Tabac Original
Mäurer & Wirtz (1959)

Tabac Original is the epitome of what a barbershop fragrance should be. There are two different bottles of this juice launched in 1959 so make sure you get the one with the word Tabac written diagonally across and not horizontal because I think the diagonal bottle is the more rich and heavy and it's also the earlier version if I'm not mistaken. Trust me that makes all the difference in the world!

8/10

The trusty ole classic barbershop delight that is Tabac Original charmed me when I first noticed it at Leavitt & Peirce Tobacconist in Cambridge, MA. I was struck by its bubbly, powdery citrus opening, not having yet had the knowledge of aldehydes to describe it some twenty plus odd years ago. At its core it is bittersweet and aromatic, lavender and geranium, and it settles into a comforting, woody musky base that would become a hallmark of gentleman's fragrances in the late 50s through mid 60s.

I do recommend seeking out bottles with the "sawtooth" logo and the blue stripe under "Original," as these date from 2000 or earlier and feel more full-bodied than those that are missing the "sawtooth" logo or have "Tabac Original" printed horizontally rather than diagonally. This concludes my tribute to this endearing and enduring German classic.

The Eau de Cologne is better than the Eau de Toilette of the current formulation (I purchased both mine in Australia in 2022 for about $15 AUD each) - the EDC is far less cheap-smelling than the EDT, which I can't do at all on its own, far too screechy soapy/floral - however, the REAL trick is to first splash some EDC on, then spray the EDT over it - and WOWEE! - now you'll know why it's called TABAC! The smokiness of the two combined is extraordinary - rich, dark, complex, and European-smelling, if you know what I mean - really fabulous stuff, far transcending the sum of its parts.

Incidentally, I recently bought some vintage After Shave Lotion splash (in a set with miniature soap and shaving cream) from eBay (diagonal Tabac logo), and I have to say the vintage stuff was far superior - it had a creaminess to it that the modern stuff lacks, though the combination of the EDC and EDT layered comes close, just approaching from a slightly different point of view..

I'm also a big fan of the contemporary roll-on deodorant - very fresh and clean - and also the shaving cream. This was apparently George Harrison's favourite scent, back in the day - you can't get any cooler than that.

Tabac (the EDT formulation) has a clean, soapy barbershop quality that I find soothing. Yes, it is old fashioned but in the most elegant way. This is a choice for applying just out of the shower, or a casual trip to run errands. Nothing artificial to my nose and it is refreshing and inoffensive.
Honestly, I have never smelled Tabac previously over these many years but if I did smell someone wearing it I certainly would have complemented them and politely asked what scent they were wearing. I am so glad to add Tabac to my collection. Thumbs up!

This "thumbs down" review is specifically aimed at the latest EdC batches.
Background: I have been wearing Tabac since the late 70's, when I discovered it whilst living in West Germany. The fragrance is manly, piquant and piecing and, imo, unique. Reviewers throw around the phrase "Barbershop" when describing it, but I do not concur. It is manly and "outdoorsy".
So, I purchased a bottle of the EdC to replace a used-up AS and opted for a spray bottle. Got it online from one of the discount fragrance houses.
The "nose" from the bottle seemed very nice, somewhat less bracing than the aftershave. 3-4 sprays and I am off to start my day. 30 minutes later and I can't even detect the faintest iota of scent. NADA! I re-apply about 6 more sprays. Within the hour ALL TRACES have disappeared. WTF??? I am really pissed. This was a disgrace and unless I happened upon a bad bottle (what are the chances of that?), Maurer & Wirtz have destroyed a real icon.
In a huff, I found a vintage NOS bottle on Ebay and purchased it without hesitation. My fingers are crossed.

Ubiquitous classic that can be found in any drugstore. Finally tried the eau de cologne which the consensus says is the superior version. A reassuring scent, the opening feels very familiar. The aldehydes remind me of fabric softener or marble cleaner which account for the associations of hotel lobbies. Opens up to a pleasurable grey soapy scent, a bit like Lapidus pour Homme but less weird and way muted. Classic stuff indeed. The shaving cream is also excellent with perfect texture for a close shave.