Tabu

Tabu by Dana, composed by Jean Carles in 1932, is one of the great early spicy florals, dark and animalic in the old style. Everyone describes it as floral and most as woody and spicy; around four in ten also find it citrusy, and a minority notice resin and amber.

The opening is bright for a moment, with bergamot, orange and neroli, before coriander and spices take over. The heart is rich and warm: rose and jasmine for body, ylang-ylang for a creamy, slightly banana-like sweetness, narcissus for a green, earthy depth and cloves for a hot, medicinal spice that defines the scent. The base is long and dark, with patchouli, oakmoss and vetiver giving an earthy, mossy weight, sandalwood and cedar a dry wood, benzoin and amber a resinous warmth, and musk and civet a distinctly animalic hum.

Most wearers report long lasting power and a strong trail. It is voted for winter and autumn in equal measure and firmly for evening. It suits someone who wants a bold, vintage-style scent with real depth.

Tabu — unisex fragrance by Dana (released 1932). Top notes: Spices, Orange, Coriander, Neroli, Bergamot. Heart notes: Cloves, Ylang-Ylang, Narcissus, Jasmine, Rose. Base notes: Amber, Civet, Benzoin, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Musk, Oakmoss, Vetiver, Cedar. — Parfica open fragrance database