoy tobbaco notes in the past, but lately I am tottaly addicted to it. Would like to mention another masterpiece here, that is Tabac Aurea, from Sonoma Scents…great frag. Going to check all the other frags mentioned here that I still do not know…and my fingers are crossed here. Thanks

  • I have had the pleasure of smelling this fragrant plant in the wild @ night.. I loved the fact that smoking herbs gets rid of evil spirits and call forth good ones. I didn’t know there was one that seemed to glow. I am now on a mission. Great article, Thanks to the contributors for the Draw. Don’t inhale.
    1. Bombay Bling…
    2. Woo
    3. Rose of Cimmeron
    4. Cognoscenti
    5. Havana pour Homme

  • Fascinating article. I learnt so much I’d never known before, like how nicotine extract was used as an insecticide, that Tabac Blond doesn’t actually contain any tobacco (wow!), and that the flowers of the tobacco plant are reminiscent of carnations. (I think that last one may have been my favorite part.)

    For my choices, I’d adore:
    NICHE: Montebaco by Ormonde Jayne & Bombay Bling;
    ARTISAN: Cognoscenti No 16 sounds amazing! Havana Pour Homme also sounds fascinating, once you compared it to Papa Hemingway!
    NATURAL: Rose of Cimmaron.

  • I was shocked to learn that Molinard contained NO tobacco. LOVE tobacco notes in fragrances. Would like to win the Xerjoff Oroville, Woo and The Havana Pour Homme.
    Thanks!!

  • I love this note, and I was fascinated to learn about the extraction practice (or lack thereof, for certain perfumes) and the way tobacco flowers have been used over the years. I would love
    -Bombay Bling
    -Ormonde Jayne Montebaco
    -DSH Le Smoking
    -House of Matriarch Woo
    Thanks as ever for a great draw!

  • Janet in California says:

    I had no idea that nicotine based pesticides were implicated in colony collapse. Amazing the havoc we can cause without meaning to.

    I would like-
    Bombay Bling
    Havana pour Homme
    Rose of Cimmaron

    Thanks!

  • Davis Brandão Dos Santos says:

    Oh..my frist post was not sent..do not know why..well, I found very interesting that the flower night queen is a relative of tobacco..have never imagined that. And all fragrances called my attention in the post….Bombay Bling and Ormonde Jayne are the most famous I suppose…but I always hear a lot of good thing about the other houses as well.

  • Many of my uncles were/are tobacco farmers in North Carolina, and your article took my straight back to my childhood, helping tie the big tobacco leaves to rods so they could be hung to dry in the drying barns. I was so relived to be there instead of the cotton fields! I had shamed the family by fainting several times in the blazing Mississippi August heat, so they packed my seven year old arse off to my grandpa’s and I redeemed myself by being quite the dab hand at tying those leaves off. Oh, but I was proud of myself!

    I thought there was some sort of mite they were blaming for the bee die-off, and didn’t realize nicotine was being blamed for it now. I vaguely remember that anyone who picked the tobacco leaves had to wash up before they went and picked certain vegetables because some sort of fungus or something could be transferred. And tobacco flowers are indeed fragrant…there’s a really cool variety called Nicotiana sylvestris that is especially nice. ( Ornamental only, it’s not one that is used for commercial purposes)

    So difficult to choose as all of these sound fantastic, but my choices are:

    Ms Pearlstine’s Rose of Cimmaron

    Ms Spencer Hurwitz and DSH Perfumes, Le Smoking

    Ms. Sergent’s Cognoscenti No 16

    XERJOFF TOBACCO OROVILLE

    I very much enjoyed this article. Thank you!

  • I just started working with tobacco absolute, and I love it. I knew it was considered sacred for centuries, but I didn’t know that it was used as a pesticide. And how awful that its killing off the bees! I think my favorites would be Woo, Cognoscenti No 16, and Montabaco.

  • Tammy
    What a childhood you had
    The reason you had to wash your hands I bet is because it is a fact if you handle tobacco leaves for a long period of time you can get nicotine poisoning

  • I LOVE tobacco notes in perfume – even the concept is so seductive. Thank you Elise for this excellent article. I find it interesting that many “tobacco” perfumes contain no tobacco (and yet tobacco is difficult to replicate!), and I appreciate the list of essences that blend well with tobacco. I’ve blended tobacco absolute into a fougere that I absolutely love, but it actually doesn’t use any of the essences you mention! I look forward to experimenting more. I wear only natural perfumes and would love to sample TABAC CITRON or your ROSE OF CIMMARON. Thank you!

  • Great article!
    Never knew that Habanita was made to to scent women’s cigarettes and it contained no tobacco. I always felt “tobacco” notes in it 🙂 – maybe that’s a sort of self-deception or the CURRENT version do contain tobacco?
    If I lucky enough I’d choose
    XERJOFF TOBACCO OROVILLE
    Cognoscenti No 16
    Tabac Citron

  • Fascinating, and as always, perfectly illustrated. I was most interested to learn of nicotine as an organic pesticide, and that nicotine can be strong enough to cause hallucinations. I worry about bee die offs. Thanks for another generous draw. My choices: Bombay Bling, Cognoscenti #16, Woo & Rose of Cimmaron.

  • Donald Eitner says:

    I did not know that ambergris improved the tobacco scent. I imagine that they all smell divine but the Cognoscenti No. 16 and The Rose of Cimmaron really pique my interest.

  • I did not know there were pesticides made from Nicotine ! Very Interesting , Loved this article!
    If I were to win any of the frangances sound fablous !
    Nichesanre below !
    Rose of Cimmeron sounds fab !
    MONTABACO
    XERJOFF TOBACCO OROVILLE
    BombayBling
    Le Smoking
    Woo
    Sorry to be so greedy ! Just can’t help myself !

  • One thing I learned from the article is the method of preparation – the cured leaves are solvent extracted and washed with alcohol. I wonder if different methods of extraction turn out different scents, like orange blossom/ neroli. The ones that look interesting to me are:
    Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville
    Bombay Bling
    Cognoscenti #16
    Rose of Cimmaron

  • Tobacco is one of my favorite notes in perfume so I was excited to read this. As usual, I learned a lot of interesting facts and was shocked to learn that until recently nicotine-based pesticides were registered in the U.S. for use as an organic pesticide and that it may be a nicotine-based pesticide that is one of the chemicals contributing to mysterious bee die-offs! Who knew I’d learn about this at a perfume blog! Always read widely 🙂
    I really would be happy winning any of these. If I had to choose, they would be Tabac Citron, Cognoscenti No. 16, and either Montabacco or Bombay Bling. I can’t decide 🙂

  • I enjoyed reading about the cultural significance of tobacco and smoke; for example, how smoke was thought to be a message to heaven in Latin American and Native American beliefs.

    I would indeed be fortunate if I could win any of these:
    Bombay Bling (love Neela!)
    Cognoscenti #16
    Le Smoking
    Woo (this House is very interesting!)
    Charna Ethier Tabac Citron
    Montabacco
    Rose of Cimmaron

  • I had no idea tobacco was a nightshade! I wonder how it would smell with a pepper or tomato leaf note? I love tobacco in fragrance and would love to win Montabaco, Havana pour Homme, or Woo.

  • Was surprised to learn about Habanita. Although I have never tried it, I’ve always thought it contained a tobacco note.

    Would be very happy to win Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville, Bombay Bling, Cognoscenti #16, or House of Matriarch Woo.

  • As much as I hate what tobacco can do to some people’s health, I absolutely love the scent of it.
    I didn’t know that nicotine in extreme doses could be fatal or hallucinogenic. I must admit that I did smoke cigarettes in my teen years, and while nicotine did soothe me, it sometimes had the potential to produce a major head-spin.
    It’s interesting to read that the tobacco plant played an important, spiritual role in some ancient civilisations.

    I would love to win…
    – Cognoscenti No. 16
    – Rose of Cimmaron
    – Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville

    Thanks for the draw!

  • Wonderful article.. from the first image of Bogie to the last – the Habana cigar! I was surprised to learn that there is actually no tobacco in Tabac Blond. Also that Night Queen, Cestrum Nocturnum is related to the tobacco plant.

    It would be a hard choice, but I would love to win
    DSH Le Smoking
    House of Matriarch’s Woo
    NVC Bombay Bling

    Thank you for the generous draw!

  • I didn’t know that there was an absolute of tobacco flowers!
    House of Matriarch’s Woo sounds interesting!
    As does the Ormonde Jayne.

  • When I was little (40 years ago) we had a cigar smoking family doctor. He always had a lit cigar .. even when visiting houses…

    I have learned a lot of facts about tobacco. The tobacco plant being related to nightshade, the many medical uses, but most of all I was flabbergasted that nicotine based pecticides are the probable cause of bee die-offs.

    My choices are:
    Cognoscenti no. 16
    Bombay Bling
    Le Smoking
    Rose of Cimmaron

  • I’m in love with the idea of tobacco in perfumery but haven’t explored it nearly enough. The idea of the flower absolute is equally compelling. It’s ritual use wasn’t totally new to me but I enjoyed learning more about what cultures held it in such high regard. I love the sound of these perfumes but personally only wear naturals (mostly). Tabac Citron, Woo and Rose of Cimmaron all sound equally addictive Le Smoking and Havana pour Homme also sound incredible. Marijuana accord! Wow.

  • I am an ex smoker and Tobacco is one of my favorite notes in a perfume but I did not know anything about the history of tobacco and its introduction into European markets until I read your comprehensive article.
    The list of proposal scents is fantastic, Thanks!
    my choices:
    Niche: MONTABACO- from Ormonde Jayne
    Artisan: Cognoscenti No 16 by Danielle Sergent
    Natural: WOO by House of Matriarch

  • This article brought to light so many things I didn’t know about the history and cultural significance of tobacco. From the many medicinal uses (Jellyfish stings, poisonous reptile bites, etc.), to the symbolism it took on in the ’20s, when the Flappers adopted it as a sign of their liberation and empowerment.

    As for the question of what I learned about tobacco in perfumery, I’d have to say I’m intrigued by the fact that tobacco flower absolute, produced from the largely ornamental jasmine tobacco flower (and similar nicotine species) is so rare. Why would this be the case? The article stated it is “perhaps only manufactured in privately for some perfume houses.” Why is it so rare? I can think of a few rare absolutes, but they are all derived from ingredients that are incredibly scarce and limited. Are ornamental tobacco flowers hard to come by? And the fact that the tobacco flower absolute has been compared to carnation with a trace of fruitiness makes it sound delicious, so of course now I have to smell it.

    Anyway, I’d be happy to have a chance to win any of my choice fragrances, as they all sound enticing, and I haven’t had the money to buy myself anything beyond necessities over the past couple of years. My choices, in descending order, are:
    1. MONTABACO
    2. Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville
    3. Cognoscenti No. 16
    4. Bombay Bling
    5. Tabac Citron (just to meet the 100% Natural category requirement).
    Thanks for another wonderful, informative article. CaFleureBon articles always give such depth and life to their subjects. You make perfumes into EXPERIENCES. My only regret is that your website is not scratch ‘n’ sniff.
    :/

  • Great article! I did not know that tobbaco was considered to be the gift of gods.

    My picks: Tobacco Oroville, No. 16 and Woo.

    Thanks!

  • No smoke and mirrors in this article!!
    Firstly, what is so surprising is that this ‘humble’ plant with white flowers, producing exotic scents at night, has become infamous for it’s addictive Nicotine, rather than the beguiling scent! I was sadden to read that the honey bee die offs are likely due to the nicotine-based pesticides, registered as organic in the US. Thank the Gods of Smoke that 2014 draws near, and this can stop!

    I just purchased 6 drops of tobacco absolute, I would love to try the following perfumes to get inspired by:
    NICHE: Bombay Sling -sounds good enough to eat
    ARTISAN: Havana Pour Homme also sounds fascinating – you got me at the mention of Hemmingway!
    NATURAL: Rose of Cimmaron.

    thanks for a fabulous article!!!

  • I had no idea that tobacco absolute can be so complex that different people detect different hints and traces in it. I also found it interesting that it is related to the night queen, one of my favorite white flowers and that the flowers of tobacco plants are fragrant during the night.
    My picks are : Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville, Bombay Bling, Le Smoking, Woo and Rose of Cimmaron

  • Beautiful article. It is so fun finding out little gems like there actually IS a tobacco flower which has a whole fragrance profile. Tobacco being used as a heavenly vessel to transmit prayers amongst Native Americans and Latin American Cultures gives a whole new perspective on smoking! I see how the amazing scent of tobacco absolute can be described as addictive and heavily used in magic and occult practices..
    I would love to win:
    Neela Vermeire’s Bombay Bling
    Cognoscenti’s No 16
    Chriti Meshell’s Woo
    Thank you for this fabulous draw..

  • I did not know tobacco was used in place of incense
    for spiritual ceremonies. This entire article is very interesting.

    Bombay Bling
    Cognoscenti
    Tabac Citron

    Thanks for the draw!

  • I never really known that Caron’s Tabac Blond contained NO tobacco ingredients!!
    Thank you for this amazing draw, my choices would be Rose of Cimmaron, Le Smoking or Woo!

  • I adore the scent of tobacco. Interesting to learn about its historical uses, that it is a relative of the potato plant and that Habanita was produced to scent cigarettes!

    I would love to win the following: Montabaco, Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville, Bombay Bling, Cognoscenti No. 16 and Woo.

    Thank you for an interesting article and a great draw!

  • Fascinating article. I did not know that tobacco was one of the sacred plants of the Navajo along with corn, beans, and squash. I also didn’t realize tha Habanita was originally created to scent women’s cigarettes.

    I would love to win a bottle of Rose of Cimmaron–it sounds divine.

  • I learned that tobacco in perfumery may or may not be nicotine-free, I thought it is only harmful when it is burned.

    niche: XERJOFF TOBACCO OROVILL and Bombay Bling
    Artisan: Cognoscenti No 16, Le Smoking
    All Natural: Rose of Cimmaron, Woo

    The descriptions of those perfumes drive me crazy!

  • Wonderful! I did not know there was a Jasmine tobacco (or “winged” tobacco–I love it@) plant. It looks lovely! If I will I would be interested in any of the niche perfumes, but my first choice would be the Xerjoff, then the Ormonde Jayne, then the Bombay Bling. Among the Artisans, Cognoscenit no. 12 (especially) and Le Smoking both sound delish. And among the naturals, I lean toward Woo.

  • I don’t condone smoking tobacco as it is so harmful, but I do love the image of smoke issuing as words from the mouth that are carried to the spirit world!
    My choices are MONTABCO, Cognoscenti No 16, and Woo.

  • A lot of new facts about tobacco.
    I did not think that the effect of tobacco in a perfume is hard to replace.

    My choices are:
    Ormonde Jayne MONTABACO
    Cognoscenti No 16
    Matriarch Woo

  • There are a LOT of things that I didn’t know about tobacco, which is one of my favorite perfume notes. I didn’t know that it could be night blooming, for instance. I also didn’t know that it was used as an insecticide. I wonder how that works… if it can kill bugs, how do they pollinate the plants?

    I love (love!!!) tobacco, but the tobacco scents that I love most dearly all grew on my slowly. Tobacco reminds me of my father, of course. It’s strange that I love the smell, since I always worried so much about his smoking.

    I am the biggest Ormonde Jayne fangirl and have been dying to try the new Montabaco. I hope that whoever wins that comes back and gives us lots of details on it!

    I’d love to win any of them, but I especially admire these:
    Ormonde Jayne MONTABACO
    Xerjoff Tobacco Orovill
    Bombay Bling
    DSH Le Smoking
    Woo

    Michelyn – Is DSH not 100% natural? I saw that you didn’t mention that in the summary and it doesn’t explicitly say that in Mark’s review, but I always thought that she was both indie and natural. No?

  • It was interesting to read that tobacco was planted so far in time as 6000 B.C and that it was used to perform magic! And “brown gold” is a funny title.

    As for the draw my choices are:

    OJ Montabaco
    Tobacco Oroville
    Bombay Bling
    Le Smoking
    Havana Pour Homme
    Tabac Citron
    Rose of Cimmaron

  • This article is amazing! I love tobacco in perfumery but I didn’t actually read about it before. So everything in this article is so interesting and new. I like the part that smoking of the herbs are used to banish evil spirits and call forth good ones in magic and sorcery. another thing that caught my eye is a bottle of whiskey and two cigars at the center of the crossroad may gain the blessing of the crossroads!

    I’m a big fan of tobacco in perfumery but I’m ashamed that I haven’t tried most of the prizes in the draw. I only tried Bombay bling and it’s amazing! Therefore I would love to win any of them especially

    Montabaco
    Tobacco Oroville
    Bombay bling
    Cognoscenti no 16
    Le smoking
    Havane pour homme
    Tabac citron
    Woo
    Rose of cimmaron

    Oops I just list them all…hahaha

    Thanks for the draw!!

  • I really enjoyed learning about tobacco in perfumery
    Like many here its one of my favorite notes
    I have so many scent memories-the smell of my grandfathers pipe in his library and my mothers fur coat that smelled like shalimar and smoke
    I didn’t realize that tobacco absolue could have nicotine in it
    and that nicotine was used for pesticides
    I also though it was ironic the tobacco was used to treat nose polyps
    It probably made them sick !
    My choices are
    Xerjoff orrovile
    Le smoking
    Woo
    Havana for him
    Rose of cimmaron
    I would be happy to win any of these fragrances

  • how interesting! i’ve grown it , here, in ny to use in my incense. you’d inspired me to start experimenting!
    thanks so much!

    xerjoff orrovile

    le smoking

    woo

  • First off: WONDERFUL article, Elise! 🙂 Very informative and well written and researched…

    I knew many of the things shared about tobacco in ancient cultures and that it was a Solanaceae plant…what I did not know (but this makes sense) was that NICOTINE based insecticides may be what is causing the bee die-off. 🙁

    NICHE Picks:
    XERJOFF Tobacco Oroville (wonderful!)
    Neela Vermeire BOMBAY BLING

    ARTISAN Picks:
    Cognoscenti No. 16 (my fave Cogno from reviews here)
    DSH Le Smoking (Dawn ROCKS!!)
    En Voyage HAVANA POUR HOMME

    NATURAL Picks:
    MATRIARCH Woo (*sighs*)
    Bellyflowers ROSE OF CIMMARON

    What a wonderful draw!! Thanks for the chance to win one or more of these wonderful perfumes!!!!

  • Tabac I is one of my favorite notes in perfumery! I really enjoyed this article- especially reading about the long history of tobacco in human cultures. I think it’s a shame that the modern health crazy culture has demonized a universally used plant that permiates all historical human cultures. I would live to try “Woo” or any and all listed! I have never met a tobacco perfume I didn’t like! I am currently hooked on SSS Tabac Aurea which is so warm, smooth, and sweet! Thanks for the great post and the draw!
    Ramona

  • gypsyqueenmother says:

    I learned that tobacco is actually in the same botanical family as belladonna and potatoes!

    Please enter me for the following draws:

    Niche-
    XERJOFF Tobacco Oroville
    NV Bombay Bling

    Artisan-
    Cognoscenti No. 16
    DSH Le Smoking

    Natural-
    HOUSE OF MATRIARCH Woo
    PROVIDENCE PERFUMES Tabac Citron

    GREAT article and thanks for chance to win…

  • SisterSpecies says:

    I never knew that an absolute of tobacco blossoms was produced, I’ve only had the pleasure of smelling the leaf abs., which is one of my favorite perfumery materials. I grow night blooming nicotianas in the summer, their blooms are completely intoxicating… I would love to smell any of these scents but would especially love to smell Woo by House of Matriarch or Montabaco from Ormonde Jayne. Thanks for the draw!

  • oh tobacco, you’ve come a long way baby!

    i have to admit, elise’s articles are one of my favorite features here!

    i was astonished and had to laugh at the idea farmers were to be regulated in order to make sure they were also producing FOOD.

    i was relieved to hear nicotine based pesticides will be discontinued!! YEA!

    and i LOVE that elise always includes facts such as tobacco & whiskey being among common offerings at the crossroads.

    ahhhhhhh. well, that’s my cigarette break- thank you SO MUCH elise for entertaining and informing; thank you to the generous and talented perfumers who entice and excite with their offerings; and thank you everyone at CaFleureBon for fragrant forum. <3

    Niche: Bombay Bling (baby! (i have to say that everytime i read the name Bombay Bling (baby!)))

    Artisan: Havana Pour Homme (someday Emblem Rouge… someday!!!)

    Natural: Rose of Cimmaron

    (although, i wouldn't hate Christie if i ended up with Woo. *grin*)

  • A very detailed article, thank you. I didn’t know that nicotine was used in pesticides, nor that it may have contributed to bee die-off.
    I would love to win: Woo, Rose of Cimmaron, Le Smoking, or Montabaco.

  • I did not know that the iconic perfume Tabac Blonde is tobacco free!
    These days I have only been wearing naturals so I would be thrilled to win Rose of Cimmaron, Woo or Tabac Citron.
    Thanking you for this generous draw and very informative article!

  • I learned that tobacco leaves were used in healing rituals and the Navajo considered it to be one of the four sacred plants. I would really like to win Bombay Bling, Cogniscenti no 16 and Woo (cute name 🙂 !!).

    Thanks for the draw!

  • susie frankel says:

    A Presidents Day trip down Tobacco Road…as with all your articles, I gained more knowledge but the ornamental tobacco “fact” made me smile. My choices are:

    Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville
    COGNOSCENTI NO. 16 or Havanna Pour Homme
    Tabac Citron

    I am thrilled to have found your website…

  • I did not know tobacco is a favorite of ancient and modern practitioners of spells and meditation.The article is so interesting.

    I’d like to win:

    Montabaco
    Bombay bling
    Cognoscenti no 16
    Le smoking
    Woo
    Rose of cimmaron

    Thanks for the draw!

  • Tobacco note is somehow underdiscssed considering the whole oud-rose-neroli fuss lately. So thank you for the incredibly informativ article! I didn’t ever hear about the Navajo’s beliefs, neither of John Rolfe’s tobacco breeding or the existence of jasmine tobacco!
    Though Habanita doesn’t contain tobacco, I always associate it with a smokey boudoir!
    I would like to enter the draw for the following fragrances:
    Niche – Montabaco and Bombay Bling,
    Artisan – Havana pour Homme,
    Natural – Woo.

  • This sounds crazy, but I never realized that nicotine is actually poisonous. I always thought cigarettes were bad simply because of the smoke in your lungs and the chemical additives.

    I would love to win Montabaco, Tobacco Oroville, Cognoscenti No 16, Tabac Citron, or Woo. Thanks!

  • Didn’t know tobacco was used for jellyfish stings, hemorrhoids or toothaches. Interesting! Good to know these scents don’t contain nicotine, hehe, I quit smoking several years ago! But like tobacco in perfumes still:). One of the hardest things ever, quitting smoking! But it’s worth it and glad I did!

    Would love Bombay Bling, Rose of Cimmaron and Woo. Thank you!

  • Where do you dig up this fascinating information! Awesome article. I found it very interesting that the US registered nicotine-based pesticides. Plus I did not realize that it may be one of the chemicals linked to the demise of bees. Yeah, let’s just keep it in perfumes. Probably one of my favorite materials to work with. Tricky…so I’d love to see how other perfumers have handled it. For my choices, I’d love to be in the running for Bombay Bling, Le Smoking and Rose of Cimmaron. Thanks for the informative article and the draw.
    Suzy

  • I chuckled when I read that the growing of the crop had to be regulated to make sure that food was actually grown, too. I enjoy tobacco scents and own Ineke’s Field Notes From Paris. Would love to be entered in the draw for Bombay Bling, Cognoscenti no 16, and Woo. Thanks for an informative article and nice draw.

  • Aimee L'Ondee says:

    Hey, great article! I love tobacco and tobacco flower scents, and have a little bit left of a tobacco flower perfume that the body shop used to make. I’ve always found rituals fascinating, so loved reading the bit about using smoke to call forth good spirits and ward away evil ones. I would like to be in the running for the Ormonde Jayne Montabaco, the Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville, or the DSH Le Smoking.

  • I had no idea that Cestrum nocturnum belongs to the same family of plants as tobacco. I’d love to win Bombay Bling, Cognoscenti No 16, Le Smoking and Woo. Thanks for the draw!

  • It’s impressive the family of varied plants, ornamental and edible, that are so closely related to tobacco, many of which are so aromatic in their own right.

    I’m interested in

    Montabaco, No. 16, and Woo!

    Thanks for the consideration.

  • I did not know that Habanita was originally produced to scent cigarettes.

    Here are the draws I would be interested in:
    Niche: Montabaco, Oroville, Bombay Bling
    Artisan: Cognoscenti # 16, Le Smoking, Havana pour Homme
    Natural: Woo, Rose of Cinnamon

  • I’ve learned that tobacco was very important in ceremonial uses for many Native Americans , as early as 1 B.C, it’s very interesting, I think that I will look for more information about this!
    Niche: Neela Vermeire Creations BOMBAY BLING I love this one!
    Artisan: DSH Le Smoking This one sounds great!
    Natural: HOUSE OF MATRIARCH Woo
    Thanks!

  • I learned that the nicotine is a poison and, especially which extracted from the plant, can cause severe illness and even death.
    -ormonde jayne MONTABACO
    -COGNOSCENTI Nº16
    -charna ethier, TABAC CITRON

  • Thanks for reading everyone! I enjoyed writing this article, as I do each and every one, because I learned new things too. Each subject takes me to unexpected places.

  • I did not realise that there was a possibility that nicotine could be present in tobacco absolute!
    I would love to win either Tabac Citron by the Providence Perfume Co. or Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville or Cognoscenti No. 16.

    Thanks for the draw!

  • I did not know that the tobacco plant , as well as both sweet and hot peppers, plus potatoes and tomatoes are all members of the Nightshade family (along with the nightshade plant itself, of course).

    I would be great to win Montabaco – Ormonde Jayne , Cognoscenti No 16, House of Matriarch Woo.

    Thank you for the draw!

  • I had noidea the flowers were so pretty!! Also that it belons to the solanacea family! I did enjoy the picture and tale of the 4 sacred plants of the Navajo tribe!
    I’d like to win:Montabaco, Bombay bling,Cognoscenti no 16, Le smoking, Woo, Rose of cimmaron

  • I didn’t know that there could be nicotine in the absolue! Or that there was nicotine in pesticides that could be killing the bees.

    I’d love to win Montabaco, Cognoscenti 16 or Woo.

    Very interesting article..

  • I had no idea that people smoked sage and that the flowers of the tobacco plant are so fragrant
    I love the smell of tobacco and leather together
    Really loved the article and the artwork was just fabulous
    My choices
    Bollywood bling
    Xerjoff orrovile
    Dsh le smoking
    En voyage Havana pour homme- the description of Hemingway wearing this got me
    Natural would be woo, tabac citron

  • I have grown nicotiana for years and they smell lovely but I had no idea the blooms were ever distiller for their fragrance. I bet it is amazing! I would love to try xerjoff tobacco oroville, Bombay Bling, Havanae pour homme, or Woo.

  • Thought of Caron Tabac Blond when I read the title, but I didn’t know much about tobacco in perfume–not even that “Molinard Habanita was originally produced to scent women’s cigarettes, it contained no tobacco and incorporated rose, vetiver, vanilla, and incense notes. Caron’s famous fountain fragrance, Tabac Blond, created by Ernest Daltroff, is also tobacco-free but smoky and leathery nonetheless.”

    Huh. I guess they were to harmonize with the tobacco in cigarettes? I also didn’t know that there is an absolute from the leaves and also another from the fragrant flower (or that the flower was fragrant at all). Or that the smoke symbolized/carried one’s words ascending to the Spirit World to some Native peoples.

    Thanks for the informative article! And the evocative art too.

    I would be happy with any of these! My top pick from naturals is Woo, but would love to try Tabac Citron or Rose of Cimmaron too!

    Didn’t even know Ormonde Jayne collaborated with Geza Schoen, let alone that Montabaco sounded so so good! Would love to win that one, or Bombay Bling, or Oroville….

    from the Artisans: Havane pour Homme, or Le Smoking. Have had a chance to sample Cognoscenti, so would let someone else enjoy…

  • When in the beginning of the article you say tobacco was used in communication I suppose you mean with the “other world” right? Because if not I would be very impressed. Never the less, I was impressed with all the magical uses of tobacco. Since I am a smoker I should consider practicing a couple of spells, particularly one to quit filthy habits… One thing is for sure though: I am not going for the blessing of the crossroads, what a waste of fine whiskey and cigars!

    So many choices here. Especially the Ormonde Jane I have been eyeing since it came out.

    Ormonde Jayne Montabacco
    DSH Le smoking
    House of Matriarch Woo

  • I found it interesting to read that shamans used to blow tobacco smoke into peoples faces…they would be banned from all public spaces today!
    I grow cestrum nocturnum but did not know it was in the tobacco family.
    Interesting that many ‘tobacco’ fragrances do not contain it too, I wonder what the absolute actually smells like?

    On my list are Montabaco
    Cognoscenti
    Woo
    Rose of Cimmaron

  • I didn’t know that nicotine based pesticides were being used. The speculation that it may have contributed to bee deaths is plausible as nicotine ( mentioned early in the article ) is a fatal poison in large doses.

    Separately, if nicotine is hallucinogenic, one must wonder how high is the nicotine content in modern day tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, snuff)

    My Choices are Bombay Bling, Tobacco Oroville, Le Smoking and Woo.

  • Was most interesting to learn about tobacco flowers glowing at night to attract night critters. Great read

    My choices are:

    MONTABACO
    XERJOFF TOBACCO OROVILLE
    Neela Vermeire Creations BOMBAY BLING

    Cognoscenti No 16
    Havana pour Homme

    Woo
    Rose of Cimmaron

  • Wow! what a post! Incredible! I learned so much! I didn’t know about the medicinal uses of tobacco leaves, neither had any light on their magical side!
    The most magical one is certainly in perfumes. What a fabulous note, multifaceted, deep and earthy when it comes from the leaves, heavenly when derived from the flowers! Thank you Elise for sharing with us!
    My picks:
    Niche:O.J. Montabaco
    Artisan: Cognoscenti no 16 and DHS Le Smoking
    Natural: Tabac Citron, Woo and Rose of cinnamon

  • I didn’t realize tobacco had such varied medicinal uses: burns, earaches and toothaches? Who knew!

    My choices are:
    Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville
    DSH Le Smoking
    House of Matriarch Woo

  • That the tobacco plantis related to sweet peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, chili peppers and the deadly nightshade, is VERY interesting.

    Niche- XERJOFF Tobacco Oroville
    Aritisan- DSH Le Smoking
    Natural- Woo

  • Brilliant article, thanks!
    What is so interesting about tobacco for me is the polarity of it’s use – from something that has strong positive medicinal and spiritual/social uses for people, to something that is a pernicious health destroyer and hated plant. And what has done this? – big business. Where there is money to be made for the few, the wellbeing of the many suffers. Off my soapbox now!
    All the perfumes sound wonderful, but particularly:
    MONTABACO
    Cognoscenti No 16
    Le Smoking
    Tabac Citron
    Rose of Cimmaron

  • Wow such a informative article! I didn’t realize tobacco flowers were fragrant and that some even glow… now I want some tobacco flower absolute…
    I would love to win the following in the order of appearance: Montabaco, Bombay Bling, Cognoscenti No 16, Le Smoking, Tabac Citron, and Woo!

  • Amazing article! I’ve learnt that for Native American cultures, tobacco has the same meaning as incense in other continents, it is used to communicate with the spitit world.
    I’ve also loved the picture from Edmond Delort “A Voluptuous Smoke”
    -From niche fragances I would like to try: ORMONDE JAYNE: MONTABACO.
    -From artisan Fragances: COGNOSCENTI 16
    -From natural perfumes: HOUSE OF MATRIARCH: WOO

  • I learned that tobacco has medicial uses! I had no idea.

    My choices would be: Montabaco, Orovill, Bombay Bling, Le Smoking, Tabac Citron or Woo. Actually I’d probably like any of them. Tobacco is a favorite note.

    Thanks for having this draw!

  • I did not know it’s possible to produce a tobacco flower absolute and that it is used in perfumery, nor its rarity
    wonderful article, thank you

    I would like to win Woo and Tabac Citron

  • I didn’t know that tobacco was used in insectiside, and saddened to learn it might be related to the bees dying.

    Thanks for an interesting and detailed article. I would be interested in:
    Bombay Bling
    Le Smoking or Havane por Homme
    Woo or Rose of Cimmaron

  • Of course, I had no idea about the medicinal applications. Also I did not know that Habanita was originally produced to scent cigarettes. How interesting.
    Also, it was great reading more about the tabacco flower absolute. I want to try it for more than 2 years now. I heard it is absolutely beautiful.

    I would be interested in:
    Niche: Montabaco, Oroville, Bombay Bling
    Artisan: Cognoscenti # 16, Le Smoking, Havana pour Homme
    Natural: Woo and Rose of Cimmaron

    Thank you!

  • It’was a very interesting article! I’ve known tobacco and smoke was associated with the spiritual world, it was used in so many ancient cultures due its mysterious nature. The most interesting thing what I’m learned it’s the tobacco’s benefical effects on many health problem.
    I loved the read about the historical background also.

    I’d like to choose:

    MONTABACO by Ormondfe Jayne

    WOO by House of Matriarch

    COGNOSCENTI NO.16 by Danielle Sergent

    Thanks for this interesting article and thanks for this great prize!

  • Tobacco is related with potatoes? hahaha funny fact (well, I find potatoes to be pretty funny, don’t ask me why, I don’t know). This lasts months I’m very interested in tobacco perfumes, Slumberhouse’s Sova or SSS Tabac Aurea are in my rotation, is a very complex scent!
    I didn’t knew too that Habanita was produced to scent cigarettes, ironic fact because the smoker’s nose is usualy very non-sensitive.

    My choices are:

    -MONTABACO
    -House of Matriarch’s Woo
    -DSH’sLe Smoking

    Thank you so much for this amazing draw!

  • Elise, once again a superb article on a (favourite) perfume note.
    It was such an interesting read, in particular the whole bit about smoking to call the spirits and the use of smoke by Native Americans and South Americans.
    I tried Dawn’s Le Smoking once, and it was love. I do need some of this at some point soon:-) My list would be:
    Artisan: DSH Le Smoking
    Niche: Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville, because of the connection tobacco and sandalwood.
    Natural: House of Matriach Woo, because I love ambergris.
    Thank you CFB and Elise

  • I had no idea that the sage was one of the top two herbs frequently smoked (tobacco is the obvious!). Thanks for the draw!

    Would love to win:
    Niche: Bombay Bling
    Natural: Rose of Cimmaron
    Artisan: Cognoscenti No. 16

  • so Pocahontas probably influenced tobacco consumption here in the US. Glad to see our indulgences were met from way early on….

    Just got two new tobacco scents, Tobacco Vanille and Odori Tabacco. Starting to really like the genre….

    Niche-
    XERJOFF Tobacco Oroville
    Ormonde Jayne Montabco

    Artisan-
    Cognoscenti No. 16
    Dawn Spencer Hurwitz Le Smoking

    Natural-
    House of Matriarch Woo
    Providence Perfume Company Tabac Citron

  • Oh, there can be nicotine in the tobacco absolute?! Woa!
    My mother’s father died of lung cancer: cigarettes were part of his salary when he was in the army (in the 1920s)… I guess the amount of nicotine left in a (natural) perfume is probably faint?!… I hope so! 😀
    Oh and I remember a friend who is part native who indeed used both sage for burning and tobacco as an offering at a certain kinds of little ceremony/ritual she did at a particular tree on her land (a “mother tree”)… I had forgotten about the tobacco part of the memory! thanks for reminding me that!
    I also had no idea that there could be nicotine based pesticides!…
    Well, now, I’m very into natural/artisan perfume and i’d love to try them all!! But if I try to restrict the list a bit I’d go for Le Smoking by DSH (I would be curious about the marijuana and sage has been growing on me), Havane Pour Homme by En Voyages (tell me “boozy” and “rum” and I’m up for it!), Woo by House of Matriarch (tell me “ambregris” and I’m up for that too!), and Rose of Cimmaron (spicy rose lover here) by Elise Pearlstine!

  • Didn’t know that many perfurmes with Tabac in the name or associated with tobacco does not have any tobacco at all. Very interesting.

    Would love to win Xerjoff Oroville, Neela Vermeire Bomboay Bling, Ormand Jayne Montabaco, DSH Le Smoking or House of Matriarch Woo.

    Thanks

  • I find it interesting the process of getting the absolute. Who knew there could be nicotine in it???

    If I were so lucky to win, I would love Neela Vermeire Bombay Bling, Ormonde Jayne MONTABACO, Rose of Cimmaron, House of Matriarch Woo,En Voyage Havane pour homme, Cognoscenti No 16 by Danielle Sergent, Le Smoking by DSH or Tobacco Oroville by Xerjoff. (Can you tell I love tobacco scents???)

    thanks for the draw

  • This article was very interesting and well done! I had no idea that the leaves were used to treat hemorrhoids, earaches, and toothaches. I also found it interesting that the process of getting absolute and could contain nicotine. The history of the soldiers bringing it back from Turkey was intriguing. I absolutely LOVE tobacco scents! Here are my choices and I’m in the US:

    Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville
    Bombay Bling by Neela Vermeire
    Montibaco by Ormonde Jayne
    Cognoscenti No 16
    Le Smoking by DSH
    Tabac Citron
    Woo

    Thanks for the draw! 🙂

  • Wow! This article is fascinating! I never smoked, and don’t have much knowledge about tobacco. A friend in college grew up in western Massachusetts, and used to pick tobacco in the summers. That’s really all I know. And I know it smells good…

    So, I’m fascinated to hear that Habanita was originally created to scent women’s cigarettes (!?), nicotine is a poison, and tobacco leaves were used as currency. Interesting. I’m not surprised by its medicinal properties, though haven’t heard of it used.

    When I dabbed Amouage Interlude Man on my arm, I got the most amazing scent of tobacco. It’s curious cause I haven’t seen others mention the note in it. Back to Black is a good one, too.

    As to which fragrances I’d like to win: Bombay Bling, Tabac Citron, or Woo! Thank you!!!

  • Wow! This whole article was very interesting to read!I was fascinated to hear about the way tobacco was used in rituals, magic and healing and also the tobacco flower absolute really fired my imagination. Hadn’t a clue about tobacco flowers. I am so ignorant!I would love to win Tobacco Oroville by Xerjoff, Bombay Bling by Neela Vermeire,Montabacco by Ormonde ,Jayne Cognoscenti no 16, Dawn Spencer Hurwitz Le Smoking. Thank you very much!

  • ooh. I don’t think I knew nicotine was insecticide, and I found the picture of “tobacco jasmine” really interesting. Would love to see it in the wild.

    My choices would include:
    Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville
    Cognoscenti NO. 16
    Rose of Cimmaron

  • Fascinating article! I found it especially interesting since tobacco is one of my favorite notes, though this seems contrary since I don’t like the smell of actual cigarettes. Wacky! My favorite part was about how, in different cultures such as Latin and Native American, tobacco smoke could carry prayers up to heaven. There might be something to that. For some reason, those curls of smoke lifting in the air do seem somewhat otherwordly. I would be thrilled to win Bombay Bling, Le Smoking, Woo, or Rose of Cimarron. Thanks so much for the article and the draw!

  • What a fantastic draw! I learned several things but I am unfamiliar with the flower, “described as reminiscent of carnations and yet very delicate and sweet with a fresh, almost fruity note.”
    I would love to win the Ormonde Jayne or House of Matriarch Woo.

  • It’s just so fascinating that a important plant for all the indigenous people got so maligned and misused. All its properties from shamanic, to an everyday use are amazing, to even cure hemorrhoids…lol.
    But it was part of the shamanic rituals and it was far away for what we know it nowadays.
    Another excellent article, my picks are
    Montabaco
    Cognoscenti No 16
    DSH Le Smoking
    XERJOFF Tobacco Oroville

  • What an amazing article! Something I learned from it was habanita was created to scent smokes for the ladies.
    1montabaco
    2 Bombay bling
    3 cognoscenti no 16
    4 le smoking
    5 Havana pro homme
    6 woo
    7 rose of cimmaron

  • I learned that Ambergris improves the scent of tobacco. I’m going to try this at home as I have both tobacco absolute and ambergris. To me, the smell of tobacco absolute reminds me of going for a hay ride.

    I was just at MIN New York the other day and I smelled Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville–wow! Was it ever nice. So expensive, though. I would love that or Cognoscenti No 16, Woo by Christi Meshell, or Shelley Waddington’s Havane pour Homme.

  • I love these articles! I always take notes of the recommended partners for the discussed scent, so I got down the sandalwood, labdanum, clary sage, vanilla and cedars that I will try combining with this one. Am glad to hear tobacco pesticide will be discontinued next year. I would like to win: (I only wear natural perfumes, but wasn’t sure if I need to write down my choice of each of the above mentioned perfumes, or if only naturals are enough, just in case, writing one of each:) Niche: MONTABACO- Ormonde Jayne, Artisan: Cognoscenti No 16, by Danielle Sergent, Natural (the one I’m really hoping for) “Woo” Christi Meshell of House of Matriarch, Thank you so much for these wonderful opportunities Hemla

  • lovethescents says:

    Well like many others, I ‘m shocked to learn about the nicotine! Natural insecticide? Yes please! I would just love to win
    Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville
    Bombay Bling by Neela Vermeire
    Montibaco by Ormonde Jayne
    Cognoscenti No 16
    Tabac Citron

    Thank you for the opportunity!

  • What an interesting article,especially for a tobacco lover like me. 🙂
    I found it really interesting that priests would light pipes and puff smoke into the faces of people to transmit heroic virtues.
    I would love to win Montabaco or Bombay bling,CognosceniNO16 and Rose of Cimmaron.
    Thank you for this amazing draw.

  • What I learned, in regards to perfumery, Tobacco comes from different aspects of the plant: leaves and flowers being two that are traditionally used (though I do confess to have known about tobacco flower and its being a bit sweeter/fruitier).

    For Niche, who wouldn’t want the bottle of XERJOFF TOBACCO OROVILLE? Ormonde Jayne’s bottle of Montabaco sounds great, too.

    For Artisan, Cognoscenti No. 16 sounds fabulous (key words like “Black Agarwood” will do that!)

    For 100% Natural, I’m wooing over Woo.

  • I had no idea about the relation between John Rolfe and tobacco. And if I once knew it, I didn’t remember it.
    I didn’t knew any of the supersticious rituals involving tobacco metioned in the article.

    I’d love to win Montobaco, Bombai Bling, Cognoscenti 16 or Tabac Citron.

    Thanks!

  • This article was very interesting. I had no idea that the leaves were used to treat hemorrhoids, earaches, and toothaches. The soldiers bringing it back from Turkey was intriguing. Even though I do not smoke, I like tobacco scents very much. Here are my choices and I’m in the US:

    Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville
    Bombay Bling by Neela Vermeire
    Montibaco by Ormonde Jayne
    Cognoscenti No 16
    Le Smoking by DSH
    Tabac Citron
    Woo

    Thanks for the draw!

  • I’m so anti-smoking that it amazes me how much I love tobacco in scents. I’d never heard — or long forgotten — that nicotine is extracted from the tobacco plant and used as an insecticide…and even more, that it may be related to the honeybee/colony collapse problem!!! No idea! I’d consider myself very lucky, indeed, to win any of the following scents, in this order:

    Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville
    Bombay Bling
    Cognoscenti No 16
    Montabaco
    Tabac Citron
    Woo
    Rose of Cimmaron
    Havave pour Homme
    Le Smoking

  • Really interesting article! I hate smoke of cigarettes (but not theri smell) since I cant breathe then, my father smoked all his life and I couldnt stand smoke from my childhood. Tobacco is really universal plant – not only for making cigarettes, but also for its symbolic meaning in many ancient rituals, in healing, in agriculture as insecticide. In this post I have found are so many great information about it and its best compositions in perfumery – if mixed together with leather, rose, sage, vanilla, sandalwood, it gives wonderful scent!
    If I would win, I would be happy to become owner of

    Cognoscenti No 16, by Danielle Sergent
    BOMBAY BLING
    Montabaco
    Le Smoking
    Woo
    Rose of Cimmaron

    Thanks

  • I did not know that for some civilizations smoking was seen as speaking to the spirit world.

    Thank you for an amazing draw. My selections would be Tobacco Oroville by Xerjoff, No. 16 by Cognoscenti and Rose of Cimmaron by Elise Pearlstine (for my fiancée).

  • Didn’t know that tobacco leaves were used for the purpose of healing and magic. Thought it was just the cause of health related problems. Anyways thanks for the draw. My picks will be:
    INDIE
    Cognoscenti No 16
    NATURAL
    Rose of Cimmaron
    NICHE
    Rose of Cimmaron and Bombay Bling

    Thank you

  • fascinating article! who knew tobacco and eggplants were related? great! I would like to win montabaco, le smoking, bombay bling, rose of commaron, cognoscenti #16, tobacco oroville, woo, tabac citron, or havane pour homme. thanks!!

  • wefadetogray says:

    I love the ritual use of tobacco for prayers, to call the Great Spirit and send your messages to world of Spirit with the smoke of herbs and tobacco. I adore white sage and to mix and smoke sage, tobacco, and rose petals is just heaven!
    I would love to win Xerjoff tobacco oroville, DSH le smoking (i love her winter white), montabaco or bombay bling, Thanks for this generous giveaway.

  • I liked learning that the act of smoking tobacco signified words that left the mouth and that the smoke carried the words into the spirit world in some Native American cultures. That’s quite poetic.

    I would like to win
    Bombay Bling
    Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville
    Montabaco
    House of Matriarch’s Woo
    and Le Smoking

    in that order of preference. What a terrific draw! I love tobacco scents 🙂

  • Sarah Lathrop says:

    This is a really great article… it brings together my love of perfume and my love of plants!
    I found it interesting that there is (however rare) a tobacco flower absolute. I always love fragrant night-blooming (vespertine) plants. They just seem so magical! I do love the scent of “only the lonely” nicotiana, which is, of course, a tobacco relative.

    The niche fragrance that most appeals to me is: Ormond Jayne Montabaco.
    The Artisan perfume I find intriguing is: Cognoscenti No. 16.
    The 100% natural scent I’d most like to try is: Woo.

    Thank you for the chace to win!

  • What a wealth of information! Tobacco is one of m favorite notes in perfumery.I had no idea that nicotine was used as a pesticide.It’s sad to learn it might be related to the bee die off and we certainly know it’s effect when inhaled.But tobacco as a note in perfume is just divine.i would love to win the Ormonde Jayne or Xerjoff and Bombay Bling and DSH.For the natural Woo and Roe of Cimmaron sound amazing.Thanks for the draw!

  • Something interesting I learned? Almost everything you wrote, really… for example the fact that nicotine-based insecticides may be baaad for the bees. Because I have been using a horrible “ashtray infusion” against greenflies on my flowers… I’m going to have to stop that! That jasmine tobacco flower sounds really interesting, too.

    Now… choosing is a nightmare because they all sound promising to this smoker!
    Now that smoking is outlawed even here in Europe, I often “smoke” an “electric cigarette”, i.e. inhaling vaporized tobacco/aromatic solutions. Some of them contain nicotine (good for my brain), but no tar (good for my lungs, and it’s legal everywhere). They taste and smell like unburnt tobacco, which is lovely. A bit like inhaling perfume, if it’s a good product!

    So, what would I love to win?
    Niche: Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville and Ormonde Jayne Montabaco…
    Artisan: Cognoscenti No. 16
    DSH Le Smoking
    En Voyage Havane Pour Homme
    Natural: House of Matriarch Woo
    Providence Perfume Tabac Citron, and
    Rose of Cimmaron

  • I didn’t know that tobacco/nicotine was related to bee die-offs. 🙁

    I would be happy to win any of the scents! I especially like natural perfumes, but the niche and indie scents sound good too. Thanks for hosting these wonderful draws!

  • Vermont4Lyfe says:

    I found the United States history of tobacco cultivation interesting. They also grew hemp in similar quantities.

    XERJOFF TOBACCO OROVILLE
    MONTABACO
    Cognoscenti No 16
    Woo
    Tabac Citron
    Havane pour Homme
    Rose of Cimmaron

  • I had no idea that tobacco plants flowered. I would love to smell one now.

    If Chosen, I would love these.

    Tobacco Oroville
    Cognoscenti No 16
    Tabac Citron
    Woo
    Montabaco
    Havane pour Homme
    Rose of Cimmaron

    Great post and draw

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    I am surprised that so many of my favorite tobacco fragrances dont have actual tobacco leaf..we have become aware of tobacco notes now but in early 20th century, we didnt know this and Caron’s Tabac Blond (Vintage) is such a good interpretation of cigarette ash that it puzzles me how Ernest achieved the note..
    my priorities are

    Among Niche:
    montabaco
    Xerjoff Tobacco Oroville
    Neela Vermiere Bombay Bling

    Among Indie:
    Cognoscenti No 16

    Among Natural:
    Providence Tabac Citron
    Woo

  • I didn’t know that nicotine-based pesticides are being discontinued – is this overall, or are they just being struck off the organic list? – or that they are linked to the bee deaths.
    I also didn’t know just how many plants the tobacco plant is related to, and that the absolute is not necessarily nicotine-free.

    I would like to win any of the following:
    Providence Perfume ‘Tabac Citron’
    House of Matriarch ‘Woo’
    Elise Pearlstine ‘Rose of Cimmaron’.

    Thanks for the draw.

  • Intereting that Tabac Blond has no tabac in it — just goes to show what a brilliant perfumer Daltroff was (it is one of my faves). As an ex-smoker, I was a little startled to discover there is nicotine in tobacco absolute — does this explain cravings in wearers?

    I would be thrilled to win (in order of preference):
    1. Montabaco
    2. Le Smoking
    3. Cognescenti No 16
    4. Woo
    5. Oroville

  • I learned that I need to quit smoking! (I knew this already…but 4,000 chemicals…oh, brother)! I would choose Bombay Bling, Tobacco Oroville or Woo! Thanks, as always

  • This is very exciting article. I like its anthropological and ethnological dimension, that way of describing and explaining the facts about the impact of tobacco on the life of ancient cultures. Tobacco is “divine” substance since it is used in communication with old gods of different civilizations.
    I also find interesting the fact that some perfumes have the word tobacco in their names, but tobacco is not their ingredient.
    I’m sure, there are nine great fragrances in this draw. I think it will be nice to win any of them. Bombay Bling!, Cognoscenti No 16, Tabac Citron,then Montabaco, Tobacco Oroville, Woo, Havane pour Homme, Le Smoking, Rose of Cimmaron.:) I love tobacco in fragrances.

  • I live in North Carolina and knew how important tobacco was to the local economy, but had no idea that nicotine was extracted from tobacco and used as an insecticide — and registered as an organic one at that! My dentist is also a beekeeper, so every time I go in, I learn something new about bees and hear about mysterious bee die-offs, but this is the first time I’ve heard about nicotine-based pesticides as a possible culprit. Something new to share with my dentist next time!

    Thank for the draw. I’m interested in Bombay Bling, Woo, and Rose of Cimmaron.

  • Great article with so many interesting facts! I was quite surprised by the numerous and varied uses of tobacco for medicinal purposes…from hemorrhoids to jellyfish stings. There are so many great fragrances in the draw, I’d be thrilled to win any of them! Thanks fo the special treat!

  • The thing that struck me most was about the plant itself: I didn’t know that it was a nightshade, or that its flowers could be so lovely and interesting. I’ve only ever thought about the leaves…I really want to see some of these plants now!

    I’d love to win any of these scents, but my top choices would be Montabaco, Bombay Bling, Le Smoking, Rose of Cimarron, the Cognoscenti, or the Xerjoff. Thanks for the great article and great draw!