bdk Parfums
A unique visual signature based on accords, character, and seasonality
The almond hits immediately, almost extract-sharp, tempered by a surprisingly photorealistic orange blossom that brings honeyed pollen and indolic warmth. Within minutes, the tonka begins its slow creep upward, wrapping around the nuttiness like caramel binding praline.
The tobacco absolute emerges properly now, not ashtray-smoky but rich and resinous, mingling with rose absolute in a way that recalls Turkish delight dusted with cocoa powder. The sweetness peaks here but never cloys, held in check by amyris's woody dryness and a whisper of cinnamon-like spice that must be emanating from the tobacco itself.
What remains is a skin-close veil of bourbon vanilla and amberwood—plush, slightly powdery, unmistakably sensual. The tonka's coumarinic sweetness softens to something almost hay-like, whilst the amyris provides just enough pencil-shaving woodiness to ground the composition in elegance rather than dessert.
Velvet Tonka is Alexandra Carlin's love letter to the après-ski bar, where almond croissants meet tobacco-stained velvet banquettes and the air hangs thick with dark luxury. This is tonka bean done properly—not the anaemic, sanitised vanilla-adjacent whisper that pervades mass market gourmands, but a full-throated declaration backed by Balkans tobacco absolute and bourbon vanilla. The almond opening flirts with marzipan without tumbling into Cherry Bakewell territory, whilst orange blossom adds just enough white floral brightness to prevent the composition from collapsing into brown sugar sludge. What makes this compelling is the tension between the rose absolute and tobacco in the heart—there's something almost leathery in their interaction, a subtle animalic quality that stops this from being just another cosy gourmand. The spice accord weaves through like cardamom in a masala chai, whilst the powdery facets suggest expensive face powder rather than baby talc. This isn't for timid wearers; it projects unapologetically and wears best on those who understand that comfort scents needn't be meek. Think Serge Lutens devotees who want something slightly more wearable than Chergui, or Dior Fève Délicieuse fans seeking more complexity. It's the olfactory equivalent of cashmere against bare skin—sensual, enveloping, quietly indulgent.
Add fragrances to your collection and unlock your personalised scent DNA, note map, and shareable identity card.
4.2/5 (358)