Herod vs Tobacco Vanille Fragrance Comparison

Herod and Tobacco Vanille are two popular high end fragrances for those who want a tobacco scented fragrance with some sweetness. Both have their strengths and admirers, but ultimately, which one is better? Which lasts longer? Which should you look to buy?

Tale of the Tape: Herod vs. Tobacco Vanille

Herod

Notes include: tobacco leaf, musk, cinnamon, vanilla, vetiver, cedar, patchouli, pepper, incense, and labdanum 

Click here to try: Parfums de Marly Herod Men’s EDP Spray, 4.2 oz.

Read my Review: Herod by PdM

Tobacco Vanille

Notes include: tobacco, vanilla, dried fruit accords, cocoa, tonka bean, wood sap, spices

Click here to try: Tom Ford Beauty Tobacco Vanille Private Blend Spray/3.4 oz.

Read my Review: Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford

Opening

Tobacco Vanille opens up with a sweet tobacco, as the main player. It is bold and joined by vanilla, cocoa, and creamy tonka bean. Also, there is a spiciness, which I take to be the cinnamon note. This can start off really powerfully and a bit overwhelming.

Herod also has a sweet tobacco note, but the profile is overall much spicier than the Tom Ford fragrance. Cinnamon and incense give it a different feeling. While these two get compared often, they have much different scents at times.

Herod takes on a aroma closer to something like B*Men or Burberry London. Not that they are exact, but I can definitely pick up the similarities.

Which is better? Honestly, Herod comes across much better in the opening. Darker, spicier, while still retaining a sweetness. 

Edge: Herod

Sillage

Tobacco Vanille comes across as stronger, at the start. I think that they are somewhat equal for a while, but the Tom Ford edges out the PdM fragrance overall. It’s not that much better at projecting, but it does have a bit of lead.

Edge: Tobacco Vanille

Longevity

Both of these lasts for over 10 hours, on my skin.  Really well beyond that, too. I don’t see one as being better here since they both go all day. Great performers.

Edge: Push

Versatility

Herod and Tobacco Vanille sort of occupy the same space. Both are cold weather wears all the way. They have enough personality to be worn out, but enough style to be worn in the office, more formal occasions, or casually.

There’s really no separation from my perspective.

Edge: Push

Overall Scent

I like Tobacco Vanille, particularly as it dries down and becomes less in your face. The tobacco is more of a greenish variety, not toasted or processed. Vanilla and cocoa still give it its sweetness and it comes across as very well put together. 

The performance also lives up to the price tag.

Herod is darker with more of spicy/sweet blend than Tobacco Vanille has. Also, the tobacco is smokier and cured, with a resinous aroma supporting the entire thing. It’s a close call between these two options, but I prefer the Parfums de Marly. The incense and resin is great and I love the tobacco note here. 

Winner: Herod

Best Men's Colognes

Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.