SAMPLE .. Chérigan, Fleurs de Tabac, 'Tabacco Flowers', 1/2 ml. DECANTED SAMPLE from Flacon, Parfum Extrait, 1929, Paris, France ..

Chérigan was established by a Czech immigrant, Ota Polacek, in Paris, France, in 1929. Chérigan is an old perfume house, and most information about it has been long lost in the years before the Internet. There are four perfumes known from this maker, including Chance, Mascarades, Bleu Impérial, and Fleurs de Tabac.

So obscure is Fleurs de Tabac that not only have I not been able to find any information about it on the Internet, and it seems that Osmotheque has nothing on it, but even the company that produced it has no information about it among their listings. This is the fourth bottle I have been lucky enough to find, and I offer it here, even if somewhat reluctantly! There is a great mystique among perfumers about this perfume.

Fleurs de Tabac is the result of a beautiful synthesis of notes. Since there is little written or available describing this lovely scent, I will offer what I am able to regarding its composition. There is a lovely hesperedic burst in the opening, a combination of possibly Bergamot, Neroli, and Lemon, with trails of Orange Blossom. As these settle, a lovely musky dry smokiness is present, underpinned by the beauty of Jasmine, lifting the scent, but not masking it’s somewhat masculine appeal. One is reminded of some of the gorgeous leathery perfumes of the 1920’s .. Jean Patou’s Lasso or Colony .. Guerlain’s Djedi .. but one with that delicious sweetness of tobacco leaves ..

Reminiscent too, of Caron’s masterful Tabac Blond .. Fleurs de Tabac offers a shimmering pass through the racks of drying tobacco leaves .. women rolling cigars on their thighs .. the lovely sweet smoke from a gentleman’s pipe .. soft and a little drier than Molinard’s iconic Habanita, which is so lovely, but considerably sweeter. Finally the perfume softens in the dry down revealing resins .. Frankincense, Myrrh, Amber .. Patchouli is there, providing depth and mystery .. and then Vanilla, sweetening and enveloping the wearer in a sensual smoky-sweet suede .. There may also be just a cheeky breath of civet, giving it that anamalic touch .. daring, flirty and so very vogue in the 1920’s .. In other words, it is absolutely delicious, and it is saddening that this smoky and luscious beauty is so very hard, if not impossible, to find.

"Fleurs de Tabac arrived in 1929, one of a handful of scents created by the firm of Cherigan. It followed Caron's Tabac Blond by 10 years and Roger and Gallet's Cigalia by 18. The dark scent of tobacco leaves mingle with vetiver, a touch of vanilla and amber and a light jasmine overlay. There is a pronounced tarragon anise note as well. It seems relatively simple, but the overall effect is one of great sophistication and superb blending and balance. It can stand with the rougher Cigalia .. birch tar infuses this one .. and the cigarette tobacco, carnation, and orris blend of Tabac Blond, to hold its own as one of the three great tobacco scents of the 20th century. Cherigan operated in both Paris and Havana between 1929 and 1949." Basenotes review, Jack Twist

Here's my suggestion on the notes gleaned from various reviews ..

Top notes are Orange Blossom, Orange, Neroli, Lemon, and Bergamot
Heart notes are Jasmine, Tobacco, Smoke, Tarragon, Birch, Carnation, and Orris
Base notes are Frankincense, Myrrh, Vetiver, Amber, Patchouli, Leather, Vanilla, and Ambergris

Offered here is an opportunity to buy a decanted sample of this beautiful renowned fleurs to tabac perfume. Super rare .. very desirable .. exotic ..