Tabac 1959 EDC

M £ Statement

Tabac Original

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Tabac Tabac Original is a Cologne launched in 1959. Tabac Original opens with Bergamot, Lemon, Petitgrain, and Neroli, settles into a heart of Oak, Lavender, Geranium, and Chamomile, and dries down to a base of Musk, Amber, Sandalwood, and Vetiver. Tabac's Tabac Original carries a Statement verdict, a woody-led wear.

A divisive classic that's been around forever, Tabac Original is a barbershop scent through and through. You'll either love its soapy, powdery charm or think it smells like your grandma's talc or a dirty ashtray. There's no middle ground here.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Classic
  • Clean
  • Sophisticated
  • Cozy
  • Relaxed
£14.99 at Escentual 100ml Check price on → Check prices ↓
Tabac Original Cologne bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

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Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Moderate (4-6h)
Projection
Moderate
Intensity
Moderate

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Spring Fall Winter
Also Works:
Summer

Versatile across every season - no clear seasonal preference from wearers.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Casual
Also Works:
Office

Its clean, classic barbershop vibe makes it excellent for casual wear or the office, as it's generally inoffensive but projects a well-groomed image. The moderate longevity and sillage also make it versatile for these settings without being overpowering, though it might be too 'old school' for modern date nights or formal events.

Declarable allergens

We derive these from the materials behind this fragrance's notes, not from the bottle. Each one is likely, not confirmed. The list is partial - the box can name others.

In standard patch-test panels

  • Citral Geranial from Lemon

Other declarable allergens

  • Bergamot Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil from Bergamot
  • Bitter orange peel Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil from Neroli
  • Lavender Lavandula Hybrida Oil from Lavender
  • Neroli Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Oil from Neroli
  • Rose geranium Pelargonium Graveolens Oil from Geranium
  • Sandalwood Santalol from Sandalwood
  • Synthetic musk Hexamethylindanopyran from Musk

The large name is the everyday one. The small name is the INCI form on the box, so you can compare the two. Reactions differ between people. A patch-test panel is not a ranking of risk. How we derive this

About

This is a clean, aromatic woody affair, bursting with bright citrus and a peppery kick up top. The heart settles into soothing lavender and chamomile, underpinned by a distinctive oak. The base dries down to a musky, powdery sandalwood with a hint of carnation, evoking the classic, freshly-groomed barbershop experience.

Similar

Compare & Pair

Layer

Wear two at once. See what layers well with Tabac Original Cologne - the blends worth trying, and how each one scores.

Complement

Round out the rotation. See what complements Tabac Original Cologne - fragrances that pair with it, worn side by side.

Where to buy

Prices for the United Kingdom · · checked 23 September

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Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.