
Tabu by Dana is a women's fragrance created by French perfumer Jean Carles in 1931. It is a classic oriental perfume with a sensual reputation. The scent is said to evoke dreams of forbidden but exciting terrain, inviting women to fantasize about romance and sex. It has a spiced, stewed fruit accord with notes of patchouli, clove, oak moss, benzoin, bergamot, neroli, orange, coriander, narcissus, clover, rose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, cedar, sandalwood, vetiver, civet, amber, and musk. Some people find the perfume overpowering, while others find it warm and comforting, reminiscent of old-fashioned candies like root beer barrels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Created by | French perfumer Jean Carles |
| Year | 1931 or 1932 |
| Notes | Patchouli, Clove (carnation), Oak moss, Benzoin (vanilla effect), Bergamot, Neroli, Orange, Coriander, Narcissus, Clover, Rose, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, Cedar, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Civet, Amber, Musk |
| Smell | Sweet, Spiced, Stewed fruit, Root beer, Temple incense, Amber floral, Cheap, Overpowering, Synthetic, Balsamic, Spicy, Musky |
| Type | Oriental, Sensual, Erotic |
| Target audience | Women |
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What You'll Learn
- Taboo perfume is an oriental fragrance with spiced, stewed fruit notes
- It has been described as having a strong, overpowering scent
- Some say it smells like root beer or old-fashioned candy
- It contains a high dose of patchouli, clove, oak moss, and benzoin
- The perfume has been associated with erotic fantasies and marketed towards prostitutes

Taboo perfume is an oriental fragrance with spiced, stewed fruit notes
Taboo by Dana is a classic oriental fragrance with spiced, stewed fruit notes. It was created by French perfumer Jean Carles in 1931 and first sold in 1932. It is said that Javier Serra, the founder of DANA Parfums, was inspired to name the perfume after seeing the cover of Sigmund Freud's book "Totem & Taboo" in Nice, France.
Taboo is known for its warm and comforting scent, reminiscent of old-fashioned candies like root beer barrels and sarsaparilla sodas. The perfume has an almost spiced, stewed fruit accord, although there are no fruit notes indicated in its composition. It is perfect for cold winter days, evoking a sense of curling up in a warm embrace.
The key notes in Taboo include patchouli, clove, oak moss, and benzoin, which combine to create a vanilla effect. Other notes include bergamot, neroli, orange, coriander, narcissus, clover, rose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, cedar, sandalwood, vetiver, civet, amber, and musk. The high dose of patchouli (10%) and combination of spices give it a unique and memorable scent.
Some people find the scent of Taboo overpowering and too strong, while others find it enchanting and intriguing. It is a polarizing perfume that invites women to explore their desires and fantasies. It is a classic fragrance that has been loved and worn by women for decades, leaving a lasting impression and evoking memories of childhood and past experiences.
Overall, Taboo by Dana is an iconic oriental perfume with a spiced, stewed fruit character that has become a symbol of a woman's relationship with her desires and fantasies. It continues to fascinate and intrigue those who encounter its unique and memorable scent.
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It has been described as having a strong, overpowering scent
Tabu, a women's fragrance created by French perfumer Jean Carles in 1931, has been described as having a strong, overpowering scent. It is said to have an exceptionally high dose of patchouli (10%), combined with clove, oak moss, and benzoin, giving it a spiced, stewed fruit accord. Some people have compared the smell to old-fashioned candies, like root beer barrels, while others have found it too strong and cheap-smelling.
The perfume has a reputation for being sensual and evocative of forbidden desires and fantasies. It invites women to explore their erotic fantasies and has been marketed as a scent that a prostitute would wear. This taboo aspect of the perfume may contribute to the perception of its scent as overpowering and intense.
Some reviewers have described Tabu as having a strong presence that adorns the wearer rather than blending with their natural scent. It is recommended that those who wear Tabu ensure there is reliable ventilation, as a little goes a long way. The perfume has been described as having a distinct and memorable character, with notes of coriander, civet, and amber, among others.
While some people find the scent of Tabu enchanting and comforting, others find it odd and unappealing. The strength of the perfume is often noted, and it is said to have a lasting impression. Whether loved or hated, Tabu has become a classic oriental perfume that has left its mark in the world of fragrances.
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Some say it smells like root beer or old-fashioned candy
Tabu by Dana is a women's fragrance created by French perfumer Jean Carles in 1931. It is one of the first "oriental" scents in the world of perfume and is known for its heavy, sensual, and almost spiced aroma.
Some say Tabu smells like root beer or old-fashioned candy. One reviewer describes the scent as an "intense, sweet temple incense" that dominates the deep, dark "amber floral" notes. The perfume's coriander and civet notes are also prominent, adding to its unique aroma.
Another reviewer, reminiscing about their grandmother's bottle of Tabu, mentions that it reminded them of the old-fashioned flavors of sarsaparilla sodas and horehound candies. They also note the intense sweetness of the perfume, comparing it to the leftovers of a dessert buffet in a medieval hall.
The unique blend of notes in Tabu, including patchouli, clove, oak moss, and benzoin, creates an intriguing and memorable fragrance. While some may find it overpowering or unconventional, others are enchanted by its warm and comforting scent, reminiscent of childhood memories and old-fashioned treats.
Tabu by Dana continues to be a classic perfume, evoking a range of emotions and memories with its distinctive and long-lasting fragrance.
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It contains a high dose of patchouli, clove, oak moss, and benzoin
Tabu by Dana is a women's fragrance created by French perfumer Jean Carles in 1931. It contains a high dose of patchouli (10%), clove (carnation), oak moss, and benzoin (vanilla effect). The high dose of patchouli gives the perfume a spiced, stewed fruit accord, while the clove adds a warm and comforting scent. The oak moss and benzoin contribute to the overall deep, dark, and sweet aroma of the perfume.
The combination of these notes, along with other ingredients such as bergamot, neroli, orange, coriander, and jasmine, results in an intense and potent fragrance. Some have compared the scent to old-fashioned candies, root beer, or incense. The unique blend of spices and sweetness evokes a sense of warmth and comfort, making it a perfect fragrance for cold winter days.
Over the years, Tabu has gained a reputation as a sensual and erotic perfume. The name "Tabu" or Taboo itself suggests something forbidden and exciting, and the advertising campaigns invited women to explore their desires and fantasies. However, some reviewers find the scent too overpowering or cheap, highlighting the importance of finding the right circumstances and wearer for this distinctive perfume.
While opinions vary, Tabu by Dana remains a classic oriental perfume that has left an impact on the fragrance world. Its bold combination of patchouli, clove, oak moss, and benzoin continues to intrigue and entice those who appreciate its unique and memorable scent.
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The perfume has been associated with erotic fantasies and marketed towards prostitutes
Tabu by Dana is a women's fragrance created by French perfumer Jean Carles in 1931. It has been described as having an almost spiced, stewed fruit accord, with prominent notes of coriander and civet. Other notes include bergamot, neroli, orange, clove, oak moss, benzoin, narcissus, clover, rose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, cedar, sandalwood, vetiver, amber, and musk.
Some reviewers describe Tabu as having a strong, overpowering scent, with one person noting that it is "not for the faint of heart." It has been described as an oriental perfume with a sensual reputation, evoking dreams of forbidden but exciting terrain. The name "Tabu" was inspired by the Sigmund Freud book "Totem and Taboo," suggesting a connection to the exploration of desires and taboo subjects.
The perfume has been polarizing, with some finding it enchanting and comforting, while others find it too strong and cheap-smelling. One reviewer noted that Tabu is a "perfume made for whores," embracing the taboo nature of the fragrance.
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Frequently asked questions
Taboo perfume by Dana is a strong, sweet, oriental fragrance with spiced, stewed fruit accords. It is often described as overpowering and cheap, with notes of coriander, civet, and vanilla. Some people compare the scent to root beer or old-fashioned candies.
The top notes of Taboo perfume include bergamot, neroli, and orange. It also has middle notes of coriander, narcissus, and clover, and base notes of amber, musk, and sandalwood.
Taboo perfume was created by French perfumer Jean Carles in 1931 for the House of Dana, a perfumery established in Barcelona, Spain, in 1932. It was one of the first oriental scents in the perfume world and became known for its sensual and erotic reputation. The name "Taboo" was inspired by the Sigmund Freud book "Totem and Taboo."










































