Tabarome by Creed

Creed Tabarome smells like a vintage gentleman from the 80s, a fragrance that steers you towards maturity with fresh tobacco thanks to the bitter orange. Nothing smells quite like it, nor does anything currently. At 19, it feels wearable for spring or autumn, with semi-elegant attire or at business meetings; it smells like ‘old money’. Obviously, it’s expensive (I bought it for $100), but I wouldn’t pay such an exorbitant price; I’m not sure if it’s worth it, but try it and research more.

Creed Tabarome Cologne, said to have been made for Winston Churchill. It arrived in 2000 as Millesime, reformulated today due to regulations and bans. In this vintage EDP, citrus, jasmine and ginger dominate, softening the fresh spiced tobacco. The best part is the dry down, where the tobacco shines. A very original aroma with quality ingredients. Longevity: 6-7 hours (very good for Creed). Sillage: 1 metre. Timeless, but better for daytime in temperate or warm climates.

Tabarome smells very distinctive: initially it’s a spicy ginger with barely noticeable citrus notes. As it blends with the tobacco and sandalwood, it gives the impression of smelling a bell pepper, which can be quite polarising. I don’t dislike it; it’s a rare fragrance. It has good longevity on the skin, although the sillage is weak, as is often the case with most Creed scents. I think it’s very expensive for what it offers; I know of nothing similar to compare it to. It suits autumn, winter, and perhaps the first days of spring, but it’s too heavy for summer.

Tabarome Millesime maintains Creed’s classic style: sober, elegant and discreet, like the traditional English gentleman. The opening explodes with ginger and bergamot; the citrus accord lasts a few minutes before fading to give way to the ginger. This feels very organic, like breaking a fresh sprig of ginger. Then comes the tobacco, not as strong as in other fragrances, but like Cuban leaves simmering in a tobacco tea, using the resulting juice. Finally, the musk appears, a star note not always declared: clean, with a metallic sensation. Amber is also noticeable. The finish brought me memories of Houbigant’s Musk Monsieur (classic version). One could say it’s an aqua version of that classic, but with its own personality. I liked it very much: elegant and classic, with 7-8 hours on skin and acceptable sillage for about 4 hours, though it lasts longer on clothes and projects more. Pity the very high price; I use it occasionally.