Cigar Smokers: Why You Need Cologne

Cigar-smoking is a popular pastime, but it can leave an unpleasant odour lingering on your clothes, skin, and hair. To combat this, many cigar enthusiasts opt for cologne to mask the smell of tobacco. Some prefer to complement the tobacco scent with colognes that have rugged, leathery, or musky notes, while others prefer to go in the opposite direction with something sweet.

Tobacco-based colognes can complement the smell of cigars

Tobacco colognes typically convey masculinity, warmth, and smoothness. They often feature additional notes such as vanilla, tonka bean, and woods, which can accentuate the sweetness or smokiness of the tobacco. Some popular tobacco-based colognes include:

• Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille: A rich, spicy, and sweet scent with notes of tobacco leaf, blossom, vanilla, cacao, and tonka bean.
• Santa Maria Novella Tobacco Toscano: An elegant and long-lasting fragrance with notes of tobacco, vanilla, leather, and various woods.
• Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb: A spicy cologne with notes of tobacco, leather, and vetiver, providing unique longevity.
• Parfums de Marly Herod: A luxurious and spicy fragrance with notes of tobacco, cinnamon, pepper, incense, and vanilla.
• Amouage Opus XIV Royal Tobacco: A bold and elegant cologne with strong incense and tobacco notes, creating an irresistible aura.

These colognes can complement the aroma of cigars, providing a well-rounded and appealing scent profile.

Colognes with aquatic notes might not go well with cigars

Cigar enthusiasts often wonder how to complement the rugged, leathery smell of tobacco without making it smell funky. Some opt for colognes with tobacco or honey notes, like Russian EDTs, or leather/tobacco-based perfumes such as Quorum. Others suggest going in a different direction with something sweet, like Burberry Brit.

However, if you're looking for a cologne that will create a refreshing contrast to the strong scent of cigars, an aquatic fragrance might be your best bet. Aquatic colognes typically feature notes of crisp sea salt, fresh water, and citrus, evoking the image of a breezy shore or a rocky coastline. While these scents can be invigorating and transportive, they may not be the best choice to mask the odour of cigar smoke.

The reason is that aquatic fragrances are often designed to be subtle and understated. They are known for their crisp, clean, and elegant aromas, which can be easily overpowered by the bold and robust scent of cigars. While a fresh aquatic cologne might be perfect for a day at the beach or a sailing trip, it might not have the intensity needed to stand up to the smell of tobacco.

Additionally, the combination of aquatic notes with the earthy, smoky aroma of cigars may create an unpleasant clash of scents. The cool, ozonic notes of water and rain could end up accentuating the smokiness of the cigars, resulting in an overwhelming aroma that lacks harmony.

Therefore, if you're looking for a cologne to wear after smoking cigars, it might be better to opt for something with stronger, more assertive notes that can either complement or effectively mask the scent of tobacco. While aquatic colognes have their place in a fragrance collection, they might not be the best choice for this particular purpose.

Colognes with cinnamon, oak moss, and peppery notes can pair well with cigars

While there are many colognes that can help mask the smell of cigars, some fragrances can also complement the aroma of tobacco. Notes of cinnamon, oak moss, and pepper can pair well with cigars, enhancing the rugged and leathery elements of the tobacco scent.

Colognes with cinnamon notes can add a spicy warmth to the overall fragrance, creating an appealing contrast to the coolness of cigars. Oak moss, a species of lichen that grows on oak trees, adds an earthy and forest-like aroma to colognes. It is a key ingredient in chypre and fougère fragrances, providing depth and a natural, creamy softness to the scent. Peppery notes, on the other hand, add a spicy kick to the cologne, enhancing the overall rugged and masculine appeal.

Combining these elements, colognes such as Viktor & Rolf's Spicebomb and Ralph Lauren's Polo Blue Eau de Parfum incorporate tobacco, cinnamon, and oak moss notes. Spicebomb is a spicy fragrance with strong notes of tobacco, leather, and vetiver, complemented by cinnamon, chili, and pink pepper. Meanwhile, Polo Blue offers a fresh and sporty scent with oak moss and tobacco leaf in its base notes, balanced by top notes of melon, mandarin orange, and cucumber.

In addition to these fragrances, there are other colognes that incorporate similar notes and can be paired with cigars. These include Armani Code by Giorgio Armani, which has tobacco and leather in its base notes, and Invictus by Paco Rabanne, which features oak moss in its base alongside patchouli and guaiac wood. By blending these fragrances with the aroma of cigars, you can create a unique and appealing scent combination.

Colognes with sweet, citrus, and spicy notes can complement the smell of cigars

Sweet Notes

Tobacco is prized in perfumery for its warm, sweet, smoky, and spicy aroma. Tobacco fragrances are all about confidence, sensuality, and a kind of subtle, smooth masculinity. Tobacco-forward fragrances are cozier, heavier, and ideal for winter.

Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille is a smoky, sweet, and spicy scent that remains one of the most popular from the brand. The cologne features tobacco in both leaf and blossom form, giving it a sexy, spicy air, and rich, smooth vanilla that adds sweetness and longevity.

Guerlain's Tobacco Honey is a bold tobacco cologne with a strong honey note. The honey mingles well with the spices, eventually drying down to reveal rich woods that ground the whole fragrance.

Parfums de Marly's Herod is a luxury, high-end scent with a tobacco note that is complemented by spices and a sweet vanilla note. The cinnamon spice and dark pepper notes are smoothed out by the sweet vanilla, while incense provides a smoky aroma.

Citrus Notes

Citrus notes such as lemon, bergamot, and grapefruit can add a fresh and bright dimension to tobacco colognes.

Remy Latour's Cigar is an aromatic fruity fragrance for men with top notes of bergamot, lemon, pear, plum, and pineapple. The composition is heated by aromatic notes of flowers such as marigold, geranium, jasmine, and bay leaves, while the base notes of tobacco, patchouli, sandalwood, cedar, and musk provide a warm and smooth tobacco-woody scent.

Viktor & Rolf's Spicebomb features tobacco, leather, and vetiver as base notes, complemented by top notes of pink pepper, elemi, bergamot, and grapefruit, and middle notes of cinnamon, saffron, and paprika.

Kilian's Back to Black Aphrodisiac combines tobacco with fruity notes of cherry and raspberry, adding a sweetness that is sensual rather than cloying.

Spicy Notes

Spicy notes such as cinnamon, cardamom, and pink pepper can enhance the warmth and masculinity of tobacco colognes.

Viktor & Rolf's Spicebomb Extreme is a smoother and warmer interpretation of the original Spicebomb, featuring tobacco, lavender, and rich vanilla as top notes, and cumin and cinnamon as toned-down middle notes.

Tom Ford's Tobacco Vanille, as mentioned earlier, also has spicy notes that complement the sweet and smoky tobacco and vanilla.

Parfums de Marly's Herod, as mentioned earlier, combines tobacco with cinnamon spice and dark pepper notes, smoothed out by sweet vanilla and incense.

Burberry London for Men is a fresh and spicy blend of woodsy notes and tobacco, with cinnamon providing a spiced kick to the sweet and warm tobacco note.

Some colognes with tobacco notes: Tom Ford Tobacco Oud, Le Labo Santal 33, and CB I Hate Perfume #0451 Smokey Tobacco

Tom Ford Tobacco Oud

This unisex fragrance is a woody spicy scent with top notes of whiskey, middle notes of cinnamon, coriander, and spicy notes, and base notes of tobacco, agarwood, incense, sandalwood, patchouli, benzoin, vanilla, and cedar. It is a powerful and masculine fragrance with a rich and delicious tobacco opening. The scent is reminiscent of a cigar soaked in whiskey, with light spice adding an interesting blend. It is an ultra-masculine scent, super sophisticated, and not for everyday wear. The cologne is best suited for colder seasons and is quite strong, with moderate projection.

Le Labo Santal 33

Le Labo Santal 33 is a famous fragrance with a strong woody and medicinal smell. It has notes of sandalwood, amber, and a sweet and powdery floral scent. The fragrance is calming, relaxing, and sexy. It is described as attention-commanding and powerful, and should be worn by someone who knows their worth.

CB I Hate Perfume #0451 Smokey Tobacco

This cologne captures the smell of fine tobacco and smoke. It is described as "the smell of fine tobacco and smoke in a bottle."

Frequently asked questions