Tobacco and honey—two contrasting olfactory notes blend together in Guerlain’s Tobacco Honey to create an unexpected and harmonious symphony of scents. This new fragrance defies convention by
uniting the earthiness of tobacco with the sweet allure of honey; blurring the boundaries between opposites to create an extraordinary union for Guerlain’s high perfumery collection, L’Art & La Matière.
A Transformation Unveiled: From Masculine to Feminine Liberation
Photo: GuerlainGuerlain's Master Perfumer, Thierry Wasser
The latest addition to the L’Art & La Matière collection is Tobacco Honey. Tobacco, traditionally seen as a masculine note, underwent a profound metamorphosis during the 1920s. The iconic era marked the liberation of women, and tobacco became a potent symbol of their newfound freedom. Guerlain’s master perfumer Thierry Wasser notes, “In the 1920s, we were seeing flapper girls with their iconic bobbed hairstyles, often with a cigarette holder and smoking—there was sort of an early women’s liberation during that time.”
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This historical context sets the stage for understanding the essence of “Tobacco Honey.” It’s not just a fragrance; it’s a piece of history, a scent that embodies the spirit of women breaking free from traditional norms and embracing their independence.
Tobacco Honey: An Olfactory Opus
Photo: Guerlain
Tobacco Honey is far more than a fragrance; it is a carefully orchestrated symphony of scents, seamlessly melding contrasting elements into a harmonious blend. Wasser describes the interplay of honey and tobacco as a dance of contradictions: “You need contrast, you need to create a movement. And between that depth and that sweetness, you have an interesting moment where the two accords encounter each other.”
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The fragrance takes you on a sensory journey, a narrative of olfactory exploration that unfolds on your skin. It begins with a rich and ambery tobacco accord, wrapped in the warm embrace of vanilla, Tonka bean and sesame. This initial layer exudes depth and complexity, setting the stage for what’s to come.
As the fragrance evolves, it transitions into the vibrant luminosity of honey. Honey, a symbol of sweetness and allure, imparts a candied yet potent dimension to the composition. It weaves itself into the tapestry of scents, infusing each note with its golden essence. Aniseed and clove, like carefully chosen instruments in an orchestra, infuse layers of complexity and depth into Tobacco Honey.
The Elixir of Gold: Guerlain's Honey
Honey, often referred to as the “Guerlain gold,” embodies the essence of the brand, signifying not only luxury but also a dedication to preserving nature and biodiversity. In Tobacco Honey, the spotlight shines on Guerlain’s beloved Calabrian honey, harvested amid the blossoming bergamot trees in the sun-drenched region of Calabria, Italy.
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This honey extract, gathered after a delicate alchemical process, is virtually indistinguishable from the scent of raw honey — turning the precious gift from nature into a fragrant treasure. The precious elixir infuses the fragrance with a depth and multifaceted richness that elevates its overall complexity.
Make It Your Own
Though Wasser skillfully orchestrates the components that make up each fragrance, he acknowledges that the fragrance will eventually embark on a journey beyond his control. “When a bottle leaves the factory, I don’t own it anymore. I think every single fragrance tells a story but you have to own that story. I hope that people who choose Tobacco Honey will experience the depth and genuine freedom [of the fragrance]."
A Bottle Crafted as Art
Photo: GuerlainArtist Anne Féat Gaiss crafts the exceptional plates by hand
Staying true to the essence of L’Art & La Matière collection, the Tobacco Honey bottle is itself a work of art. Inspired by Guerlain’s historic Square Bottle from 1870, it radiates an enchanting ambery hue, mirroring the fragrance it cradles. In keeping with its commitment to luxury and sustainability, these bottles are refillable and made with 15 percent recycled glass.
Each L’Art & La Matière fragrance can be personalised, with the cap’s plate offered in an array of colours and materials, while options abound for the cord that adorns the bottle’s neck and the seal. This attention to detail ensures that every bottle is an unique expression of the individual.
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For the launch of Tobacco Honey, Guerlain teamed up with visionary artist Anne Féat Gaiss to craft an exceptional plate. Renowned for her mastery of paper sculpture, Anne Féat Gaiss transforms this humble material into sublime dreamscapes that resonate with tactile and shimmering textures.
Photo: GuerlainOnly 200 of these exceptional plates are crafted for this new launch.
The meticulous process involves selecting the finest sheet of high-quality Indian paper, followed by the application of shimmering golden tones using copper leaf and a sparkling varnish. The plate then undergoes a painstaking carving process, leaf by leaf and shard by shard, revealing a motif that is entirely unique. The exceptional plate is completely handmade, with a limited release of only 200 pieces worldwide, making it a rare and treasured work of art that adorns the perfume bottle.
L'Art & La Matière Tobacco Honey ($551 for 100ml; $802 for 200ml) is available at Guerlain's boutique located at #B2-21 ION Orchard.