Ernest Daltroff (1870-1941), a great perfumer and founder of Parfums Caron, must have been quite a character and also a man of great marketing vision. When smoking became appropriate for women after WWI, in 1919, he promptly created Tabac Blond. It was a fragrance that would imitate the scent of blond tobacco, thus, placing a cigarette among the accoutrement of a chic Parisian woman.
Although I find nothing chic about smoking, Tabac Blond never fails to make me feel like someone effortlessly glamorous, outfitted in black satin, long gloves and pearls, with lips varnished crimson red. The elegance of this perfume is suggested by the unique combination of leather, tobacco leaf and vanilla. It is a dry fragrance, with a strong smoky note that initially reminds me of smoldering pinecones. This impression is pleasant one, and as the notes meld into unique dry leather composition, the warmth of amber fills the outlines of the composition. A smoky vanilla note makes its entrance relatively soon and adds a welcome touch of sweetness. A fragrance that is not traditionally feminine, Tabac Blond is a great choice for someone who is confident and daring (or at least wants to appear this way.)
The extrait de parfum is by far the best choice, and I cannot stress enough how amazing it is. The eau de toilette is nice, but it lacks the beautiful radiance of parfum. Tabac Blond includes notes of leather, carnation, linden, iris, vetiver, ylang ylang, cedar, patchouli, vanilla, amber and musk.
On Reformulation (March 2011):
It is telling that every time I try to write “Tabac Blond,” I invariably end up with “Tabac Bland.” Indeed, the new version is just that, a bland carnation. The original Tabac Blond has a dark smoky leather note that in combination with rich tobacco and sandalwood create a haunting, smoldering effect. None of those elements are present in what passes for Tabac Blond today. There is a hint of clove and sheer moss, a whisper of something green, but overall, Tabac Blond in its current form is not even worth smelling. Might as well try some other leathers on the market, like Robert Piguet Bandit or Chanel Cuir de Russie.
30 Comments
mreenymo: Well, I disagree a bit, V! Smoking is not a healthy thing, but posing in your pearls, red lipstick and long gloves with a beautiful cigarette holder is, afterall, quite chic! LOL!
I would love to test Tabac Blond. I’m not sure that I would like it, but I love the image that it conjures in my mind. I picture a gorgeous, dark blond woman, reclining on an art nouveau divan, in her silk dressing gown and high-heeled slippers (you know the ones!), drinking expensive champagne. Of course, she has the cigarette holder in her hand, a languid gaze and perfect ruby red, bow-shaped lips. The aura of Tabac Blond swirling around her is, in a word, intoxicating!
Hey, I wouldn’t mind being that woman for a day…or two! :):) June 3, 2005 at 12:30pm
Robin: It is such a lovely, well made perfume. Sorry to say that it is another Caron that I admire but don’t wear.
Do you know if this one has been reformulated V? June 3, 2005 at 12:37pm
sdn: i’m a smoker, and i can’t wear this — i already smell of smoke! but boy, is it glamorous. i believe marlene dietrich wore it. October 2, 2006 at 9:16pm
Lulu: Hello, this is my first time posting to your (WONDERFUL!) site. I’ve been a perfume fanatic for 30 years. Tabac Blond is my favourite of all les Carons. The warm coumarin-leather note drives me mad! The smokiness, to me, has a slight burnt-rubber quality…but divine…like lapsang souchong tea. (Bulgari Black also has a burnt-tyre note.) Another tobacco smoke-inspired perfume developed during the ‘teens was Molinard’s Habanita: both celebrated the new, modern woman, androgynous and daring! January 8, 2007 at 11:10pm
Lulu: Hello, this is my first time posting to your (WONDERFUL!) site. I’ve been a perfume fanatic for 30 years. Tabac Blond is my favourite of all les Carons. The warm coumarin-leather note drives me mad! The smokiness, to me, has a slight burnt-rubber quality…but divine…like lapsang souchong tea. (Bulgari Black also has a burnt-tyre note.) Another tobacco smoke-inspired perfume developed during the ‘teens was Molinard’s Habanita: both celebrated the new, modern woman, androgynous and daring! January 8, 2007 at 11:11pm
Lulu: Hello, this is my first time posting to your (WONDERFUL!) site. I’ve been a perfume fanatic for 30 years. Tabac Blond is my favourite of all les Carons. The warm coumarin-leather note drives me mad! The smokiness, to me, has a slight burnt-rubber quality…but divine…like lapsang souchong tea. (Bulgari Black also has a burnt-tyre note.) Another tobacco smoke-inspired perfume developed during the ‘teens was Molinard’s Habanita: both celebrated the new, modern woman, androgynous and daring! January 8, 2007 at 11:11pm
BoisdeJasmin: Lulu, your description of your favourite fragrance is so ravishing that I ran to put some on to remind myself of it. 🙂 Thank you! January 9, 2007 at 1:22pm
Divina: I am a smoker and i was wondering if you guys have any idea what perfume i can wear to smell nice. 🙂 You know what i mean, i smoke quite a lot and i want a perfume who can smell great blended with the chigarrette smoke smell. Emmm 🙁 April 8, 2007 at 7:51pm
BoisdeJasmin: Divina, try anything with jasmine. As I discovered recently, the combination is wonderful. Also, oriental fragrances can be very nice with a touch of smoke, but be careful with the amount you wear. April 8, 2007 at 8:21pm
Julie: V –
I tried a sample of Tabac Blond last week, and I am in love. It took a full workday to develop on me, from the first leather note to the last hint of a vanilla cookie. (Yes, I know I shouldn’t be wearing anything that sultry to work – but I’m off by myself, I applied it sparingly, and it was a particularly challenging day.)
Since it is my new favorite, I may need to stand in a mall with a sign that read “Will Work For Perfume.”
Thank you for this review.
Julie May 7, 2007 at 2:38pm
Sheryl: Who sells this fragrance? February 16, 2008 at 4:31pm
IRISJET’AIME: Je le savais que sa reformulation ne respectait pas l’ancien parfum !!!
J’ai les boules !!!! Des Chefs d’Oeuvre de la parfumerie sont massacrés !! October 16, 2011 at 1:46pm
Ferris: Which version of the reformulated Tabac Blond did you review the edt or extrait? November 1, 2013 at 7:26pm
Eisengrim: Hi,
I would like to know how do you test the “vintage” version and the “modern” version
Your first review was done on a 2005 sample ? or an older version.
I am writing on my blog a test between the different bottles that i own.
A 1960 Bottle “Eau de Toilette”
A 2007 Bottle “Eau de Toilette”
A 1935 Extract Bottle (still sealed for the moment)
A 2000 Extract sample (obtained at Montaigne)
(To prove this i will put all photos on blog)
For the moment i test both “Eau de Toilette” side by side on skin.
I dont see so much “Destruction” “Abomination” between the 2 bottles.
I have done a blind test with 4 people around me .. they were unable to told me if it was or not the same perfume.
Of course they had few perfume skills and certainly not your noose.
There are differences between the 1960 and the 2007 that i test … but frankly i am surprised it goes from 5 stars to 1 ….
I am wearing Tabac Blond since 25 years now … i can be stupid … but there is something i dont understand in this test.
Hope you can answer me
Great continuation
Yours December 14, 2013 at 7:17am
Victoria: Vintage means the original formulation (or as close to the original, based on what I smelled in the Osmotheque, the perfume conservatory) and my own bottles of Tabac Blond from the 1940s, 50s, 70s and 90s. The first review is based on an older sample, I don’t remember which one, but it was pre-2000.
The modern sample means the perfume produced in 2010. December 14, 2013 at 9:33am
Eisengrim: Ok
Thx what i dont understand is why my 60 is near the 2007 version …
And when i say near it is really close
I just check also the extra extract sample from 2000 … it is clearly the same juice than my eau de toilette 2007 … really really strange December 14, 2013 at 9:56am
Victoria: I look forward to reading your post! December 14, 2013 at 10:15am
Notturno7: Dear V,
I love your blog! Did they mess up the extrait version of Tabac Blond, too?
I just got the vintage extrait of Narcisse Noir on eBay and it’s so good, I love it 💖 October 26, 2016 at 4:45am
Terrie: I have been researching Tabac Blond for many years. My grandmother left me a very large bottle of a vintage extrait. This perfume was my grandmother! Everything I have read about the vintage is what I remember her being like. Wealthy and sophisticated but did not fear putting on a leather racing jacket to join her husband on the race track. She was strong, independent and had not one care of what you thought about it all. I believe this perfume to be at least from late 50’s to early 60’s. It may be older but I gave only been able to sample from that time frame. If you are interested in sampling this please contact me and I will gladly trade a sample for your honest feedback. July 26, 2018 at 2:47pm
Tako: Hi
would love to try a sample of Tabac Blonde 🙂
Thanks January 31, 2019 at 9:05pm
Terrie: I just replied to your email.
Thank you so much for your interest!
Terrie February 1, 2019 at 1:26pm
Iris: Hello Terrie!
Do you still offer samples of Tabac Blond?
I’ve been looking all over for samples and I only seem to find empty bottles.
I literally live in France and still nada, nyet…
This perfume sounds so badass yet so absolutely chic (like your grandma!) that I HAVE to smell it!
Thank you!
Iris. July 15, 2019 at 8:43am
Terrie: Hello Iris
I’m not sure how send or receive info through here. I did receive your message. Have you tried any of the vintage Tabac?
Terrie July 15, 2019 at 12:37pm
Iris: Oh, wow, I was not expecting such a quick reply, thank you!
No, I have not smelled any vintage Tabac Blond..yet!
Me and perfumes are a recent love affair, so I’ve been learning more about vintage/antique perfume and just smelled my way to Caron’s Tabac Blond!
Anyways, here is my email (remove the slashes): iris//[email protected]
Thank you!
Iris. July 15, 2019 at 4:34pm
Iris: Hello Terrie,
Hopefully your sample offer still stands!
I’m still interested in smelling what truly sounds like a divine parfum! My email is still here, look at my comments from a few months back, right up there!
Iris. November 3, 2019 at 11:10am
Iris: Just in case you didn’t receive the notification for my other comment, here is my email address again (without the slashes, ha!):
[email protected]
Iris. July 18, 2019 at 5:43am
Notturno7: Hi Terrie,
I just saw your comment. Is this offer still available? My goodness what a sweet offer.
I was searching for vintage Tabac Blond on ebay right now and then thought of reading Victoria’s review again because I love reading them. Thank you January 23, 2021 at 11:15pm
Tamuna: Hi Terrie,
Is this still a valid offer ? Would love to try vintage, please e-mail to me March 14, 2021 at 3:24pm
Laura Probert: How generous of you! I just bought a sample. I will let you know. And wait to try it. September 2, 2023 at 3:05pm
BARBARA CRILLY: WOW! I’m really out of the loop when it comes to fragrances. This the very first time I’ve ever heard of Caron Tobac Blond. I read the following notes of this fragrance. But if it smell’s like cigarette’s I pass. I quit smoking about 4 year’s ago and I’m glad I did. I hated smelling like an ashtray. And on the plus side to this was. I can smell notes that I never knew were there and the taste of food. But now I am very curious what Tobac Blond would smell like to me. Thank you for sharing this. November 26, 2019 at 5:48pm