Tabarome

"Everyone’s been talking about this perfume, but let me share my experience. My skin just doesn’t hold fragrances well, so longevity and strength aren’t my strongest points. If that sounds familiar, give it a shot. I finally got my hands on Tabarome from 2015—still pretty fresh. I wasn’t expecting it to be as powerful as Creed’s other scents, which usually have a stronger impact. This one feels more like a gentle kitten than a roaring lion. The scent is spicy and fresh, with a real ginger vibe that smells like freshly peeled root—it’s almost inviting. But the tobacco note was hard to detect at first, which was a bit of a letdown for me. After about 20 minutes, a lighter, blonde tobacco scent emerged, kind of like an Ashton cigar wrapper. I usually prefer darker, heavier pipe tobaccos, but this one is nice and blends well with the ginger, which stays dominant. Sillage is really weak on me—so unless you’re close up, you might not catch a whiff. After three hours, it’s already faded into a skin scent, barely detectable unless you're right there. It’s warm and cozy, with touches of leather and sandalwood that make it feel natural and clean. Overall, the scent is 8/10—gorgeous, masterful, and mature without feeling old-fashioned. Projection and sillage are a bit lower than I’ve seen in other Creeds—maybe a 3/10 for projection and 2/10 for sillage. It’s not as strong or lasting as others, but it does have some presence when you’re up close. Longevity is about 4/10—it doesn’t stick around long, so if you’re out for the day or at work, you might need to reapply. But when you’re near, it feels natural and clean. Would I buy it again? It’s pricey for what it is, but the scent itself is really good—definitely a 7/10 in that department. However, if you have Tabarome and Terre De Hermes, give layering a try. Mixing about two-thirds of Tabarome with one-third of TDH adds this perfect balance of bitter orange and earthiness from TDH, complementing Tabarome’s ginger and tobacco notes beautifully."

Tabarom is a partially herbal fragrance from the Creed brand. While it doesn’t have the strong herbal intensity of green perfumes, you can still detect a subtle herbal note in the background. In the top notes, there’s a tangy tangerine scent with a hint of sourness, possibly coming from tangerine derivatives or bergamot. In the pyramid notes, ginger and tobacco are mentioned, but I don’t think this perfume has a prominent tobacco base, so it might disappoint if you’re a fan of that note. Compared to other Creed perfumes, Tabarom stands out because it doesn’t share their typical creamy, semi-sweet middle notes.

I had a sample of Tabarome that I mostly set aside as a fall/winter fragrance based on its notes, but I ended up choosing it as my evening scent during the scorching, humid July weather in Chicago. It transformed into something quite different when I stepped outside into the humidity. Initially, inside with air conditioning, it felt linear—citrus, ginger, and a touch of tobacco, nothing too impressive. But when I caught another whiff on my wrist in the heat, Tabarome took on a whole new character! The freshly cut tobacco and subtle leather accords became more prominent, blending seamlessly with the humidity to create a sense of 'humble luxury.' It wasn’t overwhelming or in-your-face; instead, it felt soothing and confident, making its presence known in a way that was both reassuring and inviting. This experience makes me think Tabarome could be a fascinating warm, humid-weather fragrance, breaking away from the typical citrus and aquatic scents often associated with hot weather. I highly recommend giving it a try in humid conditions—I hope you’ll find it as intriguing and enjoyable as I did!

The citrus isn't as prominent here as I expected, often getting lost behind the deeper notes. However, the tobacco leaves really shine through, with a fresh ginger-like sharpness that reminds me of cigar factories I've visited in the Dominican Republic. Others might mistake this for ginger, but it's definitely the tobacco making an impression. The Cologne has a spicy, velvety quality with musk adding to its masculine appeal. In the drydown, it transforms into something reminiscent of Creed, blending citrus, wood, and musk. This is one of the best colognes out there.

There are definitely some lackluster Creed fragrances out there, including EROLFA and Himalaya, but TABAROME stands out as a truly unique and sophisticated scent designed for a man who knows his worth. He’s confident, accomplished, and now reaping the rewards of his success—good for him, and even better for whoever is in his life. TABAROME is understated yet distinctive, embodying classic masculinity. It’s crafted to meet the highest standards of perfumery, as seen through the Millesime label, and I hope Blackrock continues to uphold these standards under their partnership. It’s a quality that other big names like Tom Ford, Versace, Dior, and Hugo Boss can’t even come close to matching. This is a fragrance that lasts all day, offering a touch of elegance for anyone who wears it. P.S., if you layer TABAROME with Tom Ford Noir Extreme, the Tabarome really comes through—probably because Tom Ford’s version isn’t as impressive. If you agree, give this a 👍!