Vanilla Colognes have been a big deal since Tom Ford released their hugely successful Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum all the way back in 2007. All of a sudden, the highly characteristic combination of tobacco, vanilla, and (the underrated star of the show) tonka bean was everywhere. And it hasn’t really gone anywhere since.
You might find yourself wondering if there’s anything more to the world of vanilla tobacco cologne than Tom Ford’s original showstopper. The answer is yes. Those who don’t have an unlimited cologne budget will be happy to see these great alternatives.
Let’s dive into the best vanilla tobacco colognes that are out there right now. Tom Ford is definitely on the list, but it’s not at the top spot—it’s the luxury option.
Jump right in and take a look at some of the hidden gems of the tobacco vanilla men’s cologne world.
Key Takeaways
I’ll be honest and say that this was a bit of a tough article to evaluate products for this list because they all started to blend together at a certain point. You try keeping more than two dozen different vanilla tobacco colognes straight in your head. But, after checking everything twice, I have to say that I’m quite proud of the list I came up with.
Overall, the Twist Vanilla & Tobacco No. 12 is the best vanilla tobacco cologne, and it holds that spot by a clear margin if you ask me. It’s one of those fragrances for which you can really smell the care they took with sourcing their ingredients—the vanilla is delicate but well-defined, and the tobacco distinct but not overpowering. The nose behind this fragrance is going places.
That much is for sure. Of course, the classic cologne in this category, TOM FORD Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum, is also featured on this list, but as the best luxury option. I’d also like to make an honorable mention for the Perfect Scents Fragrances Tonka Tobacco, which does fit into this category but distinguishes itself as being a bit more of a Tonka tobacco scent.
Our Top Picks
Why it’s great: To be honest, even I am a little bit surprised that Twist – Vanilla & Tobacco No. 12 is on top of our list of the best vanilla tobacco colognes. You don’t expect that a scent is going to beat out a classic fragrance by Tom Ford, but honestly, Twist does it better and at a fraction of the price. You can tell, both from their product listings and the way the cologne smells, that they are sourcing really high-quality vegan and fair-trade ingredients.
Who is this for? Lovers of vanilla tobacco men’s colognes will love this scent, no matter who they are.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: If you came to this article looking for a way to get a quality cologne that’s inspired by Tobacco Vanille, that’s exactly what this is. By those exact standards, I can’t really say there are any flaws here.
Top Notes: Coriander, Ginger, Anise | Middle Notes: Tobacco, Cloves, Spices, Tonka | Base Notes: Patchouli, Vanilla, Benzoin | Type: Eau De Parfum
Why it’s great: Cremo Spice & Black Vanilla Cologne Spray is an excellent effort within the vanilla tobacco trend and even has some uniqueness as a result of the use of the slightly spicier black vanilla scent. I also really like that there are several different bottle sizes available on Amazon, which makes it easy to order exactly as much as makes sense for you.
Who is this for? Anyone who really loves vanilla tobacco cologne would be really pleased with the decision to pick up a bottle of this one.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: I can’t say that this is the most potent or longest-lasting option on the list, but it does a great job relative to the price point.
Top Notes: Cardamom | Middle Notes: Cashmere, Wood, Tobacco | Base Notes: Bourbon, Vanilla, Vetiver | Type: Eau de Toilette
Why it’s great: Perhaps the highest compliment I can pay TOM FORD Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum is recognizing that this article wouldn’t exist without it. This is the cologne that really put the concept of vanilla tobacco cologne for men on the map, and we should all be thankful for that. What else can I say? Well, the cologne is exquisitely balanced and contains a base note of dried fruits that none of its imitators have really figured out.
Who is this for? This is a prestige scent that’s made for people who aren’t happy with anything but the absolute best. If that description fits you, then I think you’ll be thrilled with purchasing it.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: To be honest, this is an exceptional cologne, but its price tag places it out of reach for many people. That’s especially true since the bottle featured here contains just 1 ounce of cologne.
Top Notes: Tobacco Leaf, Spicy Notes | Middle Notes: Vanilla, Cacao, Tonka Bean, Tobacco Blossom | Base Notes: Dried Fruits, Woody Notes | Type: Eau de Parfum
Why it’s great: Ah, the Pete & Pedro VILLAIN – Eau De Parfum. Although this fragrance is definitely inspired by TOM FORD Tobacco Vanille, you can also tell that the team behind this one worked hard to put their own stamp on the concept.
I especially like the way that the woody base layer comes across with this cologne, although I can’t quite find the perfect words to describe it. There’s something about the way the Oud scent interacts with the Sandalwood, I think.
Who is this for? Pete & Pedro VILLAIN is an excellent mid-point vanilla tobacco cologne. It’s a quality eau de parfum, but it isn’t outrageously expensive.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although I really like the complex base layer of this fragrance, my criticism would be that the middle notes can get a little muddled after a couple of hours of wearing it.
Top Notes: Lemon Citrus. Coriander, Nutmeg Spice | Middle Notes: Floral Lavandin, Ginger, Cinnamon, Clove Spices, Honey, Anisic | Base Notes: Benzoin, Olibanum, Woody Amber, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Oud/Black Agar, Guaiacwood, Vanilla, Tobacco, Tonka | Type: Eau de Toilette
Why it’s great: The final entry on our list is the Perfect Scents Fragrances Tonka Tobacco, which is probably the alternative that smells the most like TOM FORD Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum. It’s so close that you’d have a hard time telling them apart with a blindfold on.
The only giveaway might be the stronger scent of Tonka Bean that comes through with the Perfect Scents version. But that’s something I really like since Tonka is one of my favorite scents.
Who is this for? If you’re looking for an excellent version of Tobacco Vanille that’s easy to pick up and wear on a regular basis, then this is the product for you.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: As you’d expect, the Perfect Scents Fragrances Tonka Tobacco won’t last as long as the original, but you wouldn’t really expect it to. It is still an eau de parfum, though, so don’t expect it to fade quickly, either.
Top Notes: Tobacco Leaf, Spicy Notes | Middle Notes: Vanilla, Cacao, Tonka Bean, Tobacco Blossom | Base Notes: Dried Fruits, Woody Notes | Type: Eau de Parfum
Buying Considerations for The Best Vanilla Tobacco Colognes
Scent
This article is about a highly specific topic: the best tobacco vanilla men’s cologne. As a result, all of the colognes on this list are going to have a lot in common with one another in terms of their overall scent. However, it’s especially fascinating when you start to see that there can be huge differences between colognes that seem similar on a superficial level (to me, at least, but I am a huge nerd about colognes).
For instance, tonka bean is a common ingredient in vanilla tobacco cologne, but it comes through much more strongly in the Perfect Scents Fragrances Tonka Tobacco than it does in the Pete & Pedro VILLAIN Eau De Parfum. That makes a huge difference to the overall impression that either cologne leaves with you and, depending on how you feel about the scent of tonka bean, might push you towards preferring one or the other.
Season
It’s well-known among fragrance enthusiasts that you shouldn’t wear the same cologne all year round, but for those who are new to the world of colognes, it’s simply crucial. That’s because wearing a summer fragrance in winter or vice versa can make your scent feel out of sync with the season.
In general, the robust tobacco and vanilla scents we’ve been discussing over the course of this article are much better suited to the late fall or winter months. If you’re looking for a winter cologne, that means you’re in the right place, but those of you who really want a cologne for the summer would be better served by checking out our list of the best blue or citrus colognes.
Type
There are a few different types of colognes out there, and there are relevant differences between them to consider. The key difference lies in the concentration of pure fragrance oils within the formula. An eau de parfum contains a higher concentration of these oils, resulting in a stronger scent and longer-lasting fragrance.
In contrast, an eau de toilette (or EDT) has a lower oil concentration and more alcohol, giving it a lighter scent and a shorter lifespan. This doesn’t mean that an EDT is inferior; in fact, many people prefer its softer aroma and don’t mind reapplying it a couple of times throughout the day.
You also have a few other types, including eaux de colognes and oil-only formulas, to account for. My best advice is to get the type of cologne that fits your lifestyle and your budget.
How We Chose
In a way, getting an understanding of a new cologne feels like unlocking a safe. There’s a whole world of fragrances that emerge from a small little box. But, to responsibly review colognes, like I try to do, you can’t just let a first impression rule the rating. Rather, you need to be able to let a cologne sit and see how it smells on your skin hours later.
It’s not always easy, but it’s my job, and helping to give people a true understanding of the colognes they’re thinking about buying is something I’m serious about. All of the colognes we recommend live up to our exceptionally high standards.
In addition, we care a great deal about the following four factors, which often make the difference between a cologne making it onto the list or missing out.
Price: Overpaying for a cologne that’s not up to snuff is one of my least favorite things, and I’m sure you’re not a huge fan of it, either. That’s why we’re always sensitive to the price of the colognes that we recommend and why we always put special emphasis on a great deal.
Customer reviews: What real customers of a fragrance brand have to say about its products is a hugely valuable source of information. We always pay really close attention to it.
Transparency: Finally, we put a lot of emphasis on recommending colognes from reputable companies that are open and honest about all those important details, like where they get their ingredients from and how their return policy functions.
Why Trust Us?
The team at FashionBeans is truly steeped in expertise when it comes to fragrances. We won’t give you an exact number, but trust us when we say that it’s up there. If you still have some doubt about our credentials, then you can definitely take a look at the other articles about cologne that we’ve crafted over the years. (Our roundups of the best oud, beach, and vanilla colognes for men are a great place to start).
Our normal editorial process, which we used for this article, is as collaborative as it is thorough. Each of us brings our personal favorites to the table, crafting individual shortlists that reflect our unique tastes. From there, we engage in spirited debate until we’ve honed in on a final selection that we can all get behind. The result? Articles that we can stand behind with confidence and pride.
Final Verdict
Overall, our pick for the best vanilla tobacco cologne is unambiguously Twist Vanilla & Tobacco No. 12. It’s a stunning fragrance that takes a new direction with the familiar vanilla tobacco concept and is a great way to stand out from the crowd while wearing it.
FAQ
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Well, this is one frequently asked question whose answer is mostly as advertised: vanilla tobacco smells like a combination of vanilla and tobacco. I do appreciate that familiar fragrances can sometimes get lost or become unrecognizable in colognes, but that’s really not the case here. Both of the main components in vanilla tobacco colognes really do come through.
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Yes, tobacco and vanilla colognes are definitely for men. The Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille Eau de Parfum is one of the most successful perfumes for men after all, and no one has ever really said that it’s a feminine scent.
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Tons of people love to wear Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford precisely because it allows you to change the energy in a room, whatever room you happen to walk into. It’s one of those special scents that’s able to create a unique experience for both you and the ones you get close to.
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Well, there are a few reasons that Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford is so expensive. First of all, it’s a highly sought-after cologne that has a huge fanbase. It’s also made from really high-quality ingredients. If you’re interested in finding a lower-priced alternative to Tobacco Vanille, I’d recommend checking out our list of the best vanilla tobacco colognes.
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