Red Tobacco by Mancera
I figured I’d start off with the newest one in the bunch because I think this one is the most recognized in the fragrance community as the quintessential King of tobacco fragrances. Anyone who has started any fragrance collection knows there are certain genres of fragrances everyone should own for certain seasons and situations. Most fragrance companies recognize this, and they plan their lines to have a fragrance that does fit every season and every situation. With fall at our doorstep, Red Tobacco is a perfect fragrance to fit this season and any situation.
Mancera is one of those niche companies that has so much to offer (quick Google search comes up with 81 total fragrances as of writing this post…wow). What people love most about Mancera fragrances is a three-part answer; they’re not overly expensive for a niche fragrance (average price around $100), their longevity is impressive (minimum of 8+ hours for most), and finally their scents are just amazing compliment magnets. They probably have a lot of fragrances that compliment fall perfectly, but this is a battle of the tobaccos!
How does it smell?
Red Tobacco was released in 2017 and looking at the official note breakdown, I see notes in here that I never knew existed in this fragrance; Green Apple, Jasmine, and white peach. What I pick up when I first spray it is simply a blast of tobacco and woods. The best way I can describe it is if you’ve ever been near someone that was smoking a tobacco pipe it smells exactly like that. Warm and inviting notes immediately will fill the room you’re in as well as the clothes you’re wearing, and it will last a long time. I can remember when I first sprayed this fragrance, I sprayed it in my bedroom with one spray in the air and for 2 straight days my room smelled like there was a lit tobacco pipe hidden somewhere.
When it begins to dry down the mixture of woods and patchouli as well as some vanilla and musk will start to come out, but that tobacco remains from beginning to end. As far as longevity on this one, I’ve honestly sprayed 4 sprays on myself at 6:30 in the morning and gotten compliments from people as late as 8:00 at night. It seriously is a monster fragrance that I can’t recommend enough for your fall collection.
Mystery Tobacco by Carolina Herrera
The Herrera Confidential Collection was first introduced in 2015 exclusively in Dubai. The original six fragrances consisted of Amber Desire, Burning Rose, Nightfall Patchouli, Oud Couture, Neroli Boheme and Herrera Tuberose. It wasn’t until 2016 that Carolina Herrera added Mystery Tobacco to the collection followed by other releases such as Gold Incense and Amethyst Haze.
All the bottles have the same classy, retro-style look and feel that garner a lot of heft to them. The only thing standing out other than the named labels on the front is the distinct color differences between the bottles and the juice that’s inside. Carolina Herrera made it a point to have these fragrances stand out amongst the crowd and if you have any of these in your collection, you’ll know it’s something unique. If you’re unsure what I mean, just check out the bottle for Saffron Lazuli and you’ll see what I’m saying. I don’t think I’ve ever seen another fragrance bottle look as good as that one does. Mystery Tobacco is no different than the rest in the collection. The bottle is a smokey, dark brown color that’s transparent but there’s no telling if the juice inside holds that same rich hue as the glass does.
Does Mystery Tobacco smell any different?
If you look at the note breakdown of Mystery Tobacco, you’ll see only three similarities between Mystery Tobacco and Red Tobacco: patchouli, vetiver, and tobacco. The rest of the notes are completely different and, in my opinion, not even noticeable. I’m not discrediting the existence of the notes, but what I’m saying is that these three notes directly overpower the rest of the supporting notes. As for longevity, Mystery Tobacco is good, but I would have to give it to Red Tobacco for lasting a ridiculous amount of time in comparison.
Look, if you blindfold yourself and had someone spray Mystery Tobacco on your left arm and Red Tobacco on your right arm, there’s a really good chance that you would not be able to tell the difference. I know this because I tested this numerous times. I wouldn’t claim myself as an expert, but I can say without a doubt that I’m your average consumer, like yourself, with a nose that enjoys fragrances. But here’s where it gets tricky.
If you were to ask me which one I could recommend over the other, I would say without hesitating that Red Tobacco is the one you should choose. You can purchase a 120ml of Red Tobacco, at full retail, for $180 or around $100 at discounters. It’s readily available and you can have it delivered to your door within a week. You can purchase a 100ml bottle of Mystery Tobacco, at full retail, for $260 or around $230 at discounters…if you can find it. It’s not readily available anywhere except for overseas in Europe so us here in the States don’t really have any direct way to purchase it. Only ways to purchase it would be through eBay or some discounters that carry it, but stock is always extremely limited.
Final Thoughts – Who Wins?
All in all, both fragrances are amazing fragrances. If Mystery Tobacco were closer in price and more available, I would have to recommend it more solely on presentation alone. The similarities are too close together and with price and stock issues for Mystery Tobacco, Red Tobacco is the clear winner of this battle!
Have you smelled either of these yet? Decant House has both available and ready to ship today. Try these for yourself and let us know what you think. See you in the next one!
