Tonka Bean

Gourmand · appears in 11 documented compositions

Almond-tobacco-hay sweetness with a marzipan warmth; softer and drier than vanilla.

Library uses

11

Dominant placement

base

Avg. longevity of hosts

9.7 h

Strongest season

Autumn

Origin & sourcing

Seeds of Dipteryx odorata from Venezuela, Brazil and Nigeria, cured to bloom coumarin.

What matters about it

  • Coumarin, isolated in 1868, was the first synthetic widely used in perfumery and launched the fougere family.
  • Tonka contains up to 3% coumarin by weight after curing.
  • IFRA restricts coumarin levels in leave-on products, so heavy tonka is usually reinforced synthetically.

How it behaves in a formula

Across this library, Tonka Bean appears 0 times as a top note, 2 times in the heart and 9 times in the base. Placement is the single best predictor of what you will actually smell: top-note materials are high-volatility and gone within the hour, base-note materials are fixatives that define the final and longest phase of the wear.

Compositions containing Tonka Bean in this library average 9.7 hours of documented longevity, and skew toward autumn and winter wear. Treat that as a tendency of the gourmand family rather than a property of the material alone — dose, supporting accord and concentration all move the result.

Fragrances built with Tonka Bean

Shalimar by Guerlain fragrance bottle

Guerlain

Shalimar

1925

Amber Oriental · Women

Crafted by Jacques Guerlain in 1925 and inspired by the legendary love story of Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal, Shalimar stands as one of the absolute masterpieces of amber oriental perfumery. The fragrance opens with an intense, sparkling burst of citrus dominated by crisp lemon and bergamot, which rapidly transitions into a dark, powdery, and deeply resinous heart. The core is anchored by a generous overdose of natural iris and smoky vetiver, creating an intriguing tension between cool, earthy elegance and smoldering warmth. As it settles onto the skin, Shalimar reveals its true identity through a legendary dry-down of rich, animalic vanilla, smooth leather, opoponax, and incense. Rather than a modern, linear confection, this composition demands patience and skin chemistry interaction, shifting continuously over many hours. It is an unapologetically dramatic, opulent, and historical olfactory journey designed for those who appreciate complex vintage architecture and profound depth in fragrance.

10-14 hoursAutumn / Winter
La Vie Est Belle by Lancôme fragrance bottle

Lancôme

La Vie Est Belle

2012

Floral Fruity Gourmand · Women

Developed by a trio of renowned perfumers—Olivier Polge, Dominique Ropion, and Anne Flipo—in 2012, La Vie Est Belle translates to 'life is beautiful' and represents a philosophy of joy and freedom. The fragrance opens with a bright, fruity collision of crisp pear and tart black currant. The heart introduces a rich, powdery elegance through natural iris pallida, balanced by luminous orange blossom and jasmine. The true core of the fragrance unfolds in the base, where an intense, addictive overdose of sweet praline, warm vanilla, and smooth tonka bean is anchored by clean patchouli. It established a massive wave of sweet gourmand fragrances in mainstream perfumery, offering massive longevity, high projection, and an unashamedly cheerful, comforting embrace.

10-12 hoursAutumn / Winter
Tobacco Vanille by Tom Ford fragrance bottle

Tom Ford

Tobacco Vanille

2007

Amber Spicy · Unisex

Part of Tom Ford's exclusive Private Blend collection launched in 2007, Tobacco Vanille is an opulent, warm, and decadent interpretation of classic English gentlemen's club atmosphere. The fragrance opens with a rich, aromatic blast of authentic tobacco leaves paired with sharp, warming spices that recreate the dry scent of a high-end humidor. As it evolves, the heart introduces a thick, creamy sweetness through a dense blend of vanilla, tonka bean, tobacco blossom, and a touch of dark cacao. The dry-down settles into a luxurious mixture of sweet dried fruits and rich woods that cling to skin and fabrics for days. It is an intensely comforting, powerful, and opulent composition built explicitly for cold-weather dominance and rich sensory immersion.

12+ hoursAutumn / Winter
Lost Cherry by Tom Ford fragrance bottle

Tom Ford

Lost Cherry

2018

Amber Floral Gourmand · Unisex

Launched in 2018 under Tom Ford's Private Blend line, Lost Cherry explores the contrast between an innocent, luscious fruit note and a dark, decadent, liqueur-soaked underbelly. The fragrance opens with a mouth-watering burst of ripe black cherry candy infused with bitter almond and rich, boozy cherry liqueur. The heart introduces velvety plum, sweet Turkish rose, and deep jasmine sambac to elevate the fruit note into high-end perfumery. The complex dry-down features a warm, spicy bed of roasted tonka bean, rich vanilla, balsams, cinnamon, and woody notes. It delivers a playful yet seductive experience, offering a realistic, luxurious take on cherry that breaks away from juvenile fruit body sprays.

6-8 hoursAutumn / Winter
Y Eau de Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent fragrance bottle

Yves Saint Laurent

Y Eau de Parfum

2018

Aromatic Fougere · Men

Formulated by master perfumer Dominique Ropion in 2018, Y Eau de Parfum represents the drive of a modern generation of men who dare to follow their passions. The scent opens with a sharp, vibrant burst of crisp green apple, zesty ginger, and bright bergamot. The heart introduces a clean, herbal-aromatic bridge built around sage, crisp juniper berries, and fresh geranium. The dry-down features an intensely powerful, modern foundation of dark amberwood, sweet tonka bean, cedar, and resinous olibanum. Designed for high performance and exceptional crowd-pleasing appeal, it strikes an ideal balance between clean, shower-fresh brightness and rich, sweet, masculine sensuality.

9-11 hoursSpring / Autumn / Summer
Good Girl by Carolina Herrera fragrance bottle

Carolina Herrera

Good Girl

2016

Amber Floral · Women

Created by Louise Turner in 2016 and housed in an iconic stiletto heel bottle, Good Girl plays on the duality of modern femininity through the concept of 'it's so good to be bad'. The fragrance opens with a rich, inviting collision of dark roasted coffee beans and nutty bitter almond, cut through with a flash of bright citrus. The heart presents a lush, narcotic floral trio of sweet tuberose, exotic jasmine sambac, and orange blossom. The dark, decadent dry-down melts into a rich gourmand base of warm tonka bean, sweet cacao, vanilla, and praline. It offers a magnetic, high-contrast signature that is bold, confident, and perfectly tailored for evening social settings.

8-10 hoursAutumn / Winter
Soleil Blanc by Tom Ford fragrance bottle

Tom Ford

Soleil Blanc

2016

Amber Floral · Unisex

Launched in 2016 within Tom Ford's Private Blend collection, Soleil Blanc captures the remote, sun-drenched luxury of private island getaways and sun-baked skin. The fragrance opens with an unusual, nutty opening of warm pistachio blended with spicy cardamom and crisp bergamot. The heart blooms into a rich, solar floral bouquet of creamy tuberose, exotic ylang-ylang, and sweet jasmine. The dry-down wraps the wearer in a decadent blanket of rich coconut milk, golden amber, and smooth tonka bean. It avoids being a generic coconut sunscreen by introducing sophisticated floral and nutty nuances, making it the ultimate definition of high-end tropical elegance.

7-9 hoursSummer / Spring
Gris Charnel by Berdoues / BDK Parfums fragrance bottle

Berdoues / BDK Parfums

Gris Charnel

2019

Amber Woody · Unisex

Formulated by Mathilde Bijaoui in 2019 for BDK Parfums, Gris Charnel captures the bohemian, romantic electricity of Paris at twilight. The scent opens with a unique, creamy accord of lactonic fig and spicy cardamom blended with smoky black tea. The heart introduces powdery iris and earthy bourbon vetiver, resting on a warm, comforting base of rich sandalwood, tonka bean, and vanilla. It has achieved cult-classic status for its modern, cozy, and effortlessly stylish urban character.

8-10 hoursAutumn / Winter / Spring
The Tragedy of Lord George by Penhaligon's fragrance bottle

Penhaligon's

The Tragedy of Lord George

2016

Amber Woody · Men

Crafted by Alberto Morillas in 2016 as part of Penhaligon's legendary Portraits collection, Lord George represents traditional English aristocracy with a subtle, scandalous twist. The fragrance opens with a sharp, clean accord mimicking classic aristocratic shaving soap paired with a splash of rich, aged brandy. The heart unfolds into sophisticated dry woods, while the foundation settles into a warm, inviting base of amber and sweet tonka bean. It projects an air of authoritative confidence, refined manners, and quiet sophistication.

8-10 hoursAutumn / Winter
Oud Wood by Tom Ford fragrance bottle

Tom Ford

Oud Wood

2007

Amber Woody · Unisex

Composed by Richard Herpin in 2007, Oud Wood introduced mainstream Western luxury perfumery to the mystical, smoky depths of agarwood without overwhelming medicinal facets. The fragrance opens with an exotic, spiced fusion of exotic rosewood, cardamom, and Chinese pepper. The smoky, complex heart features rare oud wood blended with creamy sandalwood and earthy vetiver. The smooth base softens the profile with warm amber, tonka bean, and vanilla, making it one of the most wearable, refined, and universally praised wood-centric fragrances ever made.

7-9 hoursAutumn / Winter
Tobacco Honey by Guerlain fragrance bottle

Guerlain

Tobacco Honey

2023

Amber Woody · Unisex

Launched in 2023 within Guerlain's exclusive L'Art et la Matiere collection, Tobacco Honey is a magnificent exploration of contrasting textures built around golden, viscous honey and rich tobacco. The fragrance opens with an ultra-rich, realistic wave of sweet honey accented by sharp cloves and anise. The sophisticated heart introduces dry tobacco leaves tempered by nutty sesame and warm tonka bean. The decadent base melts into a deep foundation of smooth vanilla, precious oud, and myrrh. It is a masterpiece of balance, offering a luxurious, golden warmth that envelops the wearer.

12+ hoursAutumn / Winter