Royal Tobacco (Opus XIV) Clones

"### The Scent Profile Jabal Al Lawz opens with a resinous cloud of olibanum, like the cool smoke curling from a desert incense burner, but then veers into a headshop anise. The cardamom is present, yet flattened. It lacks the sparkling lift of the original. The heart replicates the tobacco accord quite faithfully, a dark, brooding leaf aroma, though the licorice edges into cherry cough syrup territory. The fenugreek adds an interesting, almost savory depth, a touch of burnt maple. As it dries down, the vanilla emerges, but it's a plasticky bourbon, lacking the boozy warmth and depth. The myrrh struggles to cut through the overwhelming sweetness, resulting in a somewhat muddled finish. ### Bottom Line Wearing Jabal Al Lawz provides a similar character to the original, but filtered through a less refined lens. The original evokes a sophisticated world traveler, a diplomat in a Saville Row suit; Jabal Al Lawz conjures an aspiring artist in a vintage coat they found at a thrift store. You gain an approximate outline of the sophisticated tobacco profile, but you lose the nuanced complexity and seamless blending that makes the original so captivating. It’s a confident gesture, but one that perhaps lacks the final finesse. ### The Performance Stats On my skin, Jabal Al Lawz lasts a solid 7-8 hours. The projection is initially strong, filling a room for the first hour, then settling to about an arm's length for the remainder of its lifespan. I wore it to a dimly lit cocktail bar and it felt almost opulent, but the synthetic sweetness became cloying by the end of the evening."

"### How it Smells Tobacco of the Royals 14 opens with a somewhat muddled olibanum, lacking the original's bright, almost citrusy incense. Instead, a distinct anise note dominates, lending a medicinal, cough-syrup facet. The cardamom is present, but subdued, offering a mere whisper of spice. The heart reveals a tobacco accord that leans heavily into a dry, almost papyrus-like quality, devoid of the honeyed sweetness found in Royal Tobacco. Licorice adds a dark, slightly bitter element, while the fenugreek imparts a peculiar, faintly maple-like aroma that feels discordant. In the base, the olibanum returns, though more ashy than resinous, intertwined with a bourbon vanilla that possesses a plasticky undertone and a myrrh that reads as somewhat synthetic. The deviation lies primarily in the lack of nuance and depth; where the original possesses a luxurious richness, this clone presents a flatter, less refined interpretation. ### Projection Power Longevity is moderate, clocking in at around 6-7 hours. Projection is initially strong, reaching beyond arm's length for the first hour, before settling into a closer skin scent. Tested in both indoor and outdoor environments, the projection noticeably weakened in cooler temperatures. ### The Verdict This fragrance is best suited for cooler evenings, specifically fall or winter. Its intense, slightly cloying character makes it unsuitable for daytime wear or warm weather. An appropriate setting would be a dimly lit lounge or a sophisticated, but casual, social gathering."

"### Final Thoughts Charuto Regal Reserve is for the individual who finds solace in dimly lit spaces and intellectual pursuits. Picture a solitary writer, cloistered away with stacks of dog-eared paperbacks and a half-empty glass of dark rum. This fragrance paints the scene, but lacks the polished finesse to translate to sophisticated social gatherings. It's an introspective scent, perfect for cool evenings and moments of quiet contemplation, but approach with caution if you prefer a lighter touch. ### First Impressions & Dry Down Charuto Regal Reserve unfurls a deeply contemplative aura. The initial incense blast is less liturgical, more headshop – a haze of sweet olibanum blended with an intensely medicinal anise. The cardamom offers only a fleeting warmth before the tobacco rushes forward, heavy and damp like unlit pipe tobacco stored in a cedar chest. It bears a similar character to the inspiration but possesses a less refined edge. The original's nuanced apricot facets are flattened into a more straightforward, slightly bitter licorice. The drydown settles into a resinous sweetness. Vanilla bourbon provides a creamy backdrop for the myrrh, creating an almost gourmand effect, though a persistent undercurrent of that synthetic anise lingers. ### The Performance Stats This elixir boasts impressive staying power. I experienced a solid 8-9 hours of noticeable presence. Projection extends easily beyond arm's length for the first few hours, creating a definite personal scent bubble, before gradually receding closer to the skin. I wore it during a rainy afternoon at a used bookstore. It felt utterly apropos, but it became cloying at a crowded bar later that night."

"### To Buy or Not to Buy? This fragrance is best suited for cold weather, specifically late fall or winter evenings. It’s too heavy and cloying for daytime wear, especially in warmer climates. This might work well for a dimly lit bar or a casual evening gathering, but I would not recommend it for formal occasions or close encounters. Proceed with caution. ### First Impressions & Dry Down Royal Tobac opens with a blast of something akin to root beer spiked with black licorice. The initial olibanum attempts to mimic incense, but lands closer to a dusty antique store. The cardamom is present, adding a whisper of spice that quickly fades. The heart is where the tobacco note comes in, but it’s a rough, unrefined tobacco leaf – think dried pipe tobacco left out in the sun too long. The fenugreek adds a strange, savory edge that clashes with the vanilla. The drydown is an awkward marriage of sweet vanilla and bitter myrrh, creating a powdery, slightly musty effect. It attempts to emulate the original, but falls short by presenting a less refined and less complex aroma overall. ### Longevity & Projection Longevity is impressive; I got a solid 8 hours on skin, projecting about an arm's length for the first 2 hours before settling closer. I wore it during a rainy afternoon at a coffee shop and found it overwhelming."