Tabac Scent

[fastback]

I'm fairly new to DE shaving but have heard great things about Tabac.
I've also heard the scent is pretty strong and it's a love it or hate it situation for many people.

Are there any comparisons that can be made between the Tabac Classic scent and other soaps\crèmes?
Just being a little precautions before I end up with more stuff on a various scrap pile

 

[gash]

I hope this helps: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/271919-What-does-Tabac-smell-like-My-buddy-nailed-it!

 

[chamm]

I've heard it described as "1970's gigolo." Having tried it myself, I couldn't possibly think of a better way to illustrate it. :-D

 

[Ronnie Aloha]

I think I like the Old Lady smell in the description. In all honesty, its not my favorite scent but its one of my best performing soaps. I would use it every day if it had a scent that was more appealing to me. There are many who like the scent so its tough to know until you smell it yourself.

 

[Mandina]

I love Tabac's performance and scent, but clearly YMMV. Maybe you should try a sample from Gary's Sample Shop.

http://sampleshop.blogspot.com/

 

[chamm]

It totally makes me want to slip into a nice pair of bell bottoms, pop some Starland Vocal Band in my 8-track and eat some fondue.

 

[chamm]

To be fair, though, it does lather pretty well.

 

[fastback]

I'm so glad I asked. Thanks for the links as well. A sample is definitely in order prior to an entire tub.
Really on the fence about Archie Bunker's Shirt \ Reno tour bus full of old ladies \ old ladies hand bag

 

[rblank]

Started wet shaving a month ago. Ordered several sticks and received a couple more with my order. Tabac was one I ordered. I have not used it yet as I do not like the scent. Ordered Arko too, loved it. As everyone says your YMMV. Only one way to know.

 

[CleanSweep]

I only have the after shave lotion, and can't speak of their other products. I have heard that with the shave soap the scent is strong when new freshly opened, but dampens down after a couple uses. Not sure if it because of water/air that dampens down the scent or just the users nose becoming immune to the scent.

The best way I can describe the scent is an old fashioned barbershop. Yes, I still remember going to those old barbershops as a kid and teenager when they still existed in my area. No, not talking about the younger generations version and modern remake of a barbershop, no no, I'm talking about a true genuine barbershop - the kind owned and run as a private business manned by a male barber(s) who were from a generation of a by gone era. A shop where the people inside were all guys, no women. The kind of shop where it was the fathers who brought their sons for a hair cut, mommy didn't. The unwritten rule of NO wives, girl friends, sisters, or daughters allowed, it was just something that was understood without having to be communicated, a different era. The kind of shops with basic white walls, that were filled with the permanent aroma of cigar and cigarette smoke, talcum powder, shave soap, and fresh cut hair. The kind of male establishment where the conversations and dialog were about football, baseball, Indy 500, last night's poker game, or the large trout they caught the previous week....you know...guy talk. The kind that had real mens magazines out on the coffee table for their clients to read (Playboy, Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, Sports Illustrated, etc), none of this Men's Health stuff or GQ stuff. Yeah take a whiff of Tabac and that smell speaks of a different time.

Kind of reminds me a bit of English Leather but with more of a carnation flower note to it. Powdery on the dry down, almost like talcum powder. I've never thought of an old lady smell as many have mentioned. It does speak of a by gone era though. Not my favorite scent, but not bad either, not bad at all.

 

[goby]

Female East German Weightlifter competing in the 1972 Olympics.

I hated it, but after 6 months or so, I actually liked it. Arko, OTOH, I could never appreciate.

 

[SilentTuba]

To me it smells like baby powder. Was on the fence at first, but it has grown on me, largely because I associate that smell with the amazing lather it accompanies. My wife likes the smell, so that's a plus.

 

[dpm802]

Here is what Tabac Original has to say about itself, from http://www.tabac-original.de/duft/language/en.html

THE SCENT OF THE ORIGINAL
Tabac Original is a sophisticated composition fragranced with peppery-spicy notes and elegantly rounded off by exotic woods, musk, ambergris and a floral complex. An unmistakable fragrance with a discreet presence.

For myself and many users, Tabac is a winter scent. Its definitely at its best in c-c-c-cold weather. I've tried it in the summer time and it doesn't work.

And nothing goes better with Tabac except more Tabac. When I use the soap, I also use the other products in the range. Cream, Aftershave, EdT, deodorant, etc. Its like the individula instruments in an orchestra. Each one is good on its own, but put them all together and they make beautiful music.

Granted, Tabac isn't for everyone. But if you use it and like it, there's nothing else out there that even comes close to the scent and performance.

 

[Steve56]

When new, it smells like a 90 year old talced-up pipe smoking bow tie wearing grandpa that just got back from the barber shop. After airing out, mostly just very strong talc or baby powder. It does lather very well, but the scent is definitely very old school.

Cheers, Steve

 

[john parker]

While it has been years since I smelled it, is it anything like Tabac aftershave smells?

 

[coryforsenate]

It's musky. You'll find similarities with the musky aftershaves, like Aqua Velva Musk. It's not the same, but the musk scent is a commonality. It's also floral. Think of the old man in church that you can smell before you can see him.

I personally love the scent, but it really is going to be a love or hate scent for people.

It does make very beautiful lather very easily. The most beautiful of any soap I've used so far. It's not the best shave or the best moisturizing feel, but it's up there. A quality soap.

 

[August West]

I like the smell of Arko and don't like the smell of Tabac.

Go figure.

 

[chamm]

If you want to know exactly what Tabac smells like:

Imagine yourself sitting on that sofa. :-D

 

[NSmalls]

The smell of Tabac is amazing. I have always loved it. I wore the EDC to a dinner and a friend of mine said she thinks it smells like incense. I always get compliments from women when I wear Tabac. Plus it makes the best lather of all time.

 

[demaro]

I always shave with Tabac for date night with my wife. She loves it . Always a great lather !!